20 Under 20

Meet The Buchtelite’s 20 Under 20: 20 young professionals building their career early.

By Camryn Moore, Correspondent ‘23

In today’s competitive job market, building a successful career often requires a combination of talent, dedication and perseverance. And while many people wait until they are in their twenties or thirties to make strides in their chosen field, there is a growing number of young professionals who are taking proactive steps towards achieving their goals at an early age. The Buchtelite has recognized and celebrated 20 of these ambitious individuals in this feature. We introduce these impressive students who are already making waves in their respective industries and demonstrate the importance of starting early when it comes to building a successful career

Matthew Howell, 19 He/Him, Freshman

Major: Financial Planning

Involvement: Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, Liaison to Peer-to-Peer Financial Coaching Program for the Financial Planning Student Association (FPSA), Investment Club, University of Akron Running Club, Fisher Sales Society, Volunteer Event Coordinator for Elevate Honors Service Club, Intramural Volleyball and Futsal, Student Assistant at the Institute for Leadership Advancement Quote: “Earn your success based on service to others, not at the expense of others.” (-H. Jackson Brown Jr.)

Role Model: My Father, Travis Howell. He has demonstrated time and time again that through moral rectitude and persistence, you can achieve any goal you can dream of.

Goal: Be more involved in the local Akron community, especially the financial coaching program. In five years I hope to: I hope that I will have begun my career, passed my CFP exam, and still be strongly connected to my brothers in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Additionally, I would love to still be involved in the financial coaching program.

Shanon Jackson II, 18 He/Him/His, Freshman

Major: Accounting

Minor: Sport business

Bethel Tsige, 19 She/Her, Sophomore

Major: Chemical Engineering

Minor: Polymer Science

Campus Involvement: Williams Honors College, Secretary of the Society for Women Engineers, Engineering Student Council, Project Manager of the Undergraduate Student Government, African Student Association, Bierce Library Student Assistant, Research Assistant, and Editor for off-campus dance organization Phoenix Dance Crew.

Quote to live by: “If a dream is the sun, my mind is like earth. All day revolving around the sun.”

Role Model: My father. His strength and hardworking manner has made me the person I am today. My interest in STEM is also connected to my father, and he has emphasized to me the importance of education and knowledge and dedicates himself to that passion.

Goal: Contributing more to campus-related topics and events! I want to provide more input and become more involved with The University of Akron.

By 25 I hope to have: Completed graduate school and obtained my doctoral degree in chemical engineering. In five years I see myself working or conducting research at a company or even NASA.

Campus Involvement: IFC Liaison for Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, SABA (Sport Analytics and Business Association), Gamma Iota Sigma Business Fraternity, Resident Assistant for Residence Life and Housing.

Quote: “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.” Malcolm X

Role Model: My mother. There are so many skills that I have obtained from her over my lifetime. For example, responsibility, accountability, kindness, and strong values. My mother has had a big impact on how I have grown into the person that I am. Also, a factor in how I live based off my values and standards of my own.

Goal: Better my GPA, obtain a summer internship in the sports industry, and take on more leadership roles withing my fraternity and SABA. By 25 I hope to be: a decent way into my career and slowly setting up my life. I do not currently know the exact path for what I want my career to be. For school, I hope to have figured out my path with or without obtaining my CPA, whichever option feels like the best route.

Adrianna Lakota, 18 She/Her, Freshman

Major: nursing, Minor: French

Campus Involvement: On campus, I am involved in delta gamma where I hold the position of social chair, Hall government where I hold the position as president for Bulger/Spanton residence halls, I am a tier 2 pink gloves boxer, I am also a lifeguard at the rec center, and finally a Williams Honors College student.

Quote: One quote that I live by was told to me by my mom in middle school. She told me, “This too shall pass.”

Role Model: My big sister in Delta Gamma, Natalie Baughman.

Goal: A goal that I am working towards is to get accepted into the nursing program at Akron and study abroad in France again in the spring. In five years, I see myself beginning a new job as a pediatric nurse whether that be in France or here in the United States.

Grace Dobie, 19 She/Her, Sophomore

Major: Marketing

Campus Involvement: Wellness specialist and sisterhood programs specialist for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, and I currently work two on campus jobs. Quote: “I hope you have the courage to choose yourself over and over, I hope you have the courage to move forward and not backwards, to choose growth over comfort, to choose possibilities over past.”

Goal: A short-term goal I have is graduating college with no regrets. I want to know I did everything I could to get the best college experience and be as involved as I could. I would also like to secure a job for post-graduation and travel.

By 25 I hope to: be in a good place in the working world and starting to think about what steps I can take to go further in my career. I also hope to be thinking about other business ventures and how I can grow professionally.

Moises Antonio Tuyas, 20

He/His, First-year

Major: Nursing with a minor in Psychology

Campus Involvement: UA Latino club, ROTC, Life as a Zip

Quote: If it doesn’t challenge you, it won’t change you ~ Fred DeVito.

Role Model: My Mother has been an example of perseverance, but I have been a person where I have adopted characteristics that I think could contribute something positive to me in my journey in life.

Goal: I’m working towards getting my BSN and getting to my body goal

By 25 I hope to: have completed my bachelor’s, have move to Miami, have a partner where I be planning to build a family, be in a perfect shape physically and in my health and have a great job where I start to be financially stable.

Morgan Amory, 19 She/Her, Sophomore

Major: Respiratory Therapy, State Tested Nurse

Aid License and a Lifeguarding Certification

Campus Involvement: Delta Zeta, Vice President of Membership on Panhellenic Council, and Club Tennis.

Quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” Winston S. Churchill.

Role Model: My Dad. He has always wanted me to go for what I want and has shown me that even though life has so many obstacles that there is a way around them to get a good turn out in the end.

Goal: I am working towards being the best I can in all my classes. As you take on leadership and get further into your program things get a bit more complicated. So, with this I want to make sure I am staying up on my grades so I can be the best I can possibly.

By 25 I want to: Have a secure job in a hospital working in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Colten Tackett, 19 He/Him, First year

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Campus Involvement: Zips Racing Internal Combustion, the Society of Sales Engineers, Akron Running Club, and volunteering through outside organizations including the Haven of Rest homeless shelter.

Quote: “My goal is to be uncommon amongst uncommon people” - David Goggins

Role Model: My father is my role model, as he knows how to work hard and has a lot of wisdom. I can thank him for teaching me everything I know today and how to go about future obligations. I always look for his word when I need it most!

Goal: I am learning to strengthen my faith in God by reading more of the Bible and sharing its teachings. My goal is to finish the Bible. 25 I hope to be: Professionally, I see myself as a stable research and development engineer with a strong advocation towards taking on a leadership position towards sustainability and innovation. Outside of professionalism, this also includes many building projects for myself to work on and many running miles under my belt! I wish to complete a fast, competitive marathon by the time I am 25.

Sarah Beyea, 18 She/Her, Freshman

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Business Essentials

Campus Involvement: Baja Engineering Design team, Elevate Service Club, UA Investment Club, and SWE.

One quote I live by is: “There are 86,400 seconds in a day, it is up to you to decide what you do with them.” - Jim Valvano. Role Model: My Dad. This is because he has given me so many life lessons to live by and overall, a great man to look up to.

Goal: I am working towards my dream career. Coming out of college with a mechanical engineering degree, I think it would be awesome to head into the space industry. Although my plans may change here in the soon and upcoming future the space industry would be an awesome job. In five years time: I see myself working up to the top of an engineering firm and having a consistent job out of college. I would also like to join my business minor into my career as well and maybe even start my own business.

Kaden Rupert, 18 He/Him, Freshman

Major: Biomedical Science

Minors: Nutrition and Emergency Management and Homeland Security

Campus Involvement: Undergraduate Student Government as a Senator at Large, the Vice Chair of the Mental Health Task Force, Williams Honors College Student, a writing tutor in the Polsky Tutoring Labs, a research assistant in the Blackledge Spider Labs through the Tiered Mentoring Program, on the Executive Board of Active Minds, On the Life as a Zip Instagram takeover team, Campus Focus, ZipsCubing, The Honors Civics Club Community Outreach Chair, and within the Akron Community, I volunteer at Akron General Emergency Room on the weekends. Quote: “Do not be afraid.”

Role Model: My parents.

Goal: A goal that I am currently working towards is to be accepted and graduate from medical school. By 25 I hope to have: graduated college, be enrolled in medical school and working towards my MD or DO. In five years, I see myself starting out medical school and beginning a future in medicine.

Lydia Lungu, 19 She/Her/Hers, Sophomore

Major: Supply Chain/Operations Management Major, International Business Minor, Mental Health First Aid certified Campus Involvement: Undergraduate Student Government, Pre-Law Society, Life as a Zip Social Media Ambassador, Notetaker for the Office of Accessibility, Campus Focus, and currently working on securing an internship in the greater Akron/Cleveland area. Director of Events for Undergraduate Student Government.

Quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts. -Winston Churchill

Role Model: My older brother, Titus Lungu because he is the most persevering and ambitious person I know. He’s always taught me to never give up and has always been my #1 supporter.

Goal: Being more patient with myself and being aware of my limits and capabilities. In five years: I hope to graduate with a J.D. degree and work for a corporate law firm on the east or west coast, working to make a difference in people’s lives, while fighting to make unheard voices heard.

Khatonia D. Ford, 19 She/Her, Sophomore

Major: Criminal Justice/Criminology

Certificates: International Business, Professional Selling, Professional Social Media/Marketing

Campus Involvement: Ohio Innocence Project, President of The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Financial secretary, Social Action Chair and International Awareness Chair of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Zeta Alpha Chapter and Undergraduate Student Government

Quote to live by: “You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I’ll rise”- Maya Angelou

Role Model: Queen Bey! Beyonce has a lot of talent; she refuses to allow people to put her in a box or categorize her and that is something that I look up to. I refuse to allow people to have control and categorize me because I have too many talents and skills.

Goal: I am working towards as of right now is scoring 175 through 179 on my LSAT to get into my dream law school. By the time I’m 25: I will be finishing up getting my PhD. I always had plans about living in D.C, because I love the idea of being surrounded by historical figures and institutions. So hopefully I’ll be practicing law or working somewhere in Congress.

Danny LaGuardia, 19 He/Him,

Major: sales

Campus Involvement

Sophomore the President of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, and the Vice President of Health and Safety for Interfraternity Council, and I work on campus.

Quote: “Memento Mori” which means remember you will die.

Role Model: My Dad

Goal: A goal I’m working towards is self-health and financial freedom. In 25 years: I see myself as the CEO of a business or a business I started.

Kate McCabe, 18 She/Her, First Year

Major: Political Science

Minor: Pre-law Philosophy

Campus Involvement: Williams Honor College, Pre-Law Society, Greek Leadership Program, Vice President of Panhellenic Relations for Alpha Delta Pi, Student Assistant at the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office, and Lifeguard at the Student Wellness and Recreation Center.

Quote: “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” Maya Angelou.

Role Model: My Mom. She has always encouraged me to do the absolute best I can and pushed me to achieve my goals. She puts my sister's and my needs above her own. I would not be the person I am today without her.

Goal: Finishing my undergrad, and hopefully getting into law school.

In five years: I see myself in law school pursuing a career as a family law attorney.

Pailey Vitale, 18 She/Her/Hers, Freshman

Major: Polymer Science and Engineering

Campus involvement: Williams Honors College, Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW), Zips Precious Plastics (ZPP), Concrete Canoe Design Team, Finance Chair for Society of Women in Engineering (SWE), Engineering Student Council (ESC), Phi Sigma Rho Engineering Sorority, Life As a Zip, University of Akron Marching Band (UAMB), Concert band, Clarinet ensemble

Quote: “Extraordinary is a choice”

Role model: I’ve honestly never really had a role model. I do not aspire to be like someone else, I chose to mold myself into the best version of me at my own will. If I had to choose a role model it would be my parents, they’re my biggest supporters and always offer advice that continues to shape my character.

Current goal: Preparing physically and musically to march with the Crossmen (DCI) this summer. By 25 I want to: Working towards my Doctorate degree or having an awesome job. And during the summer I want to be on staff (teching) at a high school marching band. I also want to have gone outside of the country by the time I’m 25. Professionally I want to be making plastic products working in the sustainability and processing side of things (injection molding and 3d printing) and making a difference in the plastic industry and in the world.

Ayesha Qureshi, 19 She/Her, Sophomore

Major: Biology, Minor: Chemistry and Sociology

Campus Involvement: Vice President of Sigma

Lambda National Honorary, Williams Honors College

Dean’s Team, Life as a Zip Team, Muslim Student Association, and Phi Delta Epsilon. Tiered Mentoring Program and research under Dr. Bagatto and graduate student Katie Duval. Tutor in Bierce Library and a Learning Assistant for the Principles of Chemistry I and II courses.

Role Model: My older sister, Ayda Qureshi, is a current senior at the University of Michigan. I was raised in a household with my older sister, younger brother, and my two immigrant parents. Although I have learned many qualities and attributes from my parents, Ayda was the one who had to navigate through a new country with a new educational and social environment that my parents never had the chance to interact with from a young age. As she lived and learned, Ayda taught me and my younger brother several skills and lessons that she had to learn the hard way. I credit my sister for much of my success. She has always been patient with me and is my number one supporter and teacher. I am grateful to have grown up in a caring family with an inspiring older sister like Ayda.

Quote: One quote I live by is “everything happens for a reason.”

Goal: I am currently a biology major on a pre-Dental track. In the future, I hope to attend dental school and become a dentist in the future!

By the time I am 25: I hope to be in dental school and/or starting my own dental practice!

Grace (Gracyl) Collins, 19 She/Her, Freshman

Major: Spanish

Minor: Dance and Sociology

Certificate: TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language)

Campus Involvement: GIVE, a volunteering club, Terpsichore Dance Club, and Sociology Club, Urban Youth Mentoring at the LeBron James Foundation “I Promise” School.

Quote: “Find comfort that you will end up where you’re supposed to be.”

Role Model: Sydney Fannin and Cecilia Mainzer

Goal: Remain on the Dean’s Team, work towards graduation, complete a pull-up with no assistance and read 10 books by 2024.

By 25 I hope to: Have completed my master’s degree in English as a Second Language and to be working at Ohio State Extension, still involved with 4-H, and giving back to that program.

Gwen Bushen, 18 She/Her, Freshman

Major: English and Philosophy

Campus Involvement: First-Year Senator, Vice Chair for the Student Engagement Committee and the Vice Chair for the Sustainable Solutions Committee for Undergraduate Student Government, Vice President of Event Planning for Alpha Gamma Delta, Pink Gloves Boxing, and the Collegiate Success Scholar Program. I also work as a Resident Assistant in Exchange Street Residence Hall.

Quote: “The only fear of missing out that matters is the fear of missing out on yourself.” - Matt Haig, The Comfort Book. Role Model: My parents. They showed me what it means to be hardworking and believe in myself. Most importantly, they taught me how to be kind.

Goal: One goal that I am working towards is to maintain my GPA, while becoming more involved in my current involvements. In USG, I am working to create more events to introduce students to various resources that may be underappreciated on campus.

By the time I am 25: I hope to graduate, possibly with my master’s degree. I want to use my degree to become a book editor.

Alexis Miller, 20 She/Her, Junior

Major: nursing, Nursing Aid certification at 16

Campus Involvement: Panhellenic Delegate, Bid Day Chair, Chaplin and one of our Social Chairs for Alpha Phi, Miss Greater Akron Volunteer 2022 Scholarship Program

Quote: “Find the good in all things.”

Role Model: My parents.

Choosing just one would be impossible. My parents have always been my role models through not only their careers, but their actions and dedication to helping others and exemplifying what it means to be a public servant. Growing up, I learned the virtue of selflessness very quickly as my father was a first responder, and my mother worked in healthcare. Without them, I don’t think I’d be who I am today, and I hope to live up to be at least half of what they are today.

Goal: Graduating college and getting my RN, BSN— hopefully being able to help change and save lives!

By 25 I hope to: Have established my career in nursing and be working as an ICU or surgical nurse. One of my biggest goals in life is to have a family of my own, so hopefully by then I will be on the right track to make that happen, but life has its way of working everything out if not!

Gabriella Kuebler, 19 She/Her, Freshman

Major: Mechanical Engineering Technology with a Certificate in Communication Leadership Campus Involvement: chassis lead of Zips Racing Combustion, CMAA (Construction Management Association of America), and the campus ministry for the Akron Canton Church of Christ

Quote: 1 Peter 4:8 which says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Role Model: A woman named Angela Ashmore. She is a trackside engineer for Chip Ganassi, an IndyCar team from Indianapolis. She was the first woman to be in the pit box for an Indy 500 winning team which was a huge deal last year. Working in IndyCar is my dream, and seeing such a smart and successful woman in this position is inspiring.

Goal: Getting my first Co-op or Internship within a race team. I would like to have experience at the racetrack as an engineer before graduation, to best set myself up for a career in this field. Experience is so important for this career, and I want to get as much as I can as soon as possible. By the time I am 25: I want to work for an Indy NXT or Indy Lights team. This is a great step to getting into IndyCar because these are the series below it. A lot of people, being drivers, engineers, mechanics and more, come from these series and get great trackside experience and knowledge to bring to an IndyCar team.