VCU Business

Student of the Year: Abigail Simmons

Abi Simmons will graduate with a marketing degree in May 2023 with a 4.0 GPA. She is passionate about consumer analytics and is looking to pursue a career in market research after graduation. Her marketing analytics instructor called her course project exceptional. Last summer, she completed a market research internship with DAP Global - her second marketing internship of her college career. Abi is also heavily involved in the VCU community. She is currently the Marketing Director of TEDxVCU for the second year in a row and is a member of the co-ed marketing and sales fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon.

Distinguished Service Award: Tim Phu

Tim Phu graduates with a marketing major (product and brand management concentration), a sales minor, and daVinci Product Innovation certificate (GPA 3.9). He transferred from Northern Virginia Community College and was awarded the STARS Scholarship. During his two years at VCU, he has been active as a Marketing Ambassador and in the American Marketing Association, Vietnamese Student Association, Filipino Americans Coming Together, and Chinese Student Association. Tim worked as a Marketing Technology Intern at Cvent and as a Samsung Tour Ambassador. He is eager to pursue a career in product marketing. Tim is grateful for his family and friends’ continuous support.

Student of the Year: Christina Veha

Christina Veha is a first-generation college student from Woodbridge, Virginia.  She will graduate with a major in Marketing in December 2022. During her time at VCU, she is most grateful for her involvement in Women in Business and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She is also a member of the American Marketing Association. She was selected for the Stores Executive Internship Program with Target, which she will complete in Summer 2022. Following graduation, Christina would like to pursue a career in marketing. She would like to thank her family and friends for their continued support of her throughout college.

Distinguished Service Award: Bryce Hayes

Bryce Hayes has served as the President of the American Marketing Association at VCU and Philanthropy Chair for the Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. Marketing faculty have been impressed with his positive attitude, maturity, professionalism, sensitivity, intelligence, and engagement with his coursework. Bryce is particularly grateful to Professor Katie Gilstrap for her mentorship and support during his time in school. He is graduating from VCU with a major in marketing, concentration in product and brand management, and a minor in fashion merchandising. Aside from pursuing positions in the advertising and fashion industries with the goal of serving as a creative director, Bryce fully intends to use his marketing and leadership skills for the sake of environmental reform.

Student of the Year: Austin Evans

Austin Evans is recognized within the Department of Marketing for his outstanding academic record and strong work ethic as a marketing major with a concentration in general marketing. Of his time at VCU, Austin says, "I am so grateful for everything the professors, faculty, and staff of the School of Business and the Department of Marketing has done for me!" He truly embodies the EPIC qualities emphasized in the School of Business and is very engaged, intellectually curious, and creative. Austin has been a role model for other students, played a leadership role in groups or discussions, and helped when other students were struggling.

In the Integrated Marketing Communications course, he worked on marketing for the VET Fund. He helped St. Andrews School with their marketing through the Information for Marketing Decisions course. Austin is also part of the Altria Scholars Scholarship Program. For recreation, Austin is an avid skateboarder and enjoys weightlifting/health and fitness. Austin will graduate in May 2021 and plans to pursue a career in marketing and real estate in the Richmond area. The faculty of the Department of Marketing believe that Austin has a bright future ahead.

Distinguished Service Award: Jasmine Demory

Jasmine has shown impressive leadership and engagement in student activities  As a marketing major in the marketing communication and analytics concentration, she actively engaged with the Pi Sigma Epsilon, the collegiate sales and marketing fraternity, as Vice President of Professional Development before assuming the presidency. She is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. She has frequently represented VCU at sales competitions. She competed on behalf of VCU at the International Collegiate Sales Competition and won second place in Pi Sigma Epsilon’s Regional Speakers Competition. Additionally, she and her team competed in VCU’s Business Ethics Competition in 2019. She has been recognized with a 2019-2020 VCU Academy of Selling Scholarship for her academic achievement, extracurricular involvement in student sales activities, and experience in and career direction toward professional selling. 

She currently works as a program assistant for The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute at VCU and an office manager for Livingston Fireplaces. In addition, she owns an Etsy shop that sells custom cups and does freelance work ranging from making cosplay costumes to graphic design projects. After she graduates in August 2021, Jasmine plans to take a project management certification course and looks forward to a career in sales management or social media management.  

Student of the Year: Melissa Denisco-Morici

Melissa will graduate in December 2020 with a 4.0 GPA, made all the more impressive by her placing in various sales competitions through AMA. She is recognized within the Department of Marketing for her outstanding work in the Product and Brand Management concentration. Melissa has been a dedicated student, working towards a certificate in Product Innovation through the VCU da Vinci Center in addition to her Marketing studies, she has held several internships throughout her college career, including work with the Institute of Contemporary Arts, Jefferson Hotel, and Weave Insights. Melissa was particularly successful with her completion of the 2019 International Consulting Program, where she worked with her team in developing a market penetration plan for Amarillo Limon.  Melissa has been an excellent role model for the Department of Marketing throughout her college career.

Distinguished Service Award: Radha V. Kapadia

Throughout Radha’s journey at VCU, she has served as a Business Student Ambassador, Marketing Ambassador, the President of the American Marketing Association, the Marketing Head for Hyperloop, and the President and Founder of Women in Business. Radha is graduating with a major in Marketing with a concentration in Product and Brand Management, a minor in Fashion Merchandising, and three certificates from the da Vinci Center. Radha has interned for many companies throughout her college career, with two companies truly making an impact for her: The Martin Agency (as a strategic planner) and Gyrus Systems (as a SaaS Product Marketer and Market researcher). Both her coursework and internship experiences helped her land her job as a Product Manager for Western Digital.