Each year, the IUPUI Office of Alumni Relations honors 100 outstanding undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in three categories—academic excellence, campus leadership and community engagement.
This year, eleven Kelley School of Business Indianapolis undergraduate students were named in the list: Aissa Condori, Greg Fulayter, Jaideep Kakar, Parker Keolasy, Nerea Lancho Poza, Kayla Lemmon, Luke Lonneman, Carter Piper, Ayesha Saeed, Kiera Sloan and Casey Suarez. Each student is invited to the recognition dinner on April 12.
We spoke with each of our Top 100 recipients about their student experience at Kelley Indianapolis. Scroll to learn about each Kelley and about their time at Kelley Indianapolis.
Aissa Condori, BS’24
Major: Finance and Marketing.
Activities: Director of Communication, Women in Business Club; Assistant Vice President, Kelley Indianapolis Marketing Organization; Director of Marketing, Entrepreneurship Club; Math Assistance Center Mentor; Kelley Peer Learning Coach; 13 Juliet Fire Control Specialist, Army National Guard,
What has been your favorite experience at Kelley?
My favorite memory was the “Can We Talk Event” hosted by Derrick Williams on November 8 of last year. Events like these not only foster open dialogue between students and professionals but also play a crucial role in promoting DEI within IUPUI.
What is your advice to a student considering joining Kelley Indianapolis?
Get out of your shell and explore the opportunities that Kelley offers earlier than I originally did. Talk to professors, peers, and faculty members. Get involved in different organizations to build your resume and gain experience. Keep your coursework organized and your time management sharp. Utilize time outside of class to grow your people skills and technical skills. Build your personal brand through your LinkedIn profile and online presence.
Greg Fulayter, BS’24
Major: Human Resource Management/ Business Management; Kelley Honors student.
Activities: H200 Lead Mentor, Honors College Student Council Secretary, Cox Scholar; Undergraduate Education Student Advisory Board member; Director of Membership Kelley Indy SHRM.
What is your advice to a student considering joining Kelley Indianapolis?
Enjoy the journey. Don’t worry about what other people are doing. We’re all going at our own pace.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why? I would say Professor Elizabeth Malatestinic had the biggest impact. She pushed me to become better and better. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her encouragement.
Jaideep Kakar, BS’24
Major: Finance, Quantitative Economics and International Studies; Kelley Honors student; 2024 Chancellor’s Honors Scholar Award recipient.
Activities: President of Undergraduate Student Government; International Peer Mentor.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
The professor that has impacted me the most while at Kelley would be Professor Russel Rhoads. I got to learn a lot from him during the Kelley Study Abroad to London and also during class when I took intermediate investments with him. He also helped me gain clarity on what I want to do after graduation by telling me more about potential technical careers in the field of finance.
What has been your favorite experience at Kelley?
My favorite experiences at Kelley would probably be all the Kelley Honors classes I took. I loved how engaging all the classes were and especially enjoyed working with other Honors students.
Parker Keolasy, BS’24
Major: Finance
Activities: Math Assistance Center K201 Level Manager, Finance and Investments Club Member, Campus Outreach Member; Regatta Race Day volunteer.
What is your advice to a student considering joining Kelley Indianapolis?
Try everything! If you are remotely interested in a subject, take a class on it or go to a few club meetings. Being exposed to different areas of business and seeing what you like and what you don’t is how you discover your real passions.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
The professor who had the biggest impact on me while at Kelley is probably Professor Westerhaus-Renfrow. She just has this ability to connect with students better than any other teacher I’ve ever met. Her classes felt like conversations with a friend who you’ve known for years rather than super formal lectures.
Nerea Lancho Poza, BS’25
Major: Finance and International Studies; Kelley Honors student; Economics minor.
Activities: Member of the IU Indianapolis Women’s golf team; Vice president of the honors college student council.
What has been your favorite experience at Kelley?
My favorite experience at Kelley has definitely been creating a sense of community with my fellow classmates and professors. I have met so many people and made such good friends through Kelley that it has been very impactful in my college experience, making it incredibly better.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
If I had to choose one professor, it would be Professor Kimberly Donahue. She was my Marketing professor during ICORE in the Fall of 2023, and even though I am a finance major she has been very impactful in my career during my time at Kelley. She not only is an amazing professor and has a lot of knowledge in what she does, but she also always has an encouraging word towards her students. She made me value all my good qualities and embrace my uniqueness in the business environment. She always made me feel heard and appreciated.
Kayla Lemmon, BS’24
Major: Business Management, Philanthropic Studies; Kelley Honors student.
Activities: Center for At-Risk Elders service learner – Advancing Women Mentoring Program; IUPUI North Hall Resident Assistant; ALDPES Honors Society; IUPUI Regatta Royalty Leadership Experiences; IUPUI’s Dance Marathon, Director of Fundraising, Director of Campus Outreach; Vice President of Membership; JAGS SAFE Campaign founding member; Kelley Dean’s Insight Board; Chancellor’s Student Advisory Board; Entrepreneurship Club President; Women4Change IUPUI Vice President of Engagement Volunteer.
Which class/project made the biggest impact on you and your future goals?
Honors Commercial Law with Professor Judy Wright made the biggest impact on me and my future goals. I loved analyzing cases, presenting to a judge at the courthouse, and learning key terms. I have wanted to be an attorney for years, and this class made that goal more tangible.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
If I had to pick a professor that has impacted me the most, it would be Professor Emily Murphy. She has taught me that work-life balance is possible despite a busy schedule, how to lead with compassion, and how to set boundaries. Professor Murphy has helped me with personal and professional issues throughout the years and I could not be more grateful for the relationship I have with her.
Luke Lonneman, BS’25
Major: Business Management, Real Estate; Kelley Honors student.
Activities: Harold E. Eisenberg Scholar; IUPUI Real Estate Club Co-President; IUPUI Men’s Division 1 Soccer Goalkeeper (2021-2023).
With the IU Indianapolis Real Estate Club, I assisted in starting the embarkment on a new club initiative at Ben Davis High School, offering high school students a unique insight into Commercial Real Estate—an opportunity that might not have crossed their minds as a potential career path. This initiative, rooted in our commitment to diversity, aims to attract more women, transfer students, and individuals from underrepresented groups to the IU Indianapolis Real Estate Club.
What has been your favorite experience at Kelley?
My favorite experience at Kelley has been taking advantage of all the different networking opportunities available. To be specific my favorite opportunity came in the form of the IUPUI Real Estate Club! I was blessed enough to be named Co-President of the club. I’ve seen the club grow in tremendous ways and become the upmost pristine club here at IUPUI winning the “Organization of the Year Award” and having countless students and faculty tell us how amazing the club is. Joining the Real Estate Club led me to meet so many wonderful people that I now call friends! That’s what makes the club so amazing, it’s a tight-knit family.
Which class/project made the biggest impact on you and your future goals?
I absolutely loved participating in the new section of Honors I-Core involving AI technology. I am personally super interested and involved with AI technology. However, when it relates to my future goals, outside external case competitions and the commercial real estate workshop has had the biggest impact on my life. I have competed in case competitions through the University of Maryland, Boston College, the Harold E. Eisenberg foundation, and here at the Kelley School of Business. I have also completed 10 individual cases through the commercial real estate workshop which has introduced me into many industry professionals and provided me with so invaluable real-life experience and knowledge!
Carter Piper, BS’23
Major: Finance, Real Estate and International Studies.
Activities: Kelley Honors Dean’s Advisory Board; Commercial Real Estate Club; Commercial Real Estate Workshop NAIOP Case Competition- 2023 Winning Team, Boston College Case Competition; Honors I-CORE LEAD Provincial Conference; Delta Sigma Pi- Chancellor/VP Fundraising Jagathon; KICS Administrative Assistant.
What is your advice to a student considering joining Kelley Indianapolis?
“Do it” My biggest piece of advice is to have delayed gratification. Invest the time, effort, and discipline into all areas of your collegiate experience as early as possible. It may not be immediate, but you will surely see fruit later in your career.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
The most impactful professor I had in undergrad was Sara Coers. Sara treats her students like peers from the first class and is truly invested in the individual success and happiness of all her students. If you have Sara, you can expect a wealth of knowledge, humor filled lectures, and wisdom beyond your years.
Ayesha Saeed, BS’24
Major: Human Resource Management & Management; Legal Studies minor.
Activities: Delta Sigma Pi – Senior Vice President (junior year) Alpha Lamdba Delta Honor Society; Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Regional Director of Philanthropy; Chancellor’s Student Mental Health Council member.
What is your advice to a student considering joining Kelley Indianapolis?
Join the different organizations that are a part of Kelley. It gives you an opportunity to grow your network and build friendships that will last a lifetime. Not only that, but you build better relationships with your professors through the organizations as well. Outside of Kelley, take part in every opportunity you get; you won’t regret it.
Which class/project made the biggest impact on you and your future goals?
Taking Commercial Law during my sophomore year was a pivotal experience that deeply challenged me and sparked my interest in legal studies. In response, I decided to pursue a minor in legal studies the following semester, setting me on a path towards law school. This course marked a significant turning point that completely reshaped my future trajectory.
Kiera Sloan, BS’24
Major: Marketing, Spanish, International Business; Kelley Honors student.
Activities: Kelley Deans Insight Board 2; Vice President of Recruitment for National Panhellenic Council; Member of Zeta Tau Alpha; President of Liberal Arts Student Council; Spanish Honors Society 6; Volunteer Spanish Language Swap Instructor.
Which class/project made the biggest impact on you and your future goals?
I thought J411 was vital in my understanding of the volatility of business decisions, and how the intertwining of all facets have to be connected and sharing of the same mission in order to work successfully.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
Barb Cutillo gave the most wholesome introduction to my collegiate career and has mentored me throughout my time by serving as her teaching assistant. She is so empathetic to her learning students and has extremely valuable insight to offer her classes.
Casey Suarez, BS’24
Major: Finance, Economics, and International Studies; Kelley Honors student.
Activities: Delta Sigma Pi, Vice President of Chapter Operations; President of Sociology Club.
What is your advice to a student considering joining Kelley Indianapolis?
If you are considering joining Kelley Indianapolis, my advice is to be courageous and seek out connections across campus. It is very easy to get fully immersed into the Kelley school culture and community, so I encourage everyone to branch out and appreciate the breadth of diversity and knowledge in and surrounding IU Indianapolis and the city as a whole. There are many more experiences, perspectives, and stories to hear. And you never know who you will be lucky enough to call a friend.
If you had to pick a professor(s) who has/have impacted you the most while at Kelley, who would it be and why?
Among the faculty who have profoundly influenced my academic journey at Kelley, Professors Kaviani and Colby stand out prominently. Professor Kaviani, who instructed the courses on introductory micro and macroeconomics, demonstrated an unparalleled passion and expertise in the field, rendering the subject matter both captivating and accessible. Furthermore, his unwavering commitment to fostering student success instilled a sense of perseverance and accomplishment within me. On a similar note, Professor Colby, who leads the Honors I-CORE Marketing course, adeptly intertwines insights from various disciplines into her teachings, drawing connections between the subject matter and diverse facets of everyday life. Her remarkable ability to infuse the subject with infectious energy and enthusiasm sparks a heightened sense of curiosity and engagement in my learning experience. This interdisciplinary approach not only enriches the learning experience but also underscores the practical relevance of the concepts explored in the classroom.
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