Commencement is a student’s milestone—one of life's historic occasions. It’s a gathering of graduates, family, friends and fellow classmates who are all celebrating this one day that catapults a person’s past and present into their future. The School of Business couldn’t be prouder of its 2024 graduates. We talked to one student-graduate in each Business program about their journey to graduation. Enjoy getting to know them, and wish them great luck when they take a step toward another chapter in their lives. 

Need information on the ceremonies, go to our Commencement page

Commencement Speakers

Accounting and Finance                                                                             

Emily Dinh

Emily Dinh

“Diversity and professionalism have prepared me greatly for soft skills, such as communication, critical thinking, and group work. I have learned to listen actively, empathize, and understand when working with people from different backgrounds. I have also learned to handle challenging situations and grow from the obstacles through support and guidance from my peers and mentors.”

Supply Chain and Logistics Management and Management and Leadership

Hamed AL Balushi

Hamed AL Balushi 

"I am energized by the prospect of having a meaningful influence, leading with purpose, and propelling forward movement. The business world provides an ideal setting for me to put my enthusiasm for leadership and my desire to make a difference into action.”                 

                                                                                                 

Master of Science in Global Supply Chain Management 

Sheryl Livermore

Sheryl Livermore

"There are new things to learn, it's not just about acquiring knowledge; it's about embracing the unknown and constantly challenging yourself to reach new heights. Engaging in this program was a way for me  to constantly challenge myself and uplift my stride to get more out of life.”                                                                          

 

Undergraduate 

Business Management and Leadership
Certificate in Real Estate Property Management

Collin Buzzelli

Collin Buzzelli

"My daughter really is a huge driving force behind a lot of what I do. I want to give her a better life than what was given to me, and I felt though attending college was the best way to do that."

Business Technology & Analytics
HR Management

Ulfet Tayba

Ulfet Tayba

“Whenever I get overwhelmed... my parents ground me. I work hard to make them proud, and to be able to give back to them even an ounce of what they spent their lives providing for me.”

Marketing

Byoungjun Park

Byoungjun Park (Jun)

“Through my part-time jobs, I had the opportunity to meet different professionals in different fields that helped me prepare for life after graduation."

Finance, Business Technology & Analytics

Alicia Zhang

Alicia Zhang

“Take every opportunity to network and expose yourself to various fields, which will deepen your understanding of your chosen area of study.”

Advertising Management

GABRIELA ARLETH IRAHETA ROMERO

Gabriela Arleth Iraheta Romero 

“Advertising Management fuels my imagination; it challenges me to think outside the box and find ways to communicate with people through visual, sound, written, or different formats."

Advertising Management

Justin Veldhuisen

Justin Veldhuisen

“The role models who have helped him were able to have the careers they had because of the foundations they built through education.”                                                                                            

Accounting                                                                                            

Mariam Almitawah

Mariam Almitawah

“PSU’s reputation for having an outstanding business school sealed my decision, as I knew it would provide me with the tools to succeed on a global scale.”                                                                                    

Finance, Business Technology & Analytics, Global Supply Chain. Certificate in Real Estate Property Management

Marie Gomez

Marie Gomez

"I understood that acquiring the knowledge and skills in business management would better equip me to effectively lead and grow the family business when the time comes for it to be passed down to me.”

Global Supply Chain

Ahmed Al-Kindi

Ahmed Al-Kindi

“I think my capstone class was the most valuable thing that prepared me for the real world because it presented real-world challenges to solve and work on.”

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Graduate

Master of Science Global Supply Chain Management

Lydia Schuh

Lydia Schuh

"Despite the challenges of juggling full-time employment and raising a toddler, I was able to pursue my degree with the help of an amazing support system." 

Master of Business Administration/MS in Finance

Rosa Gracia A.

Rosa Garcia A.

"I'm a single mom, and making enough to ensure my daughter doesn't have to work through college is a main motivator for me. I want her to have a much easier life than I did."

Master of Business Administration 

Neal Rusk

Neal Rusk

"I embraced the discomfort, treated every class as an opportunity for growth, and developed relationships with many of the professors."                                                         

Master of Business Administration/MS in Finance

Veronica Peterson

Veronica Peterson

“I've always been interested in finance and chose PSU due to its MSF/MBA dual degree program, which allowed me to complete both degrees in under two years.”

Master of Taxation

 Astrid Galvez

Astrid Galvez

“One significant motivation for me was recognizing the need in the Hispanic community in the Pacific Northwest for quality accounting and tax services. 

Master of Finance

SESHU BHARATHI KATARI

Seshu Bharathi Karari

"The interactions with peers and mentors have taught me that business success often comes from dedication to learning, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas."

Master of Applied Data for Business

George Triplett


George Triplett

“When I was looking at the master’s degree programs that the university offered and setting up conversations with faculty and alums, it became clear to me how valuable a degree from the PSU school of business would be going forward."

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