Senior Jackie Branco Shines with Involvement in Business-related Groups at Ithaca College

2014 Apr 15

As a prospective student, senior Jackie Branco planned on playing softball at Ithaca College. When she decided to come to the college for her undergraduate experience, Branco never expected her focus would shift from softball to academic involvement.

"After freshman year, I stopped playing softball, and it was a blessing in disguise because I was really able to get more involved in the business school," Branco said. "I was able to establish connections with my peers in the business school -- not only peers but the faculty and professors who have served as my Ithaca family," said Branco.

Branco began at Ithaca College as a business administration major and during her sophomore year pursued a concentration in finance. Subsequently, Branco became involved in several different organizations and departments within the business school. She currently serves as the director of communications for a financial portfolio and for the college's hedge fund, senior analyst for the investment club, a member of the executive board for the School of Business Dean's Host committee and promotes the investment track to underclassmen who may be considering it as a track to pursue. She spends at least eight hours a day in the business school.

When she attended a networking trip during the fall of her junior year Branco met two alumnae of the college who work for PricewaterhouseCoopers, a multinational accounting firm. She returned from the trip and immediately took on accounting as a second major.

Branco has taken classes with Hormoz Movassaghi, professor of finance and international business at Ithaca College, and also travelled with him and seven other students to Beijing and Shanghai, China, during a summer study abroad trip. Movassaghi said her chemistry and bonding with other students made the trip educational for everyone.

"Spending 14 days together gives you a lot of time to observe a student, and I found Jackie as one of the glues of the group," said Movassaghi.

Movassaghi said one of Branco's biggest leadership roles at the college is her position as president of the college's chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honors organization for finance students and professionals. Patricia Libby, associate professor of accounting and advisor to Beta Alpha Psi, said she first met Branco after she was elected to the position.

Since her election, Branco has taken Beta Alpha Psi to a new level of success. For example, each year, the chapter is required to complete a certain number of hours of community service. With Branco's direction, the chapter completed its goal of 24 hours for the year before the end of the fall semester. Additionally, Branco's enthusiasm has taken her to present at national conferences about how the college's chapter stays connected with alumni and networking opportunities the college offers, as well as plan the annual New York City networking trip.

"Jackie's goal is to take us to a higher level, and by far she has," said Libby. "It sets a higher bar every year, and she's been an instrumental part in this year's great successes."

After graduation, Branco will pursue her master's in business administration at the University of Virginia.