Category: News

Raquel Tennant, a 2019 graduate of the College of Business and Economics, always had a knack for finance. Tennant always was making lists for her spendings and math came easy to her. Despite this, Tennant did not like the abstract nature of the subject and wanted something that could be applied to everyday people. When she found financial planning being offered in CBE in the Business Administration major, Tennant says the option “ made it real for me”. 

Tennant, a first generation American, felt as if people were being left out in the overall financial field. An everyday person may not have the funds or understanding to invest their money right away, and Tennant found that financial planning was more inclusive to everyday people and lifestyles. Tennant also loved the comprehensiveness of financial planning, and how a CFP has knowledge on and is able to help their clientele’s entire life. 

With financial planning, Tenant was able to learn a skill that “not only helps other people but helps myself”. 

Tennant also shares that financial planning, with its rigorous requirements and testing procedures, is what she sees as “the gold standard of finance”. Tennant feels distinguished knowing she was able to make it through the qualifications that make her “the real deal” while also having a comprehensive understanding of finance that allows her to speak on many parts of the industry. 

Tennant enthusiastically shared her appreciation for her time at Towson University and how it has benefitted her in her career. One major part of her career that she feels CBE prepared her for was the art of networking. By attending networking events put on as part of her classes, she was able to find internships that matched her career interests. Tennant shares that while she was anxious about where she would go in her career, she would have been even more anxious without the opportunity to network during her time in CBE. Tennant was even able to get her first job after graduation through the College of Business and Economics. 

Tennant remarks that “the jobs we want aren’t on Indeed, they are word of mouth”. 

The financial planning program, as Tennant explains, was also helpful in giving her the needed technical skills for her CFP exam. Her prep course for the exam felt like a review of what she had already learned in her classes beforehand. By having two steps done in one at CBE – her degree and her financial planning courses – Tennant was ahead of her peers who were taking separate courses for financial planning. 

During her time in CBE, Tennant was a part of the creation of the Women in Finance club. This club was created to give a space to women in her primarily male dominated classes. Tennant explains that the idea for the Women in Finance club was sparked by the Finance club, and she wanted a place for women to call their own that would show that they are “by no means timid”. The group was created for women who love what they do and to build a sense of community. Tennant shares that the club shows other women in the field that they are not climbing the uphill battle alone and that they have a community of people there for them. The Women in Finance club is still a strong part of CBE thanks to Tennant’s hard work and perseverance to help in creating a space for women to achieve their goals. 

Being in a field dominated by predominantly older white men, Tennant was concerned about the opportunities she would get in the professional field. Tennant felt that in her past, her talents may have been overlooked for those who meet the more common profile of a financial planner. Despite this, Tennant continued to persevere and reach her professional goals. Instead of backing down, Tennant saw this as a positive challenge to better the industry. Tennant expresses the importance of diversity, as diversity brings a variety of unique lived experiences to a company that is important in making changes. 

For Tennant, it is important that the field is becoming inclusive on both the professional and the client sides. Throughout her career, Tennant places a great emphasis on helping minority groups who may not be fairly represented in the financial planning field. In 2021, only 1.8 percent of CFP professionals were Black, even after growing 10 percent from the previous year; and even at an all time high, only 23.4 percent of CFP professionals are women. As Tennant explains, non-traditionally served groups in the financial planning field are going to want to see themselves reflected in the CFP professionals in the field. When going for financial help as a non-traditionally served group, as Tennant explains, there can be shame in asking for help and not previously knowing anything about financial planning. But with women empowering other women and young people empowering other young people, there is less pressure and shame in the experience. Having more diversity, Tennant says, also allows for culturally sensitive values to take a bigger place in the financial planning process. 

Tennant expresses that we must “be the change we want to see”. 

Currently, Tennant is working with a completely virtual women-led firm. Being a part of a field dominated heavily by men, Tennant wanted to place emphasis on helping her own community and generation. Tennant’s goal is to help people who aren’t normally prioritized in her field, and has created a lower barrier of entry to do so. By talking to her clients and learning their history, Tennant is able to create a plan fit for her clients that is reviewed based on their life changes. A highlight of this, Tennant shares, is being able to work with her young clients through major life milestones such as marriage and children, which isn’t always seen in the average clientele of a financial planner.  

Tennant is also a big advocate for not only helping her clients with her skills, but educating them as well. By not only telling them the answers of their questions, but also explaining why, Tennant is able to share valuable information with clients who may not have been able to access this information before. Tennant shares that it’s very empowering to share her knowledge with demographics who traditionally left out of the field, as it allows for more people to become aware of their own finances. 

“Everyone is just trying to figure it out,” says Tennant. By taking away the shame of not having this knowledge beforehand, Tennant is able to better help her clientele while also giving them important financial information. 

When sharing advice with current students, Tennant would like to share with women considering the financial planning field that  “who you are is your superpower, don’t try so hard to conform to what you think is the status quo. What you’ve gone through is going to make you a great financial advisor”. Tennant states that being who you are will allow for the people you are working with to naturally open up and connect with you. Tennant also wants to share to “know your why, and do your research” when it comes to considering financial planning as a career path. Tennant urges people to look into the field, and by understanding what it takes may intrigue people into joining the field. Knowing why you want to go into the field will also narrow down where you want to work in the industry, she explains. 

“We are a special field and that is really cool,” says Tennant. 

CBE hosted the final round of its 3rd Data Analytics Competition in Stephens Hall on April 22, 2022. The event was sponsored by the Baltimore Ravens and this semester’s competition brought together 135 students across five TU colleges. The competition featured Cody Williams, Director of Business Intelligence at Ravens who developed the case based on a dataset of Ravens merchandise and apparel sales. The students were tasked with deriving insights through data analysis and pitch ideas of how to drive other opportunities for local sales revenue. 

In the initial round, all submissions of data analysis were judged by the Ravens, with the top 10 teams invited to deliver their final presentations in-person. During the final round, the top three winning teams were selected based on the creativity and utility of data visualization, the clarity and quality of analysis and storytelling, and the originality of recommendations.

Results:

1st: Astrid Nina (CBE)

2nd: Brittney Workman (CLA)

3rd: Julia O’Connell (COFAC), Leah Sine (CBE), and Haja Sannoh (CBE/CLA) 

 

CBE was able to award $5,000 in scholarships to these students. 

 

After the final presentations, competitors, attendees, and judges were able to interact and network to further discuss all things data and analytics. After observing and conversing with the students, Williams says, “I am hugely impressed by the skill level of the students and where they are today compared to this field ten years ago when I was in college. Analytics was not necessarily even a major offered when I was in school. To see college students producing this quality of analysis work, visualization work, presentation skills, I am very impressed. I feel as though they are all going to be ready and prepared to enter the workforce and contribute right away and do a great job” 

 

First place winner, Astrid Nina, expressed that she became interested in this competition after seeing all of the other competitions CBE has hosted. She felt that her previous courses prepared her to succeed in the task given. 

 

Nina expressed, “The data in general was really fun to work with. From doing everything to gather insights in order to see and do what they were asking us to do and then actually figuring it out.” 

 

She also benefited from networking after the event and believes the competition could impact her future. She adds, “Doing analysis, visualization, and storytelling is something that I am really interested in and I asked him about if they have any opportunities at the moment and he said yes. I will definitely apply, it is an internship opportunity and I am a senior looking for an internship. I am excited about that.”

 

As the field of data analytics continues to grow, Williams believes that it is imperative to have competitions like this to not only help inform students of real world situations but to also to place importance on analytics in business. He says, “Data and analytics is Paramount. It is hard to imagine businesses operating today without using data to make informed decisions. The techniques, technology, tools, it becomes even more powerful and I think that we will only continue to rely on data more and more to move forward and that is why I am excited to see students really invest in their education in data and analytics and some of these other things because it is the future and the present.”

As analytics continues to impact our everyday lives, the College is proud to offer both a business analytics minor, open to all TU students, and a business analytics track under the business administration major. To learn more, visit our website.  

Written by: Millie Klefsaas

Karla Kaliman is a Business Administration major with a concentration in HR here in CBE and she is the highlight of our next Star Student Spotlight! 

When sharing her story of what made her join CBE, Kaliman told us “When I met Lisa Simmons, I was confused and unsure about my future and my career. I didn’t know where I wanted to go after finishing my degree in International Relations. I always knew that I wanted to help people and my community on different levels; Lisa showed me a new way to accomplish this goal. She inspired me to join CBE by showing me my ‘incalculable’ love for HR and how I can make a difference for my community by advocating for policies that can truly change an employee’s life and improving the diversity of a workplace to ensure that people feel understood and supported. Lisa saw my potential, personality, and challenged me and pushed me out of my comfort zone to find my passion for HR.”

Kaliman is especially proud of her work during the Live Strategy Case Competition as it allowed her to test the knowledge she has been learning throughout her academic career while also being a great way to get exposed to topics that are beneficial to her career path. “I practiced my teamwork, presentation, and analytical skills by analyzing and researching a specific industry and being able to interpret that information to form an educated assessment for a specific business with real-world experience,” said Kaliman. 

The most helpful classes for Kaliman in her time at CBE have been MNGT 483, MNGT 452, and MNGT 381. Kaliman emphasized how she was able to not only learn the theories ofHR, but also how to apply what she’s learned in these classes. Taking these courses during the pandemic, it stuck with Kaliman how HR is crucial in managing responses to COVID-19 at an organizational level. 

“Human Resources has been the driving force in keeping the workforce and organization engaged, productive and resilient. This situation has illustrated the true value of HR and demonstrated the importance of investing in HR structures and processes.” she said. 

Resiliency is important to Kaliman, as she has been able to overcome adversity and stay true to herself. When giving advice to other CBE students, she wants them to know to “fight to find your purpose and be confident that whatever passion you want to pursue your survival is assured and remember that each person has a message to share simply by owning their own life story and willing to share it with others.” 

After graduation this May, Kaliman hopes to use what she has learned in CBE to lead changes within business and to drive a culture of resiliency with her work. “As a Latina woman who faced systemic discrimination and bias, I would use my skills to help people believe in themselves and help companies make more inclusive employment decisions,” Kaliman said. 

In her final remarks, Kaliman added “I would like to thank CBE for providing me with mental, emotional and practical support when I need it most. For being my ‘happy place’ where I go to be fully present with myself and where I have opportunities to find meaning and a platform to achieve greatness. as well as thank all my professors and mentors who encouraged me to be a better person every day.”

Stephens Hall, arguably one of TU’s oldest and perhaps most iconic buildings, has been home to the College of Business and Economics since 1978. Constructed in 1912, the building has undergone several major renovations and updates throughout its 110-year history. While Stephens Hall, with its distinguished and recognizable clocktower, will remain a steadfast symbol of TU’s history, it will soon become a part of the College’s history as well.

Last month, Towson University announced that after 44 years in Stephens Hall, the College of Business and Economics will be getting a new home. This is, of course, part of TU’s larger vision, as expressed in the 2020-30 Campus Master Plan. The $1.2 billion investment in infrastructure proposes the renovation and addition 1.3 million gross square feet.

Developed under President Schatzel’s leadership, the new Master Plan outlines ten capital priorities. Among them is a new state-of-the-art academic building for CBE. The building will be located on the corner of York and Burke, connecting the north and south sides of campus. A timeline for construction has not yet been determined, but excitement is already building.

“We are thrilled that the TU 2020-30 Campus Master Plan includes a new building for the College of Business and Economics” says Dean Shohreh Kaynama. She adds, “Though we love our Stephens Hall, updated facilities will ensure a sustainable future for CBE and position TU to remain among the very best public business schools in the country.”

Rest assured, however, that while Stephens Hall may no longer house the College of Business and Economics, it is not by any means going away. In fact, the Master Plan includes major renovations to the historic building, maintaining its place in TU’s past, present, and future.

TU’s 2020-30 Campus Master Plan is available in its entirety at  https://www.towson.edu/facilities/masterplan/documents/master-plan-summary-2022.pdf.

Our next star student is Nico Boone. Boone is a Business Administration major with a concentration in Entrepreneurship. He says “ I’ve always enjoyed the many aspects of business and wanted to educate myself on how to be a successful entrepreneur. I knew the faculty and staff would be able to help me develop and provide opportunities for me to exercise my skill set.” 

 

During his time at TU he has dedicated himself to helping other students outside the classroom. He is involved in various organizations with Towson University including: VIBE Dance Team, Venture Club, Entrepreneurship@TU, the Towson University StarTUp and more! As he reflects on these experiences he says “I’ve had the luxury of being a student aid in educating fellow classmates on entrepreneurship, as well as how to best pitch their business ideas.”

 

Being a senior in the College of Business and Economics, Boone has been able to experience a variety of different classes. When asked about which class was most valuable to him he says “the classes revolving around entrepreneurship, such as “Creativity & Innovation (ENTR110)” and “Social Entrepreneurship (ENTR380)” have expanded my mindset to what entrepreneurship is, what it can be, and how possible it is for so many individuals. What’s really stuck with me is pitching. Pitching is a life skill, not just a skill used to sell someone on your business. It’s about a story, the story of your business, and getting people invested in your venture.” 

 

In everything Boone does, he advocates for entrepreneurs. If he could give any piece of advice it would be to  “become an entrepreneur! Don’t be afraid to fail, don’t be afraid to get involved & network with others, and I strongly encourage others to be as creative as they imagine. Turn that idea into a thriving business, and don’t let anyone discourage you.” 

 

Boone is on track to graduate next month, in May of 2022. After his time at Towson he plans to exercise his expertise in entrepreneurship, branding, and marketing to help others with their businesses at TU StarTUp.  Additionally he plans on expanding his current businesses and creating new ones. Outside of TU,  Boone has  several different interests such as  music & performance art, social media content creation & marketing,  and graphic design. 

 

As we look to Boone’s future and celebrate his past, we are thankful for his contribution to CBE and look forward to all of the places he will be going in his career. 

Written by: Millie Klefsaas