Student Success Stories
Our graduates succeed and enter the Chicago workforce bringing new ideas and high energy to their jobs. One of our recent graduates, Jessica Barenberg is a great example!
And here's Roosevelt MBA alum Earl Prince, Sr., still going strong at the age of 88!
Hear what our students have to say:
Agnes Podbial
May 4, 2012 Franklin Honor Society Induction Ceremony of Roosevelt University. Agnes Podbial, 2012 BSBA, Major in Accounting graduate was selected to be the student speaker to deliver the induction speech. Agnes has been chosen to be a 2012-13 Graduate Assistant in the Heller College of Business and will attain her CPA certificate and Master's degree in May of 2013. (Click photo for video.)
Shavon N. Taylor
Shavon N. Taylor, an MBA student at Roosevelt University, can’t say enough great things about the education she is receiving at in the Heller College of Business.
“I appreciate the hard-core methodology and approach to teaching that I am receiving in Professor Joseph Ament’s accounting course,” she said. “Professor Ament not only offers practical ways of managing financial statements, but he gives real-world scenarios about what management should and should not do.”
“Because I manage funds for two major city entities, the MBA I am pursuing is highly valuable for my career,” she said. “Professor Ament’s course has already given me an edge in my department.”
In addition to Ament, Shavon points to professors Gordon Patzer, Tom Head and Tsun Chow as instructors she is enjoying. “I want everyone to know that Roosevelt works,” she said proudly.
Channing Harris
Channing Harris, a senior human resource undergraduate student in the Heller College of Business at Roosevelt University, has been accepted as a delegate to the 64th Japan-America student conference in the summer of 2012. The five week conference allows Japanese, U.S., and Korean student delegates to discuss relevant global business topics.
Delegates are competitively selected from universities and the application process is long and strenuous. “The day I looked at the application, it was due the very same day,” said Harris. “I spent most of the day writing the application.”
Being invited to this prestigious conference is a triumph for Roosevelt and Harris. The conference opens networking opportunities between delegates and students from all over the world.
In 2011, Harris and a classmate he met in a Statistics class at Roosevelt started a business, Socks to your Door, a clothing company for men. Harris is also working on a documentary that captures the hardships and dilemmas of a business college student in today’s economy. He is also the founder of a business and entrepreneur club at Roosevelt’s Chicago Campus. Harris graduates in December 2012 and wants to continue his education at Roosevelt.
Growing up in the North Lawndale community, he finds the Roosevelt community and faculty to be inviting and informative. "Roosevelt is a really friendly university and that's probably because it's generally a small community," said Harris. "There's so much that is not even tied into academics at Roosevelt."
Chiymelle Proby Nunn
Roosevelt Graduate Heads Diversity Program At International Law Firm: Chiymelle Proby Nunn, the recipient of a master's degree in human resources management from Roosevelt University and a diversity management certificate from Cornell University, has been appointed as the first diversity manager at Winston & Strawn LLP, an international commercial law firm with 15 offices in North America, Asia and Europe. She will help expand its cutting-edge recruitment and career advancement programs.
"Winston & Strawn has long been committed to diversity and inclusion, but we are constantly looking for ways to enhance our efforts to facilitate greater inclusiveness," said Partner Amanda Groves, chair of the firm's Diversity Committee. "We believe Chiymelle is the perfect fit to help us implement diversity best practices and create new programs to advance our diversity goals." Chiymelle has been with Winston for nearly a decade, previously serving in the firm's business development group.
Among other things, Winston's recently adopted sweeping reforms to its comprehensive diversity policy, including an expansion of its domestic partner benefit program to provide a tax gross-up payment for employees in same-sex partnerships. For these and other LGBT-friendly practices, Winston has been named a "leading" law firm by Equality Illinois and is one of only a handful of Am Law 100 law firms to receive a "perfect" score in the Human Rights Campaign's most recent "Corporate Equality Index."
Steve Olsher
I attended Roosevelt University as a part of the Chicago School of Real Estate's inaugural class. I knew I had always wanted to pursue my MBA, but it wasn't until I learned of Roosevelt's new curriculum that I felt compelled to do so. Jon DeVries was of paramount importance in formulating my decision to attend. I bought in to his vision for the school and signed up straight away. The classes at Roosevelt were very helpful to me. As a real estate developer who learned the business by doing, taking a step back to learn a more practical approach to development was instrumental in my gaining a better understanding of the industry as a whole, and the economic factors which lead to smarter development choices.
I particularly enjoyed a number of the Gen-Ed classes, including statistics (much to my surprise) and Prof. Ziliak's course in Economics. The teachers at Roosevelt have varied backgrounds and their unique teaching styles made for interesting in class, and out of class, study.
It was at Roosevelt where I met my current business partner, Larry Kerner. Larry and I worked together to redevelop a vacant 114,000 square foot building in Chicago's East Garfield Park neighborhood. Through our combined efforts, we converted the existing structure to 68 residential loft, rental apartments, 68 indoor parking spaces, and 3,600 square feet of first-floor commercial space. What separates this development from similar projects is that we were able to save an existing structure, update it to LEED standards, secure City of Chicago and National Register of Historic Places Landmark status, and maintain an affordable price point for urban renters. The building recently the City of Chicago 2010 Award for Preservation Excellence.
Without Roosevelt, this development would never have happened. I highly recommend The Chicago School of Real Estate at Roosevelt University for anyone considering a career in real estate.
Karine Mirzoyan
Click on the photo to hear Karine's YouTube story.
Richard Killian
CEO, Chairman of the Board – Infinity Capital Holding Corporation
With a civil engineering degree from Southern Illinois University and an honorable discharge from the Army, Roosevelt University MBA student Richard M. Killian launched his business career in 2000 at the age 26.
As South Side resident and White Sox-loyal Chicagoan (complete with a brief stint as a White Sox pitcher), Killian jumped at Roosevelt’s inaugural MBA-Real Estate degree program, the first such MBA in Chicago. He wanted the Chicago area for his corporate home, making Roosevelt ideal. While attending Roosevelt in the evenings, Killian got his real estate broker’s license, enabling him to start his own real estate business.
With his earnings, he began a demolition company and soon purchased a union demolition company. With the dotcom era booming, Killian acquired a failing small information technology company and made it profitable. By age 28, Killian had his MBA, had started two companies and acquired two more and earned his first million.
Killian credits two of his Roosevelt professors, Wayne Paprocki and Mike Firsel, as opening his mind to business strategies that included both ancillary businesses and national expansion, both of which Killian has implemented.
With the real estate market boom in the summer of 2002, Prospect Equities® CEO Killian wanted to hire agents. Killian designed a unique and irresistible fee and commission structure and offered extensive agent training. By year’s end, Prospect Equities® had 18 agents with the Killian-pioneered “Freedom Concept” of real estate brokerage in Illinois. By January, 2004, Killian had added 67 agents.
Killian consolidated his operations under Infinity Capital Holding (ICH) Corporation and became Chairman. Killian next started mortgage, insurance, and escrow servicing companies that offered discounted rates. By the end of 2004, Prospect Equities® could tout the most extensive services among brokerages plus the most affordable fees and best commissions in Illinois, for both clients and its more than 600 agents.
Prospect Equities® has its corporate headquarters in Oak Brook, plus six branch offices covering the Chicago area. In August, 2010, Prospect Equities® was the first Illinois-based real estate brokerage to franchise nationwide.
Killian serves as President and CEO for Prospect Equities® and oversees his 22 companies, the franchising and trade name. Killian holds 33 active licenses in the areas of real estate, engineering, insurance, banking, and environmental consulting, is Chairman of the Board for ICH and its companies and is responsible for nearly one-half billion dollars in annual sales.
In 2010, Killian also founded The Hardship Home Foundation which focuses on helping families across America keep their homes.
Chanel Wilson
Roosevelt University student Chanel Wilson says her career goal is to be successful…period. “Success to me,” she says, “includes a good academic record to show people that you are hard-working. It also includes taking the initiative to be responsible and a leader to show people that you are not afraid to step up to the plate, to manage harder tasks, to help others who need assistance, and to direct a firm or company in the right direction.”
Because of her leadership skills, Chanel was selected to attend the Pricewaterhouse Coopers eXpedition Conference for minority college students interested in the public accounting profession. The three-day program in Orlando, Florida unites students from all over the country who have the potential to be leaders in their field. Students learn about the many opportunities of accountancy through interactive workshops and seminars, while enjoying Disney World.
“My Roosevelt education, so far, has really been beneficial and invaluable, even after only one year,” she says. “I expect to keep my GPA (or raise it of course) throughout my college career and continue to be proactive in RU-NABA (National Association of Black Accountants, Inc.- Roosevelt University Chapter), in which I will be Vice President for the 2010-2011 school year.”
Chanel says the Walter E. Heller College of Business is a premier business school whose graduates have attracted top companies such as Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP, one of the most well known, international accounting firms. “It is a school that is diligent in making sure that its students leave Roosevelt with an ambitious drive and it truly prepares students for the real-world. Its courses and organization promote success every day.”
Beth Towell
Beth Towell, associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs in the College of Business at Northern Illinois University, received her MBA from Roosevelt University’s Walter E. Heller College of Business.
“My interest in business and especially in information systems grew enormously while attending Roosevelt,” she said. “The classes were challenging, conveniently located and well-taught. I have great memories from this time in my life and great pride at having earned my MBA from Roosevelt.”
At Northern Illinois University, she provides oversight for the College of Business’ curriculum, accreditation, scheduling and other all-campus programs.
Before assuming this position, Dr. Towell was vice provost at Carroll University in Wisconsin. She has published articles in the areas of data modeling, Internet standards, quality, safety and professional ethics. She also has taught a wide variety of classes ranging from graduate-level software engineering to freshman-level seminars.
Dr. Towell obtained her grounding in business while working for the semiconductor division of Texas Instruments. She holds a Ph.D. in Management Information Systems from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Michael Schab
Roosevelt University graduate student Michael A. Schab and a small group of friends have created a company called NeuStep and a product named WebWalk, which the firm believes will make the typical virtual tour obsolete.
According to Michael, WebWalk is a technology that not only lets people experience real places in 360 degrees, but it also gives them the ability to move around a space. He said the technology allows Internet users to experience real places online like never before, allowing for a new level of interactivity for online users. “Coupled with hot spots and Ecommerce, WebWalk promises to be a technology that will change the way many people look for information across many industries, including travel, real estate, hospitality, trade shows, and retail,” he said.
Today Michael is heading up NeuStep’s production and logistics, while also working with personal clients in sales development.
Michael is studying in the Heller College’s Chicago School of Real Estate. “The teachers have been more than open to allow me the opportunity to share my story with other students, and hopefully inspire future entrepreneurs,” he said. “Unlike many other programs that strive to connect to their student bodies, this real estate school has a unique advantage: I happen to be currently enrolled in the program.”
Ioana Ardelean
Ioana Ardelean, Vice-President of the NABA-Roosevelt student chapter, was selected from a group of national applicants for the Delta Mu Delta scholarship.
"It would not have been possible without the education I receive at Roosevelt and the mentorship of [the dean] and Roosevelt University professors."
Octavio Santiago
Lawndale News article: Roosevelt University graduate business student Octavio J. Santiago has received a prestigious Presidential Management Fellows award from the federal government. Santiago, 27, who graduated on Friday, May 15th from Roosevelt with a master’s degree in human resource management, was among 786 finalists out of more than 5,000 applicants and the only candidate chosen from Roosevelt University for the Presidential Management Fellows program.
Authorized by the President of the United States and administered by the Office of Personnel Management for the White House, the program prepares recent graduate school graduates for high-level government management positions and leadership roles. During his two-year fellowship, Santiago will apply human resources management tactics and strategies within the U.S. Department of Defense/Air Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center in Los Angeles, one of six federal agencies that offered fellowship opportunities to Santiago.
“I am honored to have been able to represent Roosevelt University and to be chosen for this fellowship,” said Santiago, who grew up in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood.
Rajendra Shirole
Rajendra Shirole earned his MBA from Roosevelt University.
He says "Roosevelt University's Walter E. Heller College of Business taught me to look at the social side of business relationships. I learned that compassion is important, sometimes the most important thing in business relationships."
Raj is the MBA director at the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. He has a PhD in Computing and Information Systems.
Crystal Harvey
Crystal Harvey, a 2006 graduate of Roosevelt University’s Chicago School of Real Estate, has a lot to say about why Roosevelt is the place to be.
“I always found useful information, advice and assistance from the staff and professors whenever I needed it,” she says of her Roosevelt experience. “When it came to outstanding professors, Jon DeVries and Sophia Dermisi are the best any student could ask for!”
A Chicago native, Harvey attended Roosevelt’s Walter E. Heller College of Business on a scholarship. She currently works as a real estate consultant at American Invsco Realty, a full-service firm that specializes in all aspects of real estate, including commercial leasing, property management and the sale and purchase of homes.
Harvey first came to Roosevelt to expand her knowledge beyond real estate sales. She says that her Roosevelt education provided her with extensive information about the commercial real estate industry.
When asked what motives her, she says, “I have a passion for learning. I love working with others to help them achieve their life’s dreams and aspirations.” Harvey says the advise I have for students is, “…to forever hold on to your dreams by consistently pressing forward to achieve your goals”.
Dimitar Popov
"The work [we] received each week and the challenges were great to prepare us for the real world and made me look deeper into life, work, and the business world as a whole. Now, that I have graduated with my MBA I have started my search for the right company to work and grow into.
"Being that I come from Bulgaria, I have my connections there, but I really want to experience something different, something memorable, something extraordinary, and maybe I might be able to make a difference in my country one day when I go back. We never know what challenges and surprises life can give us.
I do love my home land, but I do see that there are good challenges and opportunities here for someone like myself to do well. Just like anywhere in the world, if one is able to find good mentors and advisers the opportunities are endless."
Richard Similio
Richard Similio is a graduate student in Real Estate and recent winner of the CORE scholarship. The scholarship is the CoreNet Global-Chicago Chapter Award for Academic Excellence.
"Roosevelt has given me the confidence to achieve ever increasing goals, in both my professional and personal lives."
Siraj Virani
Siraj Virani is a graduate of the Heller College of Business with an undergraduate Accounting degree and an MBA.
Click the photo to find out about his most recent success:
WASHINGTON " The National Restaurant Association has honored Siraj Virani, owner of 13 Dunkin' Donuts franchises in the Chicago area, as a recipient of its Faces of Diversity American Dream Awards.
The Faces of Diversity Awards celebrate diversity and inclusion in the restaurant-and-foodservice industry and among the industry's 13 million employees, according to the association. Four winners in two categories " the American Dream Award for individuals and the Inspiration Award for restaurant companies " are recognized for inspirational success stories and exceptional efforts to embrace diversity.
Al Fabian
Al Fabian is a Heller College of Business graduate and recent recipient of the ACBSP (Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs) International Teaching Excellence Award.
Are you a "Success Story"? If so, let us share your story: contact the Heller College of Business to get started.
