2019-2020 Top 25 Students

Hometown: Cincinnati, OH

• Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Member of the Order of Omega Honor Society
• Equestrian Show Jumper

Volunteer Experience

• Ronald McDonald House- volunteer cooking and cleaning at the RMH in Cincinnati, OH as well as Jacksonville, FL.
• Horses N' Heroes- volunteer collecting food and clothes for the underprivileged girls involved in this program.
• Campus Connections- involved in the off-campus bible study.
  

Internships/Employment

• Hagyard Pharmacy, Lexington, KY- social media manager, and sales representative.
• Horses 'N' Heroes - Sponsorships
• Alpha Delta Pi Sorority - Public Relations

Bio: Senior Kathryn Abrahamson is a Sport Business Major and Marketing Minor from Cincinnati, OH who has been show jumping since she was 3 years old and now jumps successfully in the top level of the sport, at the Grand Prix level. 

Hometown: Saudi Arabia

• Member of the National Society of Leadership and Success
• Member of Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Outstanding in Aviation Management and Flight Operations 2018-2019
• Davis College of Business Top 40 Honorable Mention 2018

Volunteer Experience

• St. Johns Riverkeeper
• Jacksonville Public Library

Employment

Assistant Manager at Saudi Arabia Airlines - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia 2014-2015.

Bio: Senior Aviation Management and Flight Operations major Mohammed Aljifri is from Saudi Arabia and has always been fascinated with planes. During his childhood, he was always the first one to shout, “That is a plane,” while looking at the sky every moment he heard the familiar sound. He also aspires to be a role model for other aviation students in JU.

Hometown: Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

• JU Orchestra
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• ISA
• HSA
• Jacksonville Civic Orchestra

Volunteer Experience

North Florida School of Special Education

Internships/Employment

• Staff Accountant at D'Aquila and Company, LLP. 01/05/2019-03/29/2019
• Residential Assistant at Jacksonville University. 08/2018-Present.

Bio: Karo Arutyunyan is a Senior Accounting Major from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, who speaks four languages. From learning how to manage a hall with 25 students with different backgrounds to figuring out how to bring them all together for monthly meetings, Arutyunyan has learned how to communicate through his role as a Resident Assistant at Jacksonville University.

Hometown: Centreville, VA

• Men’s Lacrosse
• SAAC member
• Presidential leadership counsel

Volunteer Experience

• Volunteer at City rescue mission.
• Beach clean-up volunteer with SurfearNEGRA.

Internships/Employment

• Project Manager Intern with Evergreen Homes in Chantilly, VA. Summer of 2018.
• Performance Coach for Power train Sport and Fitness, Sterling, VA·
• Merchandiser for Plant Partners Inc. in Chantilly, VA. Summer of 2017.
• Lacrosse Coach for Evergreen Lacrosse Club in Leesburg, VA. May 2016-present (seasonal).
• Lacrosse Goalie Trainer, self-employed. Chantilly, VA. June 2015 – Present.
• Staff Worker for Virginia Elite Lacrosse League. Chantilly, VA, September 2014 – December 2015.
  

Bio: A senior from Centreville, VA, majoring in Management, Adam Baker has served on two mission trips to Zambia, Africa, with an organization named Every Orphan’s Hope. He has helped run Bible study camps, done community outreach, built homes and does everything he can to best assist Every Orphan’s Hope.

Hometown: Dexter, Michigan

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Volunteer Experience

Springfield Preservation and Revitalization - community litter cleanups.

Employment

• JU Davis College of Business Graduate Assistant, June 2019-Present.
• Program Manager/Interim Executive Director for Groundwork Jacksonville Inc. November 2015-March 2019.
• Project Coordinator for Groundwork Jacksonville, Inc. January 2014-November 2015.
  

Bio: MBA graduate student, Alyssa Bourgoyne, has a passion for people, places and our planet. She graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Florida. Alyssa was a founding member of the local grassroots non-profit organization Groundwork Jacksonville (GW Jax), whose mission is to create Jacksonville's Emerald Trail and convert contaminated land into parks, playgrounds, trails, and other public greenspace. One of Alyssa’s proudest career accomplishments to date was the development and implementation of Jacksonville’s first neighborhood-based environmental stewardship teen program where she led nearly 100-teens in the creation of green infrastructure and public art projects within some of Jacksonville’s most under-resourced historic neighborhoods. Upon graduation in April 2020, Alyssa looks forward to utilizing her business, management, leadership, and marketing skillset at a company whose mission and values align with the betterment of our planet and its people. 

Hometown: Nassau, Bahamas

• 2004-2019 Licensed Certified Public Accountant, Illinois USA
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Volunteer Experience

• Volunteer via JEA - Donna Race Jacksonville, Feeding Northeast Florida and Caddy Shack, 2017 & 2018.
• Treasurer for One Eleuthera Foundation, Eleuthera, The Bahamas, 2015-2016.
• The Bahamas AIDS Foundation, Nassau, The Bahamas; Treasurer/Member/Fundraising Chair. 2004-2015.

Employment

• Accounting Manager for NTE Energy, St. Augustine FL. August 18-Present.
• Financial Reporting Analyst Senior for JEA, Jacksonville, FL November 16 – August 18.
• Senior Manager, Finance Department for Bahamas Power & Light, The Bahamas. August 10 – March 16.
• Financial Controller for Jet Aviation, Nassau, Bahamas. August 09 – July 10
• Audit Senior for PricewaterhouseCoopers, Cayman Islands and The Bahamas. September 07 – April 09 & August 04 – August 06.
• Audit Senior for KPMG, Nassau, Bahamas. August 06 – August 07.
  

Bio: Leshan Bowe Green is a graduate student seeking her MBA in Management Accounting. Originally from Nassau, Bahamas, Bowe was a high jumper in high school. She thought she was destined for the Olympics until getting to college and seeing her competition, after which she quickly realized how vertically challenged she was and sought a new career path.

Hometown: Georgetown, Guyana

• Vice president of the Food Recovery Network
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Active member in the ECO/SOS club
• International student association
• Caribbean student association
• JU President’s List
• National Honor Society for Leadership and Success

Volunteer Experience

• Youth leader of the Witness Project based in Guyana.

Internships/Employment

• Investor Relations Summer Analyst Internship based in New York City at Capstone Investment Advisors (hedge fund).
• Tutor at Jacksonville University
• Broker's Assistant at Nardin Realty. February 2016-July 2016. 

Bio: A junior from Georgetown, Guyana, Kelly Brassington is majoring in Marketing & Economics and minoring in Sustainability. Despite being born and raised in South America, many are puzzled to find that she is considered Caribbean. She was also a youth leader of the Witness Project, a non-profit organization based in Guyana seeking to build awareness of prominent social issues through the use of arts, such as film and photography

Hometown: Newburgh, IN

• Member of Jacksonville University Men's Golf Team
• Campus Connection
• Sigma Chi Fraternity
• National Society for Leadership and Success
• JU Honors Program

Volunteer Experience

Volunteered at North Florida School of Special Education. 2017 & 2018.

Internships/Employment

• Summer of 2018: Woodward Commercial Realty (Newburgh, Indiana) Position Title: Project Site Intern.
• Summer of 2019: SS&C Advent (Jacksonville, Florida) Position Title: Implementation Intern.
• Caddy at Victoria National Golf Course, Newburgh, Indiana. 2012-Present.
• Shop Assistant for THR!VE Dance Snack Shop, Evansville, Indiana. October 2016-March 2017.

Bio: Junior Austin Bratton majors in Business Analytics & Finance. Originally from Newburgh, IN, Bratton has had six surgeries and after playing both basketball and golf in high school, he decided to continue his golfing career at Jacksonville University. He also serves as the Quaestor for Sigma Chi, meaning that he is in charge of all of the finances for the chapter.

Hometown: St. Croix, US Virgin Islands

• Black Student Union
• Student Government Association
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• National Black Accountants
• Caribbean Student Association

Volunteer Experience

Elmo Plaskett Little League baseball club

Internship/Employment

• Superior Court; Christiansted, USVI, May 2018, Intern.
• Tropical Ten Pins; Christiansted, USVI, Supervisor.
• Water Spirit Freight Services; Christiansted, USVI, Laborer.
• Richies Trucking; Christiansted, USVI, Laborer.

Bio: Alongside working towards his BBA in Accounting & Economics, Diante Brooks in the process of creating a non-profit organization for young men back home in the Virgin Islands. This organization is a mentorship program that helps with personal growth and education, and Brooks’ focus is to help other young men with their future careers and endeavors.

Hometown: Nyack, NY

• Member of Delta Delta Delta,
• Beta Gamma Chapter - Collegiate Chapter President Student Alumni Association
• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Member of Jacksonville University Honors Program
• Sophomore Series Planning Committee - External Outreach Chair
• Jacksonville University Student Ambassadors Program
• Presidential Leadership Advisory Council
• Miss Dolphina 2019-2020
• Strategic Planning Committee
• Tridelta Intramural Flag Football Team

Volunteer Experience

• St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
• Wolfson Children's Hospital.
• North Florida School for Special Education.
  

Internships/Employment

• Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, April 2019 - September 2019 - Volunteer 43rd Annual Arts Awards Planning Committee Member
• Student Ambassador at Jacksonville University, Office of Admissions.

Bio: Junior Marketing major and 2019-2020 Miss Dolphina, Madison Chin is from Nyack, NY, and is a survivor of Rhabdomyosarcoma. She is very passionate about St. Jude's Children’s Research Hospital - and the possibility of having an impact on ending childhood cancer.

Hometown: Raleigh, NC

• Member of Jacksonville University Men’s Lacrosse Team (Division 1)
• Student-Athlete Advisory Committees (SAAC)

Volunteer Experience

• Miracle League
• Team Impact
• Special Olympics 

Internships/Employment

• 2017-2018 Sales& Marketing Intern, Silk Road Medical (Sunnyvale, CA)
• 2018-2019 Commercial Operations Intern, Silk Road Medical (Sunnyvale, CA)
• Summer Lifeguard for Seven Oaks Pool and Racquet Club, Raleigh, NC.

Bio: Hailing from Raleigh, NC, Marketing major and Professional Sales & Sport Business minor Andrew Davis is a senior. Davis is also an avid skier who visits Colorado every year during the Christmas break to get in some time on the slopes with his family.

Hometown: Jacksonville Beach

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Baptist Beaches: Distinguished Caregiver award 2014 & Legendary Caregiver award 2015-2016
• Baptist Emerging Leaders Initiative 2016-2017
• Baptist OPI Yellow Belt Certification (Lean Six Sigma) August 2017.
• American Legion Women's Auxiliary
• American Legion Riders
• Florida Association for Healthcare Quality
• Northeast Florida Association for Healthcare Quality
• Health Administration Student Association
• American Association for Respiratory Care
• Florida Society for Respiratory Care

Volunteer Experience

• Habitat for Humanity
• First Coast Heart Walk
• United Way
• Northeast AHEC Smoking Cessation Referrals
• American Lung Association "Better Breathers" Support group facilitator
  

Internships/Employment

• BHA Internship Fall Term 2015 / Baptist Medical Center Beaches / Quality & Accreditation (for Joint Commission Survey preparedness)
• Manager of Cardiopulmonary Services, Baptist Medical Center South, Jacksonville, FL. 2018-Present. 
• Quality/Performance Improvement, Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Jacksonville Beach, FL. 2016-2018.
• Respiratory Therapist (Lead), Baptist Medical Center, Jacksonville Beach, FL. 2005-2017.
• Respiratory Therapy Clinical Coordinator, Summa Akron City Hospital, AKRON, OH. 2001-2005
• Respiratory Therapist, Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Jacksonville Beach, FL. 1998-2001.
• Respiratory Therapy Director, Orange Park Medical Center, Orange Park, FL. 1994-1998.
• Respiratory Program Instructor/Director, Flagler Career Institute, Jacksonville, FL. 1988-1994.

Bio: Currently acquiring her Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Katherine Deem is a Jacksonville Beach native who enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano/keyboards, and going for rides on her Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Hometown: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

• President and Co-Founder of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP) chapter at JU
• Jacksonville University Resident Adviser (2018-Present)
• Senator for DCOB through SGA
• JU School of Aviation Ambassador
• Campus Security Ambassador

Internships/Employment

• Campus Security Ambassador for JU Department of Campus Security. March 2019-Present.
• Package Handler for FEDEX Ground, Stewartville, MN. June 2017-August 2017.
• Cashier for Golden Corral Buffet and Grill, Decatur, GA. July 2016-July 2017.
• Front Desk Attendant for Decatur Co-Works, Decatur, GA. April 2016.

Bio: As president of the new chapter at Jacksonville University, Zelalem Desta plans to work with admissions to visit high schools and encourage students to pursue their education at Jacksonville University. The Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, native learned English in middle school and served as his family’s translator.

Hometown: Toronto, Canada

Internships/Employment:

• JU Financial Aid Student Worker (6/18- 1/19)
• Jacksonville Jaguars Gameday PR Assistant (8/19-Present)
• JU Athletic Communications Intern (11/18-Present)
• Jacksonville University Athletic Communications Intern (11/28-Present)
• Customer Service for Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, Santa Monica, CA. May 2014-August 2017.

Bio: The Toronto, Canada, native lived in five different cities before he turned 18. Thanks to his work in the Jacksonville University athletics department, he found his passion – sports business. He hopes to continue working for the Jaguars when he finishes school.

Hometown: Purdon, TX

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Honors Student Association
• Diamond Girls

Internships/Employment

• The Data Council, Data Collector, (11/2015-10/2016)
• The Data Council, Final Reviewer, (10/2016- 8/2018)
• The Data Council, Quality Control Specialist (4 years)

Bio: After earning her BBA in Marketing, Sophie Kammerer plans to move from the data side of marketing to the creative side. While enrolled as an honor student, the Purdon, TX, native also held down a full-time job, gaining practical experience even while completing her degree.

Hometown: Chattanooga, TN

• Green Key Society
• Alpha Delta Pi Sorority
• Panhellenic Council Member (Vice President of Finance)
• Le Cercle Francophone (French Club)
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Volunteer Experience

Ronald McDonald House Charities, Jacksonville

Internships/ Employment

• Server, Acropolis Mediterranean Grill, Chattanooga, TN. May 2016-June 2019.
• Summer intern for HATponics Sustainable Agriculture Farm, May-August 2017.
• Exhibit guide for Jacksonville Zoo, Jacksonville, FL. January 2017-December 2017.
• Vice President of Finance, PanHellenic Council, Jacksonville University. January 2019-December 2019.
• Film Work for Jacksonville University Film. 2016-Present.

Bio: Alexandria Kyriakidis wants to use her economics to solve or work towards solving global issues such as hunger, poverty, deforestation, and protection of communities susceptible to terrorism and high crime. Her proposed senior research project examines the economic sustainability of sustainable agriculture. The Chattanooga, TN, native studied abroad at the London School of Economics.

Hometown: Podgorica, Montenegro

• Jacksonville University Honors Program
• Jacksonville University Residential Adviser
• Davis College of Business Student Ambassador
• Jacksonville University Student Ambassador
• Social Chair of Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority
• President’s Leadership Association Council
• Dean’s List

Volunteer Experience

• Volunteering at North Florida School for Special Education
• Volunteering at the Donna Run
• Children Union of Montenegro
• OMSA
  

Internship/Employment

• Summer intern: Assisted Camanachd Association with promoting their business, making a business and financial plan.
• Manager at Hotel 'Mogren' in Montenegro.
• Financial Vice President for sorority Alpha Epsilon Phi.

Bio: The Economics major aspires to work as an investment adviser in a JP Morgan Bank. Her internship in Scotland helped identify the areas of business that most interested her. The Podgorica, Montenegro native speaks four languages and is a Jacksonville University Student Ambassador.

Hometown: Atlantic Beach, Florida

Volunteer Experience

• Beach Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM)--- Board Member
• Beaches Ministerial Association--- President
• Student Advisory Council (SAC) at Seabreeze Elementary--- Parliamentarian
• Student Mentor at Seabreeze Elementary
• Mission House Community Partner
• Previous Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Board Member Johnson County

Employment

• First Christian Church of the Beaches, Lead Pastor. Neptune Beach, FL. 2016-Present.
• First Christian Church, Lead Pastor. Cleburne, TX. 2012-2015.
• Student Associate Pastor for Richland Hills Christian Church.

Bio: The West Texas native plans on using his degree to continue serving Christ’s church for the glory of God. Specifically, his degree has helped him develop skills in marketing, leadership, and business management that he thinks will help him hire, manage, and engage with his staff to enhance the efforts within the church.

Hometown: Long Island, NY

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society
• Member of Jacksonville University Women’s Track & Field Team
• Student Government Association--- (2019-2020) Vice President/ former Treasurer
• National Association of Black Accountants --- Founder & President
• Accounting Club--- President (former Secretary)
• Presidential Leadership Advisory Council
• Institute of Management Accountants
• Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)
• Campus Connection

Internships

• Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP, Administration Tax Intern (Spring 2019)
• Nassau County Controller's Office, Field Audit Intern (Summer 2019)
• Incoming Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Tax Intern (Spring 2020)
• Incoming KPMG Audit Intern (Summer 2020)

Employment

• JU Academic Support Center, Peer Tutor (2 years)
• JU Advancement Department, Data Processing Student Worker (1 year)

Bio: Sade Meeks plans to use her Accounting degree to work in the Audit department of a Big 4 accounting firm after she earns her Certified Public Accountant license. She is currently pursuing her Certified Management Accountant certification and will sit for Part 1 of the exam in May of 2020. The Long Island, NY, native took a leap of faith moving almost 1,000 miles from home but can’t imagine her life without her Jacksonville University experience.

Hometown: Greencastle, IN

• Student Alumni Association
• Student Government Association Representative
• Presidential Leadership Advisory Council
• Presidential Student Ambassador
• Honors Program Mentor
• Freshman Experience Mentor
• ECO/SOS
• Member of Sigma NU Fraternity
• Inter-Fraternity Council
• FC Phins member
• Alpha Epsilon Phi “Phi-Guy”
• Jacksonville University Green Key Society
• Francis Barlett Kinne Scholar
• Member of Order of Omega Honor Society
• Member of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society
• Sigma Tau Delta
• Jacksonville University Honors Program
• Jacksonville University’s Dean’s List
• Matthew and Alexis Kane scholarship recipient
• Sigma Nu “Brother of the Year”

Volunteer Experience

• Charter Day volunteer
• Honors Summit volunteer
• 26.2 with Donna volunteer, Feeding Northeast Florida
• JNF Caravan For Democracy participant
• Leadership Jacksonville collegiate program graduate
• Black Diamond philanthropy committee
• Jacksonville Beach cleanup crew
• Science on Tap supporter
• Love Grove Elementary School volunteer
• Citadel FC member
  

Internships/Employment

• Undergraduate Admissions Officer (August 2018-March 2019)
• SS&C: Black Diamond as a Client Service Advocate (Employed since March 2019)

Bio: Zane Miller credits his work at SS&C Black Diamond with helping him learn how to be a leader and create his plans to work for a Big 4 accounting firm as a forensic accountant. The Greencastle, IN native is also a certified SCUBA diver.

Hometown: Chicago, IL

• President's List
• Dean's List

Volunteer Experience

• Davis College of Business Student Advisory Council
• Relay for Life
  

Employment

• St. Joseph Interventional Pain Specialists (3 years)
• Jacksonville Pain and Injury Clinic (1.5 years)

Bio: Joseph Pardo plans on entering Jacksonville University’s MBA program once he secures his undergraduate degree and ultimately plans on attending law school. He enjoys playing piano and spent four years on the crew team in high school.

Hometown: Thousand Oaks, CA

• Member of Jacksonville University Men’s Lacrosse team
• Former student member athlete advisory committee (SAAC)

Volunteer Experience

• Volunteer beach cleanup, Jacksonville Beach Pier
• Volunteer food service, City Rescue Mission
• Volunteer field prep, Southern California Lacrosse Association

Internships/Employment

• Fidelity Investments, Sales and relationship management intern (June 2019- August 2019)
• Keller Williams, Realtor Intern (June-August 2017)
• Fidelity Investments Customer Relationship Advocate (Summer 2020)
• Youth Lacrosse Coach for LA Mavericks, Agoura Hills, CA. (Summer 2017 & 2018)
• Youth Lacrosse Coach for Westlake Youth Lacrosse, Westlake Village, CA. (Spring 2016).

Bio: Brett Reilly plans to pursue an MBA from the Davis College of Business while also working in Jacksonville. He hopes to work in the financial services industry and help people handle their money and teach them the importance of financial literacy.

Hometown: Jacksonville, Florida

• Sigma Alpha Pi (Fall 2018)
• The National Society of Leadership and Success

Internships/Employment

• Black Knight Inc. in the Client Response Management Team as a Non-Technical Project Manager intern (April 2019- Present).
• Package Handler, Unloader for United Parcel Service, Jacksonville, FL. June 2017-July 2019.

Bio: Joseph Savoia aims at a career in accounting as a CPA. He is a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout who played four varsity sports in high school and once opened and ran a “Smoothie Stand” at the St. Augustine Farmers Market.

Hometown: Huger, S.C.

• Student Veterans Association
• National Black MBA Association
• Member of  Beta Gamma Sigma, International Honor Society
• National Society of Leadership and Success
• Sigma Alpha Pi

Volunteer Experience

Assistant Sunday School Director, Safety and Security Director at a local Church

Employment

• Southeast Regional Maintenance Center, Corrosion Control Specialist (2.5 years)
• Floor Technician for GCA Services Group, Jacksonville. Fl. December 2010 – June 2012US Navy – USS Denver LPD-9, Sasebo, Japan August 2007 – June 2010
• US Navy – Transient Personnel Unit, Jacksonville, FL. August 2004 – August 2007
• US Navy – USS Samuel B. Roberts FFG-58, Mayport, FL. January 2000 – August 2004
• US Navy – Southeast Regional Maintenance Center. Mayport, FL. December 1997-January 2000

Bio: Rodney Smith plans to pursue a job with the IRS and is presently waiting on the Pathways Programs selection results. He also signed up for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program that offers free tax help to military families. The US Navy veteran loves to cook and sing.

Hometown: Lagos, Nigeria

• Shake Culture Dance Crew
• International Students Association
• Le Cercle Fracophone (French Club)
• Student Alumni Association
• Member of Jacksonville University Green Key Leadership Honor Society
• Circle of Green and Gold
• The International Business Honor Society - Beta Gamma Sigma

Internships/ Employment

• Marketing Intern for JU Study Abroad and Away (Aug. 2019-present)
• Employed as a JU Student Ambassador (Dec. 2017- present)
• Student Assistant for International Affairs, Jacksonville University. October 2016-April 2017.

Bio: Natashi Ubani has studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, and Tokyo and says that it has built her understanding of international business. The Lagos, Nigeria native ran her own catering business before receiving a government scholarship to attend Jacksonville University. Being an older sister to three siblings helped her develop her leadership skills and taught her how to truly serve others.