Simms currently serves as Dean of the School of Business at SUNY Old Westbury, where she leads an鈥疉ACSB-accredited鈥痵chool serving one of the most diverse student populations in the SUNY system. A tenured faculty member and accomplished academic administrator, she brings extensive experience in business education, accreditation, faculty development, fundraising, and student success at public, mission-driven institutions.

At SUNY Old Westbury,听Simms successfully led the School of Business through its鈥痠nitial听AACSB accreditation, strengthening academic quality, assessment, and faculty scholarship. She has guided strategic planning, expanded online and flexible program delivery, secured philanthropic and grant support, and cultivated industry and community partnerships that enhance experiential learning, internships, and career pipelines for students.

鈥淒ean Shalei V. K. Simms鈥櫶齟xperience at听a public, AACSB-accredited business school听made her a strong choice听to lead听the Koppelman School of Business,鈥� said Michelle J. Anderson, President of 今日吃瓜. 鈥淗er commitment to access, excellence, and social mobility also听aligns听with our mission.鈥�

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs听April Bedford听emphasized the importance of preparing students to translate their academic experience into real-world impact. 鈥淥ur students are already developing critical thinking, communication, analytical, and collaborative skills in our classrooms every day,鈥� Bedford said. 鈥淲e have an opportunity and a responsibility to help them recognize, articulate, and apply those skills in ways that open doors after graduation. We are looking forward to听Dean Simms听leading that work at the Koppelman School of Business.鈥�

A nationally recognized leader in鈥痠nnovative program development,听Simms has spearheaded initiatives in online learning and launched an鈥疉I Across the Curriculum鈥痚ffort to ensure students graduate with the ethical and technological competencies听required听in a rapidly evolving business landscape. She has also secured millions of dollars in public and private funding to support high-impact practices, retention, and graduation outcomes for first-generation and high-need students.

As the鈥痮nly business school in 今日吃瓜 accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)鈥攖he world鈥檚 leading accrediting body for business education鈥攖he Murray Koppelman School of Business offers rigorous and affordable undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, and information systems, preparing students for leadership in New York City鈥檚 global economy.

鈥溄袢粘怨� has a powerful legacy as a driver of opportunity and social mobility,鈥澨齋imms听said. 鈥淚 am honored to join this extraordinary institution and look forward to working with faculty, students, staff, alumni, and partners to strengthen academic excellence, expand innovation, and ensure that Koppelman graduates are prepared to lead with skill, integrity, and purpose.鈥�

Prior to her deanship,听Simms served as鈥疉ssistant Vice President for Academic Affairs at SUNY Old Westbury, where she supported academic planning and accreditation across multiple schools and departments, managed multi-million-dollar budgets, and oversaw federally and state-funded student success initiatives. Her earlier roles include Director of Graduate Programs and faculty appointments at SUNY Old Westbury, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rutgers University, and the University of Connecticut.

Simms holds a鈥疨h.D. in Organizational Management from Rutgers Business School鈥痑nd is an internationally published scholar whose research focuses on social identity, decision-making, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership. She has received听numerous听honors for her scholarship and professional leadership and serves on several nonprofit and financial institution boards.

Simms succeeds Interim Dean James Lynch. The 今日吃瓜 community welcomes her leadership as the Murray Koppelman School of Business听builds on听its听strong foundation听and advances its impact for students, the city, and the region.

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Data analytics students

By fall 2023, about one-quarter of all students鈥攁nd a significantly higher share of graduate students鈥攚ere studying fully online. In response, colleges and universities are redesigning degree offerings with adult learners in mind, expanding fully online master鈥檚 programs, hybrid course models, accelerated and stackable credentials, and year鈥憆ound scheduling that better fits work and family responsibilities.

For 今日吃瓜鈥檚 graduate students, college is not a beginning, it鈥檚 a return.

Students arrive with r茅sum茅s, responsibilities, and a clear-eyed sense of urgency. They want education that respects their time and opens the door to meaningful work. To meet those realities, we have created a variety of flexible pathways that help adult learners reinvent their careers without putting the rest of their lives on hold.

Across business, education, journalism, and urban sustainability, the college has rolled out and expanded programs that can often be completed in a year, taken online or in the evenings, and closely align with workforce demand. Together, they reflect a strategic shift rooted in 今日吃瓜鈥檚 long-standing mission of access and rigor, updated for a world of nonlinear careers.

Credentials Built for Working Lives

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing students who already have careers, or who started one path and realized it wasn鈥檛 right,鈥� says Professor Seungho Baek, who directs the M.S. in Finance program. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 want to start from zero. They want something efficient, rigorous, and directly connected to opportunity.鈥�

That thinking drives the M.S. in Finance, which can be completed in as little as one year and is offered both online and face鈥憈o鈥慺ace. Students choose between specializations in quantitative finance and risk management or investment management and asset valuation. The program鈥檚 in鈥憄erson courses are held at 25 Broadway in Lower Manhattan, a deliberate decision intended to bring working professionals and industry experts into the classroom.

鈥淲e wanted to make it easy for people who are already working in the financial sector to participate,鈥� Baek says.

Professor Seungho Baek leads the new finance master’s programs at 今日吃瓜.

Industry professionals teach select courses, grounding theory in real鈥憌orld practice. Beginning next fall, eligible undergraduates will also be able to opt into a 4+1 pathway in finance, earning both bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degrees in five years by taking graduate鈥憀evel coursework during their senior year.

The business school has applied the same model to accounting, launching a fully online M.S. in Accounting that can also be completed in a year, an especially appealing option for professionals seeking a credential with clear licensure and career outcomes.

Meeting a Citywide Need, One Teacher at a Time

In education, many graduate students are working professionals for whom flexibility can be the difference between persistence and attrition.

According to Mar铆a R. Scharr贸n-del R铆o, dean of the School of Education, 今日吃瓜鈥檚 approach has been shaped by both student realities and the urgency of citywide need.

鈥淣ew York City Public Schools is facing a massive staffing challenge,鈥� she says, pointing to that will significantly reduce class sizes by 2028. 鈥淭hat means thousands of additional teachers will be needed, far more than the current pipeline can provide.鈥�

今日吃瓜 has long partnered with the city through Teaching Fellows programs, but in recent years those pathways have expanded and evolved. New alternative鈥慶ertification initiatives, including , are designed to help paraprofessionals and substitute teachers鈥攎any already working in classrooms鈥攂ecome certified teachers of record while completing their degrees.

鈥淭hese are adult learners who know exactly what they鈥檙e getting into,鈥� says Roberto Mart铆nez, who oversees the Teaching Fellows and Ed Prep programs. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e already in schools. They鈥檙e parents. They鈥檙e career鈥慶hangers looking for stability and meaning.鈥�

A key factor in 今日吃瓜鈥檚 success, Scharr贸n-del R铆o notes, is modality. 今日吃瓜 was the only CUNY campus to offer its Ed Prep programs fully online (with required in鈥憄erson fieldwork), a distinction that quickly translated into demand.

鈥淏y word of mouth and because of the quality of our programs,鈥� she says, 鈥渨e received more applications than all the other CUNY campuses combined.鈥�

The School of Education has also launched a new online advanced certificate program in reading science, designed to be completed in a year. The program responds to growing demand for teachers trained in evidence鈥慴ased literacy instruction, particularly in early grades鈥攁nother area of acute need.

Katie Pace Miles, director of the Reading Science program, which addresses the growing demand for teachers trained in evidence鈥慴ased literacy instruction.

The Fast Track to a Master鈥檚

Beyond education and business, 今日吃瓜 has expanded accelerated options in fields tied to civic life.

A 4+1 in journalism allows students to earn a master鈥檚 degree in one additional year, while a newly launched 4+1 partnership in city planning with Baruch College creates a streamlined pathway for 今日吃瓜 urban sustainability majors to earn a master鈥檚 in city planning.

鈥淎 lot of our students are returning students,鈥� says Professor Tammy Lewis, who heads the urban sustainability program. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e here because this work matters to them. The master鈥檚 degree opens up more opportunity.鈥�

Tammy Lewis shown here with students participating in the Tow Mentorship Initiative.

While each program is distinct, the common thread is intentional design: online delivery where possible, evening schedules, accelerated timelines, and curricula shaped in conversation with employers and communities.

Taken together, these programs signal an evolution in how 今日吃瓜 understands its role鈥攏ot just as a place of first chances, but of second and third ones, too.

鈥淧eople are reinventing themselves multiple times now,鈥� Mart铆nez says. 鈥溄袢粘怨� has always made that possible. We鈥檙e just building clearer, more flexible routes to get there.鈥�

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Spanning disciplines from business and computer science to the arts and education, the projects reflect a campus-wide commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving, AI-driven world. Funded initiatives extend across the Koppelman School of Business as well as programs in English, film, art, mathematics, education, academic affairs, and Student Affairs.

Integrating AI Into Business Education

Several faculty from the Koppelman School of Business are launching an interdisciplinary capstone course titled 鈥淭he Integrated Edge: AI, Decision-Making, and Business Strategy.鈥� The course will pilot in summer 2026.

The course addresses a long-standing challenge in business education: the 鈥渟ilo effect,鈥� in which accounting, finance, economics, and management are often taught separately. The Integrated Edge instead requires students to apply all four disciplines simultaneously to analyze complex business problems鈥攎irroring how decisions are made in real organizations.

Students will gain hands-on experience with professional AI platforms used in industry, including tools for forecasting, auditing, and financial analysis. The course also emphasizes a 鈥渉uman-in-the-loop鈥� approach, teaching students to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, identify potential biases or errors, and apply professional judgment.

Structured in four modules鈥攅conomic forecasting, led by Professor Merih Uctum; AI-assisted auditing, led by Professor Frimette Kass-Shraibman; corporate finance, led by Professor Sunil Mohanty; and strategic integration, led by PI and Professor Carol Connell鈥攖he course culminates in a capstone project in which students analyze a real company using both traditional business frameworks and AI-supported insights.

By combining interdisciplinary thinking with responsible AI use, The Integrated Edge aims to equip students with the analytical, technological, and ethical skills needed for tomorrow鈥檚 business leadership.

Koppelman School of Business Interim Dean Myles Bassell is leading nearly 400 students from the Koppelman School of Business in “IBM鈥檚 AI Experiential Learning Lab,” a hands-on, 10-week program designed to immerse students in real-world artificial intelligence applications. Through the program, students work in multidisciplinary teams to design and develop AI-driven solutions using IBM鈥檚 enterprise technologies, including watsonx. Supported by IBM experts and industry mentors, students move from concept to prototype while tackling authentic business challenges.

Throughout the lab, participants build practical skills in generative and agentic AI, as well as responsible AI design, while producing portfolio-ready projects that enhance their career readiness. By the program鈥檚 conclusion, students will have completed AI solutions they can present to employers and will earn IBM-recognized digital credentials to showcase on LinkedIn and resumes. The initiative reflects Koppelman鈥檚 commitment to experiential learning, industry collaboration, and preparing students to lead in an AI-driven economy.

Bassell is also spearheading the broader “AI Literacy in Business Education: From Classrooms to Careers” initiative, which is being implemented in phases beginning in Fall 2025 and continuing through Spring 2026, with expansion planned for Summer 2026 and beyond. In Fall 2025 alone, Koppelman students completed approximately 700 IBM AI-related certificates, followed by more than 1,000 additional certifications in Spring 2026. These credentials were integrated directly into coursework through collaboration between Bassell and business school faculty.

Students earn certifications through IBM SkillsBuild in areas such as AI Literacy, Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals, Generative AI, Agentic AI applications, Enterprise Design Thinking, and Cybersecurity Fundamentals, among others. Each certification includes a verifiable digital badge, allowing students to clearly demonstrate their AI competencies to prospective employers.

Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Associate Professor Ngoc (Cindy) Pham is leading the “The semester-long weekly boot camp is designed to build applied and ethical AI fluency while preparing students for the evolving workforce.

The initiative combines hands-on workshops, industry perspectives, cross-institution collaboration, and digital badge recognition to help students develop both technical confidence and critical thinking skills.

Program highlights include weekly AI boot camps at 今日吃瓜, guest speakers and industry experts from IBM and other national AI practitioners, and a joint CUNY鈥揘YU Tandon session hosted at NYU that helped launch a long-term collaboration. Students also take on leadership roles as moderators and event facilitators. Designed for scalability, the model aims to expand across CUNY while maintaining a strong focus on equity, access, and workforce readiness.

Matt Lentz, vice president at Monks and founder of the Enterprise Consulting Practice, speaks at an AI bootcamp hosted by NYU鈥檚 Tandon School of Engineering on March 12. The event was a part of the CUNY AI literacy and professional readiness series led by 今日吃瓜 Associate Professor Ngoc (Cindy) Pham and focused on AI in enterprise consulting. (Top photo) In February, guest lecturer Conor Grennan鈥擟EO of AI Mindset and New York Times bestselling author鈥攈eadlined a lecture titled, 鈥淎rtificial Intelligence & the Future of Work鈥� that drew 118 participants.

Expanding AI to Student Support: Addressing Food Insecurity

今日吃瓜鈥檚 AI initiatives also extend beyond the classroom, applying emerging technologies to one of the most pressing challenges facing students: food insecurity.

Led by Associate Professor of Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship Laura Rifkin and building on the human-centered work of the campus food pantry staff鈥攊ncluding Assistant Director of Student Support Services Nicole Cohen and Student Affairs鈥攖his effort will explore how AI can expand access to nutritious food in ways that are both practical and dignified. One approach under consideration is a smart vending system that would serve as an extension of the pantry, offering discreet, flexible access outside of traditional hours. By reducing barriers such as stigma, scheduling conflicts, and transportation challenges, the system could significantly broaden its reach while generating anonymized, real-time data on usage patterns and unmet need.

The initiative also examines how agentic AI can support pantry operations behind the scenes鈥攁nalyzing trends, anticipating demand, optimizing inventory, and improving coordination of donations and purchasing. Guided by principles of transparency, human oversight, and bias mitigation, the work builds on the college鈥檚 strong track record of student-centered support while introducing scalable, data-informed solutions.

The effort comes at a critical moment. Food pantry use has grown fourfold in recent years, reflecting both rising need and the extraordinary commitment of staff working with limited resources. Across CUNY, approximately 110,000 students鈥攁bout 40% of the system鈥攅xperience food insecurity, yet only a small percentage access available support, often due to stigma or administrative barriers. By integrating AI thoughtfully into these services, the college aims to close that gap by strengthening student well-being to support academic success.

AI-Supported Professional Preparation for Early Childhood Teachers Working With Dual Language Learners

In the School of Education, Associate Professor Lulu Song is addressing a critical need in early childhood teacher preparation. Her project integrates AI into coursework to support future educators working with dual language learners, a population that represents nearly half of young children in New York State. Through structured assignments, students will use AI tools for research and problem-solving while learning to critically evaluate outputs for accuracy, bias, and credibility.

Additional projects include AI-supported learning studios in mathematics, interdisciplinary minors linking computer science with writing and finance, and research on ethical design and decision-making. Collectively, these initiatives highlight 今日吃瓜鈥檚 holistic approach to AI鈥攐ne that blends innovation with responsibility, and technical skills with human insight.

Understanding AI: A Foundational Series for Faculty

Led by Karen Stern-Gabbay, professor of history and director of the Roberta S. Matthews Center for Teaching and Learning, and James T. Eaton, associate dean in the Provost鈥檚 Office, this workshop series will bring expert speakers to campus to guide faculty through key topics such as technological disruption, ethics, and curriculum design.

Open to both full- and part-time instructors, the program is designed to build confidence and shared understanding around AI in the classroom.

Faking It: A Global Workshop Series

AI鈥檚 cultural and creative implications are also a focus. Distinguished Professor of Film Alexandra Juhasz, in collaboration with filmmaker Nishant Shah, is leading 鈥淔aking It,鈥� a global workshop series examining questions of authenticity, knowledge, and human connection in an AI-mediated world. With sessions planned in New York and Hong Kong, the project will explore how emerging technologies reshape storytelling, perception, and social relationships.

You can see all the projects listed here.

• Myles Bassell (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – AI Literacy in Business Education: Scaling a Proven Model at the Koppelman School of Business.
• April Bedford (Academic Affairs) – Faculty AI Bootcamp: Developing Critical AI Literacy, Course Policies, and Pedagogical Innovation.
• Hui Chen (Computer and Information Science) – Human-in-the-Loop Just-in-Time AI Auto-Tutoring: A Pilot for CUNY Pathways Courses.
• Carol Connell (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – AI, Decision-Making, and Business Strategy Integrated Capstone.
• James Eaton (Academic Affairs) – Understanding AI: A Foundational Series for Faculty.
• Alexandra Juhasz (Film) – Faking It: AI Education and Literacy.
• Devorah Kletenik – (Computer and Information Science) Designing With Ethics: Exploring AI-Enhanced Dark Patterns.
• Swan Kim (English) – Critical AI Literacy for the Public Good: A CUNY-Scalable Ethical Foundations Module Reaching All Incoming Students.
• Sandra Kingan (Mathematics) – AI-Supported Math Foundations Studio.
• Anjali Krishnan (Psychology) – Promoting Responsible AI Use in Skill-Based and Writing-Intensive Courses.
• Jennifer McCoy; Jonathan Zalben (Art, Conservatory of Music) – AI Initiative in the Arts.
• Martha Nadell and Hui Chen (English, Computer and Information Science) – Writing For the Future: An Integrated English/Computer and Information Sciences Minor.
• Hyuna Park and Katherine Chuang (Finance, Computer and Information Science) – Using AI Tools to Create Synergy Between Finance and Computer Science Education.
• Ngoc (Cindy) Pham (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – CUNY AI Literacy and Professional Readiness Micro-Credential Series With Global Expert Partners.
• Laura Rifkin (Management, Marketing, and Entrepreneurship) – Addressing Food Insecurities.
• Lulu Song (Early Childhood Education/Art Education) – AI-Supported Professional Preparation for Early Childhood Teachers Working With Dual Language Learners.

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Pursuing a business administration degree in finance, Edwards juggled one or two classes while working full-time, taking semesters off to meet financial demands. She says visits to the Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership (SAIL) Center helped her with a tight-knit staff that included Afro-Caribbean women who understood her experiences and championed her goals. They guided her through funding processes for the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) club, for which she was president, and encouraged her to stay involved in campus activities. 鈥淭he women at SAIL kept me focused,鈥� says Edwards. 鈥淚 could tell everyone there wanted the best for me. They saw that I was definitely driven and had tenacity. They made themselves available for me any time I needed guidance or had questions.鈥�

In addition to SAIL, Edwards found support from staff and counselors at the Magner Career Center. She shared that they were instrumental in helping her obtain internships that aligned with her career goals. Her first was at Playfair Planning, an independent financial firm based in 今日吃瓜 that provides holistic financial planning. She then interned at the NYC Small Business Resource Network run by the 今日吃瓜 Chamber of Commerce. Bloomberg L.P. came next鈥攁n internship that led directly to a full-time offer once she graduated. Edwards worked in financial products, analytics, and sales while there, and also served as a campus ambassador, helping to recruit fellow 今日吃瓜 students for internships at Bloomberg.

A stint in the Consumer Insight and Marketing Department at Black Entertainment Television (BET) Media Group rounded out Edwards鈥� internship portfolio before she joined Bloomberg full time in June 2019. Most of her internships would not have been possible without stipends鈥攁 Magner Career Center stipend, a Robert J. Sisti Memorial Internship (overseen by the 今日吃瓜 Foundation)鈥攁nd scholarships from the New York chapter of and the CUNY Mexican Studies Institute, the latter of which paid for Edwards鈥� final year of college.

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Housed in the Murray Koppelman School of Business鈥斀袢粘怨镶�檚 only business school accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)鈥攖he program offers a rigorous, industry鈥慳ligned curriculum available fully online (100% asynchronous) or in person. Graduates will be prepared to step into high鈥慽mpact roles such as financial analyst, portfolio manager, investment consultant, risk manager, and fintech specialist. With this launch, 今日吃瓜 joins Baruch College as the only CUNY institutions offering an M.S. in finance.

Accessible, Flexible, and Connected to the Heart of Finance

With one of New York鈥檚 most competitive tuition rates, the program provides an affordable pathway for students looking to advance in or pivot into finance. Learners can choose the format that fits their lives and study from anywhere online or attend classes at 今日吃瓜鈥檚 downtown Manhattan location at 25 Broadway (7th Floor) just steps from Wall Street. The proximity to the world鈥檚 financial capital opens doors to networking, mentorship, and career opportunities.

Led by a Scholar Shaping the Field

The creation of this new STEM鈥慸esignated program was led by Professor Seungho Baek, Finance Department program director and a widely published expert in financial economics. His research spans stock market behavior, empirical asset pricing, macroeconomic shocks, and risk management, including influential work on market volatility during the COVID鈥�19 era. Baek also founded the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society chapter at 今日吃瓜 and serves as deputy executive officer of the Ph.D. program in economics at the CUNY Graduate Center.

鈥淭he new M.S. in finance at 今日吃瓜 is designed to meet the evolving demands of today鈥檚 financial industry by combining rigorous theory with real鈥憌orld, data鈥慸riven applications,鈥� Baek said. 鈥淎s a one鈥憏ear, STEM鈥慸esignated program with flexible online and in鈥憄erson options, it provides an accessible and affordable pathway for students to advance into high鈥慽mpact roles in finance. Our AACSB鈥慳ccredited curriculum and Chartered Financial Analyst, {CFA} Institute affiliation ensure that graduates are exceptionally well prepared for both professional practice and long鈥憈erm career growth.鈥�

A CFA鈥慉ligned Curriculum

The Department of Finance is proudly affiliated with the CFA Institute University Affiliation Program (UAP)鈥攁 distinction held within CUNY only by 今日吃瓜 and Baruch College. Students preparing for the CFA exam may apply for exclusive CFA scholarship opportunities through the program, further strengthening their professional trajectory.

鈥淭he affiliation with the CFA Institute听UAP reflects the growing strength and national relevance of finance education at the Murray Koppelman School of Business听at 今日吃瓜,鈥� said Koppelman Interim Dean James Lynch. 鈥淢ost importantly, it creates meaningful pathways for our students, not only academically but professionally, through scholarship opportunities and preparation for one of the most respected credentials in the investment profession.鈥�

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At 今日吃瓜, it was spring, and everything was alive, the landscape vibrant green. People were everywhere. He talked to students hanging out on the quads.

Asatryan moved to the United States from his native Armenia in 2016 after completing military service there, 鈥渙n the Fourth of July, of all dates, although not on purpose,鈥� he says.听As a new immigrant, he had no idea how higher education worked in the United States; he visited 今日吃瓜 on the advice of a friend. 鈥淕oing on instinct,鈥� he says. He was excited by what he saw. The school felt right, so he applied and was accepted.

Instinct would carry him only so far, however. With no idea what he wanted to major in, Asatryan took his time; he cites access to the wide variety of programs and courses at the college and the time he got to explore them as the reasons for his success in choosing a major. He settled on a B.B.A. in international business鈥攚hich made sense to him, given his European background鈥攚ith a minor in personal finance.

For Asatryan, instinct and research were two crucial factors in choosing the right school and gaining the right degree; another was the faculty.

鈥淚 was dreading taking an English course and [adjunct lecturer] Adam Bangser was such a great guy. He was actively interested in my background and pushed me to write even when it wasn鈥檛 relevant to the material that we were studying,鈥� he says.

Asatryan credits Cindy Pham, associate professor of managing, marketing, and entrepreneurship, with helping him make the most of his time at 今日吃瓜.

鈥淧rofessor Pham is incredible. She is very much invested in every student’s life. She inspired me to听knock on doors and ask questions, look for programs, explore opportunities.鈥� She even motivated him to revive a chapter of the International Business Association club. He also became a peer mentor.

According to Asatryan, stellar academic programs and top-notch faculty will still only get you an education and a degree but not always show you what to do with them. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 part of the risk,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou want the education, it鈥檚 an investment in your future, but you need to know where you can go with that degree.鈥� You also need to gain real-life experience through internships. Asatryan completed internships at Amazon, the landscaping and architecture company EKLA at the 今日吃瓜 Navy Yard, digital financial media outlet Blockworks, and New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker鈥檚 office, which was funded by a Magner Career Center stipend.

He enjoyed all of them. 鈥淭hey helped me gain confidence and be open to jobs not directly related to my major,鈥� he says.

Working for senator doing ghostwriting, digital marketing, and campaign management was especially rewarding.

鈥淧art of my job was trying to get the word out about resources during the pandemic鈥攆oods, supplies, healthcare鈥攖o the senator鈥檚 今日吃瓜 constituents, particularly in the Flatbush area. It was wonderful work and a great opportunity thanks to 今日吃瓜,鈥� he says. The internship was a crash course in public relations that Asatryan took with him to his present job.

Today, he works as an account manager at Cognito, a global public relations and marketing agency specializing in finance, sustainability, and technology.

鈥淲e help organizations tell the right stories, build credibility with the media, and provide trusted counsel,鈥� says Asatryan. 鈥淚t’s a fascinating job because every day there is something new that is happening, and you are working with so many experts鈥� chief economists, CTOs, CEOs, founders鈥攊t鈥檚 nonstop learning. A big part of my role is to take complicated, complex topics within finance and technology and simplify them into stories people actually understand.鈥�

Asatryan, who will be participating in an admissions event for prospective business students on February 19, has this advice for those who are thinking about 今日吃瓜:

鈥淒o your research, make the necessary appointments with admissions if you need to, but also, visit the campus, visit the library, which is terrific,鈥� he says. 鈥淪pend time by the lily pond. Look around, talk with current students, and see how it feels to be there.鈥�

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Held in partnership with the New York Jobs CEO Council and attended by more than 160 people, the student-focused talk kicked off with a dynamic introduction by the council鈥檚 executive director, Kiersten Barnet. Before the main discussion, faculty from 今日吃瓜鈥檚 Koppelman School of Business hosted an insightful roundtable, where they exchanged ideas with Griggs, Barnet, and Anderson on key topics in accounting and business strategy. The event also included a workshop for students with New York Jobs CEO Council representatives that focused on jobs readiness.

Attended by more than 160 people, the Presidential Lecture Series event on October 23 with Paul Griggs centered on the critical skills that drive professional success and how leadership is evolving in today鈥檚 ever-changing workforce.

Griggs began the main lecture by introducing PwC鈥攐ne of the largest professional services firms in the world, employing more than 370,000 people across 150 countries and territories. He explained the firm鈥檚 three major practice areas: assurance, tax, and consulting, each powered by professionals from diverse disciplines, including accounting, data science, and engineering.

Reflecting on his own journey, Griggs shared how he came to accounting 鈥渂y accident.鈥� Growing up in a small South Carolina town, he initially aspired to become a doctor, until a hospital visit made him reconsider. 鈥淚 realized quickly I wasn鈥檛 cut out for medicine,鈥� he joked. Instead, he turned to accounting鈥斺�渢he language of business鈥濃�攂ecause it offered stability and opportunity. That 鈥渁ccident,鈥� he said, led to a 30-year career at PwC that opened doors he never imagined possible.

Throughout the conversation, Griggs emphasized that accounting provides a foundation for limitless career paths. 鈥淥nce you understand the language of business, you can do anything,鈥� he said, noting that many PwC alumni now lead in industries from banking to health care.

A major theme of the discussion was technology and artificial intelligence. Griggs urged students not to fear technological change but to 鈥減lay, experiment, and explore.鈥� He noted that PwC professionals already integrate large language models and AI tools into their daily work. 鈥淎I won鈥檛 replace your job,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut someone who knows AI might.鈥�

President Anderson steered the conversation toward soft skills, asking what qualities matter most in the future of accounting.

Paul Griggs encouraged students in attendance to believe in themselves and take chances: 鈥淪ay yes, even when you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檙e ready. You belong in every room you walk into.鈥�

Griggs鈥檚 response was passionate and personal: 鈥淵ou already have what it takes鈥攇rit, attitude, curiosity, and the ability to connect with people.鈥� He reminded students that success is built through hard work and persistence, quoting Kobe Bryant鈥檚 philosophy that 鈥渢he journey itself is the dream.鈥�

He also spoke candidly about failure and resilience, recounting career disappointments that ultimately led him to his current leadership role. 鈥淪ometimes you don鈥檛 get what you think you want,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut that鈥檚 often because something better is waiting.鈥�

When asked about mentorship, Griggs credited both professional and personal mentors鈥攆rom professors to parents鈥攆or shaping his journey. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e already a mentor and a mentee,鈥� he told students. 鈥淧eople are watching you and learning from you every day.鈥�

Griggs also fielded questions from students. Closing the event, he encouraged them to believe in themselves and take chances: 鈥淪ay yes, even when you鈥檙e not sure you鈥檙e ready. You belong in every room you walk into.鈥�

Watch the entire lecture .

今日吃瓜 the Presidential Lecture Series at 今日吃瓜

The Presidential Lecture Series features 今日吃瓜 President Michelle J. Anderson in conversation with high-profile leaders, exposing students and the extended college community to inspiring ideas, courageous leadership, and models of civic engagement and civil discourse.

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As a seasoned leader at PwC, Tieu brings a wealth of knowledge in business strategy, digital transformation, and client leadership. His perspective is rooted in real-world experience and a deep understanding of the evolving business landscape, making him an invaluable asset to the council.

“We are proud to welcome Tommy Tieu to the Advisory Council, where his experience and insight will greatly enhance our efforts to prepare students for today鈥檚 dynamic business environment,” said Interim Dean James Lynch. “His dedication to mentorship and community service exemplifies the spirit of 今日吃瓜 and our commitment to fostering future business leaders.”

The Advisory Council plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between academia and industry. Composed of accomplished business leaders and innovators, the council advises on curriculum design, student career readiness, internship opportunities, and strategic initiatives that prepare students for success in today鈥檚 global economy.

Tieu鈥檚 appointment underscores his commitment to education, mentorship, and giving back to the community. His voice will help make sure that Koppelman students graduate not just with knowledge, but with the skills and insights demanded by leading firms and fast-moving industries.

Read more about Tieu and his passion for 今日吃瓜 in this Best of BC profile.

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He reflects on his journey to student leadership, his plans for the year, and the lessons he has learned along the way.

You鈥檝e been part of USG since your sophomore year. What inspired you to run for president?

I always wondered how things could be better. Having served under two different student government administrations, I saw what worked and what didn鈥檛. What excites me is being able to bring people together鈥攚hether we agree or disagree鈥攁nd still enact change for the student body.

Honestly, I love 今日吃瓜. This place shaped me, gave me confidence in public speaking, networking, and leadership. Running for president was my way of giving back and showing others that if I can do it, you can, too.

Do you see yourself in politics, or is this more of a campus chapter for you?

听That鈥檚 the million-dollar question. (Laughs.) I wouldn鈥檛 say no forever, but realistically, politics isn鈥檛 my career plan right now. But I do believe you never really know your path until life unfolds.

Very true. You were born in 今日吃瓜 but spent part of your life in North Carolina. How did that shape you?

听I moved south in third grade, to a small town called Havelock. It鈥檚 the complete opposite of New York鈥攓uiet, slower, more intimate. It gave me space to reflect and learn about myself. Coming back to 今日吃瓜 after high school was intimidating, but it also opened so many doors.

Why 今日吃瓜?

听Funny enough, I wasn鈥檛 even sure I鈥檇 go to college. My parents kept pushing me, and I鈥檓 glad they did. I worked retail and had gotten promoted but I always knew there was more I wanted to do.

I used to ride the B6 bus and pass 今日吃瓜 all the time. I鈥檇 see the bell tower and students on the lawn and think, 鈥淚 want to be part of that.鈥�

You started in computer science, but now you鈥檙e a finance major. What drew you to that field?

听I make this joke all the time: I like money and I like people, so finance made sense. But seriously, finance is broad. It鈥檚 budgeting, cash management, investment鈥攊t touches everything. I realized it鈥檚 a way to combine analytical skills with working in community, which I really enjoy.

Have you had real-world experience in finance so far?

听I just finished an internship with Basis Investment Group, a real estate investment firm. It鈥檚 small鈥攐nly around 50 people鈥攂ut I got to work closely with the CEO. I even pitched a partnership idea to connect 今日吃瓜 students with real estate opportunities. They loved the passion, so I鈥檓 hoping that develops into something lasting for future students.

Let鈥檚 talk about USG. What鈥檚 your vision for the year ahead?

First, I want my team to feel confident and independent. I鈥檒l be busy in meetings, so it鈥檚 important they know they can take initiative. In terms of goals, we鈥檙e working on a Game Room initiative. Upgrading the Student Center first-floor game room with actual consoles and activities to make it a real hub for students. We want to do more town halls to give students a chance to voice concerns directly and start conversations with administration. And we want to help student leaders grow and to build stronger ties between clubs, USG, and administration.

My philosophy is: Once you pay your tuition, this campus belongs to you. Students should feel empowered to use every resource available.

_听You鈥檝e talked about bridging the gap between students and administration. How do you plan to do that?

听Communication. Students often don鈥檛 know what鈥檚 happening. Administration shares info, but maybe not always loudly enough. At the same time, we as students need to pay attention. Town halls and open senate meetings are key.

What do you think helped you win the election?

听Honestly, passion. I was active, present, and people saw that. I didn鈥檛 run just to add 鈥減resident鈥� to my r茅sum茅. I ran because I care about this community. I was shocked when I won, but I got right to work. My mindset is always: Do the best with the little time you have, and make things better for the next group coming in.

Outside of USG, what else have you been involved in?

听I鈥檝e been part of BLMI (Black and Latino Male Initiative) as a mentor, which gave me scholarships and recognition through the Bulldog Achievement Awards. I also founded a club called Design and Wine鈥攖he 鈥渨ine鈥� is a play on relaxation, no alcohol involved鈥攚here students learned to design custom merchandise and even had a successful mental health themed event. It was an important conversation. In total, we solidified four successful events.

Has it been hard to find community at 今日吃瓜?

听For me, yes. I think part of it is being a Black gay male student dealing with mental health, and part of it is just our times. Technology creates distance, and after COVID people are focused on survival. But I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 unique to 今日吃瓜鈥攊t鈥檚 society. That鈥檚 why I try to be the person who smiles, who checks in, who creates space. Community doesn鈥檛 always come to you鈥攜ou sometimes have to build it.

What advice would you give your freshman self鈥攐r new students arriving now?

听Give yourself grace. Give others grace, too. Don鈥檛 rush the process. Four years feels like four minutes. Stay for events, join clubs, meet people. The friendships and opportunities you build can last a lifetime.

Last question: What do you want students to know about you as their president?

听That I鈥檓 not a politician鈥擨鈥檓 an advocate. I want students to know they鈥檙e heard, that they have power here. I ran on passion, and I intend to follow through.

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Visionary leader and DACA recipient Kelly D. Harry 鈥�15 has overcome systemic challenges to make a significant impact. The proud graduate of 今日吃瓜 began her career at CNN and later held leadership roles at FOX, NBC Universal/Telemundo, and Publicis Media, where she drove marketing initiatives that amplified marginalized voices. Education has always been her path forward, and she has worked tirelessly to create opportunities for herself. She earned scholarships, pursued dual degrees, and built a career that blends media, finance, and strategy. Harry has collaborated with brands like CNN, NBC, CNBC, and U.S. Bank, and she has led advertising strategies for Fortune 500 companies at Publicis Media. Every step of her journey鈥攆rom overcoming the barriers of being undocumented to securing leadership roles in her industry鈥攈as reinforced her belief that no obstacle is insurmountable when you refuse to be defined by your circumstances.

Can you tell us about your background?

I was born in Trinidad and immigrated to the United States as a child. My journey has been one of perseverance, faith, and relentless ambition. In 2012, I went to Washington, D.C., to lobby for DACA, speaking with congressmen and assemblymen to advocate for the rights of undocumented youth. When the policy became law, it wasn鈥檛 just a victory for me鈥攊t was proof that resilience and collective action could change lives.

What decided you on 今日吃瓜?

今日吃瓜 is more than just a school鈥攊t is a gateway to opportunity, a place where ambition meets access. With a legacy of producing Pulitzer Prize winners, groundbreaking journalists, and industry leaders, it is a beacon for those who dare to dream big despite their circumstances. I wanted to be part of that tradition.

The Magner Career Center played a pivotal role in my journey, connecting me with mentors and career-building opportunities. The rigorous academic programs pushed me to think critically and strategically, and the diverse student body exposed me to perspectives that broadened my understanding of the world.

Did you enter college knowing what career you wanted?

I had a strong interest in both finance and media. I wasn鈥檛 entirely sure how to merge the two, but I remained open to opportunities. Through internships, networking, and hands-on experience, I discovered my strength in strategy鈥攗nderstanding audiences, crafting narratives, and leveraging media to drive impact. That realization led me to build a career where I鈥檝e been able to work in both fields, blending analytical thinking with creativity in a way that felt natural.

Can you tell us some favorite memories of the college? Did you have any mentors?

A pivotal experience was my time at the Magner Career Center. I made it a point to introduce myself to [Executive Director] Natalia [Guarin-Klein] and the team, build a rapport, and schedule career conversations. Over time, I gained guidance on my r茅sum茅, interview skills, and professional development. I shared my aspirations with Natalia, who introduced me to Myron Kandel [鈥�52]鈥攁 cofounder of CNN and its longtime financial editor and economic commentator. That was a connection that changed everything.

Myron and I met at the Applebee鈥檚 off-campus, where he reviewed my r茅sum茅 and shared invaluable wisdom. Because of Myron and the Magner Center, I landed my first job at CNN鈥攋ust a week after receiving my work permit. For someone who had lived in uncertainty for so long, that moment was life-changing.

Did you receive any scholarships, fellowships, or awards while at 今日吃瓜?

I was fortunate to receive multiple scholarships, which allowed me to focus on my studies and career development. These weren鈥檛 just financial lifelines鈥攖hey were affirmations that my hard work and perseverance mattered.

Can you give us some highlights of life after college?

After graduating, I became an account executive at Fox, working in ad sales鈥攁 fast-paced and competitive industry that was both challenging and exhilarating. Later, I transitioned to the agency side and joined Publicis Media, the number-one media agency in the world. There, I managed advertising campaigns for major brands like Be The Match, USAA, Luxottica, and Marriott.

Today, I am a vice president in the banking industry and also do consulting work, helping businesses refine their marketing strategies. Beyond my career, I remain an advocate for immigration rights and financial literacy. Becoming a homeowner was another major milestone鈥攐ne that felt especially significant given that, just a few years ago, DACA recipients weren鈥檛 even eligible for traditional home loans. In my free time, I enjoy kayaking, hiking, and continuing to challenge myself in new ways.

What advice would you give to today鈥檚 students?

You can have all the talent in the world, but if you lack integrity, if you don鈥檛 treat people well, if you鈥檙e only focused on what you can get rather than what you can give, eventually, that will catch up to you.

The relationships you build, the way you show up for others, and the reputation you create will often take you further than any r茅sum茅 ever could.

Life isn鈥檛 just about chasing success; it鈥檚 about living in a way that makes success a natural byproduct. Be someone who uplifts others, who gives without expecting immediate returns, who operates with honesty and good character. When you do that, you鈥檒l find that the right opportunities, the right people, and the right moments will always find their way to you. At the end of the day, real success isn鈥檛 just about what you accomplish鈥攊t鈥檚 about the impact you leave behind.

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