What happens when you give graduate students a final research paper assignment?
For three SJC Long Island graduate students, it meant getting invited to present their research at an international conference and the chance to publish their work in a prestigious journal.
Deena Lopresti, Cynthia Granada and Aaron Erdman, who took MGT 690: Integrative Analysis in Management last semester with Assistant Professor of Business Administration Detelin Elenkov, Ph.D., were selected to present their final research papers at the 2021 Orlando International Academic Conference on Business, Economics, Finance, and Accounting in May. Additionally, Lopresti’s research paper is set to be published in the next issue of the Journal of Advancements in Applied Business Research.
“This is a great success not only for those three students, but also for the Graduate Management Studies program directed by Jerome Grossman, SJC Long Island and St. Joseph’s College in general, as our students accomplished that scholarly achievement alongside professors and doctoral students, who came mostly from top research universities from around the world,” said Dr. Elenkov, who began teaching at St. Joseph’s in September 2020.
Lopresti, who’s paper is titled “Are Millennials Satisfied in Corporate America Today and What Is it Costing You?” graduated in May with an MBA. Granada earned an MBA in Accounting in May, and her research focused on “Issues with Regulating and Managing Technology.” Erdman, who graduated with an MBA in Health Care Management in May, titled his paper “Six Sigma and Healthcare Processes.”
“Our Graduate Management Studies program has always strived to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our students,” said Grossman. “Through Dr. Elenkov’s efforts, Deena Lopresti, Cynthia Granada and Aaron Erdman will represent St. Joseph’s College on the international stage. I’m proud on behalf of our program to applaud their achievements, which speaks to the high quality of learning that is offered to our students. I’m sure their success will inspire other students to follow in their footsteps.”
Succeeding with SJC
Deena Lopresti ’17, MBA ’21
Lopresti, who earned a B.S. in Business Administration from SJC Long Island in 2017, was excited and proud when she found out her paper was selected for both publication and presentation at an international conference.
“My favorite part of the presentation was the ability to bring my paper to life,” Lopresti, 26, said. “My presentation allowed a more creative display of my topic to highlight my information with a personal touch.”
Overall, Lopresti feels her time at SJC has prepared her to excel in her career.
“I believe the MBA program as a whole has enabled me to now combine my ‘on the job’ experience with higher level knowledge in my areas of study/work,” said Lopresti, who works as a procurement agent for the Suffolk County Water Authority — a job she landed with the help of SJC’s Office of Career Preparation and Professional Development.
“The courses also provided me with more in-depth explanations into areas of business management that I would otherwise not have been able to experience in my current position,” the Blue Point resident continued. “I can also confidently say that I have been able to improve my current output of work by understanding how all other aspects of an organization function together.”
Lopresti, who says she’s passionate about cost analysis and supply chain functions, looks forward to continuing to advance her career using the education and work knowledge she gained from her time at St. Joseph’s College.
