Top-Tier Summer Internships Give Iona University Students an Edge Up
From finance and marketing to health care and social work, Gaels leveraged classroom knowledge to excel during their summer internships. Here’s what they had to say about the experiences – and how Iona helped prepare them for their career journey!
New Rochelle, N.Y. – At Iona University, students not only obtain a robust liberal arts education, but also gain unparalleled access to top-tier internship opportunities throughout the New York-metropolitan area and beyond. These internships are a great way for students to build confidence, explore their career interests and gain an inside look into their chosen industries.
Representing diverse academic fields, students recently offered reflections on how Iona empowered them within professional environments at top companies, bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world experience.
To learn more about Iona’s academic programs, please visit iona.edu or contact Admissions today!
Student Highlights
Michael Faughnan ’24, ’25MBA
Majors: Accounting and Finance; MBA, Business Analytics
Internship: Ernst & Young
Michael Faughnan ’24, ’25MBA earned his bachelor’s degree from Iona in 2024 but didn’t stop there. He is currently advancing his education by pursuing an MBA in business analytics.
At Ernst & Young (EY), one of the largest accounting firms in the nation, he used his Iona education to tackle real-world challenges as a summer intern.
“In my internship with EY, I analyzed data and used software to complete engagement tasks,” said Faughnan, of Hopewell Junction, N.Y. “I also evaluated and tested internal controls over financial reporting. Through these steps, I can prepare and organize comprehensive audit documentation and ensure accuracy and completeness.”
In addition to his academic achievements, Faughnan is a standout student athlete serving as co-captain of the men’s Swimming and Diving team. In July, Faughnan became the first swimmer in Iona’s history to receive the 2024 MAAC Student-Athlete of the Year award,
He credits Iona for shaping the trajectory of his career and providing invaluable alumni connections.
“The most distinctive advantage I have gained from my experience at Iona is having personal connections with my professors who want to see me become successful. Through these connections, I was introduced to the Gaels Go Further Program, where I have an alumni mentor who guides me through difficult career decisions.”
Juan Ibarra ’25
Major: Business Administration
Minor: International Business
Internship: Heineken USA
After initiating a conversation with the head of talent acquisition at Heineken USA, Juan Ibarra ’25 successfully navigated through three rounds of interviews before landing a role as a marketing media intern.
“I found the opportunity through Iona's Career Fair, and I really felt like I struck gold with this internship,” he said.
“One distinct advantage I've gained from my Iona experience is the development of strong team collaboration skills. In the workforce, team collaboration is almost constant and the ability to handle challenges and work well with others is important,” said the Mount Vernon native.
“Overall, my Iona experience has been incredibly positive. I feel that the University has provided me with a strong foundation and valuable opportunities.”
Shyann Alonzo ’25
Major: Social Work
Internship: Mount Sinai
For Shyann Alonzo ’25, social work is a diverse field that offers endless opportunities to make an impact. This summer, she spent time at Mount Sinai Hospital, where she explored several areas of social work within the hospital system.
“During my internship at Mount Sinai, I was paired with two social workers each at different areas within the hospital. I worked alongside my mentors in pediatric hematology and the World Trade Center Health Program. Each day we met with patients facing different problems and met each patient where they were at while providing resources and support as needed,” she said.
“Iona has prepared me for this internship by teaching the foundation of social work and the importance of approaching every situation with cultural humility,” Alonzo continued. “Alongside this education they have also provided me with a junior year practicum placement that introduced me to professionalism in the field.”
Chase Bateman ’25
Majors: Finance and Economics
Internship: Associated Capital Group
Chase Bateman ’25 spent his summer interning for Associated Capital Group, a Gabelli Company, located in Greenwich, Conn. During his time there, he had the opportunity to study merger arbitrage and event-driven investing strategies to minimize risk and compound growth.
“I was fortunate enough to shadow seasoned professionals in the asset management world and learn from them, developing my skills in fundamental research and bottom-up analysis,” said the Ohio native and co-captain of the men’s Swimming and Diving team.
When asked how Iona prepared him for such a high-caliber internship, he shared, “Iona has provided many of the tools to succeed in the finance world. I have already retained quite a bit of Wall Street vernacular thanks to my professors.”
“I would like to give special thanks to Professor Andrew Griffith for better training my excel skills, versing me on SEC filings and teaching me how to navigate the SEC EDGAR database, all of which have been critical in my internship and development as a young professional in the finance world.”
Sean Jordan ’24
Major: Marketing & International Business
Internship: Major League Baseball
This summer, Sean Jordan ’24 brought his passion for sports to life as a digital marketing and media intern with the Major League Baseball.
“This accomplishment means a lot to me,” said Jordan, of Westhampton Beach, N.Y. “I always dreamed of working for the MLB and to have it come true means the world to me.”
Jordan credits Iona’s supportive environment and professors for his success.
“The professors at Iona are amazing,” he said. “Iona has prepared me for this role. My professors have real work experience and make their classes unique so we’re ready for the real world.”
Read more about Jordan’s Iona journey here!
TJ Kirkland ’25
Major: Finance
Internship: WealthEdge
TJ Kirkland ’25 gained hands-on experience at WealthEdge in New York City – an opportunity he secured through an Iona alumna. Deepening his career aspirations, Kirkland took full advantage of this opportunity.
“My internship at WealthEdge made me realize that I want to be a portfolio manager in the future,” said the Cornwall, N.Y., native. “I learned the daily tasks of investment associates and portfolio managers. I assisted in running reports on clients’ portfolios and handled the analytical aspects of their investments, including Equities, Mutual Funds, Bonds and ETFs.”
Throughout the year, he also participated in several co-curricular activities such as corporate visits every month to The New York Stock Exchange, Morgan Stanley, Franklin Templeton Investments and Bloomberg.
“It's inspiring to meet so many successful alumni and it proves that you can go a long way with an Iona degree,” he said. “These trips consist of meeting with alumni and touring the office while learning about early career opportunities.”
Alexandria Bitetti ’25
Major: Health and Wellness
Internship: Fidelis Care
With support from Professor Christina Nevers, clinical lecturer and program coordinator for the Bachelor of Science in Health and Wellness program at the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, Alexandria Bitetti ’25 secured an internship at Fidelis Care.
“I gained experience in the healthcare marketing field working alongside professionals, shadowing and learning from their positions,” said Bitetti, of Toms River, N.J. “Everyone was very welcoming and I learned a lot about the health care field every day.”
Harrison Dumont ’25
Major: Business Administration
Internship: Alvarez & Marsal
Reflecting on his internship at Alvarez & Marsal in their Washington, D.C., office, Harrison Dumont ’25 said he felt prepared to immerse himself in the public sector division as a summer analyst intern.
“My coursework at Iona has prepared me for this internship by equipping me with essential knowledge and skills from my business courses. The rigorous terms and practices I have studied came in handy during my time at A&M, particularly in my extensive use of Excel and other tools in various projects,” he said.
“My coursework also familiarized me with diverse contract types in both business and consulting environments, enhancing my understanding of real-world scenarios,” Dumont said. “Although some of my classes and assignments were challenging at times, the investment in my education in the LaPenta School of Business has undoubtedly paid off.”
Alyssa Perez ’25
Major: Speech Language Pathology and Audiology
Minor: Healthcare Communication
Internship: Willow Towers Assisted Living
For Alyssa Perez ’25, pursuing a career in speech language pathology and audiology means making a tangible difference in individuals’ lives.
This summer, Perez interned at Willow Towers Assisted Living, where she gained hands-on experience working with residents, particularly those dealing with dementia.
“I worked closely with residents to assess and improve their communication abilities and ensure safe eating practices,” said the Bronx native. “Understanding the complexities of swallowing is vital since many dementia patients experience difficulties that can lead to choking and malnourishment. By guiding residents in establishing healthier eating habits, I hoped to improve their general health and well-being. My work emphasized the importance of individualized care to address the unique issues that dementia patients experience.”
Lucas Haddad ’24, ’25MBA
Major: BBA in Accounting/Finance, MBA in Business Analytics
Internship: Ernst & Young
Hailing from North Attleboro, Mass., Lucas Haddad holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Iona and is currently pursuing an MBA with a concentration in business analytics.
“The most distinctive advantage I have gained from my Iona experience is my leadership skills,” said Haddad, a member of the men’s Swimming & Diving Team. “Whether it was leading in my sport or during group projects in the classroom, I feel I have grown significantly in that area, which will translate into my career.”
After completing an internship at PwC last summer, this year he enjoyed an audit internship at Ernst & Young, one of the big four accounting firms.
“A lot of what I do during my internship revolves around planning for the audit of funds in which their year-end lands on the last day of the calendar year,” he said. “I am assigned on an engagement in the Wealth and Asset Management sector of EY, and I have learned a lot about the structure of funds and what goes into auditing many different types of funds. I have enjoyed the exposure I have gotten being placed on a large engagement, as well as my team. Everyone has been so welcoming and supportive.”
“Iona has prepared me for the job market because it has helped me improve my time management skills and build my network tremendously through alumni engagement, mainly in the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Program,” he said.
Christina Geba ’26
Major: Marketing
Minor: Visual Arts
Internship: CBIZ Marks Paneth
Christina Geba ’26 landed an exciting internship at the accounting firm CBIZ Marks Paneth, which she gained after making a connection at Iona’s annual career fair.
“Iona has been enabling my dreams by providing career fairs, which is how I landed my internship,” she said. “There are plenty of networking opportunities and interview and resume coaching, which has been invaluable.”
This summer, Geba gained an array of experience from client proposals and event planning to handling marketing and social media.
“I've truly enjoyed my time at CBIZ Marks Paneth and I am happy to have been asked to continue my internship during the school year with a possible offer extended after graduation.”
Her internship experience reflects the strong connection between Iona’s career resources and real-world opportunities.
“I chose Iona because when I came for a visit, I was intrigued by how much the LaPenta School of Business emphasized connections,” she said. “I was impressed by the many events and opportunities that are provided to students to meet alumni in the field. It was clear to me that Iona works hard to make sure its students are prepared to get a job and be successful.”
Herolinda Dacaj ’25
Major: Finance
Internship: Merrill Lynch, A Bank of America Company
Herolinda Dacaj ’25 dedicated her summer break interning for Merrill Lynch in Greenwich, Conn., where she worked in Private Wealth Management focusing on expense management. She looks forward to continuing her internship as a seasonal client associate until June 2025.
“As an intern, it is crucial to understand the importance of technology,” she said. “The use of software enhances reporting capabilities and improves the accuracy of management. Overall, I leveraged skills that I gained through Iona in financial analysis, data management, and communication to support the team’s strategic planning.”
She credits Iona’s small class sizes and engaged faculty and staff for helping her realize her goals.
“I believe the most distinctive advantage I gained from my Iona experience is that I have felt seen and heard,” said the Bronx native. “The LaPenta School of Business also offers an abundance of resources to prepare students for their future careers.”
“Most importantly, events like Career Chats and C-Suite talks have been extremely motivational. Iona alumni frequently return to campus to share invaluable advice about their professional journeys, which has been incredibly inspiring,” she added. “Overall, my Iona experience has given me the knowledge, connections and confidence to excel in my career.”
Tyler Lender ’25
Major: Accounting
Internship: Citrin Cooperman
At Iona, Tyler Lender ’25 has leveraged opportunities both on and off campus, notably gaining valuable guidance through Iona’s Gaels Go Further Mentoring program and enjoying hands-on audit internship experience at Citrin Cooperman this summer.
“The relationship between me and my alumni mentor gave me the guidance needed to start my career,” he said. “Without his guidance and constant advice, I would not be in my position today.
“During my internship, I was exposed to multiple routes of work and many different software systems – everything that is utilized on a daily basis in the audit field such as CaseWare, DataSnipper, Acrobat and much more,” said the Marlton, N.J., native. “The most enjoyable aspect of the internship was the office life and how helpful everyone was. Every employee was approachable and available for questions.”
Lender also appreciates Iona’s small class sizes, which he believes enhanced his learning by allowing him to gain personalized attention from professors.
“I also enjoyed the small classroom environment, which allows students to learn much more efficiently,” said Lender, member of the Iona Baseball team.
Alexander Garces ’25
Major: International Business, Marketing
Minor: Information Systems and Business Analytics
Internship: Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
Drawn to Iona University’s business program, Alexander Garces ’25 discovered a supportive environment to fuel his many interests.
Most recently, he added the role of intern at the Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation to his resume. As he reflects on his internship experience, Garces remains grateful for an Iona education.
“It's been incredible to see my ideas put into action and actually make an impact on campus,” said the Bronx native and Cardinal Spellman High School graduate. “Iona has given me the knowledge and experience to be confident in internship opportunities. This accomplishment means a lot to me.”
Garces was also given the opportunity to spend three weeks in Porto, Portugal, studying with the European Innovation Academy. There, he stepped into a leadership role guiding a diverse team of five from all over the world, further enriching his skillset.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of more than 50,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2025 national list of “The Best 390 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.