News

91��Ƭ Hosts Third Annual MedTech & Finance Conference for Westchester Youth

znegron@mercy.edu — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 16:51:45 +0000

91��Ƭ Hosts Third Annual MedTech & Finance Conference for Westchester Youth znegron@mercy.edu Thu, 03/26/2026 - 12:51 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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Nearly 200 middle and high school students explored career pathways at the intersection of medicine, technology and finance at the third annual MedTech & Finance Conference held at 91��Ƭ's Westchester Campus on March 7, 2026.

The event, hosted by the Westchester County Youth Bureau in partnership with 91��Ƭ and Sister to Sister International Inc., brought eighth through 12th graders face-to-face with industry leaders from New York Presbyterian-Westchester, St. John's Riverside Hospital and other organizations.

"As provost, I am honored that Mercy is once again hosting the Youth MedTech & Finance Conference," said Dr. Kristin Greenwood, 91��Ƭ provost and senior vice president of academic affairs. "Engaging students from grades 8-12 in these critical fields reflects our commitment to cultivating the next generation, who will drive innovation across healthcare and finance."

Victor Petenkemani, dean of 91��Ƭ's School of Business, emphasized the institution's role in preparing students for technology-driven careers.

"The future of business is being shaped by rapid technological change, and our responsibility as educators is to prepare students to lead in that environment," Petenkemani said. "We are integrating essential business skills throughout the 91��Ƭ School of Business curriculum while training students on the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence."

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins praised the collaboration between government, education and private industry.

"Events like the MedTech & Finance Conference showcase how county government can team up with private industry to open doors for Westchester's youth," Jenkins said. "Students, your presence here shows you are taking charge of your future and following your interests."

Ernest McFadden, executive director of the Westchester County Youth Bureau, said the conference aims to empower young people at the intersection of healthcare, technology and finance.

"Our goal is to empower young people with the knowledge, networks and inspiration needed to move forward in these critical fields solve global healthcare challenges," McFadden said.

Dr. Cheryl Brannan, founder of Sister to Sister International, said the conference serves both students exploring new career paths and those already familiar with the fields.

"This conference gets better every year," Brannan said. "The MedTech & Finance Conference is a tremendous resource for Westchester students."

Dr. Mzimeli Morris, director of labor and delivery at New York Presbyterian Westchester and assistant professor of women's health in OB/GYN at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, delivered the keynote address. She shared her medical career journey and discussed her work promoting health equity.

Morris said the event provides crucial exposure for young people, particularly students of color who may be first in their families to pursue these fields.

"Many youth of color are the very first in their families to embark on these fields and I wanted to let them know that there is no one way to accomplish your goals," Morris said. "You don't have to fit inside of the boxes that academia has constructed to be what you want to be."

Students participated in workshops covering medical topics, artificial intelligence applications, cybersecurity, interview skills and financial management for career development.

Nicholas Kurumunda, a senior at New Rochelle High School, said the conference provided valuable networking opportunities.

"I was able to network and learn a lot from the professionals who were presenting the workshops," Kurumunda said. "This is an opportunity that everyone who has an interest in the fields should experience if they can."

Westfair Business Journal: Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center Marks First Year

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 19:14:38 +0000

Westfair Business Journal: Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center Marks First Year znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 02/09/2026 - 14:14 School of Business Mercy in the News

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The Westfair Business Journal covered the 1-year anniversary celebration of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), a partnership between 91��Ƭ, the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County.

Read the article here

Hudson Valley News: Financial Empowerment Center Marks First Year of Impact with Community Celebration

znegron@mercy.edu — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:50:01 +0000

Hudson Valley News: Financial Empowerment Center Marks First Year of Impact with Community Celebration znegron@mercy.edu Tue, 02/03/2026 - 14:50 School of Business Mercy in the News

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The Hudson Valley News covered the 1-year anniversary celebration of the Mount Vernon Financial Empowerment Center (FEC), partnership between 91��Ƭ, the City of Mount Vernon and Westchester County.

Read the article here

6th Annual Student-Preneur Conference Showcases Record Student Participation and Innovation

znegron@mercy.edu — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 22:00:00 +0000

6th Annual Student-Preneur Conference Showcases Record Student Participation and Innovation znegron@mercy.edu Wed, 04/30/2025 - 18:00 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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From left to right: 91��Ƭ student Frederick Schildwachter; Korhan Beba, of the Beba Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation, Sofia Cialicu, director of Operations for Mercy's School of Business; student Max Mitchell; Mercy Trustee and alumnus Phillip Grant; student Zein Wahdan (in the back); Robert F. Bohn, director of Mercy’s entrepreneurship programs (in the front); Umran Beba of the Beba Innovation and Entrepreneurship Foundation; alumnus Andrew Boryk ’17; School of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani and alumna Tereva Bundy ’21.

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91��Ƭ's School of Business hosted its 6th Annual Student-Preneur Conference on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, marking a milestone year with unprecedented student participation across all three campuses (Westchester, Bronx and Manhattan). The Beba Foundation of Innovation & Entrepreneurship sponsored the event. Their ongoing support of 91��Ƭ, along with their invaluable contributions to both the competition and the School of Business throughout the years, is deeply appreciated.

The day was filled with inspiration, innovation and celebration of students' achievement, as future entrepreneurs showcased their business acumen through the Business Plan Competition Finale.

The event started with encouraging words from the dean of the School of Business. Victor Petenkemani reminded students that today's business giants all started with a simple dream.

“Being an entrepreneur, you are thinking about Bill Gates, you're thinking about Steve Jobs. But they started where you are, with a dream, right? With a dream, with an idea and they pursued their dream and were successful,” Petenkemani said. He shared his three core values for entrepreneurial success with the students: “Communication, people first and ethical leadership. If you think about those three, core, fundamental skillsets, I can guarantee, you will be successful.”

91��Ƭ President Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W. highlighted the broader impact of student entrepreneurship: “I think this is a terribly important moment for you to think like entrepreneurs. We need your leadership, creativity and great ideas as students to help solve some of the challenges that our country faces.”

Dr. Kristin Curry Greenwood, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs, celebrated the spirit of the competition: “Healthy competition helps us all get better, and cooperative competition is a really good thing. There's a spirit here of wanting everybody to thrive and learn.”

Record-Breaking Growth

The Student-Preneur Conference has experienced remarkable growth, from just 10 student presenters and two dozen attendees in 2022 to this year's impressive 49 student presenters and more than 250 attendees. It featured a record of 23 teams comprising 49 students from diverse academic backgrounds, demonstrating the university's commitment to fostering an entrepreneurial spirit across disciplines.

For the first time, the conference welcomed participants from all three Mercy campuses, spanning undergraduate and graduate programs. The competition has drawn participants from across Mercy's academic landscape, bringing together students from the most diverse mixture of curricula, including education, legal studies, sport management, liberal arts, criminal justice and computer science, and the Schools of Health & Natural Science, Business and Social & Behavioral Sciences.

The event also doubled its high school engagement, welcoming students from Lincoln High School's Academy of Finance in Yonkers and Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx.

Drilon Gojani, Academy of Finance professor at Lincoln High School, emphasized the value for his students: “This event is a great precursor to what our students will be doing next year. Our senior class has a business grant contest they compete in at the high school level, and our students come here and watch it first-hand. Overall, it's an amazing experience.”

For students like Margaret Ennin, a junior from Lincoln High School, the event offered a glimpse into their future potential: “The aspects of entrepreneurship that excite me the most consist of the analytical skills that come from entrepreneurship, being able to problem solve and be quick on your feet so that you can build a business that helps your community or even global society as a whole.”

Mercy Alumni Return to Inspire

The event featured two distinguished Mercy alumni who returned to share their expertise and inspire current students.

91��Ƭ Board of Trustees Member Phillip Grant, M.B.A. ’08, delivered the keynote address. Now executive vice president and chief operating officer at Armand Corporation, Grant has over 20 years of experience in economic development, engineering, and public infrastructure. Grant encouraged students to think beyond limitations: “One of the key points I want to make here is, do not limit yourself. Dream bigger than this universe. That's your goal: dream bigger than this universe.”

He credited his Mercy education with broadening his perspective: “Mercy helped me think bigger, not just how to build things but how to lead people, manage capital, balance risk, and move teams toward something greater than the sum of our job descriptions.”

When asked how Mercy fostered his entrepreneurial spirit, Grant explained: “Once I got my Mercy degree in 2008, it gave me the confidence to go in and renegotiate my salary. I've been using those tips and tools throughout my career.” He continued, “It gave me a breadth of experience, from smart classmates and outstanding teachers, but also the tools to add to my engineering degree to go out and advocate and understand business."

Andrew Boryk ’17 led the Mercy Entrepreneurial Alliance Panel. A multi-time startup founder recognized as one of Forbes Magazine’s "30 Under 30" in 2022, Boryk shared how Mercy supported his entrepreneurial journey even when it didn't follow a conventional path.

“When I was here, I had lots of Mercy support, and I always appreciated how flexible I could make my schedule. I moved all my classes online, on weekends, and at night. So, for my last two years, I wasn't on campus. But Mercy supported me through all of that,” Boryk said, explaining how this flexibility allowed him to earn his degree while launching his startup. He needed to stay in school, despite the lure of dropping out and focusing solely on his startup, which so many had done.

“But I’m only the second person in my whole family to go to college, so I was in this till the end, and I wasn’t going to go and squander this opportunity; I’m going to finish my degree.” Boryk continued, “I knew that if I waited, I would be years behind where I could have been. So, Mercy was supportive.”

Student Innovation on Display

The event's highlight was the Business Plan Competition Finale, where five finalist teams presented their business concepts to a panel of expert judges.

The five finalist teams were:

1. Brew'd-Vita

Lesly Lopez
Jahayra Maldonado
Daisy Arevalo
Kimberly Morocho

2. Court Connections

Zein Wahdan
Max Mitchell
Frederick Schildwachter

3. JC Performance Training

Juan Campillo Casas

4. TNHair LLC

Trinity Nero-Hill

5. PRYSM

Mason Gifford
Ricardo Marin
Sophia Resolme

Team PRYSM showcased their concept for an all-in-one rewards loyalty hub for small businesses affected by California wildfires. Sophia Resolme, Marketing '26, explained: “We came up with PRYSM, which is essentially an all-in-one rewards loyalty hub. It kind of mocks the Starbucks app, where a user can go in and buy their drinks and save up their rewards, but it's targeted only toward local and smaller businesses.”

Court Connections presented their two-pronged business, focused on recruiting basketball players from the Middle East and North Africa to U.S. prep schools and colleges and hosting exposure camps. Max Mitchell, pursuing his MBA, explained what winning the competition would mean for their business: “I think it'll bring a lot of awareness to our business, a lot of good publicity and the money for the reward earnings will go toward the inventory and help with the basketball camps. It would be very beneficial for us in our steps forward in business.”

JC Performance Training, founded by Juan Campillo Casas, focuses on elite soccer training. Reflecting on his Mercy experience, Casas said: “My experience as a student-athlete at Mercy has been foundational. Competing while managing academics and running a business taught me resilience, time management and leadership. Mercy has also offered invaluable opportunities — like the Student-Preneur competition — that have helped me refine my business model, build confidence, and grow my network.”

Celebrating Success

After impressive presentations from all teams, Court Connections emerged as the winner. This October, they will represent 91��Ƭ at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs Organization's 42nd Annual Global Conference and Pitch Competition in Tampa, Florida.

From left to right: Frederick Schildwachter, Zein Wahdan and Max Mitchell.

Frederick Schildwachter '27 of Court Connections emphasized the importance of such events: “I think Mercy throwing these much larger-scale events is great. It really gives the opportunity for people like me and my team to achieve greatness and kind of come out of our shells and do something we might not have been used to before”

His teammate Zein Wahdan, Marketing ’26, added: “We're incredibly excited and honored to represent 91��Ƭ at the upcoming competition in Tampa. It's a huge opportunity, and we're already planning how to elevate our pitch, refine our strategy and build on the feedback we received. Our team is motivated to continue improving and make Mercy proud on a larger stage.”

Wahdan acknowledged their crucial support: "Looking back, 91��Ƭ's support has been invaluable, especially from the School of Business and our faculty mentors.

In particular, we're incredibly grateful to Professor Bohn, who has gone above and beyond to support our journey. Without his guidance, encouragement, and belief in our project, I wouldn't have attended the business competition. He's played a key role in helping us grow both personally and professionally.”

Brew'd-Vita took second place. Team member Lesly Lopez expressed her delight: “It's very exciting, especially since this is our first time doing it this year and since it's my last year at Mercy. It's exciting to be part of this and experience and learn from it. I got to meet the team behind this whole business competition. I encourage people to do it.”

From left to right: Daisy Arevalo, Lesly Lopez, Kimberly Morocho and Jahayra Maldonado.

The Power of Entrepreneurial Education

The Student-Preneur Conference exemplifies 91��Ƭ's commitment to preparing students for real-world success through hands-on, collaborative experiences.

Professor Robert F. Bohn, who led the conference, emphasized the event's practical value: “What the students are getting is the value of entrepreneurship, working as a team, working across majors. We have business working with nursing, science working with sports and the Bronx Campus working with Manhattan. So, it's just a question of teamwork and preparing them for the real world. You have to understand that we teach real-world here, and this is a perfect example.”

Bohn was optimistic when asked about the event's future: “It will only go up. For the first time, we have undergraduate and graduate students, all three campuses, 49 students, and diversification—we're committed to growing more and more.”

Dean Petenkemani expressed heartfelt appreciation for the individuals who made the Student-Preneur Competition a success.

“On behalf of the School of Business, we sincerely thank Umran Beba, Korhan Beba, Elena Rivera-Cheek, Phillip Grant, Andrew Boryk and Tereva Bundy for serving as judges for the Student-Preneur Competition. Their expertise, thoughtful feedback and support were invaluable to competitors and the event's success,” said Dean Petenkemani. “We sincerely appreciate the time and care they dedicated to evaluating each project and providing meaningful insights to our entrepreneurs. Their contribution helped make the competition a rewarding experience for everyone involved.”

He concluded by recognizing the internal efforts that helped bring the event to life: “Last but not least, I want to thank the SBUS faculty and staff for their hard work, dedication, and passion you have shown in making our Entrepreneur Competition a resounding success. Their attention to detail and teamwork brought this event to life and inspired all participants. I am genuinely grateful for the energy and professionalism they brought to every step of the process. This success would not have been possible without their efforts, and I am proud of what we have accomplished together.”

Mercy Partners with Westchester County Youth Bureau and Sister to Sister International to Host MedTech & Finance Conference

znegron@mercy.edu — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 23:50:11 +0000

Mercy Partners with Westchester County Youth Bureau and Sister to Sister International to Host MedTech & Finance Conference znegron@mercy.edu Tue, 03/25/2025 - 19:50 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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91��Ƭ Trustee Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham, H.D. '20; Brianna Cauthen, assistant director of STEP Opportunity Programs; Julie Arias, director STEP/CSTEP Opportunity Programs; Ernest McFadden, executive director, Westchester County Youth Bureau; Neeti Sanyal, vice president, Creative, The Artefact Group; Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins; Kristin Greenwood, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs; Kevin Joyce, vice president of Student Affairs; STSI Founder Dr. Cheryl Brannan, and Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business.

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The Westchester County Youth Bureau, in collaboration with 91��Ƭ and Sister to Sister International, Inc. (STSI), welcomed over 200 students to its annual MedTech & Finance Conference on March 22. Held at 91��Ƭ’s Westchester Campus, the full-day event introduced eighth to twelfth graders from across the county to emerging career opportunities at the intersection of medicine, technology and finance. This year’s conference saw an expansion in both scope and attendance compared to the 2023 MedTech conference.

“We believe that youth-driven innovation in medicine, technology, and finance will be the catalyst for tomorrow’s solutions,” said Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden. “The 2025 MedTech & Finance Conference highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration to solve the world’s most pressing problems.”

91��Ƭ played a key role in hosting and organizing the event. “We were excited to collaborate with Westchester County, Sister to Sister International and our community partners to organize this conference,” said 91��Ƭ School of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani. “By engaging all stakeholders and pooling resources, we are better equipped to properly train a high-quality workforce to support sustainable economic growth in Westchester County.”

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins, addressing the students, emphasized the importance of taking initiative in their careers. “Opportunities like the MedTech & Finance Conference are a great example of how county government can partner with private institutions to broaden the possibilities for Westchester’s young people,” Jenkins said. “The fact that so many of you are here today means you are being proactive about your futures and already have a sense of what you are interested in. That puts you on a path to success.”

Students attending the conference participated in a range of activities, beginning with a keynote address from innovation strategist Neeti Sanyal. Drawing from her experience in the MedTech and finance industries, Sanyal provided valuable insights on innovation, creativity and career prospects. Attendees then engaged in hands-on workshops with professionals from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, St. John’s Riverside Hospital and other leading organizations. The sessions covered topics such as robotic surgery, the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare management and financial planning for long-term career success.

“This experience will not only enhance their knowledge and creativity but also foster greater self-awareness,” said 91��Ƭ STEP/CSTEP Opportunity Programs Director Julie A. Arias. “The insights gained today will empower them to apply these learnings both in their personal lives and in their contributions to society.”

STSI Founder Dr. Cheryl Brannan expressed her enthusiasm for the event, noting that it provided students with exposure to diverse professionals and career paths. “Sister to Sister was pleased to serve on the leadership team for this great day at 91��Ƭ. We were able to expose students to career opportunities and role models that will help them build confidence and a resilient future. The array of diverse professionals provided students with an impactful and interactive experience. STSI middle and high school students gave the conference rave reviews!”

Students in attendance appreciated the experience and exposure. Ossining High School senior Miles Cauthen remarked, “My biggest takeaway from this event is that there are jobs for anybody in any field. As someone who wants to study computer science, learning that I can use my studies to advance the technology in medical practice is really important to me.”

News 12: 2025 MedTech & Finance Conference Hosted at 91��Ƭ's Westchester Campus

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 23:13:44 +0000

News 12: 2025 MedTech & Finance Conference Hosted at 91��Ƭ's Westchester Campus znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 03/24/2025 - 19:13 School of Business Mercy in the News

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News 12 Westchester coverage of the MedTech & Finance Conference hosted by 91��Ƭ, in partnership with Westchester County Youth Bureau and Sister to Sister International at its Westchester Campus on March 22, 2025. The conference introduced eighth to twelfth graders from across the county to emerging career opportunities.

Danish Student Brings Hometown High School to 91��Ƭ

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 14:32:56 +0000

Danish Student Brings Hometown High School to 91��Ƭ znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 03/10/2025 - 10:32 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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91��Ƭ recently welcomed a special delegation from Denmark, thanks to the initiative of Simon Steffensen, a Business Honors Program student, soccer athlete and international student from Denmark. The visit brought 27 students and two teachers from the Aalborghus Gymnasium in Denmark as well as a distinguished guest, Rasmus Prehn, a member of the Danish Parliament and former minister, to Mercy’s campus.

Steffensen organized the visit to introduce Danish high school students from his hometown to the American higher education system and provide them with a firsthand experience of studying in the U.S.

“As an international student from Denmark, I wanted to create a bridge between my past and present by showing Danish high school students what studying in the U.S. is like,” Steffensen explained. “My goal was to provide them with firsthand insights into the American education system, the opportunities available, and the cultural differences they might experience if they choose to study abroad.”

The idea for the trip stemmed from conversations between Steffensen and his former teachers, who were already planning a visit to the U.S. to follow the election process. Seeing the potential for a collaboration, Steffensen reached out to 91��Ƭ’s administration and faculty, who supported the initiative. The involvement of Rasmus Prehn added a political and diplomatic dimension to the experience, further enriching the visit.

“They [Mercy faculty and staff ] were incredibly supportive, and we worked together to organize the logistics,” said Steffensen. “Mercy played a crucial role in arranging presentations and making sure the visit was engaging and informative.”

During their time at Mercy, the Danish students participated in a range of activities, including a campus tour, several presentations, and open discussions with Mercy students. They had the opportunity to hear from 91��Ƭ President Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business, who spoke on U.S. politics, and School of Business faculty, including Professor Mahmud Wazihullah, who introduced the Business Honors Program, and Professor Mark Chmiel, who provided insights into the U.S. economy and political system. Steffensen played a key role in welcoming the group, introducing them to the university, and sharing his personal journey from Denmark to New York.

Throughout the visit, Steffensen had the chance to engage in conversations with the students, who expressed curiosity about life as an international student in the U.S. Many were impressed by the academic structure, the engagement of professors, and the opportunities available at 91��Ƭ. The discussions on U.S. politics and the economy also provided a fresh perspective, sparking interest among some students in pursuing studies abroad.

Reflecting on the experience, Steffensen highlighted the importance of initiative, communication, and collaboration. “Organizing a visit of this scale required coordination between multiple parties – Mercy faculty, my former high school, and even a Danish politician. Seeing it come together successfully was incredibly rewarding,” he said. He also emphasized the value of fostering connections between institutions in different countries to create meaningful opportunities for students on both sides.

As a Business Honors student and an athlete, his time at Mercy has been transformative. “My experience at Mercy has been incredible,” said Steffensen. “The Business Honors Program has provided me with outstanding networking opportunities, company visits, and academic challenges that have helped me grow. As an athlete, playing soccer has taught me resilience, discipline, and teamwork. Balancing both has been demanding but it has shaped me into a well-rounded individual ready for the next steps in my career.”

Steffensen, a senior, is pursuing his bachelor’s in business administration with a focus on management and finance and recently got a job as project assistant at the Consulate General of Denmark in New York.

From leftn to right, Danish Parliament Member Rasmus Prehn, Almedina Boskailo, professor, Social/Political Science at Aalborghus Gymnasium, 91��Ƭ student Simon Steffensen, and Louise Nielsen, professor, Social/Political Science at Aalborghus Gymnasium.

Danish high school delegation and Mercy School of Business

Fortune 500 Company Executives Share Insights on Education, Career Growth and Resilience

znegron@mercy.edu — Thu, 27 Feb 2025 21:59:08 +0000

Fortune 500 Company Executives Share Insights on Education, Career Growth and Resilience znegron@mercy.edu Thu, 02/27/2025 - 16:59 School of Business 91��Ƭ News Black History Month

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From left to right, Laura Goldenberg, executive director of the Lauder Institute Alumni Association, Anthea Kelsick, Duane Hughes, Lindsey Laveaux and 91��Ƭ School of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani,

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On February 11, the 91��Ƭ School of Business, in collaboration with the Lauder Institute Alumni Association (LIAA), hosted a special fireside chat panel at Mercy’s Westchester Campus to celebrate Black History Month. This year’s theme, "African Americans and Labor," focused on the pivotal role work has played in the Black American experience, highlighting the accomplishments and milestones of Black professionals in the workforce. The panel featured three Lauder Institute alumni, all current or former executives at Fortune 500 companies, who shared their personal journeys and reflected on the significant moments that shaped their careers.

The event, attended by students, faculty and staff, opened with a discussion on the value of education.

“Our forefathers overcame great challenges and just like they did, we will overcome ours by preparing the next generation to lead with compassion, generosity and resolve,” said Victor Petenkemani, dean of Mercy’s School of Business and a Lauder Institute alumnus, who moderated the panel. “We want to provide you a solid educational foundation that best prepares you to succeed in a highly competitive world. This is one of the reasons why we are here today; to hear the life stories of three phenomenal leaders who overcame challenges, are successful in their endeavors and are fully committed to giving back.”

Panelists were asked to reflect on their college mindset and how those experiences influenced their career paths.

Anthea Kelsick, founder and principal of Nova Impact, shared insights into her upbringing and the lessons she learned from her parents, who emphasized the importance of education as the key to unlocking future opportunities. Driven by a "go, go, go" mentality, Kelsick initially pursued a pre-med track, aiming to follow in the footsteps of many of her relatives. However, a simple course change led her to a new path in social sciences.

It was in this moment that Kelsick learned to be open to new opportunities, something she stressed to students in attendance. "Education was the key," Kelsick reflected, "but for me, it’s really about curiosity—unlocking new ways of thinking and learning. That’s what led me down a very non-linear path to where I am today."

Curiosity, openness, and a willingness to pivot emerged as recurring themes throughout the discussion, with panelists Lindsey Laveaux and Duane Hughes sharing similar experiences from their own educational journeys.

Laveaux, a senior trial attorney with New York County Defender Services, shared how her parents instilled in her the belief that education is also a form of freedom. Like Kelsick, Laveaux found that pre-med was not her calling.

“I went ahead and I pursued other courses, but I had no plan for what I was going to do after graduation,” Laveaux recalled. “But what I did know at that time, and I still am, was that I was curious about the world.” Calling it a "leap of faith," Laveaux encouraged students to trust their intuition and embrace uncertainty.

“My mindset at first, when I was in college, was to work, listen to my parents, and do what was expected of me. But at some point, it just intuitively didn’t feel right. I’m so happy that I listened to that, and that was also a moment of growth,” Laveaux explained. “My mindset shifted to being open and accepting of uncertainty. That really helped the remainder of my time in college and the decisions I made thereafter. That was a really good primer for all that came afterwards.”

Hughes, chair of the UBS Americas Advisory Council, spoke about how his parents laid the foundation for his educational journey, teaching him that continuing education was key to unlocking freedom. Hughes holds a JD, MBA, and MA from the University of Pennsylvania, along with a summa cum laude BA from Howard University. Reflecting on his own path, Hughes shared advice that resonates with today’s college students.

“While I wouldn’t necessarily do anything differently,” Hughes said, “I would have put more emphasis on the value of high-end work experience and how that adds to your profile.”

Although Hughes had the opportunity to work on Wall Street right after earning his undergraduate degree, he chose to go directly to graduate school at Wharton. Though he doesn’t regret that decision, he admitted that lacking work experience at the time placed him at a disadvantage.

“I ended up going to law school, so it worked out for me,” Hughes explained. “But being one of the few students without that work experience was somewhat of a structural disadvantage. Knowing what I know now, I would have given more weight to gaining excellent work experience for two years before returning to grad school.”

Laveaux, who holds a JD from University of Pennsylvania Law School and MA in International Studies from the Lauder Institute at Wharton, also shared insights into the skills needed to succeed in the workforce after law school. “I’ve had to learn the balance between soft skills and hard skills,” she said, explaining that soft skills—such as building community, interacting with colleagues, and developing relationships—are often underemphasized. “I think, at least for me culturally, there wasn’t much emphasis on that.”

Her advice? Recognize the importance of networking and staying connected—not only with colleagues but also with past classmates.

Kelsick, who holds an MBA and MA in International Studies from Wharton and the University of Pennsylvania, acknowledged the many struggles she and her co-panelists have faced, noting that the journey has been filled with challenges. “The struggles have been many,” she said. “For every single person up here, we could spend hours just talking through the struggles. And they’ve been financial, they’ve been professional, they’ve been academic.”

However, Kelsick emphasized the value of recognizing these struggles as part of the growth process. “The wisdom of the struggle is recognizing it,” she said. “And that’s part of the journey—turning failure into success. The second part is asking for help.”

Kelsick recalled a moment during her Organic Chemistry course when she struggled but waited too long to ask for support. “I waited way too long to tell somebody that I was in trouble. In retrospect, I would have recognized that earlier on,” she shared. “Acceptance of being in the struggle is part of the journey, and seeking help when you need it is key.”

The event provided a valuable opportunity for students to hear firsthand from accomplished professionals about the importance of education, perseverance and adaptability in navigating career paths.

91��Ƭ Business Students Shine in Global Competition

znegron@mercy.edu — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 01:25:43 +0000

91��Ƭ Business Students Shine in Global Competition znegron@mercy.edu Fri, 12/06/2024 - 20:25 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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From left to right, 91��Ƭ School of Business students Olga Ineza, Mason Gifford and Sophia Resolme celebrate being among the top 20 teams at the prestigious 41st Global Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Business Plan Competition.

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91��Ƭ School of Business students Sophia Resolme, Mason Gifford, and Olga Ineza ranked among the top 20 teams at the prestigious 41st Global Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization Business Plan Competition. The event, held in Tampa, Florida, brought together student entrepreneurs from 600 academic institutions, including highly selective schools such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and MIT.

The trio earned their spot in the competition after winning Mercy’s Annual Business Plan Competition earlier this year with Trace, a discrete radio-frequency tracking sticker. Outperforming 580 schools in the competition, Team Trace advanced to the semifinals, solidifying their place among the top 20.

“It was a very proud moment for 91��Ƭ and the School of Business,” said Robert F. Bohn, director of Mercy’s Entrepreneurship Programs. “It should serve as notice for us all to continue to push our students to achieve the unreachable.”

The competition was fierce, with judges initially selecting the top 100 business plans from the 600 entries. Mercy’s team stood out in the first evaluation round, and later advanced to the coveted top 20. Their achievement represents a defining Maverick moment for the university.

“Making it to the top 20 was a testament to our team’s dedication, hard work, and adaptability,” said Gifford. “Participating in this global competition opened my eyes to the incredible work people are doing around the world and the profound impact it has on their communities.”

This achievement highlights the caliber of 91��Ƭ’s students and programs, reflecting the School of Business’s commitment to fostering innovation and preparing future leaders for success on a global stage.

From left to right, Sofia Cialicu, associate director of Operations for Mercy's School of Business, Robert Bohn, director of Mercy’s Entrepreneurship Programs and students Sophia Resolme, Mason Gifford and Olga Ineza.

Venture Capital Leaders Share AI Workforce Insights with Mercy Students

znegron@mercy.edu — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 22:16:46 +0000

Venture Capital Leaders Share AI Workforce Insights with Mercy Students znegron@mercy.edu Wed, 11/27/2024 - 17:16 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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Leading venture capital investors delivered a message of opportunity and adaptability to 91��Ƭ students during "AI and the Future of Work," a special event hosted by the School of Business through Mercy's Global Initiative on Sustainability and Resilience. Ian Sigalow, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Greycroft, and Iyanna Halilou, General Partner and Leader at The MBA Fund, engaged with students on artificial intelligence's workplace impact, emphasizing human skills' enduring value in an AI-driven economy.

Before the event, Sigalow touched on AI's constructive influence in software development. "Most companies have not reduced their number of developers; they're just using AI as a copilot and that's resulting in faster code production. AI's really good at that, so I think it frees people up to be more creative in the profession.”

Moderator Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business at Mercy, asked the panelists what skills they thought would remain unaffected by AI. “The soft skills,” answered Halilou. “When you are looking for a job, you know machines can help you write cover letters,” she continued, “But ultimately the way you respond to challenges [and your] ability to be flexible and roll with the punches is really what separates success.”

The conversation tackled student concerns about AI displacement. "I understand that people are worried,” Halilou acknowledged. “But I believe that as humans, we’re able to reinvent ourselves and build new skills, especially as we’re building these new technologies.” She continued, “We are creating new opportunities which will create a new class of jobs that we didn’t even know existed.”

Both investors emphasized workplace strategies for the AI era. Sigalow advised students to prioritize in-person work opportunities, both internships and post-graduation, over remote positions. “To the extent that you have the opportunity, opt for the in-person thing, for sure,” he advised. “I think that these skills that separate humans from machines are the communications and personal skills and the soft skills, like how to talk to people and become a leader.” He added, “If you invest in those skills, you will find a lot of opportunity.”

Halilou noted AI's growing influence in venture capital: "I think 99% of the companies we get pitched are somewhat AI, so we can’t really avoid it.”

Sigalow also gave the students career advice. He told students, “There are no mistakes. Honestly, in your twenties? Zero mistakes,” He continued, “You want to start a company? Start a company. It doesn’t work? Shut it down and start something else. You know the U.S. market does not punish people for making career mistakes, and too few people take enough risks in their twenties and even in their thirties."

91��Ƭ Hosts 2024 Latin Biz Today's Spectrum of Success Event

znegron@mercy.edu — Thu, 10 Oct 2024 17:17:59 +0000

91��Ƭ Hosts 2024 Latin Biz Today's Spectrum of Success Event znegron@mercy.edu Thu, 10/10/2024 - 13:17 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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91��Ƭ School of Business students at Latin Biz Today's Spectrum of Success Event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Photo by Ivy Dash Photography

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91��Ƭ’s School of Business recently partnered with Latin Biz Today to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Latino business community by hosting Latin Biz Today’s Spectrum of Success Event. The event was a celebration of Latino work, life, and culture.

"91��Ƭ is proud to partner with Latin Biz Today to bring the Hispanic community to our campus," said Susan L. Parish, Ph.D., M.S.W., president of 91��Ƭ. "We're the region's largest private Hispanic-Serving Institution. Half of our undergraduate students are Hispanic and often the first in their families to attend college."

Attendees heard inspiring words from keynote speaker Ruben A. Medina, founding partner and managing director at RC Solutions in White Plains, NY, and a panel of business experts with representatives from the finance, technology, sports, medical, and food industries, who discussed the power of education and networking. They also got to enjoy Latin rhythms from Tito Puente Jr and his band and great food.

For School of Business student Jackeline Gregorio, a senior at Mercy, attending the event was an opportunity to not only celebrate her heritage but expose herself to more networking opportunities within the community. “As a Latina and immigrant, myself, it was very important for me to be involved in something that we can celebrate as a whole country and enjoy my roots and culture alongside my fellow Hispanic/Latino neighbors,” said Gregorio. She added that she felt empowered knowing that she has the support of an immense community.

For Esmeralda Perez, another SBUS student, attending the event was important to her as a Latina student. “I was excited to be a part of a celebration that honors the rich culture and contributions of the Hispanic community. What I particularly enjoyed about the event was the opportunity to connect with others who share similar backgrounds and experiences, while also learning more about the diverse range of cultures within the Hispanic community. The music, food, and stories shared during the event made it a vibrant and meaningful experience that felt both familiar and new,” said Perez.

She added that it is crucial for 91��Ƭ to host and support events like this because they foster a sense of belonging and representation. “Celebrating our unique cultures not only brings awareness but also strengthens our community, making it more inclusive and diverse.”

Additional photos below courtesy of Ivy Dash Photography.

91��Ƭ President Susan L. Parish, Sofia Cialicu, associate director of Business Operations for the School of Business, Kristin Greenwood, interim provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, and School of Business Dean Victor Petenkemani.

91��Ƭ President Susan L. Parish welcomes attendees.

The Latin rhythms of Tito Puente Jr and his band to wrap up a wonderful evening of celebration.

2024 Summer Leadership Academy Welcomes Over 140 Rising High School and Future Innovators

znegron@mercy.edu — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 16:24:37 +0000

2024 Summer Leadership Academy Welcomes Over 140 Rising High School and Future Innovators znegron@mercy.edu Mon, 08/26/2024 - 12:24 School of Business 91��Ƭ News

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2024 Summer Leadership Academy participants in the Rotunda at 91��Ƭ's Westchester Campus.

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This summer, 91��Ƭ’s School of Business (SBUS) welcomed high school seniors from all over the world for its annual Summer Leadership Academy. The 2024 Summer Leadership Academy was attended by an all-time high number of 142 rising high school seniors during three sessions: June 23rd-29th, July 7th-13th, and July 21st-27th. Through the efforts of the SBUS faculty, participants explored future career options, gained valuable skills, created connections with other aspiring entrepreneurs, and got to network with Fortune 500 companies like Bloomberg, J.P. Morgan, Deloitte, Google, and NBC Universal.

“Mercy’s commitment to the development of the future leaders of business enterprises can be seen within this initiative” said Mahmud Wazihullah, professor of business and director of the Business Honors Program.

Founded in 2012 by Wazihullah and other SBUS faculty members, the Summer Leadership Academy was designed to help rising high school seniors hone the essential skills and knowledge to prepare them for rewarding business careers. Since then, the program has grown from a small summer meet-up to a thriving academic program with global appeal. The competition is fierce, with about 400 applicants each year vying for approximately 46 spots in the three week-long sessions.

This year’s Summer Leadership Academy took place on the Westchester and Manhattan campuses. Participants hailed from all over the U.S. as well as Malaysia, Dubai, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, Romania, and Canada. During the program, participants enhanced their overall business skills through introductory business planning, marketing, and analytics classes. Group activities helped them engage with their peers and the professors through activities, including visiting the United Nations and the business plan competition, called Shark Tank, after the popular reality show.

The week-long Shark Tank competition, conducted by Professor Robert Bohn, director of entrepreneurship, featured eight teams of students working cohesively to pitch a brand-new service they created during the first meeting. The top teams won prizes, as well as the admiration of the Professors and other students!

Every participant receives a faculty mentor, a key component of the program’s success. This summer, the three faculty mentors were professors Bohn, Wazihullah and Susan Cooper. Participants were encouraged to ask questions, brainstorm ideas, and discover more about business careers from someone who had made their way to the top.

Another key feature is the presence of Student Ambassadors—alumni of the Summer Leadership Academy and students in the Business Honors Program who return to campus to serve as peer advisors. Four Ambassadors are invited to join each cohort, living in the residence halls and participating in most activities while sharing their experiences and offering encouragement.

"This program is not just a fantastic opportunity for students to network and learn, but it is also an opportunity for us as ambassadors to meet incredibly bright young adults who have a passion for business," said Onnika DeBruhl, student ambassador in one of the program's sessions.

“From understanding the fundamentals of marketing and creating and pitching our own Shark Tank products to exploring Manhattan and visiting Bloomberg, the Mercy faculty and staff ensured that the students have a complete and enriching experience,” said Jackson Chretien, one of the participants.

“Over this past week, I’ve gained clarity on my future decisions. Since I stepped foot on campus, it felt like home, and I fell in love. From the professors, business honors family, and the amazing environment at Mercy, I finally found my home away from home. Thank you all for providing this unbelievable opportunity”, said Kayla Heenan, another participant.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity to spend my week learning, talking, and collaborating with my professors and peers throughout the program. Every one of them made the week more rewarding,” said participant Sarah Guadagnino.

Associate Director of Business Operations Sofia Cialicu played a critical role in making this program run smoothly and ensuring students had a wonderful experience at Mercy. Victor Petenkemani, dean of the School of Business, along with Wazi, Cooper, Bohn, and Cialicu, thank the future Mavericks students who participated in the Summer Leadership Academy Programfor the opportunity to show them the true mission and value of the school and university.

For more information about applying to next year’s series, visit the Summer Leadership Academy website or contact Professor Mahmud Wazihullah or Coordinator Sofia Cialicu.

2024 Summer Leadership Academy participants at Deloitte offices (1), at Mercy's Manhattan Campus (2) and Mercy's Neil Judge Student Athlete Center in the Westchester Campus (3).

Managing at a Distance

jbailjr@mercy.edu — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:30:39 +0000

Managing at a Distance jbailjr@mercy.edu Mon, 07/29/2024 - 10:30 School of Business Maverick Magazine 91��Ƭ News

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Managing at a Distance

Two business professors offer guidance on remote work.

School of Business associate professor Tom Coughlan, D.B.A., and Gary Bernstein, M.B.A., C.P.A., Mercy trustee and senior instructor, have co-written a book to offer guidance on remote and hybrid work. “Managing at a Distance: A Manager’s Guide to the Challenges of the Hybrid and Remote World,” published in February 2024, provides simple tools to help managers and leaders find their way. Coughlan and Bernstein, who presented their book to faculty, students and staff at Mercy’s Westchester Campus this spring, offered the Magazine some insight into the book.

Q: What inspired you to write the book?

Coughlan: Prior to becoming an academic, I was a marketing communications consultant, and I spent most of my time on the road, so I had lived what some might consider a type of hybrid job for decades. And I worked with global teams, so I understood the challenges of attempting to work together while not sharing either the same physical space or even the same time zone.

It was probably early 2018 that I started to seriously toy with the idea of writing a book about remote management. In 2019, I approached Gary Bernstein, David Fogarty and Lynda Wilson to develop the book. What inspired us was that we recognized that the world had reached an inflection point. That the governance models we relied on for decades, and in some cases centuries, were exhibiting signs of age and entropy. We needed to address social, economic and technical changes that are now, and for the foreseeable future, will be continually redefining our age, and affecting the success of our organizations.

Bernstein: I found it exciting to be able to contribute to a highly contemporary business topic that has become so important in business today and will be more so in the future.

Q: What are some of the challenges of managing employees working remotely?

Coughlan: When I spoke to senior executives while developing the book, the big issues they were concerned about were culture, mentoring, innovation and engagement. Then they worried about how this would affect their strategy going forward on staffing, real estate, recruitment and retention. It is harder (not impossible) to lead culture remotely. So, managers and leaders need to be more deliberate in how they manage their culture because the tacit experience of the culture is more difficult to manage.

Bernstein: A lot remains to be learned on how remoteness of a workforce will impact the ability to develop top senior leaders in the future. Some of the greatest challenges that are already apparent in the workplace do not have easy answers, including the matter of equity between employees that are able and allowed to work remotely versus employees that need a physical presence in the workplace. It will take time until compensation and benefits packages catch up to these types of issues.

Q: What tips can you offer for engaging with employees in today’s hybrid and remote world?

Coughlan: The first issue is to understand that there is no going back to the way it was before.

We need to recognize that the office is simply a tool to facilitate a process. In discussion with a number of commercial real estate executives, we have found that many organizations are rethinking the size, location and layout of their office spaces. There are fewer private offices and more team spaces.

We dedicate a lot of space in the book to the concept of proximity — defining it as more than just geographic closeness and more as an emotional connection between team members. And proximity affects the flow of information between members of an organization. So having an effective proximity strategy becomes critically important.

Bernstein: The top three issues for engaging a hybrid or remote workforce are 1. communication, 2. communication and 3. communication. Once we get past that, there are a myriad of best practices to focus on such as creating a virtual teamwork environment using technology to bring in a feel if not the same, but similar to the workplace and learning how to truly shift away from evaluating work on time and focusing on results. We also need to allow employees to earn trust and leaders in turn need to give a level of trust toward employees, such that remote employees are and feel equally valued.

Q: Do you believe remote and hybrid work will become more widely accepted across industries? Coughlan: Without question, hybrid and remote have become mainstream, but those hybrid and remote workers are not evenly distributed. It is far more common to be hybrid or remote in IT and finance than it is in transportation and hospitality.

Bernstein: It must become more accepted as employees will demand it. There is also the stronger generational pull of younger employees having an even greater preference for remote and hybrid approaches. In a business marketplace where knowledge-based employees and top skills are in both short supply and of paramount importance, this acceptance must happen if an enterprise wants to attract the best talent.

Q: As you both teach in Mercy’s School of Business, has the pandemic or the world after it changed the way you prepare students for the workplace once they graduate?

Coughlan: The pandemic was an inflection point. But the changes we’ve experienced were evident long before the pandemic happened. So, a better way to answer the question might be that managers and organizational leaders can never remain static for very long — especially when they see a shift in the rate of change.

Bernstein: If I had to attribute two aspects to change in preparation, it would be the need to help students first learn the power of communication with all, but especially remote employees, and expand their viewpoint of the role that leaders must take in accepting, embracing and extracting the very best from a new reality.

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Celebrating Mercy College Faculty Excellence

Anonymous — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 20:28:55 +0000

Celebrating Mercy College Faculty Excellence Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 06/01/2023 - 16:28 School of Business School of Education School of Health and Natural Sciences School of Liberal Arts School of Social and Behavioral Sciences Mercy College News

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Mercy College Assistant Professor of English Laura Proszak, Ph.D. holding the Teaching Excellence Award.

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On May 12, Mercy College held the 2023 Faculty Recognition Ceremony to celebrate faculty members receiving promotions, tenure, and awards. Approximately 100 people attended the event on the Dobbs Ferry Campus.

“The work faculty members do is incredibly important. It is intellectually challenging and multifaceted, requiring skills in teaching, research and service — and often administration too,” said Linda Bastone, Ph.D., associate provost for faculty affairs. We can’t do enough to celebrate the faculty and recognize their work. And of course, their impact on students can’t be overstated,” said Bastone.

The first portion of the ceremony featured 40 faculty poster presentations focused on pedagogy and research. The ceremony began with opening remarks by Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Eva Fernández, Ph.D., President Tim Hall and President of the Faculty Senate Matthew Hyland, Ph.D.

“From A to Z, you oversee everything, from gateway programs to experiential education,” Fernández said in compliment to Mercy faculty. “You’re moving forward to mastery and dedicated to the success of our students.”

Hall’s remarks echoed those of Fernández. “I commend you for your work and wish you every success,” he said.

“You all deserve to be appreciated,” said Hyland, in his address to the faculty. “Thank you for your passion for Mercy College, a very special place.”

Then, the dean of each school honored faculty members who received promotions and tenure and those retiring. Finally, various administrators presented awards for faculty excellence, innovation and research.

Peter West, Ph.D., dean of Mercy’s School of Liberal Arts, cited the recognition ceremony as one of his favorite events of the year. “It really is a great time where faculty get to recognize their peers and where they get to be recognized for their full dedication to every aspect of teaching and scholarship.”

Congratulations to the following faculty for achieving important career milestones and recognitions.

Promoted to professor:

Saliha Bava, Ph.D.
Amanda Gunning, Ph.D.
Nannette Hyland, Ph.D.
Kathleen Kenney-Riley, Ed.D.
JungKang Miller, Ph.D.
David Wang, Ph.D.

Promoted to associate professor:

Ben Abelson, Ph.D.
Dana Horton, Ph.D.
Maureen MacLeod, Ph.D.
Astrid Mel, Ph.D.
Chun Zhou, Ph.D.

Awarded tenure:

Matthew Hyland, Ph.D.
Chun Zhou, Ph.D.
Dana Horton, Ph.D.

Honored at retirement:

Diana D’Amico Juettner, J.D.

Teaching Excellence Award:

Deborah Mumford, Ed.D.
Laura Proszak, Ph.D.

Faculty Innovation Award:

Elise Arnold-Levene, Ph.D.

Faculty Fellow:

Haley Collazo, MS, L.IS, M.A.

Online Teacher of the Year:

Laura Policar, Ed.D.

Outstanding Research Award:

Marc Palmieri, MFA, M.A.

William F. Olson Chair Award:

Caitlin Wiesner, Ph.D.

Texaco Research Endowment Award:

Narasimhaswamy Banavara, Ph.D.

Honorary Master of Pedagogy Degrees:

Marc Campo, Ph.D.
Joshua Gaetjen, MFA
Kevin Kulic, Ph.D.
Peter Minorsky, Ph.D.
Stacey Senita