Student Life
Our student body is actively involved in a number of student organizations and activities outside the classroom. Any student can start a student organization in their area of interest. Below is a list of current student clubs and organizations that serve to enhance the quality of Graziadio student life and strengthen and build community across academic programs.
For more information about leadership opportunities or to learn how to join a student club or organization, please contact the officers for each organization listed below. For more information about the governing policies and processes for student organizations, visit the Student Organization Handbook.
Student Clubs
HR Club
Purpose
We aim to create an enriching experience for all students by elevating relevant skills for the workplace and creating relationships with HR professionals.
Officers
President
Katie Dickins, katherine.dickins@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Amanda Rogers, amanda.l.rogers@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
WeiWen Chen, weiwen.chen@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Kenneth Murphy, Director, Career and Professional Development, kenneth.murphy@pepperdine.edu
Constitution
Graziadio Christian Business Society
Purpose
The Graziadio Christian Business Society seeks to provide a community for Christian business students and to demonstrate how Christianity is relevant to the modern business world. The organization partners with other student groups, faculty, and staff to bring business professionals to speak at Pepperdine, to provide access to Christian resources for students, and to participate in activities of interest to Christian students such as discussion groups, fellowship, and service events.
Officers
President
Tyler Kleinert, tyler.kleinert@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Robert Woodcock, Spiritual Life Officer, robert.woodcock@pepperdine.edu
Analytics and Digital Innovation Club
Purpose
The Analytics and Digital Innovation Club brings students together who have an interest in learning about and pursuing careers in the fields of analytics and digital innovation.
Officers
President
Matthew Kichaven, matthew.kichaven@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Jeongmin Kim, jeongmin.kim@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Weida Li, weida.li@pepperdine.edu
Faculty Advisor
Samuel Seaman, samuel.seaman@pepperdine
Constitution
Asian Business Club
Purpose
The purpose of the Asian Business Club is to build a bridge for students and alumni who are interested in Asian-related business to network, collaborate, and share resources. The purpose of the Asian Business Club is to build a bridge for students and alumni who are interested in Asian-related business to network, collaborate, and share resources.
Officers
President
Olivia Bao, olivia.bao@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Utkarsh Ambade, utkarsh.ambade@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Daniyal Pasha, daniyal.pasha@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Jonathan Koegler, Senior Career Coach, jonathan.koegler@pepperdine.edu
Constitution
Asian Business Club Constitution
Data Analytics Club
Purpose
The purpose of Data Analytics Club is to build a platform for students and alumni who are interested in data analytics and learning more programming languages to develop their own careers. In today’s rapidly changing digital world, many organizations need data to drive business decisions. The Data Analytics Club assists students to learn Python, R, SQL, and other related languages. Members in the Data Analytics Club can also organize the data science competition in Kaggle and learn to apply problem solving skills in the real world.
Officers
President
Yishuo Dong, yishuo.dong@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Hsin-Yu Pan, jerry.pan@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Mengfan Cheng, mengfan.cheng@pepperdine.edu
Faculty Advisor
Arash Vafanejad, arash.vafanejad@pepperdine.ed
Constitution
Net Impact
Purpose
Net Impact is a global leadership organization committed to nurturing an extensive and influential network of current and future business visionaries who believe in making a profit while affecting a positive social and environmental change. Pepperdine Net Impact Chapter aims to create an added competitive advantage for the students by providing practical tools and knowledge on how to maximize positive business impact. It is a platform for business innovation and unique networking opportunities. Pepperdine Net Impact Chapter hosts renowned speakers, hands-on workshops, networking events, company tours and provides an opportunity to attend the annual National Net Impact Conference. Chapter members closely collaborate with Pepperdine's Certificate in Socially, Environmentally, and Ethically Responsible (SEER) Business Strategy, a nationally renowned program for its robust curriculum and the annual SEER Symposium featuring industry leaders and other executive level speakers.
For more information on Net Impact Central and to see all the benefits of becoming a member, check out www.netimpact.org.
Officers
President
Jennifer Johnson, jennifer.m.johnson@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Diana Brodskiy, diana.brodskiy@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Pushpinder Pabla, pushpinder.pabla@pepperdine.edu
Faculty Advisor
Robert Bikel, Director SEER Program; Instructor of SEER Management
Social Ethical Environmental Responsibility, robert.bikel@pepperdie.edu
Constitution
Net Impact Constitution
PepperMasters
Purpose
We are a professional networking club that connects students to alumni and recruiters. We also help students to elevate their leadership and interpersonal skills.
Officers
President
Luke Wang, shuaitian.wang@pepperdine.edu
Chief Operating Officer
Irene Meng, danlin.meng@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Sean Kumar, Coach, Career and Professional Development, sean.kumar@pepperdine.edu
Constitution
Connect With Us
Graziadio Student Ambassadors
Purpose
The Graziadio Student Ambassadors (GSA) provides our current student community with an opportunity to become involved in marketing the full-time programs at the Graziadio School. This organization allows the student body to promote our programs by attracting qualified and capable students and as a result, shape the future of the Graziadio School.
These goals are accomplished through hosting on- and off-campus events such as open houses, career fairs, and recruiting panels. Additionally, the GSA hosts prospective students and assists Recruitment and Enrollment Services by sharing their student experience through lunches, on-campus events, and tours.
Officers
President
Karishma Lulla, karishma.lulla@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Danielle Mastronardi, Senior Advisor, Enrollment Management, danielle.mastronardi@pepperdine.edu
Emerging Leaders
Please note: The Emerging Leaders are intended to guide and advise students about the graduate school experience, and should not be considered a source for official University information.
The Emerging Leaders mentorship program is a student-based initiative designed to enhance the overall Pepperdine experience for full-time Graziadio School students. These individuals, who are carefully selected by faculty, work closely with the student recruitment staff and faculty to develop programs and activities designed to assist you, the new students, as you transition into this MBA program. The mentors consist of a number of student club officers (listed below). We are here to assist you with anything from academics (concentrations, workloads) to getting around in LA and introducing you to all that the Graziadio School has to offer.
Contact the Emerging Leaders
For questions, we invite you to contact the Emerging Leaders Co-Presidents, Matthew Kichaven and Jeanette Lee
Meet Your 2018-2019 Mentors
Matthew Kichaven
Co-President
matthew.kichaven@pepperdine.edu
Matthew Kichaven is a full-time MBA student at Pepperdine's Graziadio School of Business and Management. He is concentrating in Applied Analytics. Matthew spent 5 years working in the sports and entertainment industries after receiving his Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona. Matthew is very involved in student life at Pepperdine as President of the Analytics and Digital Innovation Club and Co-President of the Emerging Leaders alongside Jeanette Lee. Outside of his studies, Matthew is passionate about his poodle, fantasy sports, and golf.
Jeanette J. Lee
Co-President
jeanette.lee@pepperdine.edu
Jeanette Lee is currently a Master of Business Administration student at Pepperdine University Graziadio Business School. She is the President of Emerging Leaders and is a member of Net Impact, Pepperdine Microenterprise Program, and is working towards attaining her SEER Certificate. She was born and raised in San Jose, California, home to many of the world's largest high-tech corporations of Silicon Valley. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with a Film Studies minor at Chapman University. After graduating, she moved to Seoul, South Korea to work as a producer in film and television production; her production team oversaw and developed all phases of production, from pre- to post- production. She also served as the company's representative with overseas market buyers, expanding the broadcast media content to a global audience.
Olivia Bao
olivia.bao@pepperdine.edu
Olivia Bao is currently a MBA student at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration undergraduate degree in Human Resource Management at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics. Post-graduation, she worked in a well-established snack-chain company, Lyfen, as an HR Business Partner for the Supply Chain department. She later joined the executive branch to support the company's CEO, where she learned to assist and manage the day-to-day operations on behalf of her. Throughout the years, she has cultivated managerial, analytical, and problem-solving skills. Olivia is now looking forward to applying her overseas professional experience with her MBA studies, to ultimately, understand and thrive in the U.S. market.
Taylor Dick
taylor.dick@pepperdine.edu
Taylor Dick is a second year MBA candidate at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. He received his undergraduate education at Elon University in Economics. Prior to starting his MBA, Taylor worked for a radio broadcasting group in North Carolina doing acquisitions. Over the summer he worked at SVN-Real Estate Partners furthering their investment portfolio. In addition to his studies, Taylor is the president of the Finance Club and Director of Finance for the Student Board of Directors.
Jordan Stack
jordan.stack@pepperdine.edu
Andrew Walton
andrew.walton@pepperdine.edu
Chi Zhang
chi.zhang@pepperdine.edu
Finance Club
Purpose
The Finance Club effectively supports best for the world leaders who are pursuing careers in finance.
Officers
President
Taylor Dick, taylor.dick@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Xuwei Huang, xuwei.huang@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Daniyal Pasha, daniyal.pasha@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Sean Kumar, Coach, Career and Professional Development, sean.kumar@pepperdine.edu
Constitution
Finance Club Constitution
Entertainment Media & Sports Society
Purpose
The Entertainment, Media & Sports Society focuses on building strong professional networks and fostering deep industry knowledge to give our members unmatched access to an array of opportunities in all major functional areas of the entertainment, media and sports space.
Officers
President
Delyla Majeedian, delyla.majeedian@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Diana Brodskiy, diana.brodskiy@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Crystal Hernandez, crystal.hernandez@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Karen Weiss, Director, Employer Relations, Career and Professional Development, karen.weiss@pepperdine.edu
Constitution
Pepperdine Real Estate Association
Purpose
We are a dynamic and diverse association, passionate about developing our real estate expertise through academic achievement and impactful relationships within the Pepperdine and global real estate communities.
Officers
President
Samira Fatehyar, samira.fatehyar@pepperdine.edu
Vice President
Siqi Tong, siqi.tong@pepperdine.edu
Treasurer
Susannah Beard, susannah.beard@pepperdine.edu
Faculty Advisor
Dongshin Kim, dongshin.kim@pepperdine.edu
Constitution
Student Organizations
Student Life Council
Applications are now open for the Graziadio Student Life Council.
Student Engagement & Success is now accepting applications for the new Student Life Council (SLC), which is a newly formed Graziadio advisory council. The first active term for the SLC began in Summer 2019. To be considered for SLC membership, please submit the online application. Applications will be received on a rolling basis and considered for membership for either the current or following term, depending on council membership needs.
About the SLC
The SLC is an advisory body that provides a representative student voice on matters involving the full-time student experience outside the classroom, including allocation of the Pepperdine Graziadio Business School (PGBS) Student Activity Fee and the development and implementation of student-focused programs, initiatives, and services.
As stakeholders in their graduate student experience, SLC members develop a significant level of expertise and insight into the administration of PGBS co-curricular programs, processes, and services, and advise PGBS staff and administrators on matters that directly impact the current and future student experience. For more information about the SLC, please view the Student Life Council Procedures.
Graziadio Student Ambassadors
Purpose
The Graziadio Student Ambassadors (GSA) provides our current student community with an opportunity to become involved in marketing the full-time programs at the Graziadio School. This organization allows the student body to promote our programs by attracting qualified and capable students and as a result, shape the future of the Graziadio School.
These goals are accomplished through hosting on- and off-campus events such as open houses, career fairs, and recruiting panels. Additionally, the GSA hosts prospective students and assists Recruitment and Enrollment Services by sharing their student experience through lunches, on-campus events, and tours.
Officers
President
Tyler Kleinert, tyler.kleinert@pepperdine.edu
Staff Advisor
Danielle Mastronardi, Senior Advisor, Enrollment Management, danielle.mastronardi@pepperdine.edu
Emerging Leaders
Please note: The Emerging Leaders are intended to guide and advise students about the graduate school experience, and should not be considered a source for official University information.
The Emerging Leaders mentorship program is a student-based initiative designed to enhance the overall Pepperdine experience for full-time Graziadio School students. These individuals, who are carefully selected by faculty, work closely with the student recruitment staff and faculty to develop programs and activities designed to assist you, the new students, as you transition into this MBA program. The mentors consist of a number of student club officers (listed below). We are here to assist you with anything from academics (concentrations, workloads) to getting around in L.A. and introducing you to all that the Graziadio Business School has to offer.
Meet Your 2019-2020 Mentors
Tiantian Chao
Tiantian Chao was born and raised in Shanghai, China. She graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Finance. After graduating, she started her career at Ogilvy and Mather where she helped brands to develop strategic planning and advertising campaigns. After that, she joined the corporate side as a Marketing Specialist and led a global brand's entrance into the Chinese market. Her MBA concentration is in Applied Analytics.
Marvin Duddek
Marvin is an MBA Candidate. Born in Germany, he received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Applied Sciences South Westphalia where he also participated in an apprenticeship program at Siemens. Marvin was ranked among the best IT consultant apprentices in Germany and received a 3-year talent development scholarship from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Prior to enrolling in Pepperdine, he worked as an IT Consultant for Atos SE, conducting strategy workshops for large German-based customers.
Gordon Gibson
Gordon is from Charleston, South Carolina where he was born and raised as a future Tiger from Clemson University. He graduated with a Marketing Major and a Minor in Communication Studies. He moved a couple of times to experience the lifestyles of different cities and then decided it was time to make a career change into Entertainment. This brought him to Pepperdine, since the Los Angeles area is an amazing market to be in for the industry. He loves snowboarding and just about anything that has to do with Entertainment.
Quincy Henry
Quincy was born in Guyana, West Indies and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He completed undergraduate studies at Binghamton University with a concentration in Finance. He then went on to work in financial services in New York and New Jersey before making the move out to Malibu. He is currently pursuing a career in technology and entertainment. His interests include traveling, playing and watching team sports, hiking, eating, and watching a good movie.
Matthew Hoisch
Matthew Hoisch is a second-year MBA Candidate, focusing on Applied Analytics and Finance. Prior to attending Pepperdine, he graduated from the University of California, Davis studying Economics and minoring in English. Matthew worked at Morgan Stanely Wealth Management as a Financial Analyst and Investments Intern throughout his undergraduate career, authoring multiple investment reports and assisting with the acquisition and creation of new accounts. This past summer, he worked at the Bank of American Headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina in the Product and Strategy Division for Small Business.
Jennifer Johnson
jennifer.m.johnson@pepperdine.edu
Jennifer is currently earning her MBA in Entrepreneurship and a SEER Certificate. She is additionally earning her Dispute Resolution Certificate from the Pepperdine School of Law. She is the current President of Net Impact, and is committed to making a difference in the world. Jennifer has experience in the areas of leadership, communications, marketing, and customer service. She is passionate about promoting women's health, ending PMS, and empowering girls from an early age to shape their own lives.
Jeongmin Kim
Jeongmin Kim is a full-time MBA student. He is concentrating in Applied Analytics, Dispute Resolution, and SEER Certification. Jeongmin has 15 years of experience working as an IT manager and engineer in the aviation and manufacturing industry. He received his Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Hanyang University, Korea. He enjoys solving problems with a cooperative and creative approach.
Tyler Kleinert
Tyler is an MBA Candidate with a dual concentration in Finance and Entrepreneurship. Before Pepperdine, Tyler graduated from Southern Methodist University and began his career developing early-stage businesses in food and beverage, and as a real estate project analyst at Hunt Consolidated. Since enrolling at Pepperdine, he has gained venture capital and private equity experience working for Sueño Growth Partners and Bryant Stibel.
James Lowestein
james.lowenstein@pepperdine.edu
James (Jake) is a second-year MBA Candidate. Upon graduating from Chapman University with a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Jake worked in the commercial finance sector for two years. He then took 10 months off of work before starting Pepperdine to travel throughout South America and South East Asia. He spent the past summer as an MBA intern for Bank of America at their corporate headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Matthew Pryatel
matthew.pryatel@pepperdine.edu
After 15 years in the grocery business, Matthew chose Pepperdine to pursue his passion for strategy and process design full-time. Having had his perspective transformed by his Graziadio experience and the tutelage of many fine professors, administrators, and alumni, he broadened his aspirations to include process innovation and change management. He is a zealous advocate for the power of teamwork and addressing the quandary of how to be human in the age of superintelligent technology. He is currently a strategic sourcing intern at Farmers Insurance and will be graduating in 2020 with a triple concentration in Applied Analytics, Digital Innovation & Information Systems, and Dispute Resolution with SEER certification. He is also a Graduate Assistant for Drs. John Mooney and Nelson Granados researching blockchain technology, is the President of the Peppermasters networking club, and is engaged to be married next spring to his fiance, Krystal.
Joelle Rozek
Joelle is a second-year MBA Candidate and recently finished an internship at Axon in the consumer sector focusing on marketing and product. Joelle brings five years of marketing and business development experience, with an emphasis in consumer and client relations. Prior to becoming a full-time MBA student, she served as a Director of Marketing and Communications in a technology startup located in Downtown Los Angeles. She is a graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in English Literature.
Arthur Steingart
arthur.steingart@pepperdine.edu
Arthur Steingart is an MBA candidate, focusing on both Analytics and Finance. Prior to being accepted into the Graziadio program, Arthur developed a startup focused on the Internet of Things solutions. Utilizing his past experiences leverages a unique perspective to classroom application - he's always trying to find a solution. Whether it's a simple problem or a complex one, he enjoys making people's lives simpler. As an avid cyclist always training for the next race, endurance and strategy are two characteristics he continues to hone and exercise. Feel free to ask him anything; he's always available.
Parris Usude
Parris is a second-year MBA Candidate with a dual concentration in Finance and Applied Analytics. Currently, she is the President of the Finance Club. She worked for attorneys, athletes, and high net worth families as a personal assistant prior to attending Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Her final position held was an assistant for Charles Schwab in the greater San Francisco area. Over the summer she was an Intern for Bank of America. She is now working towards a career in investment banking upon graduation.