August 2025

Every Scranton-savvy upperclassman was once a fresh-faced, first-year student.

Aiden Mackrell ’26, a biology major from Olyphant, who’s now heavily involved in The University of Scranton’s Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ) and a member of the Health Professions Organization, clearly recalls the beginning of his University journey.

“I remember being very, very nervous,” Mackrell said. “Lots of strangers, lots of people I never met.”

Despite his nervousness, however, Mackrell decided to put himself out there — a decision that changed the course of his college career.

Mackrell is one of 11 upperclassmen volunteering this week with First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together (FIRST), a reflective service immersion program.

While he’s now one of the student leaders overseeing 40 first-year students, Mackrell remembers four years ago when he was in their shoes. Through FIRST, he’d volunteered then with NeighborWorks and Friends of the Poor. Those two organizations, as well as the Gino J. Merli Veterans’ Center, Boys and Girls Club of NEPA, Arrupe House programming (sponsored by the CSSJ) and CHOP Out Hunger, are again this year benefiting from University volunteers.

“I had an amazing experience,” Mackrell said. “This was the program where I made almost all my friends today. For that reason, I’ll be forever grateful to this program.”

The social element is a critical part of FIRST, as it provides first-year students with a built-in network of connections.

“They are making friends and giving back to the community before they even start school,” said Thomas Noll ’26, a biology major and FIRST student leader from Scranton. “They’re giving up the last week of their summer to volunteer in an area that many of them know nothing about.”

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Noll noted that numerous states along the East Coast, including Connecticut, Vermont and Virginia, are represented among the 40 first-year FIRST participants.

“This week is the epitome of what The University of Scranton is all about: love,” said Avianna Carilli, coordinator of domestic and international service programs for the CSSJ. “Not only are we showing the first-year students that we cherish them through our reflections and small group activities, but also challenging them to step out of their comfort zones within our local community to give more, do more and be more.”

After volunteering their time and service each morning and afternoon Monday through Friday, FIRST participants spend the evening at the University’s Retreat Center at Chapman Lake. There, they reflect on their experience and service as it relates to the University’s mission and Jesuit values.

“The FIRST program allows students to really embody the Jesuit value of being a person for others,” Noll said. “These students get to come out and walk in the shoes of and with other people, while also serving underserved communities. …

“We want them to really understand what it means to be Jesuit-educated at The University of Scranton.”

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For additional coverage of FIRST's volunteer efforts, please visit WVIA and the Scranton Times-Tribune.

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The national Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) recently awarded The University of Scranton’s chapter with one of its highest honors.

During the 2024-25 academic year, the University’s IMA chapter met and exceeded the comprehensive set of criteria to qualify for Gold Chapter status.

Scranton is one of only eight student chapters nationwide to achieve Gold status, a designation the University has earned for an astounding eight consecutive terms dating back to 2018-19.

The University’s IMA chapter participated in numerous events and opportunities to promote itself and engage the community. Highlights included a toiletry drive, an Easter basket drive to benefit the University’s service programs and Friends of the Poor, a site visit of Gentex Corporation in Pennsylvania and attending the IMA Student Leadership Conference in Anaheim, California.

Ashley Stampone, Ph.D. ’10, G’11, PHD’22, assistant professor of accounting, serves as the faculty advisor for the University’s IMA chapter.

Student officers this past academic year were:

Ryan Hanley, an accounting and finance major from Staten Island, New York, president and outreach officer

Rachel Tuman, an accounting major from Lake Ariel, documentation officer

Alexander Kichline, Allentown, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance, secretary

Andrea Navarro, Albrightsville, who graduated with a Master of Business Administration degree in accounting, treasurer/social media officer

Dylan Port Vliet, a finance major from Fair Lawn, New Jersey, fundraising and service officer

Izabella Rose, Scranton, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting, advertising officer

By: Elizabeth Vander Neut ‘26, student correspondent 

This summer, Rebecca Boyle ’27, shown, is immersing herself in the fast-paced corporate world as an intern with SL Green Realty Corp. (SLG) in New York, New York. From executive-led presentations and site tours to hands-on rotations in property management and construction, Boyle has embraced every opportunity to learn. She says the experience has sharpened her professional skills, expanded her knowledge of real estate and inspired her to pursue her career goals with confidence.

Boyle, of Sugarloaf, is a business administration major with minors in finance and business leadership at The University of Scranton. She credits the program with preparing her for the real world and fueling her motivation to keep learning.

 

What do you enjoy most about your position?  

“I love learning new things, especially about real estate, and I think the way everyone at SLG treats the interns as professionals creates an ideal environment to maximize our learning experience. I also enjoy the structure of this internship, which is similar to a semester at school but offers much more practical, hands-on experience, which is something I really appreciate. Beyond these aspects, I’m truly grateful for every professional I’ve connected with at SLG. They’ve shared valuable advice and insights and have inspired me tremendously.”

 

Describe a typical day at work.  

"Almost every day, we attend three-hour presentations led by staff and executives from SL Green. They walk us through their roles, share insights about their departments, and offer valuable advice on both business and personal development. These presentations are followed by a case study or a site tour related to the speaker’s department, allowing us to apply what we’ve just learned in a practical setting. We then spend the remainder of the day in our designated rotation. Whether it's at one of SLG’s iconic buildings with the property management teams or alongside the fantastic construction group, each rotation offers hands-on experience, where we actively apply what we’ve been taught, work closely with knowledgeable staff, and contribute to the company."

 

What are some skills you have learned so far?

"Time management, efficiency, project management, budgeting, networking, communication, public speaking and professionalism."

 

What were your expectations going into the internship and how do they compare to the reality?  

“Being that I have never experienced the corporate life or living in a huge city, I wasn't sure what to expect, but I had a feeling it was going to be amazing. After being with SLG for a little over a month now, I can confidently say that this is a fantastic experience. Adjusting to the fast-paced environment was definitely a bit challenging, but I love SLG's company culture. It's a very tight-knit community despite its size, which allows for efficient teamwork. It really is a great place to work, and I am so proud to be a part of it for two months. ” 

 

How do you feel this internship has prepared you for the real world?

"Even just one week into the program, I already felt like I had learned so much. It’s impossible to go through a program like this without learning; every minute of the day, we are being taught something new. Every person I encounter genuinely wants us to reach our full potential and actively guides us toward it. The skill set I’ve acquired at SLG will stay with me forever, and above all, this internship has engraved in me the motivation to keep learning and pursue my dream career."

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The Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference brings hundreds of the country’s best and brightest college students to Dallas, Texas, all vying to win national titles.

Take, for instance, the Parliamentary Procedure category with 19 qualifiers from 18 colleges in 11 states. There’s also the even more competitive Sports Management and Marketing with 33 competitors representing 27 colleges scattered across 18 states.

The University of Scranton produced national champions in both events.

“That’s a testament to The University of Scranton because my event isn’t necessarily what’s taught in the business school but obviously everything is tied back in some way to what we’re learning in school,” said Kaeli Romanowski ’26, a finance major from Lake Ariel, who earned the top prize in Parliamentary Procedure. “It’s rewarding not just for us as individuals but for University of Scranton FBLA. We’re trying to build a reputation and build membership. This is a great way to do it.”

First-year student Joe Walas ’28, an accounting and finance major from West Islip, New York, earned first-place in Sports Management and Marketing.

“I already had some background in sports,” Walas said. “In high school, I was a journalist for my school newspaper. I dabbled in journalism, I really liked it. But I decided to go a different route. It had set a foundation for me to pursue sports management and marketing and to get where I am now. Also, being a freshman, you’re always looking to get involved on campus; FBLA was a really good avenue to do that.”

Three classmates joined Romanowski and Walas at the event and they, too, finished in the top 10 as part of a historic showing for the University.

Chaz DellaCorte, a finance and accounting major from The Villages, Florida, ranked third in Accounting Case Competition. Gary Mrozinski, a finance major from Taylor, placed seventh in Foundations of Accounting. Connor Farrington, a business analytics and accounting major from Washington, New Jersey, placed ninth in Sports Management and Marketing.

“Hearing your name, even in the top 10, is rewarding enough,” Romanowski said. “It’s incredible: five of us went and we all placed in the top 10.”

Romanowski, who is a standout basketball player, is an FBLA veteran going back to her time at Western Wayne High School. She’s long studied parliamentary procedure, which refers to the rules and practices that ensure fair, orderly and efficient meetings and legislative assemblies.

Both Romanowski and Walas’ competitions were objectively scored as multiple-choice exams.

Romanowski, who’d won the state title weeks earlier, said she exited her exam feeling unsure of how it had gone. Meanwhile, Walas, a state runner-up, felt differently.

“I felt super confident in how it went,” Walas said.

Regardless of their conflicting stances, Romanowski and Walas both aced their tests, leaving Texas with championships and memories. In addition to FBLA activities, they toured the Dallas Cowboys’ AT&T Stadium and attended a Texas Rangers baseball game at Globe Life Field.

“Special thanks to the University for setting this whole thing up,” Walas said. “It’s not easy to fly kids out to Dallas in the middle of the spring and I’m just appreciative of the experience as a whole.”

Romanowski, Walas, Mrozinski, Farrington and DellaCorte, the club president, attended nationals with David Mahalak, D. Eng., assistant professor of operations and analytics. Dr. Mahalak has served since 2021-22 as Scranton’s advisor for FBLA, which has more than 200,000 members and 5,000 chapters, mostly in the U.S.