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By student writer Faith Lam

Maya Parady’s journey as a marketing major at ������ has been defined by a level of learning that goes beyond the classroom. In the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics, she has gained not only industry-relevant knowledge but also hands-on experience that sets her apart. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning opportunities and the department’s signature capstone course, Parady has developed the critical thinking, creativity and real-world problem-solving skills essential for success in the field. As she prepares to graduate this May, she leaves ������ with a well-rounded education that has laid a strong foundation for her future in marketing.

A welcoming community

Parady’s first impression of the University as an eighth grader on a family vacation transitioned into a life-changing opportunity. Finding ������ was exactly what she needed but the opposite of what she was looking for. A Connecticut native, Parady had her heart set on a big school, but one visit to the University changed that. As a high school senior, she realized she didn’t want to be another number, and when visiting ������ she could picture her life in Newport. She found a community of professors and friends she could count on to support her in her academic journey.

Like many first-year students, Parady took time to find her place – navigating the challenges of adjusting to college life. As she met people from different backgrounds and experiences, she discovered a strong sense of community within the business department – where she formed meaningful relationships that brought excitement and fulfillment to her college experience.

“It doesn’t matter the place that I am in, it matters the people I am with,” she said.

The most impactful relationship Parady found at ������ was with her professors. A standout is Sam Sacco, senior lecturer in the business department and someone she considers a personal mentor and guide. Sacco has supported Parady in various ways, from refining her resume to encouraging her to take a step back and pace herself.

“I like to joke that I have a campus mom, campus dad and campus grandpa, and my campus dad is absolutely Sacco – he is always the one I talk to when I need advice,” Parady said.

Experiential learning at its best

Encouraged to join by Sacco despite having no background in finance, she quickly discovered the power of experiential learning in ������’s Investment Club. The club offers a hands-on approach to learning about finance, and for Parady, who is now the club’s co-president, it has been a full-circle experience.

Each year, the club competes at the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium in Chicago, where universities from around the country tackle high-level finance challenges. This past October, after weeks of late-night prep sessions and teamwork, ������’s team placed third – an achievement made possible by dedicated students from diverse backgrounds, including business majors and student-athletes.

“The curriculum of classes at ������ really build your confidence,” Parady said. “By the time you have an opportunity to lead and work collaboratively, you feel prepared, you feel good and you feel respected.”

A pivotal and required course for all majors in the department is the Strategic Business Planning Capstone, commonly known as BP, where seniors develop a business, conduct comprehensive research and present their findings to local professionals. Parady’s group – a mix of marketing, accounting and business administration majors – created a 75-page appendix on their “Killer Cooler,” a versatile beach cooler with convenient features and entertainment enhancements, which they created over long hours at friends’ houses while gaining experience in teamwork.

Throughout the capstone, Parady’s team learned the power of delegating work in effective ways, and the importance of a team with a variety of skills.

Each year, as groups complete their final presentations, they gather on the oceanside lawn of the O’Hare Academic Building to cheer, pop champagne and celebrate their hard work. For Parady, she felt grateful – not that it was over, but for the experience she gained through the course and her time in the department.

“We work so deeply within the Newport community and have so many opportunities to network with local professionals,” Parady said. “I don’t have stress about finding a job post-grad. I have faith in the relationships that I’ve built and the connections I have made in my time in the department, and I think ������ is such a hidden gem for that.”

Merciful reflection

Looking back at her experience, Parady acknowledges how ������’s mercy mission shaped her education and will continue to shape her future in the marketing field. “Compassion” is the word she uses for her own path with mercy. She’s found this in the professors, the students and the many resources provided at the University.

“The field of marketing can sometimes be seen as cutthroat or cold-hearted, or hard to connect back to our mission, but there’s so much leading with empathy that happens here, and there’s so much immersion within a community that it makes you care,” Parady said. “Our values are ingrained in what we do here at ������, and it sticks with you.”