The College of Business celebrated their Spring 2026 outstanding students.
April 10, 2026
The College of Business hosted the Spring 2026 Outstanding Student Awards, an event held every semester to recognize students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and dedication within their programs.
Students are nominated by faculty and department leaders for their outstanding contributions and impact in the classroom, across campus, and in their communities. Each recipient represents a commitment to excellence that extends beyond academics and reflects the values of the College of Business.
During the celebration, faculty members presented the awards to their nominated students and shared remarks highlighting each student’s accomplishments and contributions to the College of Business community.
Meet our Spring 2026 Outstanding Students:
“It is crazy to think of how far I have come from the first semester here at MSU Denver. I remember not knowing if Accounting was the right choice I wanted to take, but if I were to tell myself that it would all work out, I wouldn’t have believed it. Graduating feels like one chapter is being closed, but a new one is just beginning, and I am so glad for the experience MSU has given me for the future endeavorers I tackle.
After I graduate, I plan on doing my Masters here at MSU Denver (MPACC Program), and complete my summer internship with Grant Thornton. Once I complete my Masters, I have a job opportunity lined up with Grant Thornton to become a year 2 associate.” – Christian Pool
“My time at MSU Denver has been incredibly formative, both academically and personally. One of the most meaningful parts of my experience has been having the opportunity to speak about freedom, the beauty of this country, and the importance of knowing Jesus. Being surrounded by diverse perspectives challenged me to grow in confidence, conviction, and leadership. I’m deeply grateful for the relationships I’ve built and the mentors who have poured into me along the way.
After graduation, I plan to continue growing my business while expanding into deeper holistic wellness. Bringing together skincare, health, and education to serve others on a deeper level. I will also be starting a new role with a company centered on America first values. I will remain actively involved in civic engagement by helping build strong value-driven communities, encouraging a deeper appreciation for this country, and supporting students in learning about fiscal responsibility. I’m especially passionate about planning events and creating spaces where people can learn, connect, and grow. I look forward to continuing that work beyond college!”
“I came to MSU in 2023 as a transfer student with an Associate of Science from Red Rocks after I was laid off. I was excited to learn more about analytics and databases (topics I dabbled in with my prior employment) and was dreading having to take all the business core classes. I had no idea economics would feel like the missing piece of the puzzle about understanding how our world operates, or that accounting and finance would help me understand reports I had helped prepare for my former employer. Not to mention all the CIS classes that helped me understand how complex technology is and how little most business users are aware of. I’m very grateful to have had this experience and I wish I hadn’t waited so long to get back to school.
After graduation, I hope to find a job, but I haven’t started that process yet. I need to get it in gear, but the tales I hear about the job market aren’t very motivating.” – Cara D. Mezydlo
“MSU Denver has been a great place to make new connections and I’m very grateful to the people I’ve met. Whether that be bowling with group members to celebrate the end of a semester or reaching out to professors for a better understanding of real world applications of the topics we have learned about.
After graduation I am planning to reach out to the some of connections I have made and go into the work force right away.”
“My time at MSU Denver has been a profound journey of independence and intellectual expansion that has helped me grow both academically and professionally. Over the last four years, I’ve dedicated immense energy into navigating the balance of college and work, and I can’t describe how happy I am I chose this university. All the experiences I was able to take advantage of were time well spent, and interacting with fellow students and those associated with the university has left me feeling grateful. While I’m thankful for all my economics professors, I’d really like to give a shout-out to Dr. Kulkarni and Dr. Furton. Thank you for opening up the world of Macroeconomic theory to me and truly hurting my brain in ways I never thought possible. Graduating with honors feels like a surprising gift that rewards my years of hard work and late nights spent studying. Thank you, truly.
I currently hold a position at Centennial Airport where I hope to further apply the skills I’ve honed at MSU Denver in a professional setting. My goal is to continue building a career that bridges economic analysis with the operational realities of the aviation industry.”
“It’s hard for me narrow things down to a favorite, too many to shout-out, but it does feel extra special to be graduating. Though a longer chapter than planned, I am proof it that it’s never too late to unlock your potential. We are the sum of our experiences, not our GPA. I am beyond grateful for the opportunities and opened doors this journey has given me.
After graduation, I plan to continue my work with Camp ACA and help them step into next stages of their mission. It won’t give me a yacht in the south of France, but I’ve already made a mark on the world, let’s see what’s possible with more ‘free time’.”
“I have enjoyed my time working at MSU Denver as an SI Leader and attending the College of Business. MSU is full of warm, welcoming, and friendly students and faculty. This community has always uplifted my spirit and inspired me to be the best version of myself.
After graduation I am looking to break into the professional realm and focus on career development.”
“My time at MSU has been truly life-changing! I was given the opportunity to found a new student chapter, the MSU CMAA (Club Management Association of America) Student Chapter, which was an incredibly rewarding experience. Through this, I found a strong sense of community among my fellow members and was able to significantly develop my professional network. It has also been amazing to grow alongside my fellow Human Resource Management majors. It’s a true gift to find a network of students who share the same passions and aspirations as you.
I am fortunate to have spent the last 3 years working as an HR Generalist at a country club in Denver. During my final semester at MSU, I have been studying for my PHR certification, which I plan to take shortly after graduation. After earning my certification, I plan to spend the remainder of 2027 with my current employer, continuing to build my experience before beginning the search for my first HR Management role.”
Graduating this year marks the completion of a journey I started back in 2003, and I am eternally grateful to everyone that has helped me along the way. I’d especially like to thank my wife, Mandy Heath, for pushing, pulling, and supporting me and my goal. From the university, I’d like to thank Dr. Apryl Brodersen and Dr. Christopher Stewart for helping me figure out college at 40.
After graduation, my current plan is to continue working for my current employer as a Senior Project Manager and Subject Matter Expert for numerous systems and internal processes.”
“MSU Denver gave me so many opportunities to expand the breadth of my experience and knowledge. Through student employment opportunities with academic affairs, undergraduate studies, and university advancement, I learned so much about how to communicate in an impactful and strategic way that helps make a difference. I’m grateful to the college of business for challenging me to be the highest performing professional I can be with amazing professors like Laurel Lane and classes like AI in marketing. I’m very excited to graduate in May!
After graduation I will be continuing my work in marketing with University Advancement and I will be returning to my internship at Astroscale U.S. as a marketing and communications specialist contractor.” – Madison Larsen
Selected as the Outstanding Student for Operations Management, James Donahue has demonstrated a strong commitment to efficiency, problem-solving, and process improvement. Throughout his time in the program, he has shown the ability to think critically about complex systems and apply practical solutions that drive results. His dedication to operational excellence and continuous improvement reflects the core strengths of the Operations Management discipline and sets him up for success in a fast-paced, results-driven field.
“I want to extend a huge thank you to Dr. Mick Jackowski and April Schofield for being the most impactful professors that I have had, and pushing me to start new conversations and try new things that would benefit me and my future.
After graduation, I have a job lined up as an SDR with Datadog and I am going on 2 very exciting vacations!” – Kylie Dappen
“The MBA program at MSU Denver has been genuinely transformative, not just professionally, but personally. A few people made an outsized difference and deserve to be named. Professor Paul Anderson challenged me to think more rigorously and more humanely at the same time. The capstone experience in particular stands out: working on the Rowdy’s Corner project, and the positive media attention it garnered, would not have been possible without his guidance. Whitney Pavlovich brought a rare combination of intellectual depth and authentic human centricity to the HR concentration. She is one of the finest educators I have encountered anywhere. And congratulations are in order for Rey Hernandez-Julian, recently appointed as Associate Dean of the College of Business. A well-earned role for someone who clearly cares deeply about this institution. Graduating feels like a beginning, not an ending.
The plan is to build something that matters. Light Alchemy Ventures is taking shape as a company founded on people, planet, and then profit, held in harmony, with a B-Corp orientation at its core. A consulting arm is in development alongside Light Alchemy Labs, which has a flagship product currently patent pending. The vision is AI-enabled, human-centric change: the kind of work that treats technology as a tool for flourishing rather than a replacement for it. The momentum is real and building. MSU Denver and the MBA program were a key catalyst in getting here, and this is only the beginning.”
“My experience at MSU Denver has been one of the most meaningful journeys of my life. I came here to pursue my dreams, and along the way, I gained not only academic knowledge but also valuable personal and professional growth. This experience has prepared me to make a positive impact in both my career and future academic pursuits. I am truly grateful to the entire MSU Denver community, including faculty, staff, and management, for their support and guidance throughout my journey. I would like to thank the ISS team and the Accounting Department for their continuous encouragement and assistance. I am also deeply thankful to my academic advisor Lauren Shaffer, ISS staff members Ash Lance and Secil Abay, and my supervisor Stephen Barela from the School of Hospitality for their guidance and support.
After graduation, I will pursue my OPT and then return to my home country, Mongolia, where I plan to apply my knowledge in the financial education sector and contribute to developing government financial support for the higher education sector.”
“One of my favorite experiences at MSU Denver was being part of the mock trial team, where I gained confidence and learned how to think on my feet. I’m especially grateful for the support of my parents, who have always encouraged me, and for Dr. Furton, who sparked my interest in economics. I’m also thankful for the professors and peers who made such a positive impact on my journey.
After graduation, I plan to work as an Accounting Specialist during my gap year, and then attend law school, ideally in New York, with the goal of becoming a financial attorney.”
The College of Business proudly celebrates this semester’s Outstanding Student Award recipients. Their dedication, resilience, and drive to excel continue to raise the bar across our community. Each student recognized represents the very best of the College of Business, demonstrating a commitment to growth, leadership, and meaningful impact. We look forward to seeing how they carry this momentum forward and shape the future of business in their careers and communities. Moments like these are a powerful reminder of the talent, ambition, and determination that define our students each semester.
Support comes from MSU Denver’s College of Business, offering flexible programs with real‑world projects and support. Committed to empowering graduates to lead, solve, and inspire.
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