This issue celebrates the Class of 2024, whose achievements epitomize our institution's mission. These students have demonstrated remarkable resilience and dedication as scholars, leaders, and global citizens. Here are some of their stories.

 

SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT

Tyler Street - Major: Business Administration

Tyler is graduating with a business administration major with a concentration in finance and a minor in accounting. As President of the Class of 2024 and President of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Tyler has done his fair share of leading and collaborating with his peers. He has studied abroad in London, mentored other students in the Beta Alpha Psi Fraternity Beta Buddy program, worked with the Business and Investment clubs, and enjoyed playing football and basketball intramurals. During his undergrad, Tyler also worked as a polling interviewer for the Marist Poll, an operations area manager intern for Amazon, and a credit risk analyst for London Mutual Credit Union. He has looked up to upperclassmen and alumni for inspiration and will be working at Goldman Sachs as an Analyst in their Ayco Wealth Management Division post-graduation.

Favorite Marist Memory

“Marist Red Out games.”

Sasha van der Merwe - Major: Accounting

Sasha is graduating with a major in accounting and a minor in French & Africana Studies. A stellar student-athlete on the volleyball team, Sasha recalls her senior home opener as one of her top Marist experiences because of all of the student and community support. She has found inspiration from successful female athletes before her and worked on continuing their legacy of excellence both on and off the court. She has been active in attending a variety of cultural events on campus like Mon Afrique, International Francophonie Day, and guest speaker lectures addressing different historical and diasporic journeys. After graduation, Sasha will attend Florida Gulf Coast University to pursue her MBA with a concentration in taxation and accounting and play volleyball.

Favorite Marist Memory 

“Supporting other sports teams with my friends to socialize and to cheer on our fellow Red Foxes.“

Jacqliene Mangini - Major: Business Administration

Jacqliene Mangini is graduating a year early as a business administration major with an emphasis in marketing and a minor in global studies. She has achieved Dean’s List every semester and holds the Presidential Scholarship, Debra Sue Levantrosser Women of Marist Scholarship, and will be receiving the Pamela J. Harper Most Outstanding Student Award at graduation. She is also a member of the marketing honor society, Alpha Mu Alpha. She has been the President of the Italian American Society, Public Relations and Sponsorship Director for The Hudson Rally for St. Jude, a news anchor and writer on MCTV, and a leading actress in Marist Theater mainstage productions. She is also a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma national sorority and has participated in Campus Ministry volunteering at a local assisted living facility, Women in Business Club, and Dance Ensemble. As a member of the Honors Program, her senior thesis explores the different effects of social media platforms and influencers on the self-esteem of college-aged women.

Favorite Marist Memory
“Playing the female lead, Hope, in Urinetown the Musical on Marist’s mainstage alongside the talented cast and crew.”

John Haigh - Major: Economics

John will be graduating with a major in economics and minors in environmental science and political science. While at Marist, he contributed his time to the Student Activities department, enriching his campus experience. John's academic journey took him abroad to Amsterdam, where he researched water management. Additionally, for his capstone project, he conducted thorough research on the economic values associated with sustainably designed buildings. A significant source of inspiration for John has been the dedicated professors within the economics and environmental science departments. Looking ahead, John intends to embark on a gap year following graduation, during which he plans to explore opportunities before pursuing a career in environmental law.

Favorite Marist Memory
“Being able to study by the river and see the sun set or rise over Marist everyday.”

Mahwish Khan - Major: Business Administration

Mahwish is an honors student majoring in business administration with double concentrations in entrepreneurship and international business. She has cherished her active involvement in Marist's clubs, particularly the MSA, MISA, and Asian Alliance. Being on the board of these clubs gave her a sense of belonging at Marist. Mahwish's biggest inspirations were the friendships she forged and the inspiration she received from her professors. After graduation, she aims to pursue a career in hospitality management while nurturing her passion for travel.

Favorite Marist Memory
“My fondest memory is the camaraderie I shared with friends at various Marist-held events throughout my college journey.”

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS

Athen Hollis - Major: Political Science

Athen is graduating with a major in political science with a women's, gender, and sexuality studies minor and a paralegal certificate. Her role within the Marist Poll's media team allowed her to cultivate strong relationships with colleagues and honed her expertise in communication, social media, and podcasting. She treasures her semester spent studying abroad in Florence, Italy, where she delved into European Union studies. The Tarver Summer Internship Program also left a lasting impact on Athen, providing invaluable insights into the nonprofit sector. Inspired by her supportive network of professors, friends, and supervisors, Athen plans to embark on a career in law. She intends to begin as a paralegal in Maine, before pursuing law school in New England.

Favorite Marist Memory 

"My trip to the New Hampshire primaries with the Marist Poll since it validated that I was going into the right career path."

Rebecca D'Ambrosio - Major: English

Rebecca D'Ambrosio, an English major with minors in creative writing and journalism, thrived in various creative pursuits during her time on campus. Her poetry and nonfiction work was published in the Mosaic, a student-run literary and art magazine. Rebecca also helped plan the 2024 Supernatural Studies Conference at Marist where she read an original gothic short story and co-stage managed an original student production. As an intern at Custom Studio New York, Rebecca served as associate editor for New York by Rail's print magazine. Rebecca's screenplay was selected for Marist's Playwrights Festival, showcasing her burgeoning talent in dramatic writing with student directors and cast members. Rebecca attributes her success to the supportive English department at Marist, particularly Dr. Cara Messina and Dr. Moira Fitzgibbons, whose guidance and encouragement have shaped her academic journey. After graduation, she aims to secure a publishing job and pursue a graduate degree.

Favorite Marist Memory

“Sitting on the campus green with my friends on warm days listening to music, doing work, and playing Kan Jam.”

Cassandra Arencibia - Majors: English, Psychology

Cassandra is graduating with a double major in English and psychology. She served as fiction editor for the Mosaic, helping produce student art and literary work. Cassandra enjoyed celebrating her and her classmates' work at Fontaine Fest, an annual English department event. Additionally, working on her honors by contract and thesis allowed her to delve into her passions under the guidance of supportive mentors, Dr. Kathleen Weisse and Dr. Leigh Graham. Cassandra gained inspiration from her peers' diverse projects in the Honors Program and feels gratitude for her experience in the program. After graduation, Cassandra plans to take a gap year and potentially pursue graduate studies in library sciences.

Favorite Marist Memory

"The first time I sled down the Green in the middle of the night. It was a reminder that I can always have fun no matter how old or serious I get."

Raiden Yamasaki - Major: Political Science

Raiden graduates with a major in political science and a minor in criminal justice. Raiden has enjoyed supporting the Marist College Football Team by working as their student manager. He has also been highly involved in intramural sports and has been an active member of the Asian Alliance club on campus. Raiden strives to be a role model for his four younger siblings and is incredibly thankful for Marist and the opportunities the school has created for him. His biggest inspiration has been all of his friends because of how they have pushed one another to better themselves. After graduation, Raiden will attend law school at the University of Hawaii.

Favorite Marist Memory 

"Singing along to Hawaiian Reggae music with my Tri-State Area friends."

Lorah Murphy - Major: English

Lorah is graduating as an English writing major with minors in history and women's, gender, and sexuality studies. Her top three Marist experiences included attending the 2023 Sigma Tau Delta Convention where her poetry collection won an award, taking the history course Sex, Death, and Disease, and being a Peer Tutor at the Writing Center. Her biggest inspiration was her professors, particularly Dr. Nicholas Marshall and Dr. Robyn Rosen, who were extremely supportive and inspired her to pursue a graduate degree. After graduation, Lorah plans to take a gap year as she searches for the right graduate program, while pursuing her teaching passion as a creative writing tutor.

Favorite Marist Memory 

“Presenting my winning collection The Men I Do Love, The Women I Love More at Marist's 2023 CURSCA showcase; being able to share this work that means so much to me, and to so many of my professors and friends, especially after having won the Stemmler Dennis LGBT+ Award."

Gianna Nicosia - Major: Philosophy, Psychology

Gianna is graduating with two majors in philosophy and psychology and a minor in cognitive science. Her top Marist experiences included presenting her research at the 2024 Eastern Psychological Association in Philadelphia as well as working as an assistant for Dr. Andrei Buckareff on his panpsychism project and global conference at Marist. Gianna also enjoyed connecting with the Anderson Center for Autism, where she found her passion for working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Receiving a Baccalaureate Award for Excellence in Philosophy, Gianna expresses gratitude for the Marist philosophy department and the community they provided her. After graduation, Gianna will start an accelerated nursing program at William Paterson University and hopes to continue writing and researching cognitive science and neurophilosophy.

Favorite Marist Memory

“Studying abroad in Florence in the fall of 2023 and meeting my best friend. I also loved being able to model for her junior design collection.”