Student Success Stories

Walter E. Heller College of Business Administration

Hear what our students have to say:

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 Administration.

 

“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 Administration 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 above 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 WEHCBA 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 College of Business to get started.