The Charger Blog

Recent Business Analytics Graduates Earn Prestigious Scholarships

Two new Pompea College of Business alumni, who will begin their careers at KPMG and Electric Boat, are among a nationwide group to receive a scholarship that aims to support underrepresented students who are passionate about pursuing a career in business analysis.

May 26, 2022

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Candice Deal, Ph.D., and Paula Nwanna 杏吧原版22 M.S. at Commencement.
Paula Nwanna 杏吧原版22 M.S., and Watson Joseph 杏吧原版22 MBA at Commencement.
Watson Joseph 杏吧原版22 MBA with the Alumni Bell at Commencement.
Candice Deal, Ph.D. and Watson Joseph 杏吧原版22 MBA.

When Watson Joseph 杏吧原版22 MBA was a senior at , he spoke with one of his professors about pursuing his MBA with a concentration in data analytics. Excited to earn a master杏吧原版檚 degree in a 杏吧原版済rowing field,杏吧原版 he decided to pursue his degree at the University of New Haven. A new graduate of the University, he remembers that conversation fondly as, he says, it led to him making 杏吧原版渢he best decision in my life.杏吧原版

The professor he spoke with was Candice Deal, Ph.D., and she too has since joined the University community. During the spring semester, she let Joseph know about another exciting opportunity 杏吧原版 this time, the Wiley Unlocking Human Potential Scholarship. Joseph recently became one of two Chargers to receive it.

杏吧原版淢y reaction when I found out I was one of the recipients to receive this scholarship was very joyful,杏吧原版 said Joseph, who earned his degree as part of Spring Commencement. 杏吧原版淚 immediately shared the news with my brother and with Dr. Deal, my mentor.杏吧原版

杏吧原版楥ontinue on my path to learning杏吧原版

Offered to students nationwide who graduated this spring, the supports Black and Latinx students who are pursuing careers in business analysis 杏吧原版 including data analytics.

Paula Nwanna 杏吧原版22 M.S., who recently earned her master杏吧原版檚 degree in business analytics, also earned a scholarship. She says receiving the award was both exciting and meaningful.

Paula Nwanna 杏吧原版22 M.S.
Candice Deal, Ph.D. and Paula Nwanna 杏吧原版22 M.S.

杏吧原版淲iley's vision of unlocking human potential aligns with my passion for learning, because I believe learning gives us the skills to bring about the positive change we desire to see in the world,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淏ooks published by Wiley help students such as me from an underrepresented background to have access to books and gather knowledge that will help us compete with our peers on a global scale. I worked so hard, and I am happy to see the results pay off.杏吧原版

Nwanna says coming from a 杏吧原版渂usiness-oriented family杏吧原版 has enabled her to understand corporations and business processes. She is excited to continue to learn through her new position as a tax associate with the ignition digital transformation team at , one of the 杏吧原版淏ig Four杏吧原版 accounting organizations.

杏吧原版淚 want to help organizations use analytics to gain rapid insights into business operations and make better decisions,杏吧原版 she said. 杏吧原版淎fter receiving this scholarship, I feel encouraged to continue on my path to learning.杏吧原版

杏吧原版楾he cherry on top杏吧原版

The scholarship was offered through , a diversity recruiting marketplace. Dr. Deal, co-chair of the Pompea College of Business杏吧原版檚 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, knew immediately that she wanted to share the opportunity with her students.

杏吧原版淚 was so proud of them,杏吧原版 said Dr. Deal, assistant dean of the Pompea College of Business. 杏吧原版淚 think it really boosted their morale and encouraged them even more. It not only helped them financially, it also motivated them.

杏吧原版淲e want to create a very inclusive environment for everyone,杏吧原版 she continued. 杏吧原版淪o, to highlight our minority students who earned these scholarships means a lot to the PCoB 杏吧原版 that our efforts with these initiatives are really moving forward.杏吧原版

For Joseph, the new MBA grad, the scholarship will support him as he continues his education. He will also continue to gain experience through his position as a financial analyst at while working to elevate his own fitness brand, .

杏吧原版淩eceiving this award means so much to me because I felt like this was the cherry on top of my amazing MBA career at the University of New Haven,杏吧原版 he said. 杏吧原版淚 plan to use this award by continuing to further my education by pursuing my Ph.D. in business management.杏吧原版