Through leadership, academics and an unwavering commitment to the Orange community, annually two students earn one of the most distinguished honors of a Syracuse University undergraduate career, being named the Senior Class Marshals. For the Class of 2027, the Student Experience division is proud to announce William Lewandowski ’27and Alyssa Limjuco ’27 as the rising Senior Class Marshals.

Together they will guide their graduating class during Commencement, play a role in recommending the Commencement speaker and engage directly with senior University administrators to discuss student experiences and perspectives. Among other responsibilities, Lewandowski and Limjuco will represent their class at Universitywide events and build connections with alumni.

“From integrity, heart and academics, to a genuine passion for community, William and Alyssa embody everything we hope to cultivate in our students. As Class of 2027 Senior Class Marshals, they have earned this honor not just through achievement but through both big and small intentional daily actions that have culminated into what it means to truly have Orange pride,” says , associate vice president for the Student Experience division, dean of students and chair of the selection committee.

William Lewandowski

Originally from Lockport, New York, Lewandowski is preparing to enter his final year at Syracuse University more than 60 years after his grandfather, Dr. James Olson ’60, had his own student experience. Despite the distance, he says he has always found a piece of home within the Orange community.

Sharing an alma mater not only deepened Lewandowski’s bond with his grandfather but illuminated shared lifestyle philosophies that have ultimately built a foundation for being a Senior Class Marshal.

“Every time I would go back home from Syracuse University, I would talk to him and he loved hearing all my stories and what I was doing on campus,” says Lewandowski. “As a dentist for 50 years, he impacted so many people with his quality of care but also with his humility and willingness to accept payment in the form of homemade cookies or plants for his garden. He didn’t care who you were, he just wanted to make a positive impact on the lives of others. He taught me that true joy in life comes from people. It’s the people at this University that make it so great. I learned that very early on as a first-year student within the Whitman Living Learning Community.”

A Whitman Leadership Scholar and member of the dean’s list, Lewandowski is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and emerging enterprises in the . He has worked as a peer mentor and lead ambassador, showcasing the Whitman student experience for prospective and admitted students.

Throughout his undergraduate career his pursuit of experiential learning has propelled him into countless opportunities offered by Syracuse University. Weaving together hands on experience in venture capital, consulting, content marketing and private equity, Lewandowski’s internships have spanned Triangle Insights Group, 5Point Venture Partners and Blue Star Innovation Partners.

Helping student entrepreneurs and working to spark student interest in entrepreneurship, Lewandowski has spent much of his time immersed in the University’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Additional highlights include his participation in the , where he has served as an Entrepreneur-in-Residence and as an Entrepreneurship Fellow. Expanding into content creation, he has been published in Poets&Quants, “,” and Ecology Prime, “.”

“Syracuse University gave me a platform to be who I want to be,” says Lewandowski. During his undergraduate career Lewandowski has showcased where his academic rigor meets real-world impact. He has worked to help launch the new and has further harnessed his entrepreneurial spirit by starting two businesses. Clique Sports is a digital platform focusing on connecting college athletes with professional athletes regarding guidance and mentorship, and WM Media is focused on adding DJ and photography services to local events.

“To me, being Orange is about the people—making an impact on the lives of others to help them achieve their goals,” says Lewandowski. “Syracuse University is a place where new ideas are encouraged and innovation is supported. There are big changes approaching the University and as the Class of 2027 we can become agents of change and leave our mark, which is quite a special opportunity.”

Alyssa Limjuco

Alyssa Limjuco may have joined the Orange community from Silver Spring, Maryland, but she grew up in a military family, which meant moving between different places and school systems. These experiences quickly taught her how to adapt and understand different spaces and people, a skillset rooted in community building and empathy, that she has strengthened throughout each of her undergraduate experiences.

“I try to lead with empathy, stay open-minded and be someone who helps bridge gaps between groups,” says Limjuco. “Being selected as a Senior Class Marshal felt like recognition of a lifelong learning process. Not just the end result of my undergraduate experience but each time it has taken and will take, to get comfortable, to find my voice and to become someone who contributes meaningfully across different spaces while also fostering connections.”

As a student in the (VPA) and the , Limjuco is a dual major in film and sociology. Her dedication to academic excellence is quickly realized through multiple scholarships alongside membership in the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, being a Renée Crown University Honors Scholar and never missing a dean’s list placement.

As an Honors Academic Enhancement Awards recipient, studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, become possible. During this time she immersed herself in experiential learning weaving together classes that explored film history, visual strategy and preproduction planning, alongside Cinema Ritrovato, the world’s leading festival of restored cinema. Professional development highlights also include serving as the communications manager for the OrangeReels Film Festival and producing viral digital content as the Project FreeFall video editor.

“What Syracuse University gave me was permission to explore fully and commit deeply. Receiving honors and merit-based scholarships, including support to study abroad, affirmed that interdisciplinary work was not only possible here but valued,” says Limjuco.

Limjuco’s involvement spans widely as an active member of communities both on and off campus. On campus she has helped to connect veterans and military families with relevant support programs through the , she serves as the National Panhellenic Conference vice president of communications, as an active member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, a VPA peer coach, a Shaw Center STEM literacy tutor, OTTOthon team captain and as president of the Boxing Club. Globally, she amplifies the mission of Habitat for Humanity International, as video production and editing intern and as a volunteer for Habitat’s Women Build, a program that builds stronger and safer communities.

“The legacy I hope to leave is one of connection, demonstrating that involvement across disciplines, identities and roles strengthens a campus rather than divides it. I hope to be remembered as someone who embraced the full breadth of Syracuse University, someone who led with intention, while believing and supporting through intentional actions, that the University is at its best when students are encouraged to bring all parts of themselves into the spaces they serve.”

Nearly four decades after the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 claimed 35 Syracuse University students, a new cohort of scholars is keeping their memory alive.

The Remembrance Scholarships, now in their 37th year, were founded as a tribute to—and means of remembering—the students studying in London and Florence through Syracuse University who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. Those students were among the 270 people who perished in the bombing. The scholarships are funded through an endowment supported by gifts from alumni, friends, parents and corporations.

Significant support for the Remembrance Scholarships has been provided by Jean Thompson ’66 and Syracuse University Life Trustee Richard L. Thompson G’67 in memory of Jean Taylor Phelan Terry ’43 and John F. Phelan, Jean Thompson’s parents; by Board of Trustees Chairman Emeritus Steven Barnes ’82 and Deborah Barnes; by The Syracuse Association of Zeta Psi in memory of Alexander Lowenstein; and by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation.

Selection Process

Remembrance Scholars are chosen in their junior year through a competitive selection process. Applicants submitted an essay and a reflective response in multimedia, artistic, musical or written format as part of a comprehensive application. The application evaluation committee is composed of University faculty and staff and current Remembrance Scholars. The $5,000 scholarships are awarded on the basis of community impact, leadership, creativity and thoughtful academic inquiry.

“The Remembrance Scholars bring something exceptional to our University: a commitment to learning, to leading and to giving back. Through their accomplishments, they carry forward the legacy of the students for whom these scholarships were created. Recognizing them is both a privilege and a point of deep pride for Syracuse University,” says Lois Agnew, vice chancellor, provost and chief academic officer.

The Remembrance Scholars plan the Remembrance activities held at the University each year, and the cohort will be recognized during a convocation in the fall.

2026-27 Remembrance Scholars

The 2026-27 Remembrance Scholars, their hometowns, majors and schools and colleges are the following:

• Victoria Alwar of Homa Bay, Kenya, a biology major and neuroscience major in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Madiou Bah of Bronx, New York, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and an economics major in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and A&S;
• Sigourney Bell of Birmingham, Alabama, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School and member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Nasya Simone Bellard of Concord, North Carolina, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Tyler Branigan of Delhi, New York, a policy studies major and economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S, an environment, sustainability and policy major in the Maxwell School and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Teaghan Brostrom of Sacramento, Califorrnia, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S, a broadcast and digital journalism major in the Newhouse School and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Keona Bukhari-Adams of Springfield, New Jersey, a neuroscience major and psychology major in A&S;
• Mason Burley of Webster, New York, an inclusive adolescent education major in the School of Education and history major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Samuel Esteban Cornell of Houston, Texas, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S and finance major in the Martin J. Whitman School of Management;
• Eliora Enriquez of Doon, Iowa, a film major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA);
• Quinn Gonzalez of Wantage, New Jersey, a nutrition major in the David B. Falk College of Sport and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Jiya Gumaste of Ashburn, Virginia, a chemistry major and neuroscience major in A&S;
• Shivika Gupta of Rochester, New York, a political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S and law, society and policy major in the Maxwell School;
• Abigail (Abi) Handel of Newton, Massachusetts, a biology major in A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Alexis Heveron of Rochester, New York, a chemical engineering major in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS);
• Emily Hunnewell of Chicago, Illinois, a policy studies major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a business management major in the Whitman School;
• Daniella Jacob of Millburn, New Jersey, a health and exercise science major in the Falk College and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Sydney Kincaid of Seattle, Washington, a music education major in VPA and the School of Education;
• Kennedy King of Pasadena, California, an anthropology major and political science major in the Maxwell School and A&S, an art history major in A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Chloe Anjolie Kiser of Edinboro, Pennsylvania, an advertising major in the Newhouse School and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Carmen Lee-Bennett of Buffalo, New York, a biology major in A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Aaron Lener of Homer, New York, a linguistic studies major in A&S, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Haonan (Eric) Ma of Beijing, China, a student in the School of Architecture;
• Carter J. Moreland of Dallas, Texas, a political science major and an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Darren Murphy of San Ramon, California, an applied mathematics major in A&S, an economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Sophia Hoyos Murray of Northborough, Massachusetts, a psychology major and biology major in A&S;
• Matilda Nichols of Fairfield, Connecticut, a chemistry major and forensic science major in A&S;
• Will Parsons of Albany, New York, a chemical engineering major in ECS;
• Alana Ramirez-Velez of Manati, Puerto Rico, a biology major and neuroscience major in A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Ella Roerden of Syracuse, New York, an anthropology major and international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Sreshtha Thangaswamy of Edison, New Jersey, a political science major and economics major in the Maxwell School and A&S;
• Halle Varney of Potsdam, New York, a psychology major in A&S;
• Cara Williams of Greenwood, Indiana, an international relations major in the Maxwell School and A&S, a political philosophy major in A&S and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program;
• Katie Wood of Clifton, Virginia, a musical theater major in VPA and a member of the Renée Crown University Honors Program; and
• Chelsea Zhang of Suzhou, China, and Hayward, California, a student in the School of Architecture.

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management has been rated No. 1 for participation in experiential learning projects in the Poets&Quants 2026 Best Undergraduate Business School rankings.

The recognition reflects one of the school’s most deeply held commitments: that the best way to learn business is to practice it.

Through global immersions, live-client projects, case competitions, the Goodman IMPRESS Program, the WIRE Initiative and the Local Leaders Initiative, Whitman students build real skills in real environments long before graduation.

Every opportunity is organized around four pillars that define what a Whitman graduate looks like: Be Global, Be Innovative, Be Collaborative and Be Prepared.

Those pillars now have a formal home. The recently launched Whitman Experiential Center unites all of the school’s signature experiential programs under one coordinated strategy as part of Transformation 2030, Whitman’s five-year plan to become a Top 25 undergraduate business program by 2030.

“Every Whitman student, regardless of major or background, has access to these opportunities,” says Erin Draper, director of experiential programs. “That is what it means to be prepared at Whitman.”

The No. 1 experiential learning rating is also reflected in Whitman’s broader rise to No. 37 overall in the Poets&Quants 2026 rankings.

Learn more about .

The (CHB) in the (A&S) has awarded its first round of competitive grants for interdisciplinary and cross-institutional health and behavioral science research projects.

A total of $33,000 in seed funding has been awarded to six separate projects through the and the . The grants are intended to catalyze cross-university collaboration and position investigators for larger external grant submissions.

“The selected proposals span researchers from six Syracuse University colleges and institutes and eight departments, schools and centers, truly reflecting broad institutional engagement and collaboration,” says , director of the CHB and professor in the Department of Psychology in A&S. “The grants also illustrate CHB’s strategic role in seeding interdisciplinary research, strengthening university-Veterans Affairs partnerships, accelerating development of competitive external grant submissions and advancing impactful work across health and behavioral science domains.”

Projects include research on intimate partner violence among veterans, alcohol reduction messaging in Veterans Affairs primary care, heart rate training for entrepreneurs, healthy eating tools for young children, AI support readiness for family caregivers and virtual reality-based voice therapy for pre-service (student) teachers.

Several external partners are also included. Those projects involve researchers at , , and , as well as and industry partner .

Pilot funds were provided to CHB by the College of Arts and Sciences with direct support from Dean , Ditre says. The funds can be used for participant compensation, core facility access, data acquisition, study materials, software and other costs of launching new collaborative research. Projects begin this month and cover a 12-month period.

Researchers receiving grants and their projects are:

Understanding and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Among Veterans: A Mixed Methods Study of Risk Factors, Experiences and Treatment Preferences

• , assistant professor of psychology, A&S
• , clinical psychology postdoctoral fellow, VA Center for Integrated Healthcare,

Nudge Messaging to Promote Alcohol-Related Behavior Change Among Veterans in Primary Care

• , research assistant professor, CHB/IVMF and clinical research program director, VA Center for Integrated Healthcare
• , research professor and professor emeritus of psychology, A&S

Family Caregiver Well-Being and Readiness for AI-Based Support

• , associate professor of senior research associate, ,
• assistant professor of faculty associate, , Maxwell School

Virtual Reality-Based Voice Therapy for Pre-Service Teachers: Initial Design of a VR Voice Intervention

• , assistant professor of communication sciences and disorders, A&S
• , associate professor of industrial and interaction design, ,

A Sweet Texts Add-On to Identify Tailoring Variables and Decision Points for Reducing Energy-Dense Food Intake in Preschool Children

• , assistant professor of nutrition and food studies,
• , assistant professor of psychology, A&S

Physiological Self-Regulation as a Foundation of Entrepreneurial Functioning

• , assistant professor of entrepreneurship,
• , associate professor of entrepreneurship and academic director of the , Whitman School

recently announced the spring 2026 recipients of the Orange Innovation Fund, awarding $5,000 grants to a cohort of student inventors and entrepreneurs advancing high-potential ventures across health care, financial technology, consumer products and enterprise software.

The Orange Innovation Fund is designed to accelerate student-led startups beyond the idea stage, supporting founders who have demonstrated meaningful progress through customer discovery, prototyping and early validation.

The fund emphasizes deep research and development work, along with comprehensive proposal development, and recognizes ventures that show strong execution, real-world traction and a clear path toward commercialization. Funding supports critical next steps such as product development, regulatory readiness, pilot testing and go-to-market strategy.

“The Orange Innovation Fund plays a critical role in SU’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, enabling student founders to move beyond concept and into execution,” says David Seaman, dean of Libraries and University Librarian. “By supporting ventures at a pivotal stage of development, the fund helps transform promising ideas into scalable businesses with real-world impact.”

Spring 2026 Winners

Celes Buffard ’27 (School of Information Studies) for SecondWave

SecondWave is a financial wellness platform that helps users build personalized roadmaps to manage and grow their finances. The platform combines education, tools and vetted resources to guide users toward financial independence. Funding will support minimum viable product (MVP) completion, user testing, cloud infrastructure and trademark registration, as well as continued customer discovery.

Jayson Bromley (Martin J. Whitman School of Management) for Bromley Bio Med LLC – InDeazy

InDeazy is an integrated incision and drainage device designed to improve efficiency, control and safety in urgent care and emergency settings. Funding will support final design refinement and pilot manufacturing, including engineering updates, simulated workflow testing and Food and Drug Administration pre-submission readiness.

Nicholas Davis ’26 (College of Engineering and Computer Science [ECS]) for Ethyra

Ethyra is an AI-native auto-grading and classroom analytics platform that helps educators save time and better understand student performance. Funding will support MVP completion, a version 1.0 launch and pilot testing at Syracuse University, the University of Washington and Eastside Preparatory School, along with learning management system integration and a study on grading efficiency.

Haley Greene ’26 (Newhouse School of Public Communications) for Miirror

Miirror is a clinically guided, peer-led, tech-enabled platform redefining eating disorder recovery. Offering free, inclusive and stigma-free tools, support circles, crisis resources and therapy matching, the platform connects underserved communities with accessible recovery pathways. Funding will support completion of the MVP, regulatory compliance, technical infrastructure and a campus pilot at Syracuse University.

Ronan Hussar ’26 (Whitman School) for MacroFlow

MacroFlow is an Excel add-in that automates macro creation, saving users significant time and increasing productivity. Funding will support development of secure AI implementation, full local functionality and enterprise-grade validation of macro generation capabilities.

Yasmin Madmoune G ’27 (Whitman School) for Yas Apothecary

Yas Apothecary is a Moroccan-inspired body care brand with a long-term vision of building a cooperative-based production infrastructure. Funding will support equipment upgrades, production scaling, wholesale market entry and supply chain development.

Nathan Brekke ’26 (ECS), G ’27 (Whitman School) and Joshua Varkey ’26 (ECS) for Phloat

Phloat is a magnetically attachable flotation device that deploys to bring a submerged phone back to the surface. Funding will support the first commercial-grade production run, field testing with beta users and development of a scalable manufacturing supply chain. The company has recently filed for a patent.

Jack Venerus ’27 (School of Information Studies) for WingStat

WingStat is a business-to-business platform for aircraft transaction data in the pre-owned business jet market. Funding will support the transition from a no-code MVP to a production-ready platform, including backend infrastructure, authentication systems and automated data workflows.

About the Orange Innovation Fund

The Orange Innovation Fund was initially established through a gift to the Libraries from Raj-Ann Rekhi Gill ’98, an alumna, a member of the Board of Trustees and an operating partner at Silicon Valley Quad (an angel investing syndicate). The program is administered through Syracuse University Libraries as a Universitywide initiative, run in collaboration with multiple campus innovation and entrepreneurship programs. Proposal reviewers include entrepreneurial faculty and staff, along with alumni who have come through the ecosystem and are venture founders or in C-Suite roles at leading innovation companies.

The rose to No. 37 in the Poets&Quants 2026 Best Undergraduate Business Schools , up two spots from No. 39 in 2025. The advancement marks continued progress toward the school’s strategic goal of becoming a top 25 business school by 2030.

Poets&Quants is the authoritative source for undergraduate business school rankings, news and analysis. The publication bases its undergraduate rankings on three equally weighted categories: admissions selectivity, academic experience and job placement.

“This is the ranking that matters most to us in measuring our progress, and moving to No. 37 is a meaningful signal that we are heading in the right direction,” says Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School of Management. “Transformation 2030 is not a traditional five-year academic strategic plan. It is a commitment to doing things differently across every dimension of what we offer students. The improvement in rankings is recognition reflecting the hard work of our faculty, staff, alumni and the students themselves. It gives us momentum in our upward trajectory to the top 25.”

Transformation 2030: A Blueprint for Ascending to Excellence

Publicly launched in November 2025, emphasizes commitments and investment in the academic and student experience, admissions and career outcomes, among other priority areas.

Progress is already visible across these important areas. Recognizing student success extends well beyond the classroom, Whitman has invested in the academic team, including hiring a director of academic advising and an assistant director of student success to ensure students receive the ongoing support they need, from tutoring and time management to building resilience and prioritizing mental wellness. Whitman also created a required one-credit business and technology course that includes Excel and AI-related certifications, to ensure students have the technical acumen for a changing digital work environment.

this month, emphasizing Whitman’s commitment to infusing industry focused, practical and meaningful experiences throughout the entire program. The center provides a robust infrastructure for Whitman’s many impactful programs such as the Goodman IMPRESS professional development program, study away and study abroad, the Whitman Industry Readiness & Excellence (WIRE) certification initiative and a growing portfolio of case competitions and simulations.

On the admissions front, Whitman welcomed its most academically qualified incoming class on record this fall, with the Class of 2029 posting the highest-ever average SAT (1349), ACT (31) and GPA (3.84) in the school’s history. Applications reached 8,596, surpassing the previous record and representing 16 applications per available seat, making Whitman the most in-demand school on the  University campus.

Career outcomes have also strengthened. Whitman’s 180-day undergraduate placement rate stands at 98.1%, with an average starting salary of $71,024. The school has restructured Career Services and Employer Relations under unified leadership, expanding impactful career readiness programs like Design Your Future and the Finance Career Accelerator Program, while deepening relationships with premier employers our students aspire to join.

“Every initiative we are building, whether in the classroom, through career services or experiential learning, reflects our commitment to preparing students for long-term success,” says Mike Haynie, Syracuse University chancellor-elect. “Being in the top 25 is a tangible milestone that is part of a larger goal to deliver world-class educational outcomes for our students. This ranking movement confirms what we already know: Whitman is ascending.”

—Story by Danielle Rosenburgh

and the have partnered to launch an , a new self-paced credential designed to help business students evaluate sources, identify misinformation and apply research skills in a professional landscape increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence (AI).

The program, offered in collaboration with the Office of Microcredentials, is open to both Whitman undergraduate and graduate students and encourages the development of core skills in information literacy, which is a crucial competency for academic pursuits, and one that employers also describe as being essential. The skills learned also connect to the University’s of Information Literacy and Technological Agility and Critical and Creative Thinking.

“For Whitman students, the certificate fills a meaningful gap between classroom learning and professional readiness,” says Assistant Director of Experiential Programs Roshawn Kershaw. “It increases a student’s ability to find reliable information, assess its credibility and apply it with confidence. This is important for a business environment increasingly shaped by excess data and AI content. It sets them apart from others before they even realize. The certificate is now available to both undergraduates and graduate students, which means it can meet Whitman students wherever they are in their academic journey, reinforcing skills that will serve them from their first internship to the boardroom.”

To earn the certificate and digital badge, students take online self-paced tutorial modules that introduce them to key information literacy skills and library resources:

• Identifying Bias and Misinformation
• Types of Sources
• Evaluating Information
• Research as Process
• Search Basics, Part 1
• Search Basics, Part 2
• Syracuse Libraries Resources
• Student Guide to AI

“I am so excited to have these online tutorials become an official certificate and digital badge that is now available to both grads and undergrads,” says Librarian for Business, Management and Entrepreneurship Steph McReynolds. “We’ve offered the tutorials as part of the program for years, and students have asked for a certificate to show employers their accomplishments in this area, and now we can provide that digital credential.”

Information Literacy Librarian Kelly Delevan sees this certificate as an excellent template for the development of information literacy badges for other schools and colleges at Syracuse. The certificate is even serving as a model beyond our institution, as a librarian from another university has recently reached out to use the certificate module categories at their own library.

Steven W. Barnes ’82, H’19, a devoted alumnus, University trustee and generous supporter of Syracuse University, will deliver the keynote address at the ‘s 2026 Convocation Ceremony. Barnes, who majored in accounting in the Whitman School, has maintained close ties to the University throughout a career spanning nearly four decades in private equity.

Bain Capital LP is one of the world’s leading global private investment firms, managing more than $215 billion in assets under management across private equity, venture capital, public equity and leveraged debt. Barnes has been affiliated with Bain since 1988 and previously served as chairman of global private equity, head of North American private equity, co-head of European private equity, and founded and led the global portfolio group.

He also served in various leadership positions within Bain’s portfolio companies, including as CEO of Dade Behring, a global diagnostic company, president of Executone Business Solutions, a telecommunications company, and president of The Holson Burnes Group, a publicly traded consumer products company.

Barnes served as chairman of the University’s from 2015-19 and as chairman emeritus from 2019-23. He currently serves as vice chair of the board. Outside of Syracuse, Barnes serves on the board of directors of the Boston Celtics as a member of ownership, and is a board member of MV Youth, The Park of West Palm Beach and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. He previously served on the boards of Boston Children’s Hospital, New Profit, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Boston City Year and was the former chairman of the board of The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

“We are thrilled to welcome Steve Barnes back to campus to speak to our graduates this year,” says Whitman Interim Dean . “Steve’s extraordinary career in private equity, combined with his lifelong commitment to this University and its students, make him an ideal voice for our Class of 2026. His story, from his time as a student at Whitman to the heights he has reached in business and in his service to Syracuse University, is one that will truly inspire our graduates as they take their next steps.”

Barnes’ connection to the Whitman School is long-standing and wide-ranging. He is a longtime member of the , a founding investor in the Orange Value Fund and served as the founding co-chair of the Advisory Board. He received the Whitman School’s Jonathan J. Holtz Alumnus of the Year Award in 2011.

The generosity of Barnes and his wife, Deborah, has had a transformative impact across campus, including:

• providing the lead gift for the , the University’s integrated health, wellness and recreation complex;
• endowing the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities and the Barnes Professorship in Entrepreneurship at the Whitman School and establishing the Barnes Award for Academic Excellence, a merit-based scholarship recognizing outstanding first-year Whitman students; and
• supporting Remembrance Scholars, Syracuse Athletics, the Office of Disability Services and other initiatives across the University.

Barnes was recognized with an honorary doctorate degree from Syracuse University in 2019 and he received the Dritz Trustee of the Year Award in 2014.

The Whitman School’s Convocation Ceremony will be held Saturday, May 9, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the JMA Wireless Dome.

The officially launched the Whitman Experiential Center this week, marking a major milestone in the school’s Transformation 2030 strategic plan and its commitment to preparing students through hands-on, relevant�����Ի� applied learning.

The Experiential Center brings together the high-impact programs that define a Whitman education. Global immersions, case competitions, study away programs, class projects with companies, the Goodman IMPRESS professional development program and the Orange Business Angel Network are now aligned under one coordinated team and office.

As a central hub, the Experiential Center also works in close partnership with Whitman’s centers and institutes to expand access to high-quality experiential learning across all programs and levels.

The Experiential Center is built around four pillars that reflect what it means to be a Whitman student: Be Global, Be Innovative, Be Collaborative�����Ի� Be Prepared. Together, these pillars ensure that every student, regardless of major or background, has access to experiences that extend far beyond the classroom.

“What we’re launching is not simply a new program or office,” says Whitman Interim Dean . “This is a defining commitment to the culture of Whitman�����Ի� how we prepare students. Experiential learning is central to how we develop the skills, judgment�����Ի� perspective our students need to lead. It is Transformation 2030 in action.”

is Whitman’s five-year strategic plan to elevate the school into the Top 25 undergraduate business programs rankings by 2030. Experiential learning sits at the center of that vision�����Ի� constitutes a major area of investment. Experiential education is not an added feature of the student experience—it’s an essential centerpiece of how students learn to apply�����Ի� practice their skills in realistic�����Ի� meaningful settings at Whitman.

Director of the Experiential Center , who led the development of the center, says the four-pillar framework is designed to create a progression of experiences throughout a student’s time at Whitman.

“A student might begin with our first-year experiential AI course and use virtual reality in their sophomore management course to develop communication skills. From there, they might attend an immersion program in a major U.S. or global market, compete in a national case competition, work on a semester-long consulting project for a company, and later conduct due diligence on a new venture through the Orange Business Angel Network,” Draper says. “Each of those experiences builds on the last. Students aren’t just collecting experiences. They are building a track record of excellence and relevance.”

Whitman’s alumni and employer network plays a critical role in bringing these opportunities to life. Industry partners and alumni mentors help shape projects, coach student teams�����Ի� open doors to new possibilities. As a result, students leave these experiences with more than skills. They leave with relationships, including mentors, collaborators and champions invested in their success.

To learn more about the Whitman Experiential Center and its programs, visit the  or email whitexp@syr.edu.

The role of entrepreneurship driving economic development in Kenya. Education systems and the propaganda machines behind them in Eastern European socialist states. The preservation of Polish castles and their use for telling the country’s history.

Those are just three of the independent research projects seven Syracuse students pursued internationally last year as Tyler Center Fellows, supported by a $20,000 grant to and the (SOURCE) by the .

For the students who participated, it was a life-changing experience.

“This fellowship changed who I am,” says Mason Burley ’27, a double major in adolescent education and history in the School of Education and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

The University has once again received an award from the Tyler Center for 2026 and is currently accepting applications for fall 2026 fellowships based in Santiago and Strasbourg. Below, three students who received the fellowship in 2025 share their experiences.

‘Research Something You Love’

Burley, whose research project was focused on the education systems during the era of socialist republics in Poland, Romania and Moldova, says the Tyler Center Fellowship was his first substantial experience with research.

“I am fascinated by Joseph Stalin and his cult of personality and, more specifically, how his sheer influence on the region consumed every single aspect of life,” Burley says. “From school, jobs, social life, government and interpersonal connections. Stalin was lurking in all of these, and it has been a goal of mine to see its effects firsthand.”

The Tyler Center grant and research opportunity opened the gates for him to study the topic in-depth and in-person.

“It is my academic goal to be a well-rounded educator who is exceptionally knowledgeable in my content area,” he says. “I felt that this type of deep immersive, experiential type of research would benefit not only me academically but my students in my future classroom.”

The experience made Burley fall in love with research and “experiencing” history, and has since inspired two additional research projects.

He says visiting Poland, Romania and Moldova, speaking with people and learning their stories was an experience he’d repeat in a “heartbeat.”

“Do whatever your heart says,” Burley says. “Go to a new place and touch the earth. Eat food from a street cart. Put everything that you’ve ever learned away for a second and just experience life as it passes by. Be you, unapologetically. Then come back to campus and show everyone just how cool it is that you got to research something you love.”

‘Be Creative’

For Ella Roerden ’27, the fellowship also allowed the pursuit of a passion project.

A student in the Maxwell School studying anthropology and international relations, Roerden visited five medieval castles around Poland with the goal of analyzing and comparing how they’ve been preserved and restored, as well as how they’re being used as museums in the present day.

“The narratives all differ, and they each tell a different part of the story of Poland,” says Roerden. “I was drawn to castles because of my childhood love of fairytales, all of the magic, dragons and princesses. When I learned that Poland had over 500 castles, I knew I had to find a way to visit some and incorporate them into my studies.”

Like Burley, she says the experience opened her eyes to research, which previously she thought had to be “formulaic and physical.” Gaining the experience of pursuing a topic in the humanities has her looking forward to an international relations capstone.

“If you’re already going to be in a different country, take advantage of the opportunities and resources there that we don’t have here in Syracuse (like medieval castles) and be creative!” Roerden says.

‘Put in All Your Effort’

Mary Begley ’26, a Whitman School finance and entrepreneurship major graduating in December, traveled to Kenya in May 2025 with a professor and fellow students, supported by her grant.

“I had the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture and experience how businesses operate within an emerging economy,” she says. “Because of this opportunity, I decided to conduct independent research where I spoke one-on-one with small business owners to learn about their experiences running a business in Kenya.”

The best part, she says, was speaking with entrepreneurs and learning about their work, their passions and the challenges they face as business owners.

She encourages other students to consider the Tyler grants.

“Put in all your effort,” she says. “For me, I was very new to research and had no idea how to conduct it at first. But having the right people around you and consistently asking questions or seeking feedback really helped me throughout the process.”

How to Apply

Fall 2026 Tyler Fellows—supported by awards up to $3,000—will design projects in Santiago or Strasbourg with guidance from a home campus faculty mentor, as well as Syracuse Abroad and SOURCE staff. Students must first be accepted into one of those programs.

As part of the fellowship, they will take a “Research in Community” seminar and participate in cohort activities with Tyler Fellows from other institutions.

“The Tyler Center for Global Studies Fellowship not only provides essential funding to support students’ international undergraduate research activities but also facilitates a community of scholars engaging with cross-cultural research both here at Syracuse University and in the larger, multi-institution Tyler Center program,” says Kate Hanson, director of SOURCE. “Students navigate the complexities of research with another culture alongside fellow students and mentors in a program that facilitates discussion and reflection.”

Interested students should first email ugresearch@syr.edu to express their interest in the Tyler Fellows Program and then prepare a project proposal and apply through . Applications are due by April 2 or July 9.

An information session for interested students will be held Thursday, March 19, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the sixth floor of 100 Sims Drive.

SOURCE can also help students develop research ideas, find faculty mentors and prepare application materials. Contact the SOURCE team at ugresearch@syr.edu or 315.443.2091.

doesn’t remember who first bestowed the “Red Carpet” Ralphie nickname on him, but he remembers when. It was 2010, and Aversa was working as a radio show host for Citadel Communications when his program director finagled a press pass to cover the Video Music Awards.

“As someone who was an aspiring entertainment journalist at Syracuse University, I couldn’t believe my luck being on the red carpet. The nickname just stuck through my 16 years of red-carpet coverage,” says Aversa, who earned undergraduate degrees in broadcast journalism from the and marketing from the .

Aversa has carved out a decorated career as an entertainment reporter, covering everything from the Grammys and the Super Bowl to the Oscars—and on Sunday night, as the senior entertainment correspondent for USA TODAY, he will earn his nickname once again, camping out on the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles for the 98th Annual Academy Awards.

Here’s what he shared about his time in the press line for these star-studded events:

1. There’s Glitz and Glamour, and Chaos

Before the Oscars begin, another less glamorous scene unfolds under a tented structure at the corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. There, the reporters responsible for covering the Academy Awards jockey for position, hoping to land an interview with Oscar contenders like Timothée Chalamet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Michael B. Jordan, Jessie Buckley, Kate Hudson and Teyana Taylor.

“Where we’re set up is far from the glitz and glamour you will see if you tune in,” Aversa says. “It’s quite the scene between the security, the blocked-off roads and the tourists trying to get a glimpse of their favorite celebrity. It’s a circus environment.”

2. When the Story Changes, You Change With It

Aversa may never have a more newsworthy night at the Oscars than his first time covering the red carpet. After landing interviews with stars like Jessica Chastain, Nicole Kidman, Andrew Garfield and Dame Judi Dench, those conversations paled in comparison to what happened inside the theater.

As comedian Chris Rock was making jokes about Jada Pinkett Smith, her husband, Will Smith, left his seat, walked onstage and delivered what Aversa remembers as “the slap heard around the world.”

“All the great coverage and interviews we got on the red carpet didn’t matter anymore. All anyone was talking about was ‘The Slap,’” Aversa says. “We were trying to figure out in real time whether we saw what we just saw. Was that scripted or unscripted? And how are we going to cover that? It was a very eventful first Oscars.”

Aversa modified the coverage plan on the fly, re-filmed an open, a middle and a close for the package, then sprinted back to his hotel room and edited together a video segment blending red carpet interviews with highlights from the night.

“That package had incredible viewership numbers because of the interest,” Aversa says.

3. Snubs Are an Occupational Hazard

Red-carpet snubs happen every time and are “an occupational hazard,” but Aversa says entertainment reporters need to have a short memory and learn to not take a celebrity snub personally.

“You have to move on. The worst thing you can do is dwell on the moment of a big name snubbing you, but if you wallow, you could miss another celebrity walking right past you who could give you that memorable quote,” Aversa says.

4. Make Sure You Know the Fundamentals

Aversa says his must-have interviews are Chalamet, the star of “Marty Supreme,” along with DiCaprio and Taylor, two of the talented stars from the Best Picture contender, “One Battle After Another.”

As Aversa prepares for his fifth Oscars, he credits his ability to write across multiple platforms—from video scripts and web stories to social media posts and photo captions—to his Newhouse School professors, who taught him the fundamentals of a great sentence and story structure.

5. One Question, So Make it Count

Aversa says the key to a good red-carpet interview is to keep it simple and make sure it’s not a yes-or-no question.

“If I’m lucky, I get to ask one question,” Aversa says. “It’s a matter of making sure that question can be answered in a quick manner, and then you hope the response is something the audience will care about.”

The begins at 7 p.m. EDT Sunday evening. You can follow Aversa’s Red Carpet coverage on his and on the account.

Elizabeth “Liz” Turner, a beloved academic advisor and assistant director of advising at the Whitman School of Management, passed away Feb. 23 at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. She had been a dedicated member of the Whitman community since 2016.

Turner joined Whitman nearly a decade ago as an academic advisor, quickly earning a reputation among students and colleagues for her patience, positive energy and genuine commitment to student success. In 2020, the school recognized her contributions with the Whitman Rising Star Award, one of the school’s most meaningful staff honors.

Over the years, Turner faced serious health challenges that periodically kept her from campus, yet she returned each time with characteristic determination. Colleagues noted that she never allowed those struggles to diminish her enthusiasm or her dedication to the students and staff she served. She was later promoted to assistant director of advising, a role those close to her say she embraced with pride.

“Work wasn’t just a job to Liz—it was a source of purpose and joy,” wrote Assistant Dean of Academic Programs and Student Success Lindsay Quilty in a message to the Whitman community this week.

Turner is survived by her husband, Fred, and their dog, Penny. She will be remembered by the Whitman advising team and the broader university community as someone who led with grace, humor, and heart.

Messages of condolence may be shared at .

The University and the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) have launched a to provide current and former players and their families with access to market-relevant online degrees, certificates and career development opportunities through the Syracuse’s online degree and certificate programs.

The collaboration will empower National Women’s Soccer League players and their families—as well as league and club staff and their families—to pursue customized degree programs and professional development resources designed for the unique demands of professional athletes.

With a shared vision of supporting professional development and expanding opportunities across the NWSL ecosystem, the initiative creates flexible pathways for a variety of academic offerings. Programs will draw on the expertise of the University’s renowned schools and colleges, including the , the , the �����Ի� (CPS).

“Our mission at the NWSL has always been to champion our athletes not just as players, but as people with diverse ambitions and bright futures,” Briana Gilmartin, NWSL League Player Partner, says. “This collaboration with Syracuse University provides a critical bridge to success for our current stars, our storied alumni and their families. Furthermore, by extending these elite educational resources to our internal league and club staff, we are reinforcing our commitment to professional excellence across the entire NWSL ecosystem. We are proud to offer a pathway that turns ambition into tangible skill development, fueling the goals of our community on and off the pitch.”

Opportunities created through this initiative include:
• Flexible, 100% online degrees and certificates
• Pre-academic English language program
• Credit transfer assessment
• Career-focused programs in business, project management, leadership and sport analytics, among others
• Dedicated online student support

“My fellow deans and I are excited to partner with the National Women’s Soccer League to provide the Syracuse University experience to current and former players and their family members who are  interested in pursuing our robust academic offerings,” says Falk College Dean , who earlier this year helped establish similar partnerships with Major League Soccer and National Hockey League. “For athletes and professionals with unpredictable schedules, our online programs offer the perfect balance of flexibility, extensive academic support, and real-world applicability–all without compromising the demands of their careers or personal circumstances.”

Educational offerings will be accessible online, on campus and at Syracuse’s “away” centers in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. Dedicated admission specialists and academic advisors will work with each participant to tailor academic pathways aligned with their goals.

For more information regarding NWSL’s partnership with Syracuse University, visit the .

The Martin J. Whitman School of Management historic placement rates for its graduates for the second year in a row. For the Class of 2025, there was 98.1% employment rate within 180 days of graduation among students actively seeking employment, illustrating how the University continues to deliver exceptional career outcomes for its students.

The result marks the second consecutive year Whitman has achieved employment outcomes above 98%, reinforcing strong, sustained momentum in student placement and career readiness—even amid an increasingly competitive and uncertain job market. Graduates in the Class of 2025 also reported a mean starting salary of $71,024, reflecting strong placement across industries including finance, consulting, marketing, technology and retail.

“When you come to Whitman, you are building a career,” Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School of Management, says. “Our students get excellent jobs. They go on to lead amazing careers as leaders in their fields. These outcomes reflect the strength of our academic programs, our career preparation, and the deep engagement of employers and alumni who invest in our students.”

Sustained Growth in Career Outcomes

Whitman’s employment outcomes have steadily strengthened over the past several years, reflecting focused investment in experiential learning, employer partnerships and early career preparation.

Together, the Class of 2024 and Class of 2025 represent the strongest employment outcomes in school history, demonstrating consistent progress rather than a single-year spike. It helps further establish Whitman among the top business schools nationally.

Career Preparation by Design

Whitman’s results are driven by a comprehensive approach to career readiness that begins early and continues throughout a student’s academic journey. Through the Whitman Career Center, students receive individualized advising, participate in structured professional development programs and engage directly with employers and alumni across industries.

“These outcomes reflect years of intentional work to meet students early, prepare them thoroughly and connect them meaningfully with employers and alumni,” Kara Primrose, executive director of career services and employer relations, says. “Our focus is on helping students explore what’s possible, build confidence and develop the skills and relationships that lead to strong career outcomes. Sustaining results like this shows that when students engage with the process, Whitman delivers.”

Key initiatives include cohort-based career readiness programs, experiential learning opportunities, industry immersion trips, alumni mentorship, on-campus recruiting and employer-led workshops that connect classroom learning to real-world application.

These efforts are aligned with , Whitman’s five-year strategic commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning and career outcomes that prepare students for long-term success.

Confidence for Students and Families

The Class of 2025 results reinforce Whitman’s value proposition to prospective students and families: students who come to Whitman and actively pursue employment graduate with strong outcomes and meaningful opportunities.

“As a school, we are focused not just on first jobs, but on building durable career pathways,” McKelvie says. “This sustained momentum shows that our strategy is working and that Whitman students are well prepared to compete, contribute and lead. We are very proud of this accomplishment for Whitman—and especially for our students who are well on their way to success.”

, a program instructor at the and associate professor of entrepreneurship in the , has been named one of eight , providing national recognition for his role helping U.S. service members chart their own path from uniform to business ownership.

From the Korean Marine Corps to the Whitman School Classroom

Park’s path to the classroom began in uniform. He served as an officer in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, where one of his most formative roles was as a liaison officer to the U.S. Marine Corps. “I loved working side-by-side with U.S. Marines, and that experience gave me a lasting respect and affection for the U.S. military community,” Park says. “I feel fortunate that I can continue contributing in a way that supports service members and their families.”

After his military service, Park co-founded a high-tech startup before entering academia, giving him direct experience with both the challenges of transition and the realities of launching a business. “After leaving the military, I went through my own transition into entrepreneurship. It was exciting, but also uncertain, especially because at the time in Korea there wasn’t a robust transition assistance program like the one that exists here,” Park says. “I learned the hard way through trial and error, and I still remember how steep that learning curve can be.”

That experience now shapes how he teaches. Park joined the Whitman School faculty in 2017 and teaches Opportunity Recognition and Ideation, Introduction to Entrepreneurship and Strategic and Entrepreneurial Management. His teaching has earned multiple honors, including recognition by in 2022.

Helping Veterans and Military Spouses Shorten the Learning Curve

“I am passionate about helping service members, veterans and military spouses shorten the trial-and-error cycle, build confidence and move forward with practical tools and a clear roadmap to launch and grow successful ventures,” he says. “Being named SBA’s Boots to Business Instructor of the Year means a great deal to me because it reflects the privilege of supporting participants at a pivotal moment in their lives.”

“What makes David’s contribution to the IVMF, the Whitman School and Boots to Business so impactful is that he has lived the very journey he’s teaching,” says Mike Haynie, vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, executive dean of the Whitman School and founder and executive director of the IVMF.

“He served in uniform, navigated his own transition, co-founded a business and then chose to dedicate his career to preparing the next generation of entrepreneurs. For the service members and military spouses sitting in his classroom, that credibility matters,” Haynie says. “David’s recognition by the SBA is well-deserved, and it speaks to the kind of impact that’s possible when world-class teaching and a genuine commitment to the military community come together.”

The recognition comes during a period of momentum for entrepreneurship education at Syracuse. In November 2025, the Princeton Review ranked Whitman’s graduate entrepreneurship programs No. 17 nationally, up seven spots from the previous year. Whitman’s undergraduate business program held at No. 11 in the country.

“Professor David Park’s exceptional work with Syracuse University’s IVMF embodies the spirit of the Boots to Business program by transforming military experience into entrepreneurial success,” says Matt Coleman, SBA Atlantic Region administrator. “His dedication provides our veterans and military families with the vital tools and confidence needed to launch their next chapters after service in uniform.”

Park also credited his program manager, Brigid Purtell, for making everything seamless for instructors, which allows Park to focus on delivering the best possible workshop experience.

Park earned a Ph.D. from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington, a master’s degree from Seoul National University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Seoul. He was honored alongside other recipients during a ceremony on Feb. 19.

About Boots to Business

The program, part of the Department of Defense’s Transition Assistance Program, provides foundational entrepreneurship courses to service members, veterans and military spouses exploring business ownership. The IVMF serves as a key partner in delivering Boots to Business instruction, including to service members and military spouses stationed outside the continental United States.