2023-2024 John C. Stophel Distinguished Students

The Rollins College of Business John C. Stophel Distinguished Student Award is presented annually to recognize high potential business students who have made significant and meaningful civic contributions to UTC and the Rollins College of Business while maintaining a strong academic record.

Students must provide evidence of exceptional extracurricular leadership and community service. Community engagement evidenced by a pattern of strong contributions to the Rollins College of Business, UTC, civic organizations is highly valued, as well as activities resulting in lasting impact and quantifiable results. Award recipients must be an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Business.

Below are the 2023-2024 John C. Stophel Distinguished Students.

Mary Bennett

Mary is a senior finance major graduating in May of 2024. She is from Centerville, Tennessee.

Throughout her time at UTC, Mary has been part of the Honors College as a Brock Scholar, served as a committee co-chair in the Freshman Senate, and studied abroad in both San Salvador, Bahamas (Summer 2022) and Burgos, Spain (Fall 2022). She is also a member of the Spanish Club and serves as the Treasurer, Events Head, and a Bible Study Leader at the UTC Catholic Student Center. Mary has also been part of the Rollins Scholars Program, performed research through the Marketing department, placed 3rd in the TVA 2022 Financial Services Case Competition, and participated in the SMILE Fund in 2021. She is a current member of the Dean's Student Advisory Council. Over the past 4 years, Mary has also volunteered at Crabtree Farms, Chattanooga Community Kitchen, and Bridge Refugee Services.

Her professional experience during her time at UTC includes a summer 2021 Conservation Corps Internship through the U.S. Forest Service, a summer 2022 research position in Cádiz, Spain through UTC’s International Research Program, and an Internal Controls Internship for CoBank in Denver, Colorado this past summer. She currently works as an after-school tutor for at-risk youth.

Upon graduation, Mary will work as a summer finance intern with Stanley Black & Decker and will subsequently pursue a service gap year before entering the workforce. Her long-term goals consist of attaining fluency in Spanish and working for a multinational organization in financial consulting.

Sara Matthews

Sara Mathews is a junior in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. She is from Chattanooga, TN, and plans to graduate in May 2025 with a degree in Business Analytics.

Sara has been part of both domestic and international communities. She has worked and volunteered with Love Without Reason since 2021, going to India, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Nepal for cleft medical mission trips and for anti-human trafficking initiatives. In 2023, Sara became a solo traveler for Love Without Reason, going to Nepal and India to learn more about human trafficking and the aftereffects on survivors. In Nepal, she met with survivors of human trafficking, spending time educating, empowering, and encouraging them. She visited the red-light district in Mumbai, where she had the opportunity to encourage women to leave a legacy for their children by departing the sex trade in exchange for gainful employment.

She has been in different leadership orientations on and off campus, including positions in the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, her church, and nonprofit event coordination. Recently, Sara got accepted into one of two spots in the data analytics assistantship program with the National Science Foundation. This position allowed her to apply real-life data tools in data analysis and research.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Sara plans on finding her place in the workforce where she can apply her analytical and leadership skills. In the future, she hopes to work with more nonprofits and find ways to better the global community.

Jacob Neuman

Jacob is currently a senior in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business with plans to graduate in May 2024 with a degree in Accounting and a minor in Personal Finance. He is from Knoxville, TN.

While at UTC, he has become involved in several organizations on and off campus activities. He has been a part of the Rollins Scholars program throughout his time at UTC and has spent time involved with other on campus groups such as the SMILE Fund, IMA, and Beta Alpha Psi. He has been involved in the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity where he served on the executive board as the treasurer and has also been a member of the UTC Interfraternity Council where he served as the VP of Records. He has also worked several internships throughout his time at UTC. These include working as a business intern at Mutual of Omaha, a tax accounting intern at JHM CPAs, a public accounting intern at Elliott Davis, and as an accounting intern at Bridges Consumer Healthcare.

After graduation, Jacob plans on pursuing a Masters in Accounting at UTC while continuing to work in public accounting and working towards getting his CPA. He plans on pursuing a career in public accounting after graduating with his MAcc.

Ryan Nichols

Ryan is currently a senior in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and plans to graduate in May of 2024 with a degree in Business Finance and Accounting. He is from Chattanooga, TN.

While at UTC, Ryan has been heavily involved in the finance and accounting department. He has served as an undergraduate assistant for the Finance department. He joined the Student Managed Investment Learning Experience (SMILE) Fund in 2021 and has served as an analyst and VP of Market Analysis. Since 2023, he has and is currently serving as the President and Chief Investment Strategist of the fund.

Since 2022, Ryan has worked with Acumen Wealth Advisors as an Investment Analyst Intern. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue a research-focused career in the investments industry. He also plans to continue his education by pursuing the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Nadia San

Nadia San is from Chattanooga, Tennessee and currently a senior in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business. She will graduate in May 2024 with a degree in Business Marketing.

While at UTC, Nadia has held several leadership positions. She was the Sales Director for Strike Magazine, Marketing Analyst for Student-Managed Investment Learning Experience (SMILE) Fund, Vice President and Finance Director for Public Relations Club, and VP of Marketing for Financial Management Association (FMA). Most recently, she is the Lead Analyst in the Financial Sector of the SMILE Fund. She has also served as a volunteer for the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and the Chambliss Center for Children.

Nadia prioritizes immersing herself in other cultures. In Spring of 2023, she studied a semester abroad at London South Bank University. During this time, she had the opportunity to travel to eight different countries.

After graduation, Nadia will enter a full-time position as a Capital Markets Analyst for Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking in New York City. She hopes to one day transfer to their headquarters in Paris, France.

Alexandra Sass

Alexandra is currently a senior in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and plans to graduate in May 2024 with a dual degree in Management and Human Resource Management. She is from Brentwood, Tennessee.
Throughout her time at UTC, Alexandra has prioritized her academics and immersed herself in various clubs and organizations, both on and off campus. She has remained on the Dean’s List since freshman year and has received a Gary W. Rollins Scholarship as a tribute to her accomplishments and contributions.

She is deeply involved in the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) where she currently serves as President after previously serving as the Director of Communication. During her time as President, SHRM has presented real-world learning opportunities with networking and professional development. She played a leadership role in competing and placing first in the undergraduate division in a statewide SHRM Student Case Competition, and Alexandra’s efforts in SHRM were recognized with the James House Williamson Scholarship Award.

Her volunteering and internship with the Erlanger Health System have further stimulated her passion and curiosity for healthcare through experiential learning. Her membership in the Chi Omega Fraternity has granted her the opportunity to volunteer alongside and support Make-A-Wish East Tennessee.

Following graduation, Alexandra plans to further her professional development by sitting for the SHRM-CP exam and pursuing a Master of Health Administration. She aspires to become an innovative executive in healthcare who prioritizes compassionate, high-quality care to individuals in underserved communities.

Mackayla Wall

Mackayla is currently a senior in the Gary W. Rollins College of Business and plans to graduate in May 2024 with a degree in Economics. She is from Chattanooga, TN.

While at UTC, she has engaged herself in the community in various ways. She has been a student ambassador for the Brock Scholar Program since 2020, representing the university at tabling events, informational sessions, and leading guided tours for prospective students. She has also worked alongside faculty as an archival research assistant in the university's History Department, as well as assisted in establishing the university's first Asian-interest and Multicultural Greek Organization in efforts to spread Asian Awareness and perpetuate diversity.

She has been able to learn more about her community and advocate for students from similar backgrounds as a student ambassador and chapter president for Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated. Off campus, she has also worked as an Attorney's Assistant at Davis Firm, LLC., and as an American Bone Health Peer Educator.

After graduating, Mackayla plans on attending law school. She hopes to continue to give back to her community and give a voice to the voiceless.