Alvernia University

Alvernia University's student entrepreneur Tobi Somori '24 was a collegiate finalist in the 2024 TecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition with her startup technology company Emivero. Somori's technology startup, Evimero, aims to enhance retention and engagement for universities and students. Its time-management and student engagement features are designed to retain current students and recruit non-traditional students. "I learned grit, the importance of feedback, and how to pivot," said Somori. "All the hard work paid off. To me, it was very validating to know that we are past the idea stage, and the industry experts who served as judges for the competitions agreed with us." Somori worked with Jack Short, MBA Candidate, and O'Pake Institute Graduate Assistant of Startup Ventures and Investments. Short serves as Emivero's chief financial officer. In this role, he creates financial projections, cash flow statements, and profit and loss statements, manages budgeting, and oversees many day-to-day operations alongside Somori. "Being a finalist in the TecBRIDGE business plan competition has provided me a plethora of experiential learning," said Short. "I had a great opportunity to develop a financial model for our start-up company, present to a great group of judges, and showcase Evimero to the world which TecBRIDGE provided to us the opportunity to do." College student teams in the region, like the Emivero team, compete in the collegiate division. Competitors are responsible for deliverables in four areas: an executive summary, competitor analysis, proforma financials, and a pitch deck, which they presented on April 18. Industry expert judges evaluated these presentations ahead of the awards ceremony on May 2 at the F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts in Wilkes-Barre, PA. "Preparing to compete in the TecBRIDGE Business Plan Competition is a rigorous process, but Tobi and Jack embraced the challenge," said O'Pake Institute Executive Director of Student and Client Services, Michelle Conway, MBA. "They diligently developed a comprehensive business plan, pitch deck, financial projections, and competitive analysis. They also attended help sessions with tecBRIDGE's professional service provider network and invested countless hours perfecting Evimero's wireframe-all while balancing full-time studies and part-time jobs. Tobi and Jack truly embody the entrepreneurial spirit and the commitment of having 'skin in the game."

Alvernia University business students tested their professional sales skills against 40 other students at Susquehanna University's Quick Pitch Sales Challenge. Caden DeSiato, Gino Giacolona, and Isaac Kassis worked for three months preparing for the competition. One competition involved sharing a 90-second elevator pitch to seven different companies. The competition consisted of two rounds and was free to all college students. All students competed in round one with the opportunity to pitch to four companies. Giacolona placed in the top 10 and immediately moved to round 2. Round 2 pitched to the Final Pitch Sponsor, Dell Computers. "Placing in the top 10 was exciting. Having practiced with Dr. Brooker, Isaac Kassis, and Caden Desiato, it made the experience much more rewarding," said Giacolona, computer science student at Alvenia. "I learned the importance of professional communication, which is especially crucial in computer science, where much of the interaction is with screens rather than people." Cash prizes were awarded to the top three participants. Students gained valuable experience in presenting themselves with confidence, gained networking skills, and made professional connections. Alvernia MBA candidate Kassis, who has competed in two other sales competitions prior to this one shared that preparation was the key to the students' learning experience. Having competed at several competitions, he stepped into the mentor role for his classmates. "The experience I had over the last 3 sales competitions is very unique," said Kassis. "I love competing and it was very different for me when I had to put on a suit and tie and try to sell something or [sell] myself. I gained a better understanding of communicating with professionals and students in a professional setting, and also met and became friends with a lot of them too." Assistant Professor of Business, Jane Brooker, Ph.D., MBA., who facilitates and chaperones the competitions as well as helps with preparation in and outside of class, expressed her pride for this cohort of competitors. "One student was offered a full-time sales position... This is why I do what I do," said Brooker. "I'm successful when my students are successful and step into their dream career and grow." DeSiato, Giacolona, and Kassis will continue their experiential learning in the sales industry at Bloomsburg University's Keystone Sales Challenge, where they will be role-playing with local sales professionals.

Four Alvernia University students, Logan Minford, Anthony Florkowski, Tyler Johnson, and Ivan Zhevnov, achieved 6th place in the Finance Case Competition at the Future Business Leaders of America, Inc. (FBLA) National Leadership Conference. "It's been a joy to support Alvernia University's FBLA collegiate competitors this week," said Michelle Conway, Phi Beta Lambda Advisor and Executive Director of Student and Client Services at the O'Pake Institute. "Their hard work, teamwork, and dedication stood out as they competed against over 25 finalists and placed at the national level." The Finance Case Competition provides FBLA members with the opportunity to review a case study and present their findings to a panel of judges. The case study incorporates many aspects of finance such as financial management, financial institutions, financial services, investments, etc. "Participating in FBLA was such a fulfilling experience," said Tyler Johnson. " It was an absolute honor to be presented with the awards given. We felt extremely proud of our Finance Case Competition and the work we put into it. Personally, I gained a brand new perspective on what leadership is and how I can inspire others. Many of the problems and questions presented to me through my competitions had a direct correlation to what I have been learning in class. So it was great to see that what I am learning can be applicable to the real world." In addition to the 6th place group win, Johnson earned 10th place in the Future Business Executive Presentation. This competitive event is where outstanding FBLA members who have demonstrated leadership qualities, participation in FBLA, and evidence of knowledge and skills essential for successful careers in business are recognized. It consists of pre-judged materials, objective test and presentation (interview) components. "My Future Business Executive Presentation was very challenging, but rewarding as well. There were many amazing candidates, so to be placed amongst the top ten of them was very gratifying," said Johnson.

Alvernia business students tested their professional sales skills by participating in one of the top sales competitions in the country, the National Shore Sales Competition (NSSC) at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD. Student competitors from universities across the country compete in a role-play and speed-selling competition across this two-day event. sponsored by Perdue Chicken. "My experience with the Perdue Chicken was amazing," said senior Dan Schweitzer. "From meeting all the great people to the amazing challenge of competing; It was an experience of a lifetime." Preparation was integral to this experiential learning opportunity. The students worked for three months preparing for the Introduction to Sales class taught by Assistant Professor of Business Jane Brooker, Ph.D., MBA. Caden DeSiato and Dan Schweitzer participated in the role-play competition. Isaac Kassis, Nick King, Ramcy QuiQui, and Brandon Flores competed in the Speed sell competition, sharing a 90-second elevator pitch to six companies. One senior even secured a solid job offer. "I am extremely proud of my six Alvernia sales students, committed to excellence and dedication," said Brooker. "After the initial disappointment of not moving on to the second round, Caden DeSiato and Dan Schweitzer still regrouped and placed third in the wild-card round. The entire experience was invaluable and experiential learning at its finest."

Undergraduate students enrolled in the Financial Decision-Making course led by Professor of Business Scott Ballantyne, Ph. D., competed in the Bloomberg Global Trading Challenge, an international business competition with over 10,000 students competing. Groups had strong placements, with one team placing in the top 5%, another in the top 20%, and a third in the top 25%. By participating in this experiential learning competition, students were able to apply the knowledge and skills they learned in class and various Bloomberg certifications. "The fact that students get to use the premier financial information system in the world, and have the opportunity to test their skills against other students across the globe provides a hands-on experience that can't be matched simply by completing assignments from a textbook," said Ballantyne. "This competition makes a difference in concept understanding of the financial markets."

Alvernia University College of Business, Communication, and Leadership students, Isaac Kassis and Matt Lackman, along with faculty coach, Dr. Jane Brooker, participated in sales skill-driven role play and speed-selling elevator pitch competitions in the 2023 National Shore Sales Challenge (NSSC) at Salisbury University in Salisbury, MD from March 30- April 1. "It was a great opportunity to be the first to represent Alvernia at a sales competition to open doors for future Alvernia students," said Isaac Kassis, junior management major. "I was also blessed with the opportunity to meet new people and build connections with students from all over the country which can possibly lead to something bigger in the future." Alvernia was one of 40 universities to participate in the competition. Through experiential learning opportunities like role play and elevator pitch competitions, Alvernia students are able to discover their passions and turn them into lifetimes of career success and personal fulfillment and make a positive difference in the world and the lives of others. "We got to meet so many great people from many different places," said Matt Lackman, junior marketing major. 'I am super grateful for being able to use these opportunities to better myself. I would say if you are offered a chance to do these competitions, you should take them seriously and make the most out of them." Alvernia's approach to real-world learning combines hands-on educational opportunities through internships, field experiences, co-ops, clinical assignments, research projects, community service and study/service abroad programs, roles in student organizations and other creative and relevant campus experiences to prepare them to enter their desired industry upon graduation. "The 2023 NSSC competition held at Salisbury University was an invaluable experience that truly is experiential learning at its highest for our students," said Alvernia University Assistant Professor of Business, Dr. Jane Brooker. "They role-played with real sales executives and gave elevator pitches to over five career executives who were ready to hire interns and full-time employees."

Alvernia University's Mock Trial team debuted at the 17th annual Justice Louis D. Brandeis Mock Trial Invitational at Brandeis University in Waltham, Ma. Students from various majors put their knowledge to practice and prepped with local Berks County attorneys through this experiential learning opportunity. "This competition was an incredible experience. We brought a competitive team to our first competition and made many unforgettable memories while we were there," said Mock Trial Team Captain & History Major, Julia Davis. "The teamwork and dedication from everyone involved greatly contributed to our experience and we are excited to tackle the next competition. Mock Trial has allowed me to sharpen my skills in public speaking, debate, and most importantly, confidence. Overcoming challenging situations is the cornerstone of Mock Trial, and makes for an extremely rewarding experience." Students on the team have the opportunity to take on the roles of lawyers and witnesses while networking with other industry professionals and students and have a chance to win individual and team awards. Practicing lawyers and judges then critique the trial and award points for the performance of both lawyers and witnesses. Law schools also tend to recruit from undergraduate mock trial teams and award scholarships if students are interested. "Mock trial gave me a platform to speak, when all the other stages wouldn't. It welcomed me with open arms and allowed me to soar free within my passion for acting. It was the slipper that fit just right. A cracked window that I pushed open allowing light to come in," said Political Science & Theatre Dual Major, Grace Maketa. "The moment the idea of having a Mock trial team came to mind after having a mini-trial in my constitutional law class, I was on a mission to make it a reality. Professor Nicoletti helped bring that dream to life." The Alvernia Political Science Club sponsored the Mock Trial Team in the spring of 2022 and the team officially began competing in American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) tournaments in the fall of 2022. "This academic year, our team will travel to other universities to compete in invitational tournaments, eventually competing in the American Mock Trial Association (AMTA) Regional Playoff," said Associate Professor of Political Science, Dr. Nicholas Nicoletti. "Mock Trial is also a fantastic networking opportunity, and Alvernia students will also have the chance to win individual and team awards." Alvernia University is a Catholic comprehensive university with a liberal arts foundation founded by the Bernardine Franciscan Sisters in 1958. The university serves over 3,000 students in Reading, Pottsville and Philadelphia with a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts education, strong technical training in many high demand majors, ever-expanding experiential learning opportunities through study abroad and internship experiences and community engagement through its Franciscan-based community service model.

Students competed in the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL) 2022 Collegiate Conference and were nationally qualified in their categories. Alvernia's PBL chapter helps business students build documented accomplishments that complement their academic experiences. Phi Beta Lambda provides opportunities for students to develop leadership, communication, and team skills.

Alvernia University had a successful weekend at the FBLA Collegiate State Leadership Conference in Harrisburg, Pa. with three student competitors and two awardees: Tegan Pentek, Finance Case Competition 2nd Place Logan Minford, Entrepreneurship Concepts, 3rd Place Anthony Florkowski, Competitor in Project Management and Retail Management "The 2023 FBLA-Collegiate State Leadership Conference was an amazing experience and incredibly successful," said Alvernia senior, Tegan Pentek. "As a graduating senior, I have greatly appreciated my FBLA experience throughout college. Apart from the benefits in leadership, public speaking, and communication skills, FBLA has been an incredible and unique opportunity to bond with friends, meet new people, and expand my network. I will take these experiences, new friendships, and lifelong skills with me throughout my career." Students gain experiential learning opportunities in FBLA competitions through Alvernia's Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) student chapter. The purpose of the PBL student chapter is to help business students build documented accomplishments that complement their academic experiences. "Alvernia University's FBLA Collegiate members have the opportunity to develop 21st-century business skills, create valuable professional relationships and compete at both the state and national level throughout the year," said Michelle Conway, PBLchapter advisor. "The most recent State Leadership Conference provided our members with the opportunity to flex their technical skills, network and actively participate in personal and professional development workshops. These unique experiential learning opportunities prepare students for great success." Students can even become involved at a higher level such as Pentek who serves as the state secretary for PA-FBLA and as the president of the PBL student chapter. Involvement with PA-FBLA and PBL promotes competent, aggressive business leadership, understanding of American business enterprise, the establishment of career goals, scholarship, sound financial management, and the development of both character and self-confidence to facilitate the transition from school to work.

Students in two courses taught by Dr. Jodi Radosh entered The Gift of Life Donor Program's College Challenge. These students were awarded first place of 18 other colleges and earned a $1,000 prize. The competition encourages participants to use media platforms to promote registering as organ, tissue, and cornea donors. Through their work, Alvernia students inspired over 400 people to register as new donors.

Alvernia students receive awards in the Pennsylvania Phi Beta Lambda (PBL) State Leadership Conference. Winners from the PBL State Leadership Conferences convene annually at the National Leadership Conference to compete in leadership events, share their successes and learn new ideas about shaping their career future through workshops and exhibits.

International English honor society Sigma Tau Delta recognized Alvernia students for their work on Zephyrus, the university's literary arts journal, in the Outstanding Literary Arts Journal contest for the third consecutive year. The 2018 and 2019 editions of the publication both received second place. Zephyrus is a student-run publication composed of unique art, poetry, short stories, photographs, and videos from across the Alvernia student body. The Zephyrus board encouraged their peers to submit original creative works that express the theme of "Home," and worked tirelessly through the difficult circumstances of the pandemic to produce the award-winning edition.

Alvernia business entrepreneur students won first place in the 2017 Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce New Business Idea Competition.

Alvernia University has announced its top three winners in the 2017 Alvernia's Got Talent competition. First and second place finishers will move on to compete in the regional BerkS' Got Talent competition on April 11.

Alvernia students Ross Wessner and Amruta Patel-Gujarat, and University Life staff member Tracy Hine, beat more than 50 contestants to win the Spring 2016 Global Photo Contest at Alvernia University.

Alvernia University has announced its top three winners in the 2015 Alvernia's Got Talent competition. First and second place finishers will move on to compete in the regional BerkS' Got Talent competition on March 31.