Business and Economics

It’s Allegheny’s version of the reality TV show “Shark Tank.”

No, we’re not talking about fish. We’re talking about the College’s Gator Social Venture Challenge, a competition that allows student entrepreneurs to pitch ideas for a new social venture or an improvement of an existing social venture to a panel of judges. The event took place April 24 and 25 in Quigley Hall.

This year, 26 teams from Allegheny and Grove City College participated in the two-day challenge, which is part of the managerial track programming in the College’s Department of Economics.

“The challenge is designed to provide community-based experiential learning opportunities, envisioned by the Allegheny Gateway, for students. They also present their ideas to highly successful professionals in their respective fields,” says Chris Allison ’83, entrepreneur in residence at Allegheny. “It also offers students networking opportunities with distinguished Allegheny alumni and friends of the College.”

TJ Eatmon, assistant professor of environmental science, worked with some of the teams presenting their ideas this year. The challenge is the final project for his “Ecopreneurship” class, where students were charged with creating a product that has an environmental impact. For example, one group from his class presented their idea of turning empty prescription bottles into lawn supply products such as shovels and rakes.

“I think the challenge shows that environmental ideas and business can coexist,” Eatmon says. “It gives the students great experience in designing their own business plan. Their liberal arts education also gives them an advantage by allowing them to think and communicate with people across a variety of professions.”

Eatmon adds that a partnership between Allegheny and Parkhurst Dining – Allegheny’s food service provider – was actually the winning idea in 2012. The business plan now has been put into action; Allegheny sells fish and lettuce from its aquaponics system – which uses fish waste to grow plants in a recirculating system – directly to Parkhurst.

For this year’s challenge, preliminary round judging took place on April 24, with all teams pitching their ideas to the judges. Nine student team finalists advanced to Saturday’s championship round.

For new social ventures, first place and $1,000 in prize money were awarded to the Limuli Farms team from Allegheny: Kiah Boudreau, Timothy Cornett, Jennifer Glen, Jeremy Pallant and William Schroer.

The group’s idea was to take advantage of an impending supply chain problem in the production of LAL, which is the finest indicator of sterility in the biomedical industry and is required for testing of the majority of medical equipment. According to the group, since LAL is produced from the blood of horseshoe crabs, the collection of horseshoe crabs in the wild is about to be increasingly regulated. The group’s idea was to develop a sustainable method of farm-raising horseshoe crabs to protect their species and produce LAL in a reliable manner.

Second place and $750 in prize money were awarded to the Kinbox team from Grove City: Andrea Howe, Jordan Jensen and Karolina Lagerquist.

Third place and $500 in prize money were awarded to the Lunch Time team from Grove City: Ashley Henderson, Haley Nerlich and Taylor Stein.

In addition, an honorable mention and $300 in prize money were awarded to the Wheel House team from Grove City: Elisabeth O’Brien and Hannah Vaccaro.

For the improvement of an existing social venture, first place and $1,000 in prize money were awarded to the Market House Authority team from Allegheny: Ryan Cambier, Robert Pickett and Matt Tilley. The group proposed an innovative solution to develop new marketing strategies to help improve the business’s operations and preserve the historic Market House building, a long-standing Meadville icon.

Second place and $750 in prize money were awarded to the Community Care Network team from Allegheny: Andrew Hotchkiss, Liam McNamee and Mary Nagel.

Third place and $500 in prize money were awarded to the Special Olympics of Crawford County team from Allegheny: Lucas Morton, Hannah Russell and Walter Stover.

There was a two-way tie for honorable mention, with each team receiving $300 in prize money. Aaron Donahoe, Mark Egan and Taesha Foster of Allegheny presented ErieDAWN. Brett Barrett, Ashley Keenen and Nikola Matic of Allegheny presented United Community Independence Programs (UCIP).

Students on winning teams received trophies.

This year’s judges were:

• Chris Alan Daverse ’88, senior consultant, business development and government affairs, Semiconductor Research Corp.
• John Golden, associate professor of economics at Allegheny
• Don Goldstein, professor of economics at Allegheny
• Geoffrey Gund, president, George Gund Foundation
• JoAnn Pacinelli ’82, president of ECapital Exchange LLC, Pittsburgh
• Michael Piraino ’74, chief executive officer, National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA)
• Henry Robin, general partner and managing director, Invesco Private Capital
• Jonathan Spencer ’79, president, New Horizons House
• Lance Zingale ’77, executive vice president and general manager, major markets, Sykes Enterprises Inc., Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

Top photo: For new social ventures, first place was awarded to the Limuli Farms team from Allegheny. Students left to right are Kiah Boudreau ’15, William Schroer ’15, Jeremy Pallant ’18, Timothy Cornett ’16 and Jennifer Glen ’15. Photo by Emilie Hickox ’15.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Photo Credit: Emilie Hickox ’15

Members of the first-place Limuli Farms Team, left to right: Kiah Boudreau ’15, William Schroer ’15, Jeremy Pallant ’18, Timothy Cornett ’16 and Jennifer Glen ’15

by Tamara Minns

May 5, 2015 – Twenty-six teams of Allegheny College and Grove City College student entrepreneurs participated in a two-day business “idea pitch” competition on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 at Allegheny College.

Allegheny’s Gator Social Venture Challenge, hosted by the Department of Economics and a part of their managerial track programming, is designed to provide students with community-based experiential learning opportunities envisioned by the Allegheny Gateway, as well as opportunities to present their ideas to highly successful professionals in their fields and networking opportunities with Allegheny alumni and friends of the college.

Preliminary round judging took place on Friday, April 24 with all teams pitching to a panel of judges their ideas for either a new social venture or improvement of an existing social venture. Nine student team finalists advanced to Saturday’s championship round.

For new social ventures, first place and $1,000 in prize money were awarded to the Limuli Farms team from Allegheny College: Kiah Boudreau, Timothy Cornett, Jennifer Glen, Jeremy Pallant and William Schroer.

Second place and $750 in prize money were awarded to the Kinbox team from Grove City College: Andrea Howe, Jordan Jensen and Karolina Lagerquist.

Third place and $500 in prize money were awarded to the Lunch Time team from Grove City College: Ashley Henderson, Haley Nerlich and Taylor Stein.

In addition, an Honorable Mention and $300 in prize money were awarded to the Wheel House team from Grove City College: Elisabeth O’Brien and Hannah Vaccaro.

For the improvement of an existing social venture, first place and $1,000 in prize money were awarded to the Market House Authority team from Allegheny College: Ryan Cambier, Robert Pickett and Matt Tilley.

Second place and $750 in prize money were awarded to the Community Care Network team from Allegheny College: Andrew Hotchkiss, Liam McNamee and Mary Nagel.

Third place and $500 in prize money were awarded to the Special Olympics of Crawford County team from Allegheny College: Lucas Morton, Hannah Russell and Walter Stover.

There was a two-way tie for honorable mention, with each team receiving $300 in prize money. Aaron Donahoe, Mark Egan and Taesha Foster of Allegheny College presented ErieDAWN. Brett Barrett, Ashley Keenen and Nikola Matic of Allegheny College presented United Community Independence Programs (UCIP).

Students on winning teams received trophies.

Judges were Chris Alan Daverse, Allegheny Class of 1988, senior consultant, business development and government affairs, Semiconductor Research Corporation; John Golden, associate professor of economics at Allegheny College; Don Goldstein, professor of economics at Allegheny College; Geoffrey Gund, president, George Gund Foundation; JoAnn Pacinelli, Allegheny Class of 1982, president of ECapital Exchange LLC, Pittsburgh; Michael Piraino, Allegheny Class of 1974, chief executive officer, National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA); Henry Robin, general partner and managing director, Invesco Private Capital; Jonathan Spencer, Allegheny Class of 1979, president, New Horizons House; and Lance Zingale, Allegheny Class of 1977, executive vice president and general manager, major markets, Sykes Enterprises, Inc., Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Allegheny Gateway provides a means for faculty, students, staff and community partners to put classroom learning into practice. It includes experiential learning, engaged/applied learning, undergraduate research, engagement with difference and diversity, and connecting Allegheny education to careers and life after graduation.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Members of the first-place Limuli Farms Team, left to right: Kiah Boudreau ’15, William Schroer ’15, Jeremy Pallant ’18, Timothy Cornett ’16 and Jennifer Glen ’15

by Tamara Minns

May 5, 2015 – Twenty-six teams of Allegheny College and Grove City College student entrepreneurs participated in a two-day business “idea pitch” competition on Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25 at Allegheny College.

Allegheny’s Gator Social Venture Challenge, hosted by the Department of Economics and a part of their managerial track programming, is designed to provide students with community-based experiential learning opportunities envisioned by the Allegheny Gateway, as well as opportunities to present their ideas to highly successful professionals in their fields and networking opportunities with Allegheny alumni and friends of the college.

Preliminary round judging took place on Friday, April 24 with all teams pitching to a panel of judges their ideas for either a new social venture or improvement of an existing social venture. Nine student team finalists advanced to Saturday’s championship round.

For new social ventures, first place and $1,000 in prize money were awarded to the Limuli Farms team from Allegheny College: Kiah Boudreau, Timothy Cornett, Jennifer Glen, Jeremy Pallant and William Schroer.

Second place and $750 in prize money were awarded to the Kinbox team from Grove City College: Andrea Howe, Jordan Jensen and Karolina Lagerquist.

Third place and $500 in prize money were awarded to the Lunch Time team from Grove City College: Ashley Henderson, Haley Nerlich and Taylor Stein.

In addition, an Honorable Mention and $300 in prize money were awarded to the Wheel House team from Grove City College: Elisabeth O’Brien and Hannah Vaccaro.

For the improvement of an existing social venture, first place and $1,000 in prize money were awarded to the Market House Authority team from Allegheny College: Ryan Cambier, Robert Pickett and Matt Tilley.

Second place and $750 in prize money were awarded to the Community Care Network team from Allegheny College: Andrew Hotchkiss, Liam McNamee and Mary Nagel.

Third place and $500 in prize money were awarded to the Special Olympics of Crawford County team from Allegheny College: Lucas Morton, Hannah Russell and Walter Stover.

There was a two-way tie for honorable mention, with each team receiving $300 in prize money. Aaron Donahoe, Mark Egan and Taesha Foster of Allegheny College presented ErieDAWN. Brett Barrett, Ashley Keenen and Nikola Matic of Allegheny College presented United Community Independence Programs (UCIP).

Students on winning teams received trophies.

Judges were Chris Alan Daverse, Allegheny Class of 1988, senior consultant, business development and government affairs, Semiconductor Research Corporation; John Golden, associate professor of economics at Allegheny College; Don Goldstein, professor of economics at Allegheny College; Geoffrey Gund, president, George Gund Foundation; JoAnn Pacinelli, Allegheny Class of 1982, president of ECapital Exchange LLC, Pittsburgh; Michael Piraino, Allegheny Class of 1974, chief executive officer, National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association (CASA); Henry Robin, general partner and managing director, Invesco Private Capital; Jonathan Spencer, Allegheny Class of 1979, president, New Horizons House; and Lance Zingale, Allegheny Class of 1977, executive vice president and general manager, major markets, Sykes Enterprises, Inc., Tampa/St. Petersburg, Fla.

The Allegheny Gateway provides a means for faculty, students, staff and community partners to put classroom learning into practice. It includes experiential learning, engaged/applied learning, undergraduate research, engagement with difference and diversity, and connecting Allegheny education to careers and life after graduation.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Allegheny students help residents save $90,000 in income tax preparation fees

April 20, 2015 — The Meadville Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA), which prepared free 2014 federal, state and local tax returns for area residents at the Meadville Public Library from Feb. 2 to April 11, is pleased to share that it prepared 900 tax returns this year, a 15 percent increase from the number of returns completed last year.

According to Dr. Stephanie Martin, Allegheny College associate professor of economics, the 900 federal income tax returns – prepared at no cost to local taxpayers – represented a savings of approximately $90,000 in income tax preparation fees for area residents. The program’s acceptance rate on e-filed returns continues to improve as well, with a rate of more than 96 percent this tax season.

The majority of returns are prepared by trained Allegheny College students, says Martin, who is in her sixth year overseeing the Meadville VITA program.

“What I really like about this program is that there are so many benefits to both the students and the residents,” she says. “For the students, they learn a valuable life skill, and they see Meadville in a whole new light. For residents, we help them get the credits they are eligible for, we save them money because they don’t have to pay for this service and we help them learn about their taxes.”

This year, more than 50 Allegheny students served as VITA volunteers. When they committed to the program, they were required to attend a 30-hour training regimen that the IRS provided over winter break, then eight more hours of training with Martin on the software they would use. They also needed to pass a certification exam.

Once they completed these requirements, students spent four to six hours each week on site. During their shift, they rotated between greeters and tax preparers. They also were qualified to review each other’s work to make sure it was correct before the taxes were filed.

In return, students received four academic credits. “The experience is graded like any other internship,” Martin says. “I also ask them to write reflections about the experience as part of their grade.”

This is the second year that Allegheny senior Olivia Newman has worked with VITA. Olivia, a biology major/economics minor (with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine), says the program helped her gain a newfound confidence.

“Before VITA, I was clueless about what to do when it came to taxes. Now I’m not, which is really cool,” she says. “I feel that if I can help other people figure it out, too, that’s awesome. That’s what drives me.”

This season, local clients received a total of $821,474 in federal refunds and $74,342 in state refunds. The group prepared returns for 301 taxpayers who qualified for Earned Income Credits, totaling $344,923. The taxpayers served by Meadville VITA for the 2014 tax season also received $46,612 in Education Credits and $18,100 in Child Tax Credits, Martin says.

In addition, the program assisted 356 clients over the age of 60, and 97 percent of the clients were in VITA’s target group of taxpayers with incomes below $50,000. In addition, Meadville VITA prepared PA-1000 forms for approximately 90 taxpayers, garnering approximately $36,000 in property tax and rent rebates from the state.

The Meadville VITA program is a partnership between Allegheny, the United Way of Western Crawford County, the Meadville Public Library and the IRS and is supported by the Crawford Heritage Foundation.

Photo: Senior Tom Bober gives back to the community as part of the free VITA Program.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Allegheny students help residents save $90,000 in income tax preparation fees

April 20, 2015 — The Meadville Volunteer Income Tax Program (VITA), which prepared free 2014 federal, state and local tax returns for area residents at the Meadville Public Library from Feb. 2 to April 11, is pleased to share that it prepared 900 tax returns this year, a 15 percent increase from the number of returns completed last year.

According to Dr. Stephanie Martin, Allegheny College associate professor of economics, the 900 federal income tax returns – prepared at no cost to local taxpayers – represented a savings of approximately $90,000 in income tax preparation fees for area residents. The program’s acceptance rate on e-filed returns continues to improve as well, with a rate of more than 96 percent this tax season.

The majority of returns are prepared by trained Allegheny College students, says Martin, who is in her sixth year overseeing the Meadville VITA program.

“What I really like about this program is that there are so many benefits to both the students and the residents,” she says. “For the students, they learn a valuable life skill, and they see Meadville in a whole new light. For residents, we help them get the credits they are eligible for, we save them money because they don’t have to pay for this service and we help them learn about their taxes.”

This year, more than 50 Allegheny students served as VITA volunteers. When they committed to the program, they were required to attend a 30-hour training regimen that the IRS provided over winter break, then eight more hours of training with Martin on the software they would use. They also needed to pass a certification exam.

Once they completed these requirements, students spent four to six hours each week on site. During their shift, they rotated between greeters and tax preparers. They also were qualified to review each other’s work to make sure it was correct before the taxes were filed.

In return, students received four academic credits. “The experience is graded like any other internship,” Martin says. “I also ask them to write reflections about the experience as part of their grade.”

This is the second year that Allegheny senior Olivia Newman has worked with VITA. Olivia, a biology major/economics minor (with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine), says the program helped her gain a newfound confidence.

“Before VITA, I was clueless about what to do when it came to taxes. Now I’m not, which is really cool,” she says. “I feel that if I can help other people figure it out, too, that’s awesome. That’s what drives me.”

This season, local clients received a total of $821,474 in federal refunds and $74,342 in state refunds. The group prepared returns for 301 taxpayers who qualified for Earned Income Credits, totaling $344,923. The taxpayers served by Meadville VITA for the 2014 tax season also received $46,612 in Education Credits and $18,100 in Child Tax Credits, Martin says.

In addition, the program assisted 356 clients over the age of 60, and 97 percent of the clients were in VITA’s target group of taxpayers with incomes below $50,000. In addition, Meadville VITA prepared PA-1000 forms for approximately 90 taxpayers, garnering approximately $36,000 in property tax and rent rebates from the state.

The Meadville VITA program is a partnership between Allegheny, the United Way of Western Crawford County, the Meadville Public Library, Active Aging and the IRS.

Photo: Senior Tom Bober gives back to the community as part of the free VITA Program.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Walter Stover ’17 has been awarded a Critical Languages Scholarship from the U.S. State Department to study Chinese intensively for eight weeks in Beijing over the summer.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Walter Stover ’17 has been awarded a Critical Languages Scholarship from the U.S. State Department to study Chinese intensively for eight weeks in Beijing over the summer.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Program provides free tax assistance to Meadville community

Most people probably wouldn’t use the words “fun” and “taxes” in the same sentence.

Stephanie Martin does. In fact, Martin, associate professor of economics, enjoys taxes so much that this is her sixth year overseeing a program that gives hundreds of qualifying Meadville residents the chance to have their taxes filed by trained Allegheny College students – for free.

The national program, called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), provides free tax preparation services for Meadville residents who earned $50,000 or less in 2014. The Meadville VITA program is a partnership between Allegheny, the United Way of Western Crawford County, the Meadville Public Library and the Internal Revenue Service and is supported by the Crawford Heritage Foundation. A similar program had been in place under the direction of Janine Sickafuse, associate professor of economics, for approximately 20 years prior to the current program.

Last year, VITA helped 780 local taxpayers. This year, volunteers assisted more than 100 residents in the first week alone. Martin says the goal is to prepare 1,000 returns this season.

“What I really like about this program is that there are so many benefits to both the students and the residents,” Martin says. “For the students, they learn a valuable life skill, and they see Meadville in a whole new light. For residents, we help them get the credits they are eligible for, we save them money because they don’t have to pay for this service and we help them learn about their taxes.”

This year, more than 50 Allegheny students serve as VITA volunteers. When they commit to the program, they are required to attend a 30-hour training regimen that the IRS provides over winter break, then eight more hours of training with Martin on the software they will use. They also must pass a certification exam.

Once they complete these requirements, students spend four to six hours each week on site. During their shift, they rotate between greeters and tax preparers. They also are qualified to review each other’s work to make sure it is correct before the taxes are filed.

In return, students receive four academic credits. “The experience is graded like any other internship,” Martin says. “I also ask them to write reflections about the experience as part of their grade.”

This is the second year that senior Olivia Newman has worked with VITA. Olivia, a biology major/economics minor (with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine), says the program has helped her gain a newfound confidence.

“Before VITA, I was clueless about what to do when it came to taxes. Now I’m not, which is really cool,” she says. “I feel that if I can help other people figure it out, too, that’s awesome. That’s what drives me.”

“The Meadville residents are so grateful,” Martin adds. “One year, a woman owed about $1,000. But after we put in her mileage expenses, she ended up owing $20. The woman jumped up and hugged me.”

Zachary Blank, a sophomore who intends to major in economics, also feels he has benefited from serving as a first-year VITA volunteer.

“I’ve learned a lot about tax laws, and I’ve also worked on my people skills,” he says. “When sitting with residents, you have to know what questions to ask and how to delve a little deeper during the interview process to get the information you need.”

The VITA site is located at the Meadville Public Library (848 N. Main St.) and is open through March 12, and then March 23 to April 11. The site is open for appointments or walk-ins on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Meadville VITA at vita@allegheny.edu.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Program provides free tax assistance to Meadville community

Most people probably wouldn’t use the words “fun” and “taxes” in the same sentence.

Stephanie Martin does. In fact, Martin, associate professor of economics, enjoys taxes so much that this is her sixth year overseeing a program that gives hundreds of qualifying Meadville residents the chance to have their taxes filed by trained Allegheny College students – for free.

The national program, called Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), provides free tax preparation services for Meadville residents who earned $50,000 or less in 2014. The Meadville VITA program is a partnership between Allegheny, the United Way of Western Crawford County, the Meadville Public Library and the Internal Revenue Service and is supported by the Crawford Heritage Foundation. A similar program had been in place under the direction of Janine Sickafuse, associate professor of economics, for approximately 20 years prior to the current program.

Last year, VITA helped 780 local taxpayers. This year, volunteers assisted more than 100 residents in the first week alone. Martin says the goal is to prepare 1,000 returns this season.

“What I really like about this program is that there are so many benefits to both the students and the residents,” Martin says. “For the students, they learn a valuable life skill, and they see Meadville in a whole new light. For residents, we help them get the credits they are eligible for, we save them money because they don’t have to pay for this service and we help them learn about their taxes.”

This year, more than 50 Allegheny students serve as VITA volunteers. When they commit to the program, they are required to attend a 30-hour training regimen that the IRS provides over winter break, then eight more hours of training with Martin on the software they will use. They also must pass a certification exam.

Once they complete these requirements, students spend four to six hours each week on site. During their shift, they rotate between greeters and tax preparers. They also are qualified to review each other’s work to make sure it is correct before the taxes are filed.

In return, students receive four academic credits. “The experience is graded like any other internship,” Martin says. “I also ask them to write reflections about the experience as part of their grade.”

This is the second year that senior Olivia Newman has worked with VITA. Olivia, a biology major/economics minor (with a focus on pre-veterinary medicine), says the program has helped her gain a newfound confidence.

“Before VITA, I was clueless about what to do when it came to taxes. Now I’m not, which is really cool,” she says. “I feel that if I can help other people figure it out, too, that’s awesome. That’s what drives me.”

“The Meadville residents are so grateful,” Martin adds. “One year, a woman owed about $1,000. But after we put in her mileage expenses, she ended up owing $20. The woman jumped up and hugged me.”

Zachary Blank, a sophomore who intends to major in economics, also feels he has benefited from serving as a first-year VITA volunteer.

“I’ve learned a lot about tax laws, and I’ve also worked on my people skills,” he says. “When sitting with residents, you have to know what questions to ask and how to delve a little deeper during the interview process to get the information you need.”

The VITA site is located at the Meadville Public Library (848 N. Main St.) and is open through March 12, and then March 23 to April 11. The site is open for appointments or walk-ins on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m.; and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment, contact Meadville VITA at vita@allegheny.edu.

Source: Academics, Publications & Research

Phoenix Cooke ’15 recently competed in the Washington International Horse Show Adult Jumper Championship, and, with her usual determination and skill, rode her mount, Skys Burning Blue, to a second-place finish. For Phoenix, who has been riding for 16 years, it was another in a series of achievements in equestrian competition.

Phoenix was introduced to horses and riding at a young age thanks to her mother, who was the first certified therapeutic riding instructor for the Western Reserve Riding Academy in Ohio.

An economics major at Allegheny, Phoenix is from Chardon, Ohio. “I initially wanted to go into pre-med, and Allegheny has a fantastic reputation,” she says. “But I also wanted to make sure that I looked into the other portions of the school. Business always interested me so I started taking a few business courses and it took off from there.”

She chose Allegheny partly because of the 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, Phoenix says.

“I looked into the school, and I am the type of learner who cannot thrive in a huge school,” says Phoenix. “Ohio State is 50,000 students. It’s a city in a city. I really needed that small student/faculty ratio. That’s what Allegheny has.”

Phoenix has a variety of interests and says she has always had an affinity for art. “I took it all four years of high school and figured why not take a class  here?” This eventually led her to pursue studio art as a minor.

When she’s not riding or studying, Phoenix is immersed in the Allegheny community as a cheerleader, a member of the service organization Alpha Phi Omega, and a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.

“Because I have been competing since I was 6 years old, I have learned how to balance my time between academics, riding, and the organizations I am a part of,” she says. “It is not easy, and it can be stressful, but my time management skills are something employers have found inspiring during interviews.”

Phoenix says she enjoys Allegheny’s geographic location because of its proximity to the competitive equestrian circuit. “It takes me an hour and a half to get to a show during the winter,” she says. Since Phoenix practices four to five times a week when school is in session. On breaks, however, she practices five to six times a week.

It is safe to say her hard work is paying dividends. Over the past year, Phoenix has competed in New York, where she secured the bronze medal for her team and placed fourth individually, and in Kentucky, where she emerged as Grand Champion and won a $10,000 prize.

Phoenix’s equestrian career has taught her discipline. “I am responsible for my horse’s life and nothing can be taken lightly when it comes to care,” she says. “I feel the same way about my academics. I am a perfectionist and view my college career as a full-time job.”

Being a student-athlete also has given Phoenix a drive to succeed. She says it is her determination that has helped her land two summer internships, first with AXA Advisors, a financial services firm in Washington, D.C., and more recently with JP Morgan in Ohio. This led to a job with JP Morgan that she will start when she graduates in May.

“If it wasn’t for the support of the professors in the economics department, how much they push their students to be as successful as possible, and give us the tools necessary to become successful, I would not have gotten the internships I have had.” she says.

– Nahla Bendefaa

Source: Academics, Publications & Research