Ancell Making an Impact

My Journey: Higher Education in the Land of Opportunity by Dean Siamack Shojai

This is the second time that I have the honor and privilege of serving college students in Connecticut. First, I served as Dean of the School of Business at Central Connecticut State University from 2007 to 2014. My first experience with U.S. higher education began in 1978, when Iona College admitted me to its Master of Business Administration program. Sister Rita was my academic advisor and selflessly assisted me and other students in navigating the relatively calm waters of the MBA program. Fordham University provided me with the opportunity to take two doctoral courses in the Spring of 1980, while I still had a full load to complete my MBA program at Iona.�� Father Dowling, the Chairperson of the Economics Program, taught me mathematics for economists. He accepted me into the doctoral program in economics, contingent upon passing the comprehensive examination for the Master’s degree in Economics. Four years later, I received my doctoral degree from Fordham and was appointed as a visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at Fordham.

Dr. Dominick Salvatore and the late Dr. Gerald Quinn, Associate Academic Vice President, shaped my career in academia with their warm and caring mentorship. I took a couple of courses with Dominick, and he mentored me on my dissertation, which focused on optimal oil production in OPEC countries. Dr. Quinn graciously served as the Fordham Liaison with my immigration attorney and signed numerous documents during the two years I spent as an assistant professor at Fordham. During that time, I received my permanent residency in the U.S. The Quinn Library at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center Campus is named after a larger-than-life, magnanimous, and dedicated person with a huge heart and a love for serving Fordham students. Iona College (now University) instilled in me its core values of service, justice, inclusivity, excellence in education, and global citizenship, all within the Edmund Rice tradition. These values were complemented and reinforced in me by Fordham’s Jesuit tradition and its emphasis on cura personalis, wisdom and learning, faith and justice, community and diversity, and service to the human family.

Zach Fisher – Recipient of Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s Prestigious 2026 Pros to Know Award

New Milford resident and 2022 �Թ�ͷ�� BBA graduate Zach Fisher has been named a recipient of Supply & Demand Chain Executive’s��prestigious��2026 Pros to Know Award,which recognizes outstanding supply chain practitioners whose achievements provide a roadmap for leaders seeking to leverage supply chain excellence for competitive advantage. Fisher was recognized in the��Rising Stars category, which honors early-career professionals who are already making a meaningful impact within the supply chain profession.

“In just three short years, Zach has authored industry articles, participated in podcasts, completed a master’s degree in supply chain management, earned four supply chain–focused certifications, and received two promotions — most recently assuming responsibility for managing the end-to-end supply chain for our largest business unit,” said Patrick Bower, Senior Director of Supply Chain for Actylis — a global specialty chemical manufacturer. “With Zach’s intellect, work ethic, and commitment to continuous improvement, he has no ceiling. He has earned the recognition of his peer community.”

First-generation WestConn student Elisa Cardona has a lot to celebrate this holiday season

Elisa Cardona

Brewster, New York, native Elisa Cardona will be getting something extra special for Christmas this year. Not only is the��Թ�ͷ��senior the first in her family to earn a college degree, but she’ll be graduating a semester early. As if that’s not enough, she already has a job waiting for her — thanks to an internship opportunity she received through the university’s��Hancock Student Leadership Program��(HSLP).

Cardona graduated from Brewster High School in 2022, and said that when she first started looking at colleges, “I picked colleges that were relatively close to where I live. I chose schools close to me because leaving home was not something I thought about. In the end, I chose �Թ�ͷ�� because of its proximity and its affordability. It offered a great tuition and education at a price I could pay.”

Like many incoming freshmen, Cardona at the time did not know what degree program she wanted to pursue. “I went into my freshman year undecided in��Business Administration; however, after my second semester, taking ACC 201, I decided it was time to switch,” she explained. “I genuinely enjoyed the accounting class and had a lot of fun learning about what the accounting world brings to students. Additionally, Professor Guy Rotondo was an amazing professor and helped me change my major. The career options and the amount of learning they��contain��interested��me the most. There is��so much an��Accounting��major offers, and I think I’ve been able to experience that firsthand with my Hancock Student Leadership Program internship and my previous two internships at Beers Hamerman Cohen & Burger in Fairfield and Linde PLC in Danbury. I’ve seen the audit and tax side of accounting, and the work they provide for individuals and businesses.”

Cardona said she found out about the Hancock Student Leadership Program through a campus announcement. The program provides eligible students the opportunity to participate in an applied leadership experience designed to enhance their leadership skills, improve their resume, build their professional network, and further develop their leadership potential.

Alumna Natasha Valani leveraged her knowledge of marketing and curiosity about career options to become the Chief People Officer at Tubi

Natasha Valani, Chief People Officer at Tubi

Like a lot of graduating high school seniors, Natasha Valani knew she wanted to go to college, but wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted to study. That uncertainty and a willingness to ask questions and reimagine what career opportunities a degree might offer, have propelled her to the role of Chief People Officer at the streaming service, Tubi.

“I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school. I dabbled in fashion, was drawn to marketing and advertising, but wasn’t sure where I wanted to land,” Valani said. “Starting at a local community college gave me the space to explore my options while saving money. By my second year at Norwalk Community College, I found myself leaning toward marketing, and with the help of an amazing counselor, I discovered��Թ�ͷ��and its business and marketing programs.”

Once she transferred to �Թ�ͷ��, Valani enrolled in the AACSB-accredited��Ancell School of Business, where she majored in��Business Administration��and��Marketing, and explored what a future in marketing might look like.

“Autonomy and agency were important to me,” Valani said. “�Թ�ͷ�� provided the flexibility to own my schedule and provided me with the tools to figure out how I could make learning work on my time. I’m not sure I would have had that level of autonomy anywhere else. I paid my own way through college, and chose classes that fit around my work schedule so I could balance my job, classes, and study time.”

She did make time for a few activities that supported her intended degree. “I found an internship with Aflac on their sales team,” Valani said. “That internship taught me how to style flex when it comes to your audience and how to navigate the corporate landscape early on.”

MIS Professor Emilio Collar’s hobby inspires a new lab space, a new course, and a growing student club.

MIS Professor Dr. Emilio Collar with his IBM 5120 and other vintage computers in his collection.

�Թ�ͷ�� students Chloe Wong and Ismael Shaker have more in common than just their shared major: Cybersecurity. Both have an interest in vintage computers and with the encouragement of Professor of Management Information Systems Dr. Emilio Collar, they are getting their hands dirty — literally — to explore and refurbish hardware that in many cases is decades older than they are.

Outside of the classroom, Collar not only collects and restores old PCs, he’s also a member of the��, whose members repair and restore vintage computers, servers, and mainframes at the , located at the ��in Wall, New Jersey.

Shelton High School graduate Connor Nolan chose �Թ�ͷ�� (�Թ�ͷ��) for its welcoming baseball program, diverse academic offerings, and campus environment.

Initially pursuing collegiate baseball, a shoulder injury ended his time on the mound, but Nolan redirected his focus toward business. He majored in Business Management and Entrepreneurship at �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business, inspired by early real estate experience and impactful professors.

Nolan stayed active on campus, winning a Marketing Club pitch competition and later presenting at Stamford Innovation Center’s Startup Weekend, supported by a university grant. He also balanced multiple part-time jobs in real estate and security, gaining valuable experience outside the classroom.

After graduating in 2014, he earned his real estate license and built a career in commercial property management and leasing. His roles have taken him from Manhattan to Boston, and he now oversees properties, including Blue Back Square, in his current role at Brand Street Properties in Greenwich.

Looking back, Nolan credits �Թ�ͷ�� with providing the tools, connections, and opportunities that helped launch his career.

Michele Ganon Honored with Educators of Excellence Awards

At the June 6, 2024, Recognition Reception, the Educators of Excellence award (the “Eddy”) was presented to Dr. Michele Ganon, the chair of the Accounting Department at Ancell School of Business and a full-time professor at the Accounting department, dedicated over 30 years to teaching. Her commitment to education and her students is evident through her exceptional dedication, expertise, and passion for creating a dynamic learning environment. She is recognized for her innovative teaching methodologies, mentorship, and continuous support of student success. Dr. Ganon keeps her students informed about changes in the CPA exam, internship, and scholarship opportunities and actively supports the Accounting Society. Her ability to clearly and enthusiastically convey complex accounting principles, along with her advocacy for the CPA credential, has profoundly impacted her students and colleagues, making her a deserving recipient of this prestigious award.

Western Marketing Association Honored at AMA Conference

�Թ�ͷ��’s (�Թ�ͷ��) Western Marketing Association, mentored and funded by the Ancell School of Business, was recognized as the Platinum Circle Top Small Chapter in North America at the annual American Marketing Association (AMA) International Collegiate Conference. This prestigious honor highlights the chapter’s excellence across six categories: Community and Social Impact, Professional Development, Fundraising, Membership, Internal/External Communications, and Chapter Operations/Budget. The team included 14 students from �Թ�ͷ��’s American Marketing Association chapter, with notable participation from students majoring in Marketing, Management, and Communication and two faculty advisers, Donna Coelho and Dr. Ronald Drozdenko, from Ancell School of Business Marketing Department, who provided guidance. Key achievements of the �Թ�ͷ�� team include: – Semi-finalist position in the 2024 Case Competition, sponsored by Sheth Foundation. – WMA Chapter President Shane Klesh earned an honorable mention in the Pitch Perfect Competition. – High placement in the Marketplace Simulation, with a team ranking 13th out of 60. – Outstanding Honorable Mention for the annual Marketing Week event on campus. These accolades underscore the strength and dedication of the Ancell School of Business and its Marketing Department, showcasing their commitment to professional development and excellence in marketing education. The students who made the team are Julie Hoff, Nicholas Varbaro, Shane Klesh, Emily Rodriguez, Brian Abkulut, Briana Beekman, Julia Meadows, Tiffany Leite, Dominic Cassarino, Katie McGrath, Mia Martovich, Reilly Schmidt, Julia Farah, and Molly Bell.

Business Alumnus finds recipe for business success at �Թ�ͷ��

Just down the road from��Թ�ͷ��’s��Midtown campus on White Street is a Danbury fixture known as the��… For the past dozen years, the diner has been run by George Psarofagis, an alumnus of Ancell School of Business… Psarofagis enrolled as a Finance��major in �Թ�ͷ��’s��-accredited��Ancell School of Business. He graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance-Financial Investments and Markets. “At �Թ�ͷ��, I learned about business management, supply chain economics, financial forecasting, and more,” Psarofagis said. “I’ve also worked as a research analyst. Getting a proper education prepared me to take over the family business. Otherwise, I’d be guessing.”

Master of Health Administration Student Honored��For Mental Health Advocacy

Ancell School of Business student in the Tracy Dolan was honored during Ability Beyond’s annual Autumn Mental Health Breakfast last week. Dolan, the manager of crisis intervention and mobile outreach services for Nuvance, works with other dedicated staff to keep the greater Danbury community strong and responsive to the diverse needs of people with mental and physical challenges… Once she started the MHA program, Dolan pushed herself to finish in two years. “After the first summer, I said, ‘Remind me not to take another summer class,’” she laughed. “And there I was the next summer, taking another summer class because I wanted to! The classes are so interesting, and it is a very rigorous program. Interim Dean of the Ancell School of Business and Professor of Healthcare and Operations Management Dr. Yaseen Hayajneh is a delight, and you get so much support.”

Read more about Tracy’s story from��.
Read more about Tracy’s story from

Extending Impact Globally: Ancell’s Professor’s Fulbright Journey in Bahrain

Ancell’s Professor of Management, Dr. Mohinder Dugal, is the most recent member of the university community to receive the prestigious Fulbright for Research and Teaching Award from the U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. Dugal, who directs Ancell’s and teaches the capstone Strategic Management course to both undergraduate and students at Ancell School of Business, recently spent ten months at the University of Bahrain to study Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs) in the Gulf region.

Business Faculty Earns Board of Regents Award

Professor Jean K. Robinson, a member of Ancell’s Finance department faculty, received the system-wide BOR Adjunct Faculty Teaching Award…… Professor Robinson’s work demonstrates the value of attracting as teachers those people who have been extremely successful in private enterprise and wish to bring their experience and knowledge to our students,” said �Թ�ͷ��’s Interim President, Dr. Paul B. Beran. Robinson, an adjunct faculty member since 2016, teaches Corporate Finance and Personal Finance at �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business. She is also the Chair of the Finance Department Advisory Board. “I am honored to have received this recognition from the Board of Regents,” Robinson said, adding, “Teaching at �Թ�ͷ�� has given me the opportunity to share what I have learned over the course of my Finance career. Those ‘light bulb moments’ I see in students’ eyes have been very gratifying, and I continue to learn from students as well.” Robinson, a former corporate banker, has served as CFO, COO, and President at various companies during her 39-year career in finance and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Ernst & Young opportunity awaits Ancell graduate Daniel Vincent

Daniel Vincent is a man with a twinkle in his eye and a quick smile. Growing up in Ansonia, he had limited opportunities and guidance, so he spent his middle school and high school years at a military academy in Virginia. Now, as he prepares to graduate from the Ancell School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems – Information Security Management, the 25-year-old Dean’s List student looks forward to a job that begins this summer in Technology Risk at Ernst & Young in Stamford where he’ll oversee software security, account privileges and more.

Ancell Faculty Article on Silicon Valley Bank Selected for Columbia Law School Blog

An article by our Finance faculty member, Lai Von Vo, titled “From Hero to Zero – The Case of Silicon Valley Bank,” has been chosen for submission to Columbia Law School’s esteemed blog on Finance and Economics. The selection of our faculty article for this prominent platform highlights the quality of work produced by the Ancell School of Business faculty. The Columbia Law School blog is a widely renowned publication.

Ancell’s American Marketing Association chapter excels at annual conference; named Top Small Collegiate Chapter in North America

… Thirteen marketing students and two faculty advisers returned from the International Collegiate Conference of the American Marketing Association (AMA) held earlier this month in New Orleans with a multitude of accolades and awards, including being named the Top Small Collegiate Chapter in North America for 2022-23… The students were accompanied to New Orleans by faculty advisers Donna Coelho, AMA Collegiate Council Member, and Dr. Ronald Drozdenko, �Թ�ͷ�� Marketing Department chair at��Ancell School of Business.

The choice to pay it forward came easily to Finance alumnus Renan Max F. Hamoy

… Another of his interests was computing. Hamoy designed websites on his own from home. So, when a student employee position opened in the university’s Information Technology & Innovation (ITI) office assisting the �Թ�ͷ�� Webmaster, Hamoy applied and received the job. Two years as a student worker were followed by a year as a University Assistant, and after graduating in 2012 with a B.B.A. in Finance from the Ancell School of Business, Hamoy was offered a full-time position in ITI as a Web Content Specialist.

Ancell JLA Moot Court Team Advances to Nationals

Four �Թ�ͷ�� two-student teams participated in the American Moot Court Association Elm City Regional held at Yale University last weekend and performed so well that one team will advance to the nationals in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in January. It’s a Cinderella story in the making. Moot Court Adviser and Associate Professor of Justice and Law Administration Thomas A. Miller said, “Eight of our finest students went toe-to-toe with some of the most elite schools in the country at Yale this past weekend, and they were more than up to the challenge.

Ancell Professor Casey Jordan on the Today Show and TMZ

NBC’s TODAY Show … Ancell professor Casey Jordan shares her perspective on the murder of four University of Idaho students … NBC’s Gadi Schwartz reports for TODAY and criminologist Casey Jordan shares insight into the investigation.

Read More about Prof. Casey Jordan on and

From Ancell to Chicago’s Wacker Drive: Focus on Values Directs Alumna’s Interactive Marketing Career

“At �Թ�ͷ��, I felt like I had more of a one-on-one experience,” Alycia Hamilton��said. “Prior to �Թ�ͷ��, I was one student in a lecture hall with 250 other students. At �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business, I had a specialized program that felt tailored to my interests. My degree — a B.B.A. in Direct/Interactive Marketing — is specifically what led me to the career I wanted. I also got to pursue my passion areas — I took a handful of photography classes in addition to my marketing classes, so I was able to stretch both sides of my brain.”

Scott Morrison uses Finance Studies to Fill Hearts and Stomachs by Setting a Place at the Table for Everyone

Imagine taking finance classes and turning them into a thriving business that fills the stomachs, hearts and souls of its customers and staff. That’s what former��Թ�ͷ��Ancell School of Business student Scott Morrison has accomplished, while enjoying three decades of exponential growth, legions of devoted customers and a very positive public presence in his community and beyond.

Divergent paths lead to Juris Doctors for siblings Antonio and George Fernandes

The Ancell School of Business prepares students to attend law school, whether it be through the JLA division or other degree programs offered. A case in point are the Fernandes brothers, who both graduated from �Թ�ͷ�� and earned Juris Doctor degrees to become attorneys even though they had different majors at Ancell School of Business. Antonio “Tony” Fernandes, who graduated cum laude a semester early in 2009, was a Business Administration major. His brother George graduated from the JLA legal studies program in 2012 and also went on to law school.

Routines, Self-reliance Led to Job at Goldman Sachs for Recent Management Graduate

Chriss Sari likes routines. As a student, the Danbury native would get up at 5 a.m., go to the gym, eat breakfast, go to work at Union Savings Bank, and then take evening classes as he worked toward his��Bachelor of Business Administration in Supervisory Management��at��Թ�ͷ��. “I enjoyed the routine,” Sari said. “It taught me discipline and kept me in check.”… He saw the Goldman Sachs opportunity on in the fall of his senior year and submitted applications for three positions: in New York, Madrid and Dubai. “What was the worst that could happen? They could say ‘no’ and I would be in the same position I was in before. So, I went for it,” Sari explained.

Campus ‘neighbor’ fulfills dream to attend �Թ�ͷ��

Adamaris Loja went to Danbury High School, where she excelled at her studies with a 3.8 GPA and discovered her love of computers. When she graduated, she decided to fulfill her general education requirements at Naugatuck Valley Community College in order to continue to save money from her two part-time jobs to eventually transfer to �Թ�ͷ��… “I had already applied to �Թ�ͷ�� as a Management Information Systems major and was going to try to make it work without the scholarship, but when they called me over the summer to tell me I had won, I was crying with excitement,” Loja said. “Most of the students at Danbury High School apply because so many are immigrants or first-generation students, so there was a lot of competition.”

How a �Թ�ͷ�� alumnus ended up leading Google’s Cloud Security sales team: ‘Differentiate Yourself’ and build a life beyond your dreams

The knowledge and hands-on exposure to networking that he gained led DiStasio to switch his major from pre-med to – Cybersecurity. “Professor of Dr. Marie Wright started �Թ�ͷ��’s program in Information Security Management,” DiStasio said. “She pioneered it when cybersecurity had just started to come into the conversation and brought in guest lecturers like Mike Jacobs, the deputy director of Information Systems Security for the National Security Agency.” DiStasio’s future was about to change course thanks to his new passion: cybersecurity.

Managerial Propels Redding Native Luke Holden to Achieve Business Success

He enrolled as a Managerial Accounting major and settled into Litchfield Hall during his freshman year, eager to begin his �Թ�ͷ�� journey. Once on campus, he became actively involved in “the full college experience,” even joining the football team as a walk-on for two years… The challenge was mitigated by faculty members like Professor of Accounting Thomas Monks, Holden’s Ancell School of Business adviser. “He busted my chops a lot, but got me ready for the real world,” Holden said. “Another thing that separated me from other job candidates upon graduation was my ability to adapt, because at the Ancell School I learned accounting, fraud, business development and marketing as part of my Managerial Accounting degree.”

Management Alumnus Sets out to Sea to Raise Awareness of Veteran PTSD and Suicide

“Honestly, it’s a great metaphor for an anti-suicide campaign because you want people to keep pushing every day, no matter how hard it gets,” Huppmann said. It also relates to his time in the Management program at �Թ�ͷ��. “Professor of Management Dr. Pauline Assenza in the Ancell School of Business was just an absolutely influential professional when I was there wrapping up,” Huppmann said. “She still crosses my mind often because she was so inspirational about going forward on your journey in life and being willing and able to realize your own dream.”

An International Exchange Business Student from ‘Across the Pond,’ Breaks Swimming Records at �Թ�ͷ��

Oscar Oldbury-Swift, a 22-year-old international exchange student from Manchester, England, came to��Թ�ͷ��through the��International Exchange Student Program (ISEP) to study business — ��and broke collegiate and personal best swimming records as a member of the WestConn Men’s Swimming & Diving Team. He chose to undertake his international college experience at �Թ�ͷ�� because of its proximity to New York City and because he could continue his business Management studies at �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business.

A debt-free Double-major Leads Business Student Sheila Medina to her Dream Job at Deloitte

My accounting professor told me about �Թ�ͷ�� and that my NCC credits would transfer there … I spoke to Dr. Richard Montague, chair of �Թ�ͷ��’s MIS department, who told me I wouldn’t have to do a major and minor — I could do a double major in MIS and Accounting. Not only that, but everything was in one place in �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business. This changed my whole idea of what I could accomplish!

Ancell Professor Casey Jordan on CNN

CNN …��Experts say there is a term for this kind of attraction.��“Sometimes referred to in our culture as ‘Bad Boy Syndrome,’ hybristophilia is the attraction to and/or sexual interest in those who commit crimes, particularly heinous and violent crimes such as rape and murder,” said Dr. Casey Jordan, Criminologist and Professor of Justice and Law Administration at �Թ�ͷ��. “Vicky White surely believes she’s in love with Casey White, because he gives her a feeling of being alive after decades of feeling staid, safe and ‘reliable,’ ” Jordan added.

WalletHub Interviews Ancell Professor Pauline Assenza on Best & Worst Small Cities to Start a Business

WalletHub – Any new business needs to research the resources available in the local “entrepreneurial ecosystem”. Depending on the industry, access to support services may be critical and smaller cities may not have the breadth of support needed, i.e. power and transportation infrastructure, broadband access, adequate healthcare facilities. However, a smaller city has the advantage of a focused network of social support where the smaller “voices” may have more opportunities to be heard.

Headshot of Dr. Yaseen Hayajneh Why healthcare costs are rising in the U.S. more than anywhere else

CNBC – … One of the causes of high spending is the fragmented nature of the U.S. system. Some Americans have comprehensive and affordable health insurance coverage while others have little to no coverage. “The way the system is structured now, it is a cure-driven system, not a prevention-driven system,” said Yaseen Hayajneh, associate professor of health administration at �Թ�ͷ��.

How Americans can save money when choosing a health insurance plan

CNBC –��Most Americans struggle to figure out which health insurance plan will save them money.��A study of almost 24,000 employees at a major Fortune 100 company found that 61% of them chose the wrong plan for their needs. The researchers at Carnegie Mellon University who conducted the study estimated that the average employee could have saved $372 per year by choosing a different plan.

Supply Chain Lessons from the Pandemic

This October, Gro Intelligence’s SVP of Agribusiness James Heneghan was invited by Professor Dr. Cindy Chuang and Dean Dr. David Martin to speak at �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell Dean’s Speaker Series. Heneghan joined Odyssey Logistics & Technology’s Cosmo Alberico to discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global agricultural supply chain.

‘It’s been a nightmare’: Local Restaurant Owner Struggles Through Pandemic with Labor Shortages, High Food Prices, and No Federal Aid

NewsTime – … Pauline Assenza, a Management professor at the Ancell School of Business at �Թ�ͷ��, noticed the same trend. “There has not been an uptick but there hasn’t been a downturn either,” she said of new startups. Still, the impact is there. In March of 2020, the state was home to more than 8,000 restaurants that employed around 160,000 residents, according to the Connecticut Restaurant Relief Fund. After the shutdown, over 600 restaurants went out of business.

Doctor tired of ‘Band-Aid’ solutions opens Ridgefield health care facility to tailor treatments to individual patients

NewsTime – …Precision medicine is an “emerging approach for disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle,” according to SpringerLink research.��Yaseen Hayajneh – �Թ�ͷ�� associate professor of Management and coordinator of the college’s master of health administration program – said that precision medicine and traditional medicine are methods healthcare providers use to treat patients. The difference is that traditional medicine applies a “standardized, one-size-fits-all” treatment plan while precision medicine employs “patient-specific information” to tailor treatment to the individual’s unique circumstances, Hayajneh explained.

Ancell’s MBA program honored for excellence and admissions policy

The �Թ�ͷ�� program has received recognition in a recent survey citing M.B.A. programs across the nation that offer academic excellence and flexible admissions policies providing a balanced and holistic profile to predict student success.

Headshot of Dr. Yaseen Hayajneh

Danbury’s outdoor hospital could treat variety of patients

NewsTime – …��This includes treating patients with or without coronavirus or using it to triage patients elsewhere to the main hospital, he said. “We’re looking at the entire system,” Cassavechia said. “We service such a large area. We’re preparing for an assortment of a variety of patients that may present to our hospital.”��Dr. Yaseen Hayajneh, a professor at �Թ�ͷ�� who has helped set up two regular hospitals in Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, said figuring out how the facility will be used needs to be done first.

West Conn-Taiwan university partnership grows

NewsTime – On Monday morning, a group of college students and professors from Taiwan got a first-hand look at an American business with a tour of Ethan Allen. … The partnership started about three years ago. Cindy Chuang, an associate professor of Management at Western’s Ancell School of Business, had been teaching at Soochow over the summer while visiting family. When she learned that Soochow was trying to connect with more sister schools in the states, she brought the idea to her dean.

�Թ�ͷ�� Management Students Explore International Business in Taiwan

Patch – Eight Management students and alumni of the �Թ�ͷ�� Ancell School of Business gained an invaluable lesson in the international network of trade, commerce, supply chains, and logistics that holds the global economy together during a recent �Թ�ͷ�� international program in Taiwan … Galli-Debicella observed Taiwan offered an especially attractive location for the �Թ�ͷ�� students to gain a deeper understanding of global trade and investment relationships. “Taiwan maintains extensive trading relationships with both China and the United States,” she said. “When the United States does something, it will have a positive or negative effect on Taiwan and the rest of the world. Intellectually, our students understood this, but now they understand how these actions have a ripple effect in daily practice.”

Young entrepreneur: Chamber of Commerce announces 2018 scholarship finalist

The Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA!) announced the winner of its Saunders Scholars local Investor Panel competition…Their five-minute presentations included extensive market research, financial analysis, sales projections and an investment request from the judging panel. The judging panel was comprised of the following local professionals: Management Professor Pauline Assenza of �Թ�ͷ��, Mary Kate Gobleck of Reliance Merchant Services, Scott Johnson of Mack Media and Heather Neumann Salaga of The Tutoring Club.

Ancell School of Business receives AACSB accreditation

The designation places Ancell School of Business among the top 5 percent of business schools in the world. Ancell joins Connecticut business schools with the accreditation including Yale, the University of Connecticut, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart University, Quinnipiac University, University of New Haven, University of Hartford, the Coast Guard Academy, and Central Connecticut State University.

At Northwest firms with ESOPs, employees act like they own the place

The Seattle Time – Employee stock-ownership plans can be complex to set up. But at local companies, an ESOP gives workers a financial and psychological stake in the enterprise’s success. Some studies show that employees at ESOP companies tend to be more loyal, more collaborative and more hardworking, said Dan Weltmann, who was part of a team that examined hundreds of private companies to see whether ESOP conversions affect survival rates. The study found that those companies were much less likely to disappear than their non-ESOP counterparts. They also posted much higher job and revenue growth after making the switch.

Ancell Graduate Announced as the New Chief Financial Officer of Lakeview Health

George Merhi brings more than 25 years of finance leadership experience in both public and private corporations with revenues ranging from $5 million to $500 million. He has worked in a variety of industries and has been successful in building, strengthening and leading the corporate finance function for companies in various start-up, stable and growth situations. A graduate of the �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business, Merhi has held several key executive positions in the industries of healthcare, retail and franchise finance and contract food and beverage.

Mom & pop retailers endure and adapt amid industry upheaval

Pauline Assenza, an associate professor of Management and small-business entrepreneurship at �Թ�ͷ��’s Ancell School of Business, said the continued presence of these smaller stores contradicted a long-held assumption that governed the retail industry. “It was a myth that when Walmart comes to town, the Main Street businesses will die,” she said. “That’s not necessarily true. The smaller retailers have been around long enough to understand the needs of people who walk by their stores.”

Ancell Students earned the Best Oral Presentation Award for their pitch of Karp’s product innovation

�Թ�ͷ�� students Rachael Karp and Helen Christie Roberts earned the Best Oral Presentation Award for their pitch of Karp’s product innovation, “On Board,” at the Connecticut Business Plan Competition held on April 22, 2016, in New Haven. Dr. Pauline Assenza, associate professor of management and adviser to the Entrepreneurship, Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) student club at �Թ�ͷ��, served as faculty mentor to Karp and Roberts for the competition. Karp is the current president of ERIC, founded last year to seek out entrepreneurial and other creative opportunities for �Թ�ͷ�� students and facilitate partnerships between students and local business mentors.

NY-CONN head excels in a male-dominated industry

“I am very proud to be a part of the school that gave me an excellent education,” MaryJean Rebeiro said. “I obtained the stepping stones needed to navigate in the business world from my professors at the Ancell School of Business. I often catch myself quoting one of my professors, and it is then that I realize what a strong foundation I was given and the impact my teachers had on me then and now.”