College of Business Spring 2024 Student Accomplishments

The Reginald F. Lewis College of Business at Virginia State University celebrated the following spring 2024 student accomplishments.

(1) Tiara Clark (Management major), Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) and Nylan Taylor (Marketing major) visited with Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady Suzanne Youngkin at the Executive Mansion in Richmond for dinner.

(2) Monique Simmons (Accounting major) earned a paid accounting internship for the summer at Atlantic Union Bank in Richmond.

(3) Tamir Campbell (Information Systems major), Marquis Mason (Marketing major), Aniya Omopariola (Marketing major) and Devin Styles (Management major) participated in the VA21 Lobby Day at the State Capital and met with scores of legislators including for dinner.

(4) Emanuel Harris (Marketing major) was admitted to Babson College in Massachusetts to earn a graduate degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership.

(5) Keyona Hogue (Information Systems major) earned a paid IT internship for the summer at AEM in Reston.

(6) Indacia Turner (Accounting major) participated in the Commercial Real Estate for Women (CREW) industry luncheon held at the University of Richmond.

(7) Aniya Omopariola (Marketing major) earned a paid internship at C&J Co-Op Working Space in Chesterfield where she runs the office.

(8) Iyana Logan (Accounting major) earned a full-time position for after graduation in May at Deloitte in Atlanta.

(9) Alanna LaVende (Information Systems major) earned a full time position for after graduation in May at CGI Federal.

(10) Bry’on Jenkins (Accounting major) earned a paid internship for the spring semester in the Dinwiddie County Treasurer’s Office.

(11) Geoffrey Newton (Management major) participated in a study abroad visit to Morocco.

(12) Isiah Bracey (Information Systems major) and Tyrone Goodrich (Information Systems major) participated in the Southeast Decision Sciences Institute Conference in Charleston, South Carolina relevant to artificial intelligence and ideation.

(13) Janay Samuel (Marketing major) participated in the Bethel Campus Fellowship Intercollegiate Conference in North Carolina.

(14) Brooke Mcclinton (Management Information Systems major) earned a paid IT internship for the summer at Lockheed Martin.

(15) Lake Femister (Marketing major) earned a paid marketing internship for the summer at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Petersburg where he will succeed Adaisha Jordan (Marketing major) in the position.

(16) Kiara Somerville (Management major) earned an internship for the balance of the semester at HubSpot relevant to a Student Ambassador Program.

(17) Nakya Morgan (Marketing major) earned a social media internship at Focus & Fabulous in Richmond.

(18) Shanelle Connolly (Management major) earned paid accounting internships for summer 2025 at KPMG, EY and RSM.

(19) Geoffrey Love (Management major) earned a paid internship for the summer at FDIC in D.C.

(20) Asia McCann (Marketing major) earned a paid research internship for the summer at Penn State in State College.

(21) Renaijah Crockett (Accounting major) earned a paid accounting internship for the summer at BNY Mellon Bank in Pittsburgh.

(22) Tony Tucker (Accounting major) earned a trip to Atlanta on April 26 courtesy of PricewaterhouseCoopers relevant to PwC’s launch program to explore the company.

(23) James Fleming (Accounting major) earned a paid finance internship for the spring and summer at Emerge Construction in Richmond.

(24) Heaven Jenkins (Marketing major) earned a full-time management position for after graduation in May as a Team Lead at Renewal by Anderson.

(25) Jharyta Loveless (Accounting major) earned a paid accounting internship for the summer at Kearney.

(26) Kristion Plummer (Marketing major) earned a paid internship relevant to marketing for the semester at Reynolds Tobacco.

(27) Forty-five students participated in Myers & Stauffer Day with Latoria Henderson (Accountant) including in the classroom relevant to Accounting Information Systems. A big thanks to Leah Hall for her hospitality!!

(28) Seventy students participated in Waffle House Day with Colin Mitchell (Recruiter).

(29) Jaylen McPherson (Management major) and his band performed in Singleton Hall for faculty and staff.

(30) Tony Tucker (Accounting major) earned a virtual internship for the semester at Project Destined pertinent to commercial real estate.

(31) Emanuel Harris (Marketing major) earned an invite to Chicago to interview for a fashion designer job for after graduation with Cintas.

(32) Bob Obiora (Accounting major) and Monique Simmons (Accounting major) participated in a 1 day externship at Keiter in Richmond.

(33) Tiara Clark (Management major) earned an internship for the spring semester in the Office of State Senator Lashrecse Aird in Richmond.

(34) Demesha Daniels (Accounting major) earned a National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) scholarship relevant to the Pathways to College (PTC) program and joins Justin Francis (Accounting major) as previously announced in winning said scholarship.

(35) Mercy Abiodun (Accounting major), Shanelle Connolly (Accounting major), Mone’t Creque (Accounting major), Renaijah Crockett (Accounting major), Kenneth Davis (Accounting major), Marquis Greene (Accounting major), Gabrielle Gunn (Accounting major), Danielle McNeil (Accounting major), Erica Quick (Accounting major), Isaac Savage (Accounting major), Jacynda Trent (Accounting major) and Indacia Turner (Accounting major) earned a $10,000 scholarship from the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) joining Demesha Daniels (Accounting major) and Justin Francis (Accounting major) as previously announced.

(36) Bry’on Jenkins (Accounting major), Makenna Langston (Management major) and Indacia Turner (Accounting major) hosted Rebecca Fender (Director of Investor Relations) from Spider Management in the classroom relevant to Investment Analysis. A big thanks to Jae-K Hwang for his hospitality!!

(37) Jahnyah Jacobs (Management major), Marquis Mason (Marketing major), Khalib Robinson (Management major) and Kiersten Williams (Marketing major) interviewed for an internship with Larry Murphy (CEO) from Urban Redevelopment.

(38) Fifteen students participated in a lunch and learn with Dale Fickett (CEO) of Open Trellis.

(39) Thirty students hosted President Makola Abdullah for a conversation and photo shoot.

(40) Twenty-five students hosted Chantel Williams (CEO) from Maxxtell Creations in the classroom relevant to Intro to Information Systems. A big thanks to Aurelia Donald for her hospitality!!

(41) David Miller (Accounting major) earned a paid internship for the summer with the Department of Energy Mentorship for Environmental Scholars Program and has been placed in the Cybersecurity Program at the Idaho National Laboratory.

(42) Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) earned a paid internship for the summer at Skanska responsible for project management.

(43) Monique Simmons (Accounting major) earned a scholarship relevant to the Soroptimist International Virginia Wagner Award and invited to the corresponding dinner in Canton, Ohio.

(44) Isaiah Aminzia (Marketing major) earned a finalist spot in the Metropolitan Business League (MBL) Annual Awards Dinner Celebration to be held in March in Richmond relevant to Youth Entrepreneur of the Year and his business Lovely Lawns.

(45) Forty students hosted Mark Casper (CEO) from Tech For Troops in the classroom relevant to Professional Certification Paths and Business Information Systems. A big thanks to Olumide Malomo and Chandrashekar Challa for their hospitality!!

(46) Quentin Gray (Information Systems major), Emanuel Harris (Marketing major), Heaven Jenkins (Marketing major) and James Owusu (Management major) participated in an entrepreneurship focus group with Reuben Hewitt (Founder) of Sankofa Studios.

(47) Twenty students participated in a lunch and learn with Lee Parker (Executive Director) from JP Morgan Private Bank.

(48) Forty students participated in VCU Brandcenter Day including hosting Marielle Siebers (Assistant Director of Admissions Operations) in the classroom relevant to Marketing Channels Physical Management. A big thanks to Jun Lim for his hospitality!!

(49) Avianca Jackson (Marketing major) and Khalib Robinson (Management major) attended the VCU Real Estate Career Expo and interfaced with dozens of real estate companies.

(50) Zoe Parks (Management major) earned a paid summer internship in Orlando at Disney for the second year in a row.

(51) Davon Bell (Management major), Tiara Clark (Management major), Amari Johnson (Marketing major) and Jharyta Loveless (Accounting major) earned a position as student ambassador for the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development.

(52) Cynthia Davis (Accounting major), Faye Izatt (Accounting major), Brooke McClinton (Information Systems major), Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major), Monique Simmons (Accounting major) and Adia Smith (Information Systems major) earned an invite to participate in an industry sponsored artificial intelligence intercollegiate competition courtesy of Primis Bank.

(53) Fifty-five students participated in Virginia529 Day with Alicia Diggs (HR Business Partner).

(54) Sixty students participated in the VSU Career Services Career Expo and interfaced with scores of employers.

(55) Twenty students hosted Sam Hayes (Founder) from Stratageum in the classroom relevant to Organization and Management. A big thanks to Ju Jin for his hospitality!!

(56) Ninety students participated in Reginald F. Lewis Day to celebrate Black History Month including a breakfast, concert and student entrepreneurship fair.

(57) Fifteen students hosted Cary Davis (Agent) from the IRS in the classroom relevant to Accounting Information Systems. A big thanks to Leah Hall for her hospitality!!

(58) Aysia Franklin (Management major), Iyana Logan (Accounting major), Asia McCann (Marketing major), Jaylen Moore (Accounting major) and Janay Samuel (Marketing major) in their capacity relevant to the VSU Rotary Chapter created and delivered Valentine’s Day care packages to custodian and police staff.

(59) Jeremy Chavis (Marketing major), Kenizjha Jackson (Management major) and Makenna Langston (Management major) earned paid internships for the balance of the semester at People’s Advantage Federal Credit Union in Petersburg relevant to the Building Buyer Readiness Program.

(60) Mercy Abiodun (Accounting major) and Kendall Jones (Information Systems major) earned an invite to attend the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Devcon Conference to be held March 6-10.

(61) Thirty students participated in Crossover Health Ministry Day with Rachel Yowell (Volunteer Coordinator).

(62) Emanuel Harris (Marketing major) attended the VCU BrandCenter Preview Day and Friday Forum in Richmond.

(63) Forty students participated in Focus and Fabulous Day including getting headshots with Sharone Reid (Owner).

(64) Chris Lawrence (Management major) and Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) attended the CIAA Tournament in Baltimore.

(65) Fifteen students participated in ChamberRVA Day including a focus group with Allison Pollack (Program Manager).

(66) Thirty students participated in Urban League Day with Shayla Pittman (Program Manager).

(67) Thirty-five students participated in Commercial Real Estate for Women Day with Stephanie Golembeski (Scholarship Manager).

(68) Twenty students hosted Matthew Steilberg (Director of Retail Banking) from C&F Bank in the classroom relevant to Personal Finance Management. A big thanks to Steve Holeman for his hospitality!

(69) Twenty-five students hosted Heather Reichardt (Manager of Indirect Tax) from Ernst & Young in the classroom relevant to Legal, Ethical and Digital. A big thanks to Justin Griffin for his hospitality!

(70) Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) and Thomas Pointer (Marketing major) secured a $300 donation from the American Marketing Association relevant to a conference in New Orleans.

(71) Ruqayah Ebrahim (Management major), Marquis Mason (Marketing major) and TyAsia Williams (Management major) participated in a College of Business Center for Entrepreneurship pop-up shop.

(72) Thomas Pointer (Marketing major) earned a paid marketing internship for the summer and fall at the Richmond Kickers.

(73) Kevin McCoy (Management major) participated in Founder’s Day and specifically was responsible for laying the wreath at the tomb.

(74) Faye Izatt (Accounting major) earned a new computer courtesy of a donation from Altria; Faye also earned a full-time accounting job for after graduation at Harris Hardy & Johnstone where she interns.

(75) Michael Angulu (Accounting major), Jaylen Moore (Accounting major), Diamyri Norton (Accounting major), Chanecia Porter (Accounting major) and Monique Simmons (Accounting major) participated in Allmond & Company Day including interviewing with Jason Allmond (CEO).

(76) Andreanna Nembhard (Marketing major) helped host Jennifer Tompkins (Owner) from Let’s Just Do It.

(77) Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) participated in an intercollegiate conference at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

(78) Isaiah Aminzia (Marketing major) won an entrepreneurship award at the Metropolitan Business League annual awards dinner at the Altria Theater attended by over 500 persons relevant to his business Lovely Lawns.

(79) Katheryn Moore (Marketing major) attended the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Devcon Conference along with Mercy Abiodun (Accounting major) and Kendall Jones (Information Systems major) as previously announced.

(80) Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) was profiled in a new VSU production relevant to her internship at Skanska, click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1P0-80fyIYufDM9fjJoj5C_gnYxVi6yrU/view

(81) Tania Judkins (Management major) agreed to the balance of the semester mentor children at Blandford Academy in Petersburg.

(82) Nakaiya Hudson (Management major) earned an invite to participate in a 2 day accounting externship at Kearney effective August 1.

(83) Nakiyah Jones (Marketing major), Aniya Omopariola (Marketing major), Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) and Nylan Taylor (Marketing major) earned an invite to participate in the American Marketing Association conference to be held in New Orleans April 10 – 14.

(84) Nakaiya Hudson (Management major) earned an invite to present at a Thurgood Marshall College Fund conference in Atlanta in May.

(85) Monet Creque (Accounting major) earned a paid internship for the summer in accounting at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

(86) Monique Simmons (Accounting major) earned a paid internship for the summer in accounting and finance at Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

(87) Evelyn Frederick (Management major) resumed her food truck business She Gang Eats.

(88) Ethan McKnight (Management major) attended the Virginia’s Gateway Region annual dinner in Petersburg with over fifty businesses.

(89) Mercy Abiodun (Accounting major), Katelyn Bendinsky (Accounting major), Mone’t Creque (Accounting major), Cynthia Davis (Accounting major), Kenneth Davis (Accounting major), TaQuan Evans (Accounting major), Marquis Greene (Accounting major), Aszwan Hite (Marketing major), Jharyta Loveless (Accounting major), Brooke McClinton (Information Systems major), Merwan Mohamed (Accounting major), Bob Obiora (Accounting major), Tony Tucker (Accounting major), and Chloe Williams (Accounting major) participated in a PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) case competition and opportunity to win a cash prize. A big thanks to Joshua Nyantakyi for his hospitality!

(90) Roosevelt Byrd (Management major), Tara Dickerson (Management major), Macaiya Harris (Management major), Katheryn Moore (Marketing major), Cameron Smith (Management major) and Mariyah Walters (Marketing major) visited Altria’s headquarters in Richmond for workshops and for lunch.

(91) Forty students hosted Linda Melton (VP) and Danielle Batts (Talent Acquisition Advisor) from Fulton Bank in the classroom relevant to Legal, Ethical and Digital and Intro to Accounting. A big thanks to Justin Griffin and Ted Andrews for their hospitality!

(92) Twenty students hosted Emilie Laliberte (Manager) from Sandbox in the classroom relevant to Small Business Management. A big thanks to Ju Jin for his hospitality!

(93) Thirty students hosted Demetrius Norman (Manager) from the Society of Human Resource Management in the classroom relevant to Personnel and Human Resource Management. A big thanks to Sachiko Wooten for her hospitality!

(94) Thirty-five students hosted Matt Wade (Deputy Director) from Virginia Clean Cities in the classroom relevant to Business Information Systems and Personal Finance Management. A big thanks to Chandrasheker Challa and Steve Holeman for their hospitality!

(95) Cynthia Davis (Accounting major), Gabrielle Gunn (Accounting major), Andrina Spriggs (Accounting major), Tony Tucker (Accounting major) and Chloe Williams (Accounting major) participated in National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Spring Day at VCU.

(96) Chloe Williams (Accounting major) earned a trip to Orlando in June to visit with PricewaterhouseCoopers to be evaluated for an internship for summer 2025.

(97) Davon Bell (Management major) traveled to Arizona courtesy of the Dream Foundation to visit with the Arizona Coyotes National Hockey League team.

(98) Seventy students hosted Holly Miller (Owner) from Makeup by Holly Beauty Partners in the classroom relevant to Intro to Business, Intro to Accounting, Global Business Perspectives, Principles of Finance and Marketing Channels and Emanuel Harris (Marketing major), Faye Izatt (Accounting major), Brooke McClinton (Information Systems major), Tony Tucker (Accounting major) and Indacia Turner (Accounting major) participated in a fashion show. A big thanks to Louis Dabney, Ted Andrews, Ayse Balas, Jae-K Hwang and Jun Lim for their hospitality!

(99) Twenty students hosted Matt Noone (Inside Sales Manager) from the Washington Commanders for a lunch and learn.

(100) Tyrone Goodrich (Information Systems major), Scott Hill (Information Systems major), Karenzo Hogue (Information Systems major), Keyona Hogue (Information Systems major), Michael Marfo (Information Systems major), Rose Moyenga (Information Systems major) and Janay Samuel (Marketing major) volunteered at the First Robotics High School Competition and helped host hundreds of high school students.

(101) Twenty students hosted Billy O’Connor (VP) from Morgan Stanley in the classroom relevant to Accounting Information Systems. A big thanks to Leah Hall for her hospitality!

(102) Two hundred ninety eight students were acknowledged at the 50th Annual College of Business Awards Show for their academic achievement.

(103) Twenty students including relevant to Business Analytics hosted Byron Boston (CEO) from Dynex Capital in the classroom. A big thanks to Shaun Gao for his hospitality!

(104) Lake Femister (Marketing major) has earned a paid marketing internship for the summer at the Tri-City Chili Peppers professional baseball team in Colonial Heights; Lake has also earned a paid marketing internship as previously announced at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Petersburg where he will succeed Adaisha Jordan (Marketing major) in the position.

(105) Emanuel Harris (Marketing major) participated in the HBCU Fashion Battle in Maryland over the weekend and won first place pertinent to Urban Couture.

(106) Desmond Allen (Management major) and Aniya Omopariola (Marketing major) earned an invite to participate in a HBCU Pitch Competition to be held this week in Atlanta.

(107) Josiah Woodies (Management major) earned a paid internship for the summer responsible for procurement at Atlantic Union Bank in Richmond.

(108) Thirty students participated in Amazon Web Services training with Rymesha Fason (Technology Consultant) from Amazon.

(109) Mariyah Walters (Marketing major) hosted Emily Krause (Owner) from Amped-Up Marketing on campus today relevant to mentoring.

(110) Twenty-five students hosted Vatell Martin (Accountant) from KPMG on campus relevant to mentoring.

(111) Amari Brooks (Management Information Systems major), Erinn Cushionberry (Management major), Sarah Diamond (Management Information Systems major), Jahnyah Jacobs (Management major), Geoffrey Love (Management major), Brooke McClinton (Management Information Systems major), Lauren Parham (Management major), Thomas Pointer (Marketing major), Zsacari Scott (Management major), Monique Simmons (Accounting major), Cameron Smith (Management major), Chloe Williams (Accounting major) and Hope Woodies (Marketing major) were admitted to the College’s Student Advisory Board.

(112) Amari Johnson (Marketing major) earned a paid internship for the summer in Richmond at the Richmond Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

(113) Jasmine Pierce (Marketing major) earned a paid internship for the summer in Richmond at Dominion Payroll.

(114) Samuel Appiah (Management Information Systems major) earned an internship for the summer at Aeronautical Systems Incorporated (ASI) in Reston.

(115) Tony Tucker (Accounting major) earned a trip to Orlando in June to visit with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to be evaluated for an internship for summer 2025 and will join Chloe Williams (Accounting major) as previously announced.

(116) Roosevelt Byrd (Management major) earned a paid internship in sales for the summer at Fortune 500 Performance Food Group in Richmond.

(117) Cynthia Davis (Accounting major), Shaniece Gentry (Management major) and Tony Tucker (Accounting major) earned an invite to participate in the NABA FLOW convention in Las Vegas June 17 to 21.

(118) Lauren Parham (Management/HR major) earned a paid internship in HR for the summer at the City of Petersburg.

(119) Katheryn Moore (Marketing major) earned an internship for the fall at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund responsible for ambassador duties at VSU.

(120) Sydni Fonlon (Marketing major) earned an opportunity for the summer at VSU relevant to helping host the Trojan Introductory Program (TIP).

(121) Cameron Smith (Management major) earned an internship for the summer at Ultimate Medical Academy responsible for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

(122) Tiara Clark (Management major) earned an internship for the summer in Richmond pertinent to the Governor’s Fellows Program and will work alongside Bryan Slater (Secretary of Labor).

(123) Mekhi Johnson (Accounting major) participated in the Commonwealth Association for Financial Professionals (CAFP) conference at the Virginia Society of CPAs in Richmond.