Sophia Ciabattoni ’26
Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Major: Accounting
Sophia Ciabattoni came to Scranton as a finance major but switched to accounting in her junior year. Ashley Stampone, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting, was especially helpful to her in the transition to a new major.
Career development initiatives offered through the Kania School of Management were impactful, said Ciabattoni . Through the Business 150 Class she learned valuable networking and interviewing techniques.
Student-led groups like PRISM (Portfolio of Responsible Investments under Student Management) and Wall Street Bootcamp provided real-life experience.
Ciabattoni plans to follow in the footsteps of other alumni who share their time and talent with Scranton students.
Erica Czerwinski ’26
Hometown: Burlington, Massachusetts
Majors: Psychology, Philosophy
Honors and Special Programs: SJLA Honors Program, University Honors Program
Erica Czerwinski first became interested in a career in psychology while participating in a research study at a hospital near her hometown in Burlington, Massachusetts. “The research part of psychology really resonated with me,” she said.
Through the University Honors Program, Czerwinski worked on a research project, studying how different types of lies impact destination memory. The project, which she undertook from conceptualization to design, testing and implementation, involved participation from 108 University students who took part in the experiment.
She credits Scranton faculty for their support. “I wouldn’t have gotten into research so early in my college career if it wasn’t for them (the faculty).”
With the support of the College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Research Grant and a travel award from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, Czerwinski participated in the Eastern Psychological Association Conference in February.
Jordyn Rumsey ’26
Hometown: Blairstown, New Jersey
Major: Nursing
Minor: Psychology
Jordyn Rumsey is the only member of her family who has pursued a career in health care.
She chose to apply to CHOP because it its outstanding reputation. Once there, she gained an even deeper respect for the hospital. “I have great admiration for the PIC preceptors,” she said.
In addition to Professor Barrett Valunas, Rumsey said she benefited greatly from courses taught by Wendy Manetti, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, and Julie Murphy, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing.
Rumsey applauds Scranton for providing so many opportunities to connect with professors and build professional networks.
Joseph Mazich ’26
Hometown: Sparta, New Jersey
Major: Business Analytics
Minor: Accounting and Philosophy
Honors and Special Programs: SJLA Honors Program
An analytically minded person at the core, Joseph Mazich has long had an interest in math and statistics, as well as sports.
Business analytics was just beginning to emerge when Mazich began exploring university-level studies. When he came to Scranton in 2021, the University had launched its business analytics program. “I thought it would suit me exceptionally well,” he said.
Since freshman year, Mazich was hard at work networking with alumni and others, benefiting from the guidance of Jason Schwass, senior director of student success in the Kania School of Management, and Amanda Marcy, Ph.D., assistant professor of accounting. After exhausting all of those networks, he began “cold” networking and applications.
When he dreams big, Mazich thinks of a career in sports analytics, possibly as CFO of a sports team.
Kieran McCormack ’23, ’26
Hometown: Springfield
Major: Doctor of Physical Therapy (2026), Kinesiology (2023)
Minor: Psychology (2023)
As early as his high school years, Kieran McCormack knew he wanted a career in the helping professions.
At Scranton, Michael Crowell, DPT, DSc, associate professor of physical therapy, was particularly helpful, offering advice about residency programs to apply for and how to approach the application.
McCormack says his background in orthopedics “helped me feel prepared for a clinical residency.
After completing his residency with AdventHealth, McCormack plans to apply to sports teams to work with athletes.
Maria Spinelli ’26
Hometown: Pleasant Mount, Pennsylvania
Major: Biology
Minor: Biochemistry
Growing up, Maria Spinelli was involved in 4-H and was also surrounded by animals.
More than a dozen of Spinelli’s extended family are graduates of Penn Vet, and many of the family are also University of Scranton alumni. Maria’s father, Brian Spinelli ’96, also graduated from Scranton.
Her mother, Beth Nebzydoski Spinelli '99, grandfather, Henry Nebzydoski '68, and uncle, Thomas Nebzydoski, are veterinarians who own a practice in Carbondale, although her grandfather is semi-retired.
Of the 12 schools Maria Spinelli applied to for veterinary medicine, she was accepted to eight.
