#WhyZicklin? Review our Graduate Student Ambassadors profiles!
MBA
Name: Marianela
Hometown: Bronx, New York
Languages spoken: English & Spanish
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: BBA in Marketing at Baruch College
Most recent position: Commerce Manager, Essencemediacom (Coca-Cola Account)
Favorite course: MGT 9600 – Strategy & Competitive Advantage
Hobbies: I enjoy film photography, having showcased my work in exhibitions and love to document my travels of different cultures and places.
About me: I am an MBA student with a strong background in media strategy and a passion for creativity and innovation. I thrive at the intersection of marketing and storytelling, leveraging analytical skills to drive impactful campaigns and connect with diverse audiences.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Marketing Analytics & Computer Information Systems
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My career goal is to work in brand management and marketing strategy, leveraging consumer insights and innovative approaches to drive brand growth and differentiation. I aspire to collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful campaigns that resonate with audiences and deliver measurable results.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Name: Serena
Hometown: Fujian, China
Languages spoken: English & Mandarin
Degree program: Full-Time MBA in Accountancy
Previous degree: BA in Corporate Communication from Baruch College
Most recent position: Program Coordinator, Manhattan District Attorney’s Office
Favorite course: ACC 9110 – Financial Reporting
Hobbies: Running on the Manhattan Bridge in the morning and studying at a local coffee shop in my lower Manhattan neighborhood.
About me: I returned to Baruch for an MBA Accountancy after working for six years as a paralegal. Zicklin has enabled me to pivot from legal to accounting, and I look forward to gaining more knowledge through my program to establish a business career.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Value
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Accounting
Career goal (s) after degree completion:
To establish a career in accounting and contribute to the financial health of companies. With a legal mindset, I also aspire to sit for the CPA exam and work in public accounting early in my career to assist clients comply with regulations and achieve financial integrity.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Name: Yash
Hometown: Mumbai, India
Languages spoken: English and Hindi
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors of Science in Hospitality & Hotel Administration – Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition, Mumbai, India
Most recent position: Assistant Executive Chef, Oberoi Hotels and Resorts (The Bay Club, Mumbai)
Favorite course: FIN 9770 – Corporate Finance
Hobbies: I am a certified scuba diver who loves exploring the underwater world and a passionate traveler excited about experiencing new places and cultures. I have a love-hate relationship with fitness, but I strive to stay active. I also enjoy late-night sessions diving into internet rabbit holes, and discovering random topics. I appreciate all kinds of music and am an avid fan of movies from various languages and cultures, valuing their unique perspectives and storytelling styles. Additionally, I am deeply passionate about anime and manga, which fuel my appreciation for imaginative worlds and creative narratives. Exploring new experiences and learning about different cultures remain at the core of my interests.
About me: I am an international MBA student with a non-traditional background in luxury hospitality, driven by the transformative power of meaningful connections and extraordinary experiences. My goal is to transition into asset management and investments within the luxury hospitality sector. I aim to combine my passion for creating unforgettable moments with a vision to shape iconic destinations and foster innovative growth in the industry.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Legacy
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Asset Management, Financial Strategy, and Investments in Luxury Hospitality
Career goal (s) after degree completion:
My career goal is to work at the intersection of asset management and strategic investments in the luxury hospitality sector. I aspire to leverage my unique blend of industry experience and financial acumen to identify and develop high-impact projects, driving innovation and sustainable growth while shaping iconic destinations worldwide.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Name: Akshay
Hometown: Hyderabad, India
Languages spoken: English, Hindi, Telugu
Degree program: Full-Time MBA
Previous degree: Bachelor of Technology in Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology Warangal (NITW)
Most recent position: Product Analyst, Maustro (NY)
Favorite course: CIS 9650 – Programming for Business Analytics
Hobbies: Traveling, Reading self-help books, and mentoring peers.
About me: I am a STEM MBA candidate at Zicklin with a background in product analysis, data analytics, and business development across the genetics and health-tech industries. My journey includes launching India’s first D2C genetic screening product, leading product backlogs and user research, and building SQL- and Power BI–driven insights for better decision-making. At Zicklin, I aim to deepen my expertise in analytics, product strategy, and consulting, while building meaningful professional connections.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Transformation
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Business Analytics & Product Management
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My goal is to pursue a career as a Business Analyst or Product Manager in top consulting or tech firms, where I can leverage data-driven insights, strategy, and customer empathy to solve complex business problems.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Gregory
Name: Gregory
Hometown: Queens, NY
Languages spoken: English & Russian
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Hunter College
Most recent position: Chief Operating Officer at The Bizzarro Real Estate Agency
Favorite course: MGT 9301: Managing People and Organizations
Hobbies: I enjoy exploring different neighborhoods, dining at new restaurants, catching Broadway shows, and soaking in the culture at museums. I love immersing myself in foreign countries and meeting new people. Getting ‘lost’ is often when I find the most memorable experiences.
About me: I am a first-generation American who grew up with entrepreneurial parents. I love everything about business.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Leadership and Strategy
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Zicklin has opened up so many paths for me that I am just going to see where it takes me. I have a lot of personal goals so my only non-negotiable is that my career helps me achieve them.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Gurjot
Name: Gurjot
Hometown: Deer Park, NY
Languages spoken: Punjabi, Urdu, & Hindi
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from Farmingdale State College
Most recent position: Software Analyst, MeridianLink
Favorite course: LAW 9800 – Intensive Survey Law
Hobbies: I love to travel & work out – my primary interest lies in achieving muscular strength. I enjoy cooking (Spaghetti alla Carbonara) and learning new recipes.
About me: I am a driven MBA candidate with a passion for learning. My diverse background in finance coupled with a deep interest in emerging technologies like data analytics. My goal is to leverage my skills and knowledge to drive meaningful innovation and growth in the business world.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Finance & Cybersecurity
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Upon completing my MBA, my aspiration is to work as a financial analyst in one of the top investment firms. As a financial analyst, I will assist companies in making critical data-driven decisions. Additionally, I will research market trends which would maximize their financial utility. As I grow within the company, I hope to eventually transition into the position of CFO.
Expected Graduation Date: May 2025
Kirk
Name: Kirk
Hometown: Spanish Town, Jamaica West Indies
Languages spoken: English
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors Information Technology from Monroe College
Most recent position: Audio Visual Analyst, Nielsen Company
Favorite course: MGT 9301 – Managing People and Organizations
Hobbies: I enjoy cooking, entertaining, spending time outdoors in the summer, traveling, learning about other cultures, and acting. I am also a sports enthusiast.
About me: I am passionate about studying management and information technology. I enjoying learning about international affairs and managing people. With the knowledge gained from Zicklin School of Business I intend to make a difference in the workplace and my community.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Networking
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Information Technology and Project Management
Career goal (s) after degree completion: After achieving my MBA, I would like to advance my career by moving into a management position. I enjoy teaching and helping others, so I hope to fulfill one of my career goals of becoming an adjunct professor.
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Salman
Name: Salman
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan
Languages spoken: English, Urdu, & Hindi
Degree program: Evening MBA
Previous degree: Bachelors in Electrical Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore Masters in Artificial Intelligence from University of Bologna, Italy
Most recent position: Senior Data Scientist, S&P Global
Favorite course: MGT-9600 Strategy and Competitive Advantage
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling in general, especially road trips, along with Broadway shows, and playing cricket.
About me: I’m a tech-savvy individual with a deep love for sports, a keen learner with a growth mindset, and a passion for traveling around the world to explore diverse cultures and experiences.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Diversity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Strategy and Finance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My post MBA career ambition is to carve out a specialized role in the realm of Strategic AI, with a primary focus on leveraging AI’s positive impact within developing countries.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Master of Science
Our Student Ambassador program is continuously expanding. Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have an ambassador to represent our MS Accountancy program. If you would like to connect with a current student, we recommend selecting a MS ambassador. All ambassadors are able to answer questions about the student experience at Zicklin.
Name: Moksha
Hometown: Mumbai, India India
Languages spoken: English, Hindi, & Gujrati
Degree program: MS Business Analytics
Previous degree: Bachelors of Commerce from Mithibai College, India
Most recent position: College Assistant, Office of Sponsored Programs and Research at Baruch College
Favorite course: MKT 9737 – Marketing Analytics
Hobbies: I am all about diving into a good fiction book, my favorite way to escape reality. When I am not turning pages, I am probably bingeing a great TV show or exploring cute cafes to fuel my love for coffee and cozy vibes.
About me: I am an international student, with a passion for leveraging data and analytics to drive impactful marketing strategies. I enjoy exploring how insights can shape campaigns, enhance customer experiences, and contribute to meaningful business growth.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunities
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Marketing Analytics
Career goal (s) after degree completion: My career goal is to work at the intersection of marketing and analytics, leveraging data to uncover actionable insights and drive strategic decisions. I aim to contribute to innovative marketing campaigns and customer-centric strategies supported by data analysis that create meaningful business impact.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Name: Madina
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Languages spoken: English, Urdu, & Hindi
Degree program: MS Finance
Previous degree: Bachelors of Business Administration in Operations Management and Analytics from Baruch College
Most recent position: Youth Ambassador, United Nations
Favorite course: CIS 9555 – Principles of Fintech
Hobbies: I enjoy making art through various mediums, taking pictures and videos to motivate my passion for filmmaking and enjoy working out at the gym.
About me: I am a first generation woman of color finance student with a strong interest in data analytics and sustainability, dedicated to leveraging these skills to make a meaningful impact in business and society. My diverse experiences in leadership, community engagement, and project management fuel my passion for connecting with people and driving positive change.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Passion
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Finance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: After completing my degree, I aim to work at the intersection of finance and data analytics, leveraging insights to drive strategic decision-making and promote sustainable business practices to assist with my firm’s strategic objectives. My long-term goal is to fund a non-profit organization aimed towards humanitarian aid and build a bridge for underrepresented communities to experience career development opportunities.
Expected Graduation Date: Spring 2026
Our Student Ambassador program is continuously expanding. Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have an ambassador to represent our MS Financial Risk Management program. If you would like to connect with a current student, we recommend selecting one of the ambassadors from the MS Finance program. All ambassadors are able to answer questions about the student experience at Zicklin.
Fatima
Name: Fatima
Hometown: Dominican Republic
Languages spoken: Spanish & English
Degree program: MS Information Systems with a concentration in Cybersecurity
Previous degree: BBA in Accountancy and minors in Data Analytics and Spanish, Baruch College
Most recent position: I’m an Executive Coordinator in the C-Suite at the Central Office of the City University of New York. Additionally, I manage the CUNY Arts Program since 2021. It has been an incredibly fulfilling role, where I’ve had the privilege of connecting students with enriching cultural opportunities across New York City. Through this program, I’ve worked to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives while contributing to some of the most significant university system projects.
Favorite course: BUS 9551: Business Communication
Hobbies: I enjoy reading biographies of business leaders and historical figures, learning general history, and engaging in the richness of Asian culture. Over the past few years, I’ve also found great joy in fostering students’ access to the arts through the CUNY Arts program, facilitating their exploration of iconic museums and cultural events throughout the city (for free!). While I’ve dedicated significant time to the arts, I’m now shifting my focus toward my deep interest in financial literacy. In 2024, I’ll be working on exciting projects in this area.
About me: I’m a first-generation college student. Arriving in the United States with little knowledge of English, I held onto the dream of attending college and opening doors for myself. Through hard work and dedication, I’ve been fortunate to build a supportive network and seize numerous opportunities. I’m excited to connect with like-minded individuals and continue making a positive impact in the communities I serve. I successfully passed all four CPA exams and I’m excited to merge my expertise in finance with information systems in my career.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Competitiveness
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I would like to gain experience in accounting and cybersecurity, so that I can be the bridge between finance and tech. Currently, I’m working on a career map with my mentors. It is very important to understand where you’re going so that other people don’t take you on their voyage, just because you don’t have a compass. I finally understand that a map doesn’t need to be perfect to take you closer to your destination.
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Surbhi
Name: Surbhi
Hometown: Himachal Pradesh, India
Languages spoken: English & Hindi
Degree program: MS Information Systems
Previous degree: Bachelors of Engineering in Electronics and Communication from PTU India Master of Technology in Product Designing from CDAC India
Most recent position: Network Security Engineer, Rackspace Technology
Favorite course: CIS 9340 – Principles of Database Management Systems
Hobbies: I have traveled practically all of India, and I will soon be exploring the United States. I love to meet new people from diverse communities, and I am a fitness enthusiast who frequents Baruch Athletic Area whenever I have free time.
About me: Being the first person in my family to go so far, I am an international student. I chose this course because I’m interested in cybersecurity and because I received a ticket from a client in my company regarding phishing. That experience made me realize that I don’t know enough about networks and that I need to learn more in order to defend organizations against potential threats.
#WhyZicklin in one word: People
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Programming for Analytics, Network and Communication, & Cybersecurity and Data Analysis
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I want to work as a cybersecurity consultant because I want to shield organizations from the various threats that are happening in the market today.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Juliana
Name: Juliana
Hometown: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Languages spoken: Portuguese, English, & Spanish
Degree program: MS Marketing
Previous degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie
Most recent position: Talent Partnership Manager, ThoughtLeaders
Favorite course: MKT 9716 – Consumer Behavior
Hobbies: I have a deep love for traveling and immersing myself in different cultures; I’ve lived in 5 countries so far! Fun Fact: I can say ‘I don’t speak French’ in French and ‘I don’t speak German’ in German – always a fun way to kick off a conversation!
About me: I’m an international student who grew up in Brazil and spent the last three years in Israel. Originally from a civil engineering background, I made a career change to marketing about two and a half years ago.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Opportunity
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Digital Marketing
Career goal (s) after degree completion: I’m looking to join a big company where I can help them grow in new markets. With my international experiences and what I’ve learned at Zicklin, I feel I can really help connect different markets together.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2025
Ira
Name: Ira (Xiuxian)
Hometown: Yanji, Jilin, China
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, & Korean
Degree program: MS Quantitative Methods & Modeling
Previous degree: Bachelor of Science at Boston College Carroll School of Management
Most recent position: Quantitative Research Intern, SkyIT
Favorite course: STA 9700- Modern Regression Analysis
Hobbies: I love Korean and Japanese culture, especially movies, anime, and food!! I periodically do yoga. I love fashion!
About me: I am organized, goal-oriented, curious, and proactive. I love learning about different people. #WhyZicklin in one word: Career
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Data Science/Analytics
Career goal (s) after degree completion: working at the intersection of data and fashion
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024
Jonathan
Name: Jonathan
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York
Languages spoken: English and Spanish
Degree program: MS Real Estate
Previous degree: Bachelor of Arts, Political Science from the College of Staten Island
Most recent position: College Advisor, College Access: Research & Action
Favorite course: BUS 9551- Business Communication I
Hobbies: I enjoy playing soccer, working out, and video games in my free time.
About me: I am a first-generation college student who enjoys learning and learning from those around me. I enjoy socializing and building bonds with people that are around me.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Home
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Real Estate Transactions
Career goal (s) after degree completion: After completing my degree, I plan to land a job in a commercial real estate development firm. I want to learn about the work behind closed doors to build commercial and residential properties.
Expected Graduation Date: 2025
Our Student Ambassador program is continuously expanding. Unfortunately, at this time we don’t have an ambassador to represent our MS Statistics program. If you would like to connect with a current student, we recommend selecting a MS ambassador. All ambassadors are able to answer questions about the student experience at Zicklin.
Yiyang
Name: Yiyang
Hometown: China
Languages spoken: English & Mandarin
Degree program: MS Taxation
Previous degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy from Baruch College
Most recent position: Tax Consultant Intern, Deloitte
Favorite course: TAX 9866 – Corporate Taxation I
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, exercising, and networking.
About me: With a great interest in exploring different types of taxation, I am a motivated and rising tax professional who pursues self-improvement along the growth path. I am also a member of the Zicklin Tax Society (ZTAX) at Baruch College.
#WhyZicklin in one word: Connections
Area (s) of focus within degree program: Financial Planning
Career goal (s) after degree completion: Becoming a CPA is my career goal. I would love to utilize my tax knowledge learned from school and soft skills obtained from events to prepare for future career paths and help more clients worldwide.
Expected Graduation Date: Fall 2024