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Students and Alumni

Poole College Celebrates the Class of 2022 Graduates

Undergraduate students across departments share their most memorable Poole experiences.

By Carson Shanahan and Sanaa McClendon

On May 7, 858 undergraduates will cross the stage at PNC Arena and begin their professional careers.

“Graduation is my favorite time of the year in Poole College,” said Frank Buckless, Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean. “It’s exciting to know that our graduates are stepping into their new careers with the analytical and problem solving skills that will be immediately impactful to industry.” 

They are more than prepared to tackle the challenges of industry and the world. As their dean, I could not be more proud of that.

“Our graduates have valuable experiences through student leadership roles, global immersions, company practicum projects and internships. They are more than prepared to tackle the challenges of industry and the world. As their dean, I could not be more proud of that.”

Graduates by the Numbers

765 Undergraduate Degree Recipients

Bachelor of Science in Accounting: 111
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration: 584
Bachelor of Arts in Economics: 27
Bachelor of Science in Economics: 43

Meet Our Graduates

DeAnna Bucy-Anderson at the undergraduate Career Signing Day celebration in Nelson Hall
Bucy-Anderson served as a summer start mentor and an undergraduate researcher

DeAnna Bucy-Anderson, economics

DeAnna Bucy-Anderson is an active member of the Wolfpack serving as a summer start mentor, an alternative spring break participant, a member of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international economics honors society and an undergraduate researcher. 

As an alternative spring break participant, Bucy-Anderson traveled to Los Angeles to work with GRID Alternatives, a non-profit organization focused on renewable energy, and install solar panels to support clean energy development across southern California.

“I am most proud of persevering through the pandemic to thrive in my academic career. Poole College taught me to be resilient despite unprecedented challenges,” said Bucy-Anderson.

She is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in economics and has developed an interest in supply chain. After interning with Newell Brands during her undergraduate studies, she is looking forward to joining them full-time in their supply chain management development program and applying what she has learned both inside and outside of the classroom in ways that improve the lives of everyday people.

Petrillo, middle, with fellow classmates on a study abroad trip
Petrillo showing NC State pride while riding a camel

Jake Petrillo, accounting

As Jake Petrillo is ending his undergraduate career at Poole, he takes with him long-lasting relationships and experiences that, one day, may bring him to pursue an advanced degree. Outside of academics, he served as a Peer Leader and describes it as an incredibly fulfilling experience. Petrillo will cross the PNC stage earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting. 

“My favorite Poole event is the Poole Party,” said Petrillo. “It is a great opportunity to learn about all of the different organizations that Poole has to offer while also seeing the amazing things your peers are doing in their free time.”

During his time at Poole, Petrillo took the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain, in 2020 that pushed him outside of his comfort zone and required him to push through personal and academic challenges that were foundational to his growth as an individual.

“My key takeaway from my Poole experience is that you get out of it what you put in,” said Petrillo. “I would encourage all students to be engaging in their classes, talk to classmates and professors, get involved, and to study abroad.”

Following graduation, Petrillo will be moving to Boston to work with PwC as a tax associate.

Dolikhani posing for graduation pictures outside of the 1911 Building
Dolikhani posing with the wolf statue on main campus

Arianna Dolikhani, business administration, human resources concentration

Arianna Dolikhani graduates from Poole College proud of her expansive business knowledge that she has been able to apply to real-world projects in class. The business administration major was able to give her recommendations to B-corporation executives through her classwork. 

Dolikhani’s primary focus at Poole was academics and found MIE 432 most memorable as it tied everything together about human resources for her and it’s a class she will never forget.

“I have learned that success is not avoiding and fearing failure, but learning from it,” said Dolikhani. “Also, that I wish to make an impact on people in my career.”

Dolikhani will be continuing her Poole College journey with the Jenkins MBA program this fall as she looks forward to building her professional network.

“I am excited to be the person I admired in my undergraduate classes, when my professors brought in alumni and I want to inspire students with my journey that anything is possible,” said Dolikhani.

Samantha Fallon posing for graduation photos outside of Nelson Hall
Fallon receiving keys outside of the Belltower
Fallon (second row, second to right) with friends at Drive Shack

Samantha Fallon, business administration, finance concentration

Samantha Fallon was involved with Poole College as a member of Global Corps, Business Analytics Honors Program, Triathlon Club at NC State and Impact Leadership Village. For three years, was a Global Corps ambassador and served on her executive board where she became passionate and devoted to the organization.

Fallon will be graduating with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance. Following commencement, she will be starting a full-time job with Wells Fargo. 

“Poole makes it students feel included and the staff is always available to mentor and support,” said Fallon. “All Poole staff seem to be passionate about what they do and work well with students. Poole is definitely a strong community at NC State and a great place to get involved.”

Fallon studied abroad during the Maymester in 2019 in Argentina. “I learned a lot and spent time afterwards promoting the Poole programs to prospective students,” said Fallon. “It was well-run, safe, and educational.”

Grace Marshall (first row, second to right) serving as a Poole Student Ambassador
Marshall with fellow Alpha Delta Pi sorority member outside of Nelson Hall
Marshall will be graduating as one of three sisters who attended NC State

Grace Marshall, business administration, marketing concentration

As one of three sisters who are members of the Wolfpack, Grace Marshall calls Poole College her second home. She is also a sister of International Panhellenic sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and a Poole Student Ambassador. Finding her community on NC State’s big campus, she is graduating with both family and friends to last a lifetime

“I can proudly say that I can’t walk through Poole without seeing a friend”, said Marshall.

She has gotten the chance to build strong bonds with Poole faculty. She considers Bonnie Yarboro, director of admissions for undergraduate programs, to be one of her biggest role models over these past few years. 

“Whether it was meeting with me as a high school sophomore to decide which classes I should take, reassuring me as a scared college freshman, helping me find internships or just being a listening ear; I always know that Ms. Yarboro will be in my corner,” said Marshall. “I cannot say thank her enough!”

Marshall is graduating from Poole College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing. She is looking forward to being an active NC State alumna and coming back to cheer on the Wolfpack at football games. 

After graduation, she will join Deloitte in their Charlotte office as an application and program analyst. She is excited at the prospect of helping the company recruit NC State students this fall.

Soumya Varma, founder of the TedxNCState Marketing and Analytics Committee
Varma with fellow classmates enjoying slushies
Varma posing in the NC State Free Expression Tunnel

Soumya Varma, business administration, marketing concentration

Soumya Varma graduates from Poole College as a strong leader in her community with a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a marketing concentration and a minor in leadership. She dedicated her time at NC State to founding, curating and ultimately leading the TedxNCState Marketing and Analytics Committee, which integrated her two interests of marketing and data analytics.

Pushing herself to leave her comfort zone also led her to apply for the Business Analytics Honors Program (BAHP). Although she was intimidated by her little knowledge of the subject area, she appreciates Vivek Ajmani, assistant professor of business analytics, for making the content more understandable and enjoyable. She credits his guidance as a pivotal role in the development of her passion for analytics.

“The BAHP faculty and peers, however, quickly helped me gain confidence through engaging courses and meaningful projects. Moreover, through the program, I was able to take courses in State’s Data Science Academy (DSA),” said Varma. “While I was one of the only students representing Poole in the DSA, I was lucky enough to end my last semester at NC State with exhibiting my team’s final DSA project in the Innovation Studio at D.H. Hill. I am grateful for this opportunity, and the countless others which Poole enabled me to pursue during my time at NC State.”

Varma is excited to mentor and assist incoming and current Poole students and to connect with fellow members of the NC State community in her home-to-be, Miami, where she will be working as an assistant brand manager for Whirlpool Corporation while obtaining her Master of Business Administration. 

“Community goes a long way. The people, the environment, and the absolute care that is put into crafting the Poole experience are like no other. I truly was able to build character through a vibrant community full of kind and passionate individuals,” said Varma.