Past Stellar Student Spotlights - Spring 2025
Spring 2025 Student Spotlights
Jada Robertson
May 30, 2025
Let’s give a shoutout to Jada Robertson (BBA, MGMT ‘26), a FCBE senior majoring in Business Management with a minor in Public Health. Jada is actively involved in several professional development programs, including TRIO, Setting the Standard (STS), Accelerate New Memphis and the Memphis Institute of Leadership Education (MILE).
She has served as a Resident Advisor and was a member of the STS Student Leadership Council. Jada also participated in the Alternative Break Experience (ABE) with Housing and Residence Life and the Lowes Leadership Experience.
In her free time, Jada enjoys dancing, working out and volunteering.
Matthew Bersoza
May 22, 2025
Check out Matthew Bersoza (BBA, ACCT ’25)!
He recently completed a Tax Internship with Reynolds Bone & Griesbeck (RBG) PLC and holds a 3.99 GPA. Matthew is a recipient of the Fogelman Academic Excellence Award, the Dean’s Scholarship and the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship.
He volunteers with Germantown Performing Arts, Wolf River Conservancy and Project Outreach. In his free time, Matthew enjoys cooking, golfing and following sports.
Gabriela Zych
May 15, 2025
Say hi to, Gariela Zych (MGMT ’26, with a concentration in HR and minor in Professional Selling)!
Gabriela is on the UofM Rifle team, where she has been awarded five All-American awards along with the 2024 Elite-90 Award for Rifle. She also serves on the SAAC executive board as the NIL/PR Chair.
In the classroom, Gabriela keeps busy as an Honors College student with a 4.0 GPA and was recently recognized with the FCBE Academic Excellence in Management Award. She was also nominated for the 2024 FCBE Homecoming Court’s Most Likely to Be a CEO.
When she’s not at practice or studying, she enjoys listening to music, volunteering with her team and calling her family back in Anchorage, Alaska.
Vijay Kumar
May 7, 2025
Meet Vijay Kumar (MSIS, ’25)!
As a dedicated graduate student, Vijay is committed to building his leadership skills through professional development. He earned an Executive-Level Professional Development Certificate from the Center for Professional Career Development and was one of only 10 students selected for the prestigious Lowe’s Leadership Program.
Outside of class, Vijay enjoys staying active—he practices yoga, goes to the gym and has completed a full marathon. He also volunteers every Saturday at the Indian Cultural Center and Temple, which helps him stay connected to his roots. His next big goal is to finish a triathlon!
Suzie Perry
April 29, 2025
Get to know Suzie Perry (double majoring in Business Management & Chemistry with double minors in Entrepreneurship & Biochemistry, ’27)!
Suzie is a powerhouse on campus! She is an Emerging Leader, member of the Honors College,
TRiO and Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society! She currently serves as an Emerging Leaders
Mentor, Tiger Elite Outreach & Marketing Coordinator and Success Coach for Peer Power—where
she was named “Most Spirited.”
She’s no stranger to the spotlight either—Suzie was featured on Amazon Prime’s The College Tour, appeared on WREG’s Live at 9 with Kontji Anthony and was interviewed on The President’s Perspective. She’s also been an Orientation Guide, a Tiger Leadership Institute Facilitator,
Weeks of Welcome Leader and Student Admissions Worker.
Abigail T.
April 24, 2025
Say hello to Abigail T. (BBA, ACCT ’25 & MS, ACCT ’26)!
She is a lifetime member of Beta Alpha Psi and a former member of SASS. Currently, she is a protégé in the MILE program, where she is honing her leadership and networking skills. Her professional experience includes multiple internships with FedEx, Watkins Uiberall and Overton Park Conservancy. Outside of academics, Abigail enjoys reading, cooking and learning Spanish.
Tharun Thota
April 17, 2025
Introducing Tharun Thota (MSIS, ’25)!
Tharun has a passion for research in the Systems Testing Excellence Program (STEP),
where he focuses on LLM prompts and the application of AI in software testing. Last
summer, he completed an internship in this role under Dr. Mark Gillenson.
His commitment to excellence extends to the classroom, where he has maintained an
impressive 4.0 GPA throughout his academic journey.
Beyond academics, he enjoys staying active at the gym, playing basketball and spending
quality time with friends. You can also find him in the library, diving into research
work.
Asafe Lima
April 10, 2025
Step into the spotlight, Asafe Lima (BBA, ACCT ’27)!
Asafe was recently appointed as the Social Media Chair for the Fogelman Student Delegate Board. He is also an active member of the Fogelman Finance Club, participating on the TVA
Investment Challenge, Bloomberg 2024 Trading Challenge and CFA Global Investment teams.
Last summer, Asafe completed the Leadership Summer Internship Program at Bellevue
Baptist Church in their Missions Department, where he gained valuable experience in
team management and leadership.
Outside of academics, Asafe combines his love for running and content creation. He
is currently training for his first half marathon and documenting his journey on social
media. His goal is to inspire others to push forward and always give their best. He
encourages everyone with the reminder: “Nothing is impossible—you can always go one
more.”
Jayasri Botcha
April 3, 2025
Meet Jayasri Botcha (MSIS ‘25)!
Jayasri is a passionate leader and an active member of the University of Memphis community.
She is involved in several organizations, including AMIS, the Indian Student Association and serves as the President of the Hindu Students
Organization. Additionally, she works as a graduate assistant in the Division of Research
and Innovation.
She has earned the Executive Professional Development Program Certificate and was one of just 10 students selected for the prestigious Lowe’s Leadership Experience Program. She was also recognized as a nominee for the Fall 2024 Ms. FCBE Homecoming Court.
Beyond academics, Jayasri enjoys exploring Memphis, volunteering with the Mid-South
Food Bank & India Cultural Centre and Temple and actively participating in cultural
and community events.
Luke Modin
March 27, 2025
Say hello to Luke Modin (BBA, ACCT ’25)!
Luke is an Eagle Scout, a recognition he worked hard to achieve and one that continues to shape his leadership skills today.
He is currently interning at RBG, a public accounting firm in the Memphis area, gaining valuable hands-on experience in the field. On campus, Luke serves as the President of Beta Alpha Psi, an honors society for accounting, finance and MIS students. Prior to this role, he served as Treasurer for two consecutive semesters.
Luke has also been actively involved with the Center for Professional Career Development, where he earned the Manager Level in the Professional Development Certificate Program. Outside of academics, Luke enjoys backpacking, camping and running. When he’s not outdoors, you can find him cheering on the Memphis Tigers and Grizzlies!
ACCT Professor Jeff Nevels praised Luke Modin’s academic performance and leadership, stating "Luke Modin is well on his way to be a Level 5 Leader as described in Jim Collin’s book Good to Great. He possesses a high level of personal drive yet is humble and unassuming. As president of the student organization Beta Alpha Psi, he has taken it to a new level of professionalism greatly benefiting his classmates seeking a career in accounting. I would welcome the opportunity to work with Luke again any time, any where.”
After graduating this spring, Luke plans to return to the University of Memphis to pursue an MS in Accounting.
Mallika Golla
March 21, 2025
Meet Mallika Golla (MIS, ’25)!
Over the past three semesters, she has served as a Graduate Assistant in the MIS Department,
balancing teaching and research responsibilities. As the Vice President of AMIS, she’s played a key role in organizing events, fostering student engagement and building
industry connections.
She has a strong passion for research, and for the last two semesters has been working
with Dr. Pavan Kumar Mulgund on two research papers. Last summer, she gained hands-on
experience with an internship at the Crews Center for Entrepreneurship, working on business development strategies and startup initiatives.
Outside of the classroom, you’ll likely find her at the library – her happy place
– reading poetry or studying. When she’s not in the library, she spends the rest of
her free time exploring the city with friends!
Maddie Roberts
March 14, 2025
Introducing Maddie Roberts (BBA, MKTG ’26)!
A dedicated student-athlete on the Women’s Track & Field Team, Maddie is the mental health chair for SAAC and a team leader for FCA. She’s passionate about giving back, volunteering with Youth Villages, My Town Miracles and Race 4 Reconciliation.
A self-proclaimed coffee addict, she works part-time at 7Brew Coffee and enjoys photography, shopping and music. Maddie plans to pursue her MBA after graduation!
Recently, she and fellow athletes attended an NIL Summit, where they competed in a brand content challenge—and her team won, securing an NIL deal and winning a large cash prize!












