The 麻豆传媒 Blog

Recent Business Analytics Graduates Earn Prestigious Scholarships

Two new Pompea College of Business alumni, who will begin their careers at KPMG and Electric Boat, are among a nationwide group to receive a scholarship that aims to support underrepresented students who are passionate about pursuing a career in business analysis.

May 26, 2022

By Renee Chmiel, Office of Marketing and Communications


Candice Deal, Ph.D., and Paula Nwanna 鈥22 M.S. at Commencement.
Paula Nwanna 鈥22 M.S., and Watson Joseph 鈥22 MBA at Commencement.
Watson Joseph 鈥22 MBA with the Alumni Bell at Commencement.
Candice Deal, Ph.D. and Watson Joseph 鈥22 MBA.

When Watson Joseph 鈥22 MBA was a senior at , he spoke with one of his professors about pursuing his MBA with a concentration in data analytics. Excited to earn a master鈥檚 degree in a 鈥済rowing field,鈥 he decided to pursue his degree at the University of New Haven. A new graduate of the University, he remembers that conversation fondly as, he says, it led to him making 鈥渢he best decision in my life.鈥

The professor he spoke with was Candice Deal, Ph.D., and she too has since joined the University community. During the spring semester, she let Joseph know about another exciting opportunity 鈥 this time, the Wiley Unlocking Human Potential Scholarship. Joseph recently became one of two 麻豆传媒s to receive it.

鈥淢y reaction when I found out I was one of the recipients to receive this scholarship was very joyful,鈥 said Joseph, who earned his degree as part of Spring Commencement. 鈥淚 immediately shared the news with my brother and with Dr. Deal, my mentor.鈥

鈥楥ontinue on my path to learning鈥

Offered to students nationwide who graduated this spring, the supports Black and Latinx students who are pursuing careers in business analysis 鈥 including data analytics.

Paula Nwanna 鈥22 M.S., who recently earned her master鈥檚 degree in business analytics, also earned a scholarship. She says receiving the award was both exciting and meaningful.

Paula Nwanna 鈥22 M.S.
Candice Deal, Ph.D. and Paula Nwanna 鈥22 M.S.

鈥淲iley's vision of unlocking human potential aligns with my passion for learning, because I believe learning gives us the skills to bring about the positive change we desire to see in the world,鈥 she said. 鈥淏ooks published by Wiley help students such as me from an underrepresented background to have access to books and gather knowledge that will help us compete with our peers on a global scale. I worked so hard, and I am happy to see the results pay off.鈥

Nwanna says coming from a 鈥渂usiness-oriented family鈥 has enabled her to understand corporations and business processes. She is excited to continue to learn through her new position as a tax associate with the ignition digital transformation team at , one of the 鈥淏ig Four鈥 accounting organizations.

鈥淚 want to help organizations use analytics to gain rapid insights into business operations and make better decisions,鈥 she said. 鈥淎fter receiving this scholarship, I feel encouraged to continue on my path to learning.鈥

鈥楾he cherry on top鈥

The scholarship was offered through , a diversity recruiting marketplace. Dr. Deal, co-chair of the Pompea College of Business鈥檚 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, knew immediately that she wanted to share the opportunity with her students.

鈥淚 was so proud of them,鈥 said Dr. Deal, assistant dean of the Pompea College of Business. 鈥淚 think it really boosted their morale and encouraged them even more. It not only helped them financially, it also motivated them.

鈥淲e want to create a very inclusive environment for everyone,鈥 she continued. 鈥淪o, to highlight our minority students who earned these scholarships means a lot to the PCoB 鈥 that our efforts with these initiatives are really moving forward.鈥

For Joseph, the new MBA grad, the scholarship will support him as he continues his education. He will also continue to gain experience through his position as a financial analyst at while working to elevate his own fitness brand, .

鈥淩eceiving this award means so much to me because I felt like this was the cherry on top of my amazing MBA career at the University of New Haven,鈥 he said. 鈥淚 plan to use this award by continuing to further my education by pursuing my Ph.D. in business management.鈥