Soar-In-4 Scholars
The College of Business is proud to introduce our Soar-in-4 Scholars!
2025 Scholars
Elizabeth Costa
Major: Finance
About Me:I am excited to join this program because it will help me stay on track to graduate in a timely and efficient manner. While I am still exploring my specific career goals within finance, I am looking forward to learning more about the opportunities in the field. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my puppy, staying active, and socializing with friends.
Puja Chitturi
Major: Finance
About Me: I was born in India and raised in the United States. I am currently pursuing a major in Finance and am particularly passionate about entrepreneurship, sales, mergers and acquisitions, and investment banking. My long-term goal is to work in investment banking, transition into private equity, and eventually build and run my own business.
Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, exploring psychology, working out, and spending quality time with friends and family. I am excited to be part of the Soar-in-4 Scholars Program and look forward to leveraging its resources, mentorship, and opportunities to grow both professionally and personally.
Nina Danyluk
Major: Management
About Me: I am originally from New Jersey and I am super excited for the many opportunities here at FAU. I plan to study abroad, apply for internships, and make full use of the resources the university offers to support my academic growth. After graduation, my goal is to either start my own business or work my way up in a company. I also have a strong interest in real estate and plan to explore opportunities in that field as well. I enjoy challenging myself, staying active, and continuously striving for success. In my free time, I like walking, going to the beach, getting coffee or matcha, and traveling to new places. I am looking forward to everything this program has to offer and the experiences ahead.
Ella Gerkman
Major: Finance
About Me: I'm from Jupiter, Florida. I'm interested in wealth management and enjoy learning about investing, financial planning, and helping individuals build long-term financial security. In my free time, I enjoy staying active and continuing to expand myknowledge of finance and markets. I hope to pursue a career helping clients grow and manage their wealth.
Roni Rozenberg
Major: Marketing
About Me: I am from Ellicott City, Maryland. In addition to my major, I plan to minor in economics and attend law school after completing my bachelor’s degree. I am extremely honored to be a part of Soar-in-4 and am excited to see where my education will take me!
Shayna Valinksy
Major: Marketing and Economics
About Me: I have always had a strong passion for fashion and I hope to work in the industry as soon as I can. My interests include reading, being outdoors, listening to music, and seeing as much of the world as I can. My goal for these next four years is to gain as much experience and knowledge as I can which is why the Soar-in-Four program is a perfect fit.
2024 Scholars
Deniya R. Capers
Major: Accounting
About Me: As a first-generation college student, I am honored to be part of the Soar-in-4 Scholars Program. After earning my degree, I aspire to establish my own accounting firm that will offer affordable services to clients from all socioeconomic backgrounds while providing essential financial advising. My vision extends beyond my undergraduate studies, as I intend to earn my master's degree in the near future to enhance my expertise in the field, allowing me to better serve others and deepen my understanding of accounting principles. When not focused on academics, I find fulfillment in serving others through community volunteer work, which aligns with my professional goal of making financial services more accessible. My personal interests include cheerleading, which has taught me discipline and teamwork, and fashion, which allows me to express my creativity outside the structured world of accounting. Through this academic journey and community involvement, I aim to create pathways to financial literacy and security for communities that have traditionally lacked access to such resources.
Sara Gallo
Major: Marketing
About Me: I am originally from Tampa. I plan to utilize FAU's resources to study abroad, apply for internships and begin work after my graduation. I am passionate about working in a corporate environment and exploring paths marketing has to offer.
Maia Garcia
Major: Management
About Me: I'm from Orlando, Florida. My goal is to get my CPA credential and potentially get an MBA degree. I hope I can one day live in a big city and make an impact in the business field. My hobbies include reading, going to the gym, and running an online business.
Isleny Mendez
Major: Marketing
About Me: My family is Dominican, but I was born and raised in Upstate, New York. I came to FAU because I wanted to see what living in South Florida had to offer. I am grateful to have this opportunity with Soar in 4 to see where my education can take me. I have always had a love for sports and traveling. I plan to use my degree in Marketing to pursue a career in the sports industry.
Gabriella Romig
Major: Marketing
About Me: My career aspirations include becoming a successful business owner and pursuing a role within the marketing industry. I have a deep interest in real estate, particularly in having multiple properties. Additionally, having spent several years in the food industry, I am passionate about it and feel I could thrive in that business. I prosper in project-driven environments and love outlets to be creative.
Noris Salomon
Major: Marketing
About Me: I'm originally from Brooklyn, New York. In addition to my major, I also plan to minor in international business. My interests include fashion, yoga, traveling, and modeling. My career aspiration is to be a marketing director or creative director for an organization or company, whether that's related to fashion or social media. Due to my passion for traveling and fashion, I would love to incorporate the two in my future career and use my creativity to leave a lasting positive impact.
Emma Sherrod
Major: Marketing
About Me: I am from Newport, Rhode Island. Although I am 1400 miles from home, I chose Florida Atlantic University for the opportunities that South Florida has to offer. In addition to my major, I plan to also complete a minor in Real Estate. I am a member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority. Greek life has enhanced my college experience and taught me how to balance schoolwork, social life, and service-learning initiatives. I am looking forward to utilizing all the Soar-in-4 Scholars Program has to offer including internship guidance and priority course registration.
Jocelyn Simmons
Major: Management - Leadership
About Me: I am currently training to be an Officer in the United States Army through FAU’s ROTC program. I am also affiliated with Dream All Stars.I enjoy going to the beach, boating, traveling, listening to country music, and skydiving! Some of my goals include creating and owning a wedding venue, going to Airborne School, and learning how to buy and sell real estate. I am currently working on getting my real estate license.
Brooke Waters
Major: Hospitality and Tourism Management
About Me: I'm from Maryland and pursuing a Business degree in Hospitality. I’m excited to start my career in the resort industry and look forward to traveling around the world. Major goals for me are to continue to excel in my studies and continue to volunteer for the Center for Infant and Child Loss. I have a part time job as an event manager for Campus Rec. In my free time, I love hitting the gym, journaling, and being with friends and family.
Jordan Weisman
Major: Accounting
About Me: Some of my career goals include passing the Certified Public Accounting (CPA) exam and founding my own accounting firm. While not working on my degree, I enjoy running, lifting, playing lacrosse, and playing basketball.
Ryan Virr
Major: Accounting
About Me: I plan to pursue a five-year Master of Accounting degree at the FAU College of Business and will focus on Forensic Accounting. My career aspirations remain fluid, but I plan to consider both public and private sector roles after graduation. I am a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and outside of class, I enjoy baking, lacrosse, volunteering, and spending time at the beach.
2023 Scholars
Glory Cadet
Major: Health Administration
About Me: I’m from West Palm Beach, FL. After graduating with my bachelor's degree, I plan to either get a job in the health or pursue a master's in health administration. In my free time, I enjoy watching Korean dramas.
Mallory DeBlauw
Major: Accounting and Finance double major
About Me: My career aspiration is to work on Wall Street. After graduation with my bachelor's degree, I plan to continue in a master's program and become a CPA (certified public accountant). I have a strong passion for both learning and working with numbers. I am excited to be a part of this program as it will enhance my knowledge and help me achieve my professional goals.
James Denofa
Major: Accounting
About Me: I came to Florida Atlantic University from Pennsylvania and am completing my undergraduate degree in accounting, ultimately pursuing my master's degree. I hold an Office Manager position within the College of Business, more specifically for the Department of Finance and Business Communications, while also having the pleasure of being an Officer for Finance Student's Association. Upon graduation, I am eager to apply my extensive knowledge of the Business career in the workplace.
Luciano DiValerio
Major: Finance
About Me: I am originally from southern New Jersey. In addition to my finance major, I am very interested in economics and learning more about how businesses operate. Some things I enjoy doing outside of my education include hanging out with friends on campus, exercising, and playing sports. My goals are to graduate with a 4.0 GPA, find a good internship position, and create a successful business. As for my career aspirations, I have not yet decided on anything specific, but I can say it will definitely be in the field of business.
Chloe Laplanche
Major: International Business and Finance double major
About Me: I was born and raised in Haiti and moved to FAU in Fall 2023. I have always been interested in entrepreneurship and global trade. Besides being interested in the business world, I also love playing and watching sports like tennis, soccer, dance, track and several others. In the future, I hope to work in different companies around the world as a business and foreign exchange advisor. Later, I intend on going back to Haiti to maintain my parents' businesses and hopefully open some of my own.
Stefan Melnick
Major: Finance
About Me: I am passionate about the stock market and wealth management. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in finance with the goal of becoming a CEO. I also aspire to be an inspiring leader in the army, gaining valuable experience through multiple deployments and graduating from prestigious combat schools. Eventually, I wish to start and grow my own business, achieving high levels of success in both finance and entrepreneurship. In my spare time, I enjoy working out in the gym and riding my motorcycle. I also have a deep passion for traveling to foreign countries and exploring new cultures.
Nicholas Mesa
Major: Finance
Taylor Smith
Major: Finance
About Me: I am originally from Jacksonville, Florida and have come to FAU for the opportunities South Florida has to offer. I am majoring in finance, and I am interested in economics as a possible minor. I am passionate about traveling, and my aspiration is to become part of a financial corporation that works internationally.
Annika Zarazua
Major: Management (Leadership Concentration) and Marketing double-major
About Me: I came to FAU from Germany in 2023 orgiinally planning to major in Management but decided to take advantage of the opportunity to complete a second major in Marketing. Coming from a multicultural German/Mexican family, I am very interested in getting to know different cultures and enjoy being in the US. I am planning on pursuing a master’s degree in marketing once I finish my bachelor's degree. I joined the SOAR-IN-4 program as a freshman.
2022 Scholars
Ibrahim Adawiya
Major: Accounting
About Me: I am originally from Qatar and moved to Florida for my freshmen year at FAU. I am majoring in Accounting with hopes of continuing on to my master's and becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
Alex Argyros
Major: Finance.
About Me: I am originally from Long Island, New York, however I moved to Boca Raton in 2022 to begin college and to be closer to my immediate family. I am pursuing a degree in Finance with hopes of becoming an actuary or financial analyst in the future.
Zeanna Azari
Major: Management - Leadership
About Me: I plan to one day become a business consultant. I am originally from California but moved to Florida three years ago with my family. I have always had an interest in business as I grew up watching my parents have their own. I'm excited to continue my education at FAU and look forward to learning more about the business industry.
Achilles Barakos
Major: Finance
About Me: I am originally from Fort Lee, New Jersey. I chose Finance as my field of study because I am a strong student interested in economics, business, and money, and I am extremely determined. So far, I have loved my time here at FAU and am looking forward to graduating and pursuing my career goals in the business world.
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Abigail Casagrande
Major: Marketing
About Me: I'm from Rhode Island. I joined SOAR in 4 last year as a freshman, and I am so grateful for all of the amazing opportunities this program has provided me. I have a huge passion for travel so I am hoping to focus on Digital Marketing and pursue a career working with the Hospitality and Tourism Industry. That way I can utilize my Marketing degree in a career field that will allow me to work remotely and travel.
Ben Durdack
Major: Finance
About Me: I came to FAU from New Jersey in 2022 to pursue a major in Finance and have since discovered the possibility to dual major in Management Information Systems with a concentration in Business Analytics. Out of college, I plan to analyze data for financial institutions. Once in the job market, I am excited to display my invaluable skills while gaining new experience.
Ashley Rodriguez-Vallejo
Major: Management Information Systems.
About Me: My family is Colombian but I was born and raised in Springfield, Virginia. I came to FAU because it has always been my dream to move to Florida. I joined SOAR in 4 as a freshman in 2023 and am so grateful for this opportunity that highlights my academic success. I am hoping to graduate early, get my masters, and become a program manager in the tech industry.
Henrique Schalldach
Major: Management - Entrepreneurship
About Me: Originally I am from São Paulo, Brazil, and I came to FAU to burst out of my bubble and live entire new experiences! I joined SOAR in 4 as a freshman in 2022 and couldn’t be happier with the program. In addition to studying entrepreneurship, I am currently the FAU Club Golf President. My dream is to create a successful company directed to the sports industry.
Andreas Uudmae
Major: Finance.
About Me: I'm from Estonia, which is a really small country in Europe. I hope to become successful in my career and make a positive impact on my community, but maybe even society as a whole. I look forward to meeting as many like-minded people at FAU as possible. GO OWLS!
Giana Vilme
Majors: Finance; Management Information Systems (Business Analytics Concentration)
About Me: I have always been drawn to the monetary aspect of our economy, so it only makes sense that I pursue this degree with a double major. Throughout my time here, I wish to learn more about the different types of investment strategies.
Jesse Zipes
Major: Business
Minor: Real Estate and Business Law
About Me: I was born and raised in South Florida. I became a member of the SOAR-in-4 program as a freshman and am glad to be a part of it during my time here at FAU.
