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    Undergraduate Departmental Awards

    2022-2023

    Department of Accounting

    Student of the Year

    Hector Luna

    Hector Luna is an outstanding student and future accounting professional. He exhibits an incredible work ethic and a sincere interest in others. These qualities are demonstrated in his active engagement in Beta Alpha Psi where he holds the role of Treasurer. In recognition of his academic achievements he was selected as a PCAOB Scholar, and he has been awarded the Thomas M. Berry Jr. Scholarship from the VSCPA Educational Foundation, the Chuck Gallagher Endowed Scholarship from VCU Business, and the Stewart Family Scholarship from the VCU Accounting department. Following graduation, Hector will be joining Keiter and pursuing CPA licensure.

    Department of Accounting

    Distinguished Service Award

    Jeffrey Kum

    Jeffrey Kum greatly deserves this recognition for the tremendous effort he has put forth as a President of Beta Alpha Psi. In this role he has been instrumental in bringing innovative ideas to life that benefit the VCU Accounting community. In particular, the highly successful inaugural VCU Accounting Expo was Jeff’s brainchild. Jeff is also a high achieving and hardworking scholar. He has held internships with PwC, KPMG, and Withum, and he has been the recipient of several competitive scholarships. Following graduation in May, Jeff will be pursuing CPA licensure as an Audit Associate at PwC’s Seattle office.

    Department of Accounting

    Ann G. and Barney Roland Freasier Sr. Tax Award

    Shawndel Holder

    Shawndel Holder’s high performance in taxation and her overall academic excellence make her truly deserving of the Freasier Tax Award. Shawndel is a senior in the VCU BS Accounting program who plans to continue her education in a Master of Accountancy program as she pursues CPA licensure. Her academic work is characterized by skills that will be assets in her career as an accounting professional - she is highly organized, trustworthy, detail-oriented, and able to manage the demands of a fast-paced professional work environment.

    Department of Economics

    School of Business, Student of the Year

    Lily Buysse

    Lily combines an outstanding GPA with extraordinary service to VCU, and both faculty and students sing her praises. She was a member of the VCU Fed Challenge Team, she is the current president of the Student Economics Association, and was previously their communications director. She is also serving the economics department as a teaching assistant for macroeconomic theory, and has worked as a tutor for the Office of Student-Athlete Support Services. Lily is currently doing an internship at RCG, a local accounting firm, and is planning on doing the master's program in economics at VCU.

    Department of Economics

    Humanities and Sciences, Student of the Year

    Giovanna Winning

    A double major in Economics and Environmental Sciences, Giovanna has shown excellence in the classroom and beyond. She has been positioned among the top students in her courses in economics, she participated in the Neo Environmental Organization on Campus, and currently serves as the President of the VCU Indoor Climbing Club. Last summer she interned with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, and is in the process of applying to a variety of environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) and corporate sustainability-focused internships for this coming summer. After graduation, she hopes to work with environmental economics or corporate sustainability.

    Department of Economics

    School of Business, Distinguished Service Award

    Sarah Cuba

    Dual major in Music and Economics, Sarah has a strong academic record and an exemplary history of service to VCU. She has participated in the VCU Fed Challenge Team, and is now the vice president of the Student Economics Association. She is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, a music service organization, and was a group leader with InterVarsity, a non-denominational Christian student ministry. Sarah is applying for the accelerated master's program in economics, and plans to pursue a career related to data analysis.

    Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

    Student of the Year

    Adam Leathers

    Adam Leathers is from Keswick, Virginia and graduated (December 2022, GPA 4.0) with a degree in Finance and minor in Risk Management and Insurance. During his time at VCU, he was grateful for the opportunity to be a teaching assistant for FIRE 312 Financial Modeling. During his senior year, he was selected to the Market Regulation Intern position at the State Corporation Commission (SCC). Following graduation, he landed a full-time position as a Market Examiner in the Life & Health division inside the Bureau of Insurance at the SCC. He appreciates his family’s sacrifices to get him where he is.

    Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

    Distinguished Service Award

    Jeffrey Metts

    Jeffrey Metts has participated in the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) for 7 semesters and currently serves as President. Jeffrey has been an investment intern at VCU Investment Management Company (VCIMCO) since June 2021. During his senior year, Jeffrey was on VCU’s CFA research team, which engaged in a financial case study competition against other universities. Currently, Jeffrey serves as a Robinhood fellow conducting intensive research on exchange traded funds, holds a leadership role within VCU’s Student Economics Association, and serves on the School of Business’s strategic planning committee. Post-graduation, Jeffrey will continue at VCIMCO as a full-time Investment Analyst.

    Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate

    Davis Ratcliffe Insurance Award

    Mallory Keck-Wilson

    Mallory Keck-Wilson is the president of Gamma Iota Sigma, the international insurance, risk management, and actuarial science professional fraternity. Mallory decided to pursue an insurance degree while attending John Tyler Community College. Through her participation in the inaugural Lester Fellow Rotational Internship in Summer 2022, she worked at FCCI, Markel, and Marsh McLennan Agency and was offered a full-time position at each of these companies upon graduation. Mallory continues to work part-time for Marsh McLennan Agency as an associate account manager and, upon graduation, will work there full-time. She holds a Property & Casualty Producers license in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

    Department of Information Systems

    Student of the Year

    Mahnoor Imran

    Mahnoor has demonstrated an uncommon commitment to her studies and extracurricular activities making her a true asset to the university community. As the WebMaster of ISO and treasurer of Women in Business, she has demonstrated excellent leadership skills and unwavering commitment to enhancing the student experience on campus. As a transfer student, Mahnoor integrated herself into the university community. Her academic performance has improved consistently as she has taken more IS classes, and she was selected for the accelerated BS to MS program. She volunteers as a technology associate at Bridging Tech and is an intern at Synergy Technical while completing her master's degree.

    Department of Information Systems

    Distinguished Service Award

    Kahlil Banninig

    Kahlil was elected the first president of Information Systems Organization (ISO), the revamped information systems student organization at VCU. He led a team of officers to create a series of events designed to benefit the careers of students. Under his leadership, the organization established a webpage, Instagram account, and started developing a podcast. He maintained regular contact with the department's industry advisory board and leveraged their help to enhance the student experience. He contributed his time to help promote the major to prospective students at open houses. Kahlil graduated in December 2022 and is an associate consultant with IBM.

    Department of Management and Entrepreneurship

    Student of the Year

    Kristen Ball

    Kristen has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and leadership. At her most recent job, she quickly ascended the ranks from a part-time office assistant role into a full-time leadership position within her company where she oversaw office activities, met with product reps, helped identify product lines to pursue, hired and trained technicians, and more. This experience affirmed her goals to return to school, complete her Associate’s degree, and pursue a Bachelor’s degree at VCU in Business where she currently has an overall GPA of 4.0. After graduation, she plans to pursue a law degree.

    Department of Management and Entrepreneurship

    Distinguished Service Award

    Priya Munagala

    Priya has been instrumental in her service to the Management department, School of Business, and the University. She served as president of VCU’s Society for Human Resource Management chapter. She’s organized meetings and guest speakers, coordinated with HR Virginia to ensure chapter members can attend their annual conference, and kept members up-to-date on SHRM-related news. In January 2023, she also started as Vice President of VCU BSA and Service Chair for Alpha Kappa Psi, where she’s actively involved in those roles. Priya accepted an internship as an HR Partner at Amazon for Summer 2023 and is graduating Spring 2024.

    Department of Marketing

    Student of the Year

    Abigail Simmons

    Abi Simmons will graduate with a marketing degree in May 2023 with a 4.0 GPA. She is passionate about consumer analytics and is looking to pursue a career in market research after graduation. Her marketing analytics instructor called her course project exceptional. Last summer, she completed a market research internship with DAP Global - her second marketing internship of her college career. Abi is also heavily involved in the VCU community. She is currently the Marketing Director of TEDxVCU for the second year in a row, and is a member of the co-ed marketing and sales fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon.

    Department of Marketing

    Distinguished Service Award

    Tim Phu

    Tim Phu graduates with a Marketing major (product and brand management concentration), Sales minor, and daVinci Product Innovation certificate (GPA 3.9). He transferred from Northern Virginia Community College and was awarded the STARS Scholarship. During his two years at VCU, he has been active as a Marketing Ambassador and in the American Marketing Association, Vietnamese Student Association, Filipino Americans Coming Together, and Chinese Student Association. Tim worked as a Marketing Technology Intern at Cvent and a Samsung Tour Ambassador. He is eager to pursue a career in product marketing. Tim is grateful for his family and friends’ continuous support.

    Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics

    Student of the Year

    Naomi Abiyu

    It is easy to see why Naomi was selected for the Student of the Year Award. One of her professors shares “Naomi is a student leader both inside and outside of the classroom”. Naomi has been on the Dean’s List every semester and is the recipient of the Charles G. Thalhimer Family Endowment Fund. She has been part of the VCU Undergraduate SGA since coming to VCU and is now their press secretary. Naomi has a leadership position in SCMT and also works in the Office of Sustainability as a supply chain intern. Upon graduation, Naomi will pursue a career in procurement and sustainability.

    Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics

    Distinguished Service Award

    Summer Natour

    Summer is an outstanding contributor to the SCMA department. She is the current president of SCMT and was also named the first AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholar. Summer represents SCMA in outreach events including preview and accepted student days, and at BOSS and SOVO fairs. She participated in the national Supply Chain Case Competition and received an honorable mention. Summer has ambitious plans for the future. Besides earning an advanced degree, she wants to pursue a career in sustainability and supply chain/procurement strategy. Summer also plans to write a book on how the connection between sociology and supply chain management can transform our world.