Whitman Scholars 2026

Whitman Scholars are chosen from the senior class each year through a competitive selection process. To be considered, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.7 and a demonstrated history of engagement and leadership at the Whitman School and Syracuse University. Here, the 2026 Whitman Scholars share their thoughts on their experiences and the skills they gained at Syracuse University. 

                                                    

Margaret Brown 

 

Hometown: Buffalo, New York | Majors: Management and Public Relations (NEW) - Financial and Investor Communications Emphasis 

Future Plans: Master’s program in advertising at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications 

“I’ve always loved the saying that you can never be overdressed or over-educated—and Whitman proved both to be true. Over the past four years, I’ve watched my peers and myself show up polished, prepared and ready to learn, celebrating each other’s wins from classrooms to internships to networking rooms. Whitman taught me that true education doesn’t stop at textbooks. It lives in conversations, experiences and the bold confidence to walk into any room ready to learn, connect and lead.” 

 

 

Quinn Conway 

 

Hometown: San Diego, California | Majors: Finance and Real Estate 

Future Plans: Structured finance consulting analyst, EY 

“I came to Syracuse confident I could handle the academic work, but I did not yet understand how much my growth would come from the people around me. At Whitman, that growth happened by pairing discipline in the classroom with relationships: professors who challenged me, classmates who learned alongside me and alumni who showed me how powerful the Whitman network can be beyond the classroom. I now see my time here as part of a community that invested in me, and I am excited to carry those relationships forward as a Whitman alumnus and support future students the same way alumni supported me.” 

 

 

Gabrielle Ho 

 

Hometown: Chiayi, Taiwan | Majors: Supply Chain Management and Marketing Management 

Future Plans: Junior supply chain manager, Osaka Marketplace 

“Whitman provided me with a tight-knit, supportive community, encouraging me to challenge myself and grow both personally and professionally. From networking with industry professionals and leading student organizations, to winning a national case competition, every step has transformed me into a more confident and resilient version of myself with a genuine passion to make an impact. I am immensely grateful for the lifelong connections made with professors and peers, and the incredible opportunities offered at Whitman. As I begin my next chapter, I will forever bleed orange and proudly call Whitman my home away from home.”

 

 

Ronan A. Hussar

 

Hometown: Chicago, Illinois | Majors: Finance and Accounting 

Future Plans: Transaction Advisory, RSM 

“Whitman is filled with opportunities for those willing to embrace them. These chances have helped me grow as a student, leader and individual, and I am deeply grateful to my professors and classmates who challenged and inspired me along the way.” 

 

 

Jonathon Link 

 

Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona | Majors:  Business Analytics, Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises and Biotechnology (A&S) 

Future Plans: Pursuing opportunities in data analytics and life sciences industries 

“If you had told freshman-year me that I’d be where I am today, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’m not a pessimist, but the opportunities presented to me at Whitman were so unexpected and extensive that I couldn’t have achieved this growth elsewhere. Who I am today is the unique culmination of the lessons I’ve learned from my fellow Whitman peers, the skills I’ve honed from my extraordinary professors and the countless advisors, staff and friends who have guided me over the past four years onto the road of becoming my best self.” 

 

 

Heath Megnin 

 

Hometown: Denver, Colorado | Majors: Business Analytics, Finance and Television/Radio/Film (NEW) 

Future Plans: Looking to build a career in the music and entertainment industry, specifically where creative strategy meets data 

“Whitman gave me the foundation to think analytically and the confidence to pursue my passions in music and storytelling. The experiential programming sets students up to genuinely excel in the real world. I'm so thankful for the support of the Career Center, professors and staff who pushed me to do my best, produce high-quality work and create something new with each opportunity.” 

 

 

Silke Pion 

Hometown: Davis, California | Majors: Business Analytics, Finance and Political Science (MAX) 

Future Plans: Financial analyst, GCM Grosvenor 

“Whitman has given me some of the best years of my life. From endless opportunities to incredible connections—personal and professional—Whitman is forever my home. The experiences I’ve had here have shaped me into the person I am today. I am so grateful for the people, mentors and memories that made it all so meaningful.” 

 

 

Katherine Rogers 

 

Hometown: Ocean, New Jersey | Majors: Business Analytics and Biology (A&S) 

Future Plans: Internship in hospital administration at an RWJ-BH hospital while preparing to apply to J.D./Bioethics or J.D./Healthcare Informatics programs 

“Whitman has been an integral part of my experience at Syracuse, and I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support I’ve received from faculty, staff and peers. Over the past four years, I’ve been challenged to grow in meaningful ways and have developed the confidence to push myself beyond my comfort zone through opportunities to get involved on campus, study abroad and build meaningful connections. These experiences have not only shaped my academic journey but have also helped me become a more confident, engaged and well-rounded individual.” 

 

 

 

Odette Sherk 

 

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Majors: Marketing Management, Supply Chain Management and Environment, Sustainability and Policy (MAX) 

Future Plans: Technology enablement and transformation analyst, Deloitte Consulting 

“The Whitman School of Management gave me the opportunity to discover my passion for supply chain and nurture that passion into something I am truly proud of. Whitman’s extracurricular focus helped me network to find internships and take on a leadership role as the president of the Franklin Supply Chain Club where I could share my passion for supply chain with others. I look forward to my next chapter and value the foundation Whitman helped me build.” 

 

 

 

Jacquelyn Trotman  

 

Hometown: Edison, New Jersey | Majors: Retail Management and Creative Advertising (NEW)  

Future Plans: I will be pursuing my master of business administration degree 

“I look back on the last four years with immense pride and gratitude, and to the future with confidence, knowing that I had a premier business education and undergraduate experience. My time at Whitman has been defined by powerful connections, immersive learning and life-changing opportunities: participating in the East Asia Immersion Trip, going to the National Black MBA Association Conference and emerging as a leader in the Whitman community — and that hardly even scratches the surface. Thank you, Whitman, for believing in me and shaping me into a promising future business leader.” 

 

 

Qiong Wu, Whitman and University Scholar  

 

Hometowns: Singapore and Manlius, New York | Majors: Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, Economics (MAX) and Mathematics (A&S) 

Future Plans: Lifelong learning 

“Over the past four years, I have found a community like no other at Whitman. Though I have been very fortunate to have studied abroad, gone on leadership retreats, taken classes in New York City and so much more, my favorite memories have been the small moments I’ve shared with the people around me: getting lost in Manhattan while buying coffee, laughing together on the bus to Kuala Lumpur and catching up in the hallways between classes. In the words of my favorite A.A. Milne character, "It isn’t much good having anything exciting if you can’t share it with somebody.” 

 

 

Eric Zaks

 

Hometown: Oakland, New Jersey | Majors: Accounting and Supply Chain Management 

Future Plans: Technology enablement and transformation analyst, Deloitte Consulting 

“My time at Whitman has shaped me both academically and professionally, helping me grow into the person I am today. The college’s culture of excellence, passion and research has inspired my work in the classroom and throughout the Syracuse community. I’m grateful to the professors who challenged me to expand my thinking, and to the Whitman community for fostering meaningful professional connections and research opportunities through the Honors Program. Wherever I go next, the Syracuse way will stay with me, and I’m proud to be forever Orange.”