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Philip Rottkamp

Philip Rottkamp

Hello! My name is Philip Rottkamp, and I am an MBA student at Rochester Institute of Technology. I earned my undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems from RIT in May 2023 with a GPA of 3.98. I am a proud recipient of several awards as an undergraduate student, including Dean’s List for all 8 semesters attended, induction into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Business Honor Society, and the Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award, which is given to the top 1% of undergraduate students who achieve academic excellence while also giving back to the community.

I have been active in RIT’s community through my work with New Student Orientation as an Orientation Leader (2020, 2022) and Orientation Supervisor (2023), and through my work as President of the RIT Fighting Game Community (2021 – 2023). Both experiences have not only further engaged me into the greater RIT community, but have built up my leadership skills and creative thinking skills in ways that many academic classes cannot.

I have been working with my local utilities company, Central Hudson Gas & Electric Co., since June 2022 as an IT Intern. There, I have been using my technical skills to design and build Key Performance Indicator (KPI) dashboards for different departments to help company leaders get the most up to date information fast in an organized manner. Alongside being the lead developer for the Human Resources KPI dashboard, I have also been co-managing the project surrounding the HR dashboard to help ensure all deliverables are complete, resources are allocated appropriately, and to make sure time, cost, and scope are on track.

Please take a moment to view my resume using the link below, and please connect with me on LinkedIn if you would like to chat. Thank you!

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SEMA

James Sheeler – RIT MBA Student

Hello! My name is James Sheeler. While originally from Boulder, Colorado, and Cleveland, Ohio I came to Rochester, New York to get my BFA in Industrial Design and my MBA in STEM.

From a young age, I always enjoyed being creative in both drawing and building. This would ultimately lead me to study design at RIT. However, as I continued through the program, I became increasingly curious about how to sell the products that I was designing. I began to enroll myself in entrepreneurship classes that began to fuel another interest of mine, business. Furthermore, I began entering pitch competitions and business accelerators where I was able to become more comfortable with public speaking. These lessons have increased my confidence in seeing ideas through from the ideation phase to understanding the steps it takes for a product to get to a customer.

After graduation, I look forward to being part of a company where I can continue to apply my skills and interests in design and business. 

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SEMA

Daniel Lemaster – Ad Photography and Business Administration

Hello! My name is Daniel Lemaster. Being raised in Lancaster, PA I grew up around many small businesses including my own family’s, which got me into the idea of owning and operating my own business early in life. Along with this, being from such a small-town area there wasn’t a lot for me to do, and when I was around 14, I started to get into photography as a hobby to pass time and quickly grew in love with it. It is these conditions that set me down the path that I am on today.

In 2021 I received my BFA in Photographic and Imaging Arts with a specialization in Advertising Photography, along with a minor in advertising and public relations, and business administration. Currently, I am pursuing my MBA with a planned graduation of 2022.

My plan is to work towards becoming a Serial Entrepreneur. Having a love and passion for both business and the arts positions me well to balance creativity and structure to come up with new business ideas and to operate them well.

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SEMA

Jake Hamacher : MBA Student-Athlete

Hey everyone! My name is Jake Hamacher and I am an MBA Student at Rochester Institute of Technology. I graduated last year from RIT with a major in Finance and a minor in Public Relations and Advertising. I also play on the Division I hockey team here at RIT, and this is my 5thyear on the team. Due to Covid-19, athletes were given an extra year of eligibility, so I figured I might as well put that extra year to good use and get an MBA!

Background

I am originally from Southern California, where I lived until I was 16. In order to follow my dream of playing Division I hockey, I played all over America until committing to RIT. I’ve lived in Washington state, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin before finally arriving in beautiful Rochester, NY. I always knew I wanted to get a degree in something business-related, and Finance intrigued and interested me the most.

Experience and the Future 

During the summer of 2019, I was able to co-op at Northwestern Mutual as a financial representative, which taught me a lot, but also left me hungry to learn more. After my playing days are over, I want to somehow work with athletes and help them navigate their finances, hopefully as a financial representative who specializes in working with athletes. I don’t know if anyone reading this has seen the HBO show Ballers, but that seems like a pretty good life! 

Connect with me on LinkedIn or Instagram and take a look at my resume!

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SEMA

Traci Bugaj – MBA Student


Hello! My name is Traci Bugaj, and I am currently a Master’s of Business Administration major at Rochester Institute of Technology. I have a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from SUNY Geneseo in Business Administration with a Spanish Minor.

Business is my passion – in fact, it has been since high school, where I was elected Business Student of the Year. In addition, I was apart of my school’s DECA chapter, where I won 7th Place at the New York State competition with my Fashion Merchandising Promotion Project. This love has carried over not only to my Bachelor’s degree, but to my extracirricular activities as well. I was treasurer of my sorority, where I updated our finance systems as well as money management practices.

I currently work at Wegmans Food Markets, where I have worked in a variety of environments. In my current role in the Seafood Department, I am able to analyze and understand the operations of the company within this area. This position has also allowed me to gain many skills, including incredible customer service, simplification and organization, collaboration, and many more. In addition, I pride myself in being someone who does not shy away from a challenge.

If interested, please take a look at my LinkedIn profile, or download my resume below. Thanks for reading!


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SEMA

Daniel Ruano, MBA

Hello Everyone! My name is Daniel Ruano and I am a second year MBA student with a concentration in Leadership and Management. I was born and raised in Long Island, New York but for the past couple of years I have come to know Rochester as my home away from home. I completed my undergraduate degree in Network & Systems Administration at RIT in spring of 2020 & then decided that I wanted to continue my education by pursuing an MBA. A goal of mine is to use my background in technology & business to start up my own technology consulting business.

Aside from technology and business, I have a strong passion for volunteer & philanthropic work. I created my own volunteer group, Rising Esperanza, which focuses on raising funds and awareness for charitable organizations. Through Rising Esperanza I have had the opportunity to host my own events & initiatives focused on various charitable causes that need more visibility. One of my favorite events through this group would have to be our “Come Out for a Cookout: An LGBTQ Benefit”. We hosted a cookout in my hometown’s community center where community members could come show their support and get to know our members. All the proceeds from this event went to support Pride for Youth in Long Island, New York as they provided free HIV test kits those in need.

While I’m in Rochester I am heavily involved with my fraternity. In the fall 2017 semester, I crossed into the Omega Chapter of La Unidad Latina, Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity Incorporated. We are a Latin-Based but not Latin-Exclusive organization that focuses primarily on Leadership through Academics, Culture, Brotherhood & Service. Throughout my experience in this organization I have had the opportunity to give back to the Rochester community by connecting with a multitude of student at programs, discussions & service events hosted by my organization and other Culturally Based Fraternities and Sororities.

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SEMA

Jack Annable – MBA Candidate

Jack Annable Circa 2018

Hello everyone. My name is Jack Annable. I hold a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from SUNY Geneseo and am currently an MBA student at Saunders College of Business at RIT.

While at Geneseo, I worked for the Athletic Department and was a referee for intramural sports, while also participating in club baseball.  Academically, I had the opportunity to do an internship at KeyBank during summer of 2019, where I worked across western NY in their retail banking division.

I am very passionate about marketing, management, and sales. I aspire to start my career in one of these areas and will be a valuable asset to any company who is willing to take me in. Check out my LinkedIn and resume below!

Connect with Jack on LinkedIn

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Monyneath Reth

Monyneath Reth – MBA, Fulbright Scholar

Thank you for visiting my site. My name is Monyneath Reth. I am from Cambodia. I am currently pursuing my Master’s degree in Business Administration of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, New York. Having worked in the marketing field for both local and international companies in the past three years, I have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience in integrated marketing communications.

Experienced marketing specialist with the skill sets in product marketing, go to market plan and execution, creative content writing, and brand activations and development, I am seeking to leverage leadership expertise to another level in the Marketing/ Branding/ Products development sectors.

I am a team player, detailed oriented, highly organized, and self-motivated. With my experiences and these qualities, I am confident that I would be a valuable asset to your company.

Connect with me on LinkedIn or Handshake

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Grace Koester

Grace Koester | MBA

Hello! My name is Grace Koester and I am an MBA candidate with a concentration in entrepreneurship at Rochester Institute of Technology. 

I am a native of Eden, NY, a small town south of Buffalo. I grew up on a farm, raising livestock and growing crops, and was president of my local 4-H club. I was an athlete from a young age, competing in gymnastics, field hockey, cheerleading, and track, and field. 

I started my higher education at RIT in 2014. During my time at RIT, I was involved in Greek life, holding the role of President for my sorority, Alpha Sigma Alpha. I was also a member of the RIT cheerleading team, holding the role of captain in my junior and senior years. During my time as captain, the team attended the NCA National College Cheerleading competition in Daytona, Florida. I graduated from RIT in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Advertising and Public Relations. 

During my undergrad, I gained experience in social media marketing and event planning as a Marketing Coordinator for the office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, as well as a Marketing Intern for Canalside Buffalo. In these roles, I was in charge of creating social media campaigns for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. I also planned events such as the annual Greek Award gala, weekly concerts, bazaars, and fitness classes. 

In my first year out of college, I held the position of Interim Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life and RIT. In this role, I was the main advisor of the three councils that oversee the thirty-two Greek chapters on campus. I represented the University during meetings with fraternity or sorority inter/national representatives and/or officers on and off-campus. I also coordinated education, leadership, and social programs for the fraternity and sorority community.

In the fall of 2019, I began my graduate studies. I am now studying Business Administration with a concentration in entrepreneurship. I will finish my degree in December of 2020. After graduation, I plan to work for an advertising/ public relations firm for a few years before starting my own company, specializing in large scale event planning. 

Check Out My Resume:

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SEMA

Noah the Sharp-eyed Digital Marketer!

Greetings, and welcome to this! Noah D. Blankenship is the name I proudly sport. With my Deaf eyes, I regard myself as a sharp-eyed digital marketer with versatile successes. I arrived at Rochester Institute of Technology in Fall 2015, with no idea what I wanted to pursue. I started as an accounting major in Spring 2016, which ended after my first and last accounting internship. I realized that I was too much of a “people person” to stay in a cubicle for hours a week. 

Following that internship, I studied abroad in Zagreb, Croatia, for four months. There, I had many adventures with my study abroad group, and I realized that a Business Management major would be a better fit for me. I did not declare my minor until my second to last semester in my undergraduate studies. Advertising and Public Relations were something that drew my attention in the last year of undergraduate studies, leading my decision to continue my studies with an MBA in Digital Marketing. 

During the summer before my start of MBA studies, I worked at Prudential as a Product Management Intern in their newly found accessibility technology project. I spoke on the panel at the VOICE Summit during summer 2019, representing Prudential, and talked about my experience with accessibility technology. 

Fast-forward to the Fall 2020 semester, I am in my last semester of MBA studies, figuring out what I plan to do next. I invite you to learn more about my other achievements and involvements at and outside of RIT.

Connect with Noah on LinkedIn.

Noah’s headshot at Prudential during his internship there.