Gain perspective through two core courses and a wide range of electives.
Industry connections
Capital Markets Center: Access real-world industry tools through a facility that replicates experience and technology of a Wall Street trading room.
Financial Management Association: Learn about corporate finance, banking and investment through dynamic speakers, educational trips and networking events.
Student Managed Investment Portfolio: Gain real-world investment experience through management of an equity portfolio for the School of Business Foundation.
Student Departmental Awards
Student of the Year: The Student of the Year award is presented to a senior or graduate student who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in scholarship and leadership.
Distinguished Service Award: The Distinguished Service Award is presented to a student who has provided distinguished service to the department, university and community.
Elizabeth Lees Student of the Year
“She is one of the hardest-working students I have ever encountered. She rarely missed an office hour and was never satisfied until she had complete mastery of the material. She applied lessons from class to what was going on in the economy with amazing clarity,” said a faculty member. Her defining qualities are an unbridled intellectual curiosity and a strong work ethic. She is a valuable member of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) team and consistently makes positive contributions to investment discussions. She has been a Presidential Scholar and a Bank of America Merit Scholarship recipient.
Sonia Kanchan Distinguished Service Award
Sonia has served as a coach for the VCU Financial Success Center by Virginia Credit Union for the past four semesters, going above and beyond to support individuals. She took the initiative to plan and organize a full month of events for Financial Literacy Month. In addition to her service, she excels in the classroom and has demonstrated remarkable growth, transforming into an inspiring and confident leader. She has been offered a prestigious position in the Capital One Rotational Analyst Program and will begin her work after graduation in the D.C. area. Sonia is a highly qualified candidate who demonstrates ambition, resilience and passion for her studies, service and professional goals.
Benny Brack Student of the Year
Benny’s academic performance is exceptional, earning him recognition as a top student by his professors for his thorough and accurate work. As a claims intern at the Virginia Farm Bureau, Benny gained hands-on experience in critical finance skills, including risk assessment, data analysis and financial modeling. He plans to pursue a Master’s in Business with a concentration in finance at the School of Business and is also considering the possibility of pursuing a doctorate in the future.
Breanna Machado Distinguished Service Award
As president of the VCU Actuarial Club, Breanna has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. Under her guidance, the club gained recognition as a registered organization within the School of Business. She meticulously drafted the club’s constitution and delivered engaging presentations, increasing student interest in actuarial science. In addition to her leadership, Breanna has excelled academically, showing significant growth in her analytical abilities and knowledge. Her proactive involvement and academic achievements make her a deserving recipient of this honor.
Adam Leathers Student of the Year
Adam Leathers, from Keswick, Virginia, graduated in December 2022 with a 4.0 GPA, earning a degree in finance with a minor in risk management and insurance. During his time at VCU, he was honored to serve as a teaching assistant for FIRE 312 Financial Modeling. In his senior year, Adam was selected as a Market Regulation Intern at the State Corporation Commission (SCC). After graduation, he secured a full-time role as a Market Examiner in the Life & Health Division of the Bureau of Insurance at the SCC. Adam deeply appreciates his family’s sacrifices, which have been instrumental in his success.
Jeffrey Metts Distinguished Service Award
Jeffrey Metts has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership in finance throughout his time at VCU. He has participated in the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) for seven semesters and currently serves as its president. Since June 2021, Jeffrey has worked as an investment intern at VCU Investment Management Company (VCIMCO). During his senior year, he was a member of VCU’s CFA research team, competing in a financial case study competition against other universities. Currently, he serves as a Robinhood Fellow conducting intensive research on exchange-traded funds, holds a leadership role in VCU’s Student Economics Association and contributes to the School of Business’s strategic planning committee. After graduation, Jeffrey will join VCIMCO as a full-time investment analyst.
Gautam Ravandur Student of the Year
Gautam is an outstanding honors student with a 3.85 GPA and consistent praise from his instructors. Alongside his academic achievements, he is actively involved in VCU’s chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity. As vice president of finance for AKPsi, Gautam has managed the organization’s operating budget and created educational videos to teach financial concepts. He also serves as a financial analyst for the tech sector in the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) at VCU. Drawing from his experience in this role, Gautam has helped fellow students begin investing and understanding the stock market. After graduation, he looks forward to pursuing a career in corporate finance.
Connor Riely Distinguished Service Award
Connor demonstrates excellence both in and out of the classroom. He is especially proud of founding and leading the VCU Blockchain Club as its president. Connor is also actively involved in expanding the cryptocurrency community in Richmond, Virginia. After graduation, he plans to deepen his engagement in the crypto space by exploring new opportunities, helping others learn about the industry and networking at crypto conferences. Connor’s overarching goal is to “stay curious” and continue learning as he pursues his passion for blockchain and cryptocurrency.
Derrick Gachago Student of the Year
Through his studies in VCU Business, Derrick has honed his problem-solving skills and demonstrated a strong commitment to learning, all while maintaining an excellent GPA. He played a key role in launching the Actuarial Club in fall 2020 and currently serves as chairman. Derrick is also one of four analysts in the financial sector of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, where he has been an active member since fall 2019. Additionally, he is a member of Gamma Iota Sigma Fraternity. Derrick successfully passed his Financial Mathematics actuarial exam in 2020 and plans to sit for his Probability exam later this spring. He has accepted a 12-week actuarial internship with Genworth Financial.
Nicoleta Gavris Distinguished Service Award
Nicoleta has excelled academically, maintaining an outstanding GPA while actively engaging with the Finance Department and the broader VCU community. She is a recipient of the prestigious Arconic Foundation Community Scholarship for Business and Engineering, which covers full tuition and fees for all four years at VCU. Nicoleta serves as a Level IV tutor for the Campus Learning Center and has been a teaching assistant for FIRE 311 for the past three semesters. As a Pearson Campus Ambassador, she manages accounts for the entire VCU campus. In addition to being a board member for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio, Nicoleta will soon take on a new role managing social media, outreach and alumni relations. She has accepted an accounting internship with CarMax for summer 2021 and plans to pursue a career in accounting, finance or analytics after graduation.
John Kruchten Student of the Year
Graduating with a 4.0 major GPA, John majored in finance with a minor in economics. During his academic career, he was a member of the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) and gained valuable experience through internships with Normandy Real Estate Partners and Vector Scorecard in Singapore. John also demonstrated leadership as a team leader at the UVA Venture Capital Cup Competition. After graduation, he will begin his career with Capital One.
Elisa Maurice Distinguished Service Award
Elisa has maintained a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA and is recognized as a Dean’s Scholar. Actively involved in the School of Business community, she has taken on numerous leadership roles. Elisa served as president of the Financial Management Association (FMA) at VCU and vice president of recruitment for the Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP). She is also a member of the Student Advisory Council with the senior vice provost of student affairs. Additionally, Elisa was one of two appointees to the State Policy Council for College Affordability, where she contributed to initiatives aimed at making higher education more accessible.
Elizabeth Lees
Sonia Kanchan
Benny Brack
Breanna Machado
Adam Leathers
Jeffrey Metts.jpg)
Gautam Ravandur
Connor Riely
Derrick Gachago
Nicoleta Gavris
John Kruchten
Elisa Maurice