AY25–26
BERTOLON SCHOOL OF BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
Bertolon School of Business
GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN’S OFFICE As we embark upon the 2026–27 academic year, I am proud to share the remarkable strides the Bertolon School of Business (BSB) community made in AY 2025-26. All accomplishments highlighted in this newsletter showcase how we are advancing our mission of providing innovative and accessible education through experiential learning and applied research.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
Just like in previous years, this year was nothing short of extraordinary.
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Our commitment to developing our diverse student body into globally minded and socially responsible business leaders was on full display when more than 200 business graduates from the undergraduate and graduate programs (MBA and MSA) walked across the commencement stage, including the 1-2-1 students from China. We welcomed an incoming class of 200 new undergraduate students and more than 25 new graduate students leading to a total enrollment of over 850 students in Fall 2025. We are also proud to have increased one year retention rates and four year graduation rates of students across multiple demographics. We attribute much of this positive change to our emphasis on experiential education. Almost 50 students showcased their entrepreneurial spirit and innovation during our 6th Annual Viking Business Pitch Competition, and the winners took away more than $10,000 in cash prizes, all of which were sponsored by multiple businesses in the region. Our Student-Managed Investment Fund (SMIF), which now stands at over $650,000, is a testament to our students’ strategic thinking, faculty mentoring and our focus on experiential education. Earnings from the fund are used for scholarships for business students and two students received $17,595.00 in those scholarships in 2025-26. Much of this impact would not be possible without the incredible generosity of many of you. Your investment helped over 300 students to participate in transformative experiential learning including paid internships, in-class consulting projects, travel study programs, Chamber of Commerce forums and field-based networking.
This year, BSB faculty produced 34 scholarly publications including 14 peer reviewed journal articles, multiple books and proceedings, and delivered 21 conference presentations worldwide, with artificial intelligence emerging as a defining research theme. Their engagement beyond campus, holding editorial board positions at leading journals and serving in national and international professional societies, advisory boards, and nonprofit leadership roles helped boost our name recognition among peers and enhanced our impact on community. Our community impact was also enhanced by our student volunteers participating in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program led by a faculty member and driven by purpose, who helped more than 150 local families file their taxes and get more than $170,000 in tax refunds for them. Thanks to your continued partnership, we can help our students experience the true power of possibilities when they enter our doors and carry with them the power to transform lives and communities when they leave our doors. For more information about the Bertolon School of Business and/or to support any of our initiatives, please visit salemstate.edu/bertolon or contact us at bsbstaff@salemstate.edu or 978.542.6608. We look forward to speaking with you.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
With pride and purpose, Raminder Luther Dean, Bertolon School of Business
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FACULTY NEWS Please join us in welcoming Professor Matthew Pauley, PhD to our faculty. Prof. Pauley holds a PhD in Entrepreneurship from the University of St. Andrews and an MBA from the University of South Dakota. His teaching and research interests include entrepreneurship, small-business management, sustainability, and social innovation. He has previously taught and held academic leadership roles at universities in the United Kingdom, Canada and Egypt. He also brings experience as a business owner. We are pleased to have Prof. Pauley join the Salem State community.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
FACULTY EXCELLENCE AWARD
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Professor Xu Hartling, Professor of Decision Sciences, was recently recognized with a BSB Excellence in Teaching Award for her contributions to student learning. Since joining the Salem State faculty in 2015, she has brought her background in industrial engineering to courses in operations, analytics and business intelligence. She has also integrated collaborative online international learning into her courses, connecting students with peers around the world to address real-world business challenges. Prof. Hartling has extended this global approach through faculty-led travel, including trips to Hong Kong in 2024, Beijing in 2025 and Japan in 2026, with a trip to South Korea planned for 2027. These experiences have provided students with opportunities to visit businesses and universities abroad in a supportive setting. In addition to her teaching, Prof. Hartling has published scholarly work in business education, sustainability, transportation, and analytics. Her most recent publication, Embracing technological innovation in business education: Faculty perspectives on experiential learning for sustainability, coauthored with Zlatinka Blaber and Mindy Myunghee Jeon, appeared in In T. Moloi (Ed.), Embracing technological agility in accounting and business Vol. 3. Prof. Hartling also regularly contributes to university initiatives focused on faculty development, global engagement and teaching excellence.
FACULTY RESEARCH •
Blaber, Z., Tschakert, N., Guo, H. (2026). The social characterization of the alleged management fraud perpetrator conveyed in editorial cartoons: The case of Carlos Ghosn. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 28(4).
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Kunoviku Demiri, F., McArdle, J. F., Tschakert, N., Tmava, Q., Durguti, E., Sherifi, A. (2025). Unlocking the path to funding: A comparative analysis of factors influencing bank loan access for SMEs. Multidisciplinary Science Journal.
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Alidemaj, A. H., Krivins, A., Durguti, E., McArdle, J. F. (2025). Economic Freedom Index and Foreign Direct Investment: Bridging the Gap between Developed and Emerging Economies. Central European Business Review, 14(5).
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Jain, A., Guo, H. From Numbers to Insight: Proposing the ATLAS Framework for Understanding AI’s Strategic Impact on Accounting. Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting.
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Guo, H., Tang, Z. (2025). Artificial Intelligence in Forensic Accounting: A Literature Review. Journal of Accounting and Finance, 25(3).
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Guo, H. (2025). Cash flow forecasting: dealing with serial correlation and idiosyncratic heterogeneity. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting.
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Meirovich, G. (2025). Centralization Versus Decentralization: Delineation of General Advantages and Contingency Factors. Journal of Academy of Business and Economics, 25(Fall).
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Yun, D. (2026). Evaluating pride applicants: The moderating role of sex and perceived similarity on hiring managers’ evaluations of gender-nonconforming applicants. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 66.
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Yun, D. (2025). How do personality traits impact student engagement and perceived learning in metaverse education? Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education.
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Jain, A., Tang, Z., Gurung, A. Towards An Effective Prompting with AI Systems: The Jujitsu Framework. Journal of Applied Business and Economics, 27(3).
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Pan, Y. (2025). AI Co-Teaching in Statistics: Exploring Student Learning and Perceptions with Google NotebookLM. International Journal of Technology in Teaching and Learning.
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Saluti, D. (2025). Quantum-Driven Rotating Detonation Engine Optimization for Hypersonic Propulsion Systems. Science Publishing Group, 11(2).
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Saluti, D. (2025). The Sharon Waves Theory as a Quantum Inspired Theory for Supply Chain Management. International Journal of Supply Chain Management.
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Saluti, D. (2025). A Novel Framework for Thermodynamics of Monetary Systems.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
Refereed Journal Articles
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Other Intellectual Contributions •
Lam, M. (2025). A Plain Language Guide to Personal Financial Planning. [Academic Textbook] Pressbooks.
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Coleman, L. J. (2025). Diversity Equity and Inclusion. [Editorial] Salem News.
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Hains, R. C. and Aguilo-Perez, E. R. (Eds.) (2025). #Barbie and Social Media: Digital Discourses and Mattel’s Celebrity Doll. [Book]
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Aguilo-Perez, E. R. and Hains, R. C. (Eds.) (2025). Barbie in the Media: The Cultural Presence of Mattel’s Celebrity Doll. [Book]
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Nash, I. and Hains, R. C. (Eds.) (2025). Supernatural Youth in Media. [Book]
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Hains, R. C., Aguilo-Perez, E. R. (2025). Barbie and digital discourse: Brand, identity, and resistance in a networked world. [Book Chapter]
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Hains, R. C. (2025). Hey there, Barbie girl!: The subversion of Mattel’s commodified femininity in a 1990s riot grrrl zine. [Book Chapter]
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Aguilo-Perez, E. R., Hains, R. C. (2025). Transcending the toy aisle: Understanding Barbie as a transmedia phenomenon. [Book Chapter]
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Pan, Y. (2025). The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Achieving Smart Sustainability and Mitigating Climate Change in Urban Contexts. [Book Chapter] Urban Sustainability. Springer Nature Singapore.
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James, J.-P. (2026). Multicultural Marketing: What’s the Bottom Line? [Case] Harvard Business Publishing.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
Conference Presentation Highlights
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21 unique presentations delivered across 18 different conferences and workshops, with faculty from all three departments represented.
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Global reach: presentations delivered in China, South Africa, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, England, and Portugal, alongside major U.S. venues in Boston, Washington DC, and Hawaii.
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AI as a throughline: at least 5 presentations addressed artificial intelligence — from AI in accounting tasks and GAAP/IFRS instruction to AI teaching assistants like Google NotebookLM.
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Strong experiential-learning focus: multiple talks centered on COIL, microinternships, community-engaged learning and classroom activities designed to boost student engagement.
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Cross-departmental collaboration: the iCAB conference presentation by Blaber, Hartling, and Jeon exemplifies faculty co-presenting across Accounting/ Finance, Marketing and Management.
BSB faculty maintained an extensive footprint in external professional and community service between June 2025 and August 2026, holding editorial board and reviewer positions at over 20 peer-reviewed journals and serving in leadership roles for national and international professional societies such as the AACSB, AAA, MOBTS, and the Massachusetts Society of CPAs. Faculty also contributed internationally through mentorship of NATO defense innovators, business consulting for climate-tech ventures, and quality-assurance auditing for higher education in other countries, while others devoted significant volunteer leadership to nonprofit boards spanning cultural, arts, literacy, and social-service organizations across Massachusetts and beyond.
INTERNATIONALIZATION EFFORTS In Fall 2026, BSB will welcome 23 accounting students from Changzhou University and Nanfang College, and 4 international business students from Jiangxi Science and Tech. BSB’s participation in the Sino-American CHEPD 1+2+1 Program has created lasting academic partnerships between SSU and universities in China since 2008. The program’s name reflects its four-year structure: students complete their first year at their home university in China, spend their second and third years at Salem State University (SSU), and return to China for their final year. The participating institutions coordinate their curricula in advance so that students who satisfy both universities’ academic requirements receive degrees from Salem State and their Chinese home institution. Within the Bertolon School of Business, Salem State offers accounting cohorts in partnership with Nanfang College, Guangzhou and Changzhou University. The university also partners with Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University on an international business program. Students in these cohorts take major and general cultural environment. As part of the collaboration, Salem State faculty also teach in China during the students’ first year, helping introduce them to SSU’s programs and classroom experience before they arrive in Salem.
COIL-Riipen During the 25-26 academic year, 76 Salem State students participated in COIL-Riipen projects in collaboration with 191 students from other universities in India, Morocco, Ukraine, South Africa, China and Indonesia. In Spring 2026, Prof. Zlatinka Blaber’s ACC 106-07 class participated in a COIL-Riipen project with MBA students from St. Xavier University, India. A total of 34 students worked on this collaboration, eight students from BSB and 26 from St. Xavier University. The industry partner was UnVRAp, a VR startup from Canada.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
education courses at Salem State while gaining experience in a different academic and
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Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
Study Abroad Trip
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In Spring 2026, 13 students joined Prof. Xu Hartling and Prof. Zlatinka Blaber on a faculty led trip to Japan. During their time in Japan, students engaged in three business visits, where students gained valuable insights into Japanese business operations, sustainability practices and organizational culture. Students visited many cultural sites in Tokyo and Kyoto, including Senso-ji Temple, the Imperial Palace, Fushimi Inari Taisha, and Tokyo Tower. On the last night of the trip, students participated in a farewell sushimaking dinner where they learned how to make sushi from a sushi master. This was the third faculty led trip by Prof. Xu Hartling.
EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION Internships “My internship with Angela T. Leo Tax Services provided valuable hands-on experience in tax preparation, client service, and professional accounting practices. It allowed me to apply classroom concepts to real-world situations while strengthening my technical, analytical and communication skills. This experience reinforced my passion for the accounting profession and helped prepare me for future opportunities as I pursue my CPA designation.” – Leila Nassali, Intern Spring 2026 Angela T. Leo Tax Services
“Because I attended a BSB hosted event with local business owners, I landed a server job in downtown Salem that allowed me to pay for my first year of school by myself. Not only did I gain a job and useful skills, but a connection that has offered me an internship and referrals, opening doors for me I didn’t even know or think possible. Without guidance from advisors, mentors and professors at SSU BSB, I would not be where I am today.”
“Completing the data analyst internship with the Department of Early Education and Care was a profound experience that gave me the ability to be a part of something that benefits the lives of so many families. I learned many valuable technical and soft skills during my time with the Department of EEC that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.” – Eric Summit, Intern Spring 2026, Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
– Lizzie Moccia, Social Media Marketing Intern Spring 2026, The BABE in downtown Salem
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IMPACT Apprentice Program Students at the Bertolon School of Business are encouraged to complete an internship before they graduate. To qualify for an internship, students must have a minimum 2.75 GPA, have earned at least nine credits in their concentration, and be available to work a minimum of 120 hours during the semester or summer. Many students who do not meet the GPA requirement, or who lack professional work experience, are ill-prepared to compete for these highly sought-after internships. The IMPACT [Innovative Mentorship and Professional Apprenticeship on Campus Training] Apprenticeship Program aims to bridge the gap for students who may need additional support to prepare for internship opportunities by placing them in structured apprenticeships in various departments on campus. The IMPACT Program pairs students with experienced campus supervisors who serve as both their mentors and coaches. Apprentices work in paid positions on campus 10 hours per week to gain valuable business knowledge, skills and work experience. IMPACT students are also required to complete Career Services’ Career Compass course, a one-credit course that helps students create professional resumes and LinkedIn profiles, practice their interviewing and networking skills, and acquire the soft skills needed to succeed in the workplace. The 2025-26 school year was IMPACT’s inaugural year.
Inaugural Year Demographics: •
17 students applied for the program
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12 second year students were accepted into the program
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11 Students completed the program
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
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One student transferred to another university
Twelve departments took on an IMPACT Apprentice, at a rate of one Apprentice per department. Students largely reported improvements to their professional communication skills, project management capabilities and their research/ analytical abilities. 75% of IMPACT Supervisors indicated that they would be happy to take on another IMPACT student in the 2026-27 Academic Year and 100% of IMPACT Apprentices reported increases in their level of confidence heading into their junior year. Departments who are interested in hosting an IMPACT Apprentice should contact Ian Antoniou at iantoniou@salemstate.edu.
SMIF The 2025–2026 academic year was particularly successful, reflecting both the continued growth of the program and the exceptional dedication of our students. During the year, 39 students participated directly in managing the portfolio, including 28 undergraduate students enrolled in FIN 468 – Advance Financial Analysis and 11 graduate students enrolled in FIN 868 – Advanced Financial Analysis. Together, these students conducted rigorous fundamental research, developed professional-quality equity research reports and presented investment recommendations grounded in comprehensive economic, industry and company analysis. Throughout the academic year, student analysts researched 18 publicly traded companies, utilizing a structured top-down investment framework that incorporated macroeconomic analysis, industry assessment, competitive positioning, financial statement analysis, valuation modeling, and risk evaluation. Each recommendation was presented and defended before faculty and peers, closely mirroring the analytical standards and collaborative decision-making processes employed by professional investment firms. As of April 30, 2026, the Student Managed Investment Fund reached a total market value of $617,710.19, representing another milestone in the program’s development. The portfolio consisted of $467,898.51 (75%) invested in equities, $140,148.18 (23%) held in cash and enhanced cash. The remaining balance was invested in alternative assets and fixed-income securities. SMIF provides experiential learning opportunities for Bertolon School of Business students to apply their course work in the areas of portfolio and investment management. Under the guidance of Faculty Fellow Prof. Sanjay Kudrimoti, students in the Cabot Wealth Management Lab delivered compelling stock pitch presentations.
This season, our VITA Program proudly staffed two locations to serve the community: the Analytics Lab at Salem State University on Saturdays and Salem Public Library on Thursday evenings. Together, our volunteers provided outstanding support and guidance to taxpayers throughout the season. This year, the team successfully completed: •
236 tax returns
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38 prior-year returns
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45 Non-Resident Alien returns
Thank you to Mariana Rotor, Nhi Tran, Delmy Valentin, Cameron Pisano, Olivia Andre, Milly Pichardo, Nina Marko, Maiara Oliveira, Faith Makoski, and Elizabeth Whiteway for their dedication, reliability and commitment throughout the tax season. Their hard work, professionalism and willingness to support both taxpayers and fellow volunteers played a vital role in the success of this year’s VITA Program.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
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Special thanks to Marie Hviding, Tara Mansfield and the entire library staff at the Salem Public Library for their ongoing partnership and support. Their assistance with scheduling clients, providing laptops and managing printing services across the library’s third floor helped make this season a success.
Peer and Career Mentor Program In Fall 2025 we launched Rise Together, a more structured, intentional goaldirected Peer Mentoring program. Peer mentors were matched with and assigned a cohort of first year students based on similar demographic and cultural backgrounds as well as personal and career interests. Mentees were encouraged to meet with their Peer Mentor to discuss their goals and create their personal academic plan. Peer Mentors helped first year students find university resources they needed and get engaged with BSB and university sponsored events, clubs and programs. Over 60% of first year students actively engaged with the program. The firstyear retention for these students was significantly higher than students who did not participate. For the 26/27 academic year we have hired three additional Peer Mentors and expanded the program to include first year transfer students. We also worked with MentorPRO, a software company specializing in mentoring programs, to add a Career Mentoring module to their platform. The software update was completed in May, and we plan to pilot a Career Mentoring program this fall.
North Shore Chamber of Commerce
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
More than 80 students attended North Shore Chamber Breakfast forums and other events in AY 2025-26 with tickets paid for by local businesses.
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CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY
Global Entrepreneurship Week Panel
From powerful stories of perseverance to courageous examples of innovation and purpose-driven leadership, our speakers shared authentic moments that truly resonated with our students and community. The panel consisted of four local entrepreneurs: •
Charlene Pena – Woven Royal
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Frances Martínez T. – NSLBA
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Joseph Higgins – Fished Impressions
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Marcel V. Quiroga, RMA® CEPA® – TQM Wealth Partners
The panelists spoke of vulnerability, honesty and practical insights. The discussion sparked curiosity and challenged assumptions. It also provided our students and academic community a front-row seat into the realities of opportunity recognition, risk-taking, resilience and valuesbased entrepreneurship.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
Center for Entrepreneurship, Economic Development and Sustainability hosted a Panel Discussion on Entrepreneurial Behavior in Fall 2025.
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Viking Business Pitch Competition One of the highlights of this academic year was the sixth anniversary of the Viking Business Pitch Competition — an exciting tradition that continues to grow in popularity and impact. 35 teams entered the competition this year and pitched their innovative ideas live in front of a panel of three judges. In the final round of the competition, seven teams pitched their ideas in the Recital Hall on Thursday, April 9. Congratulations to our outstanding winners: •
1st Place: Martin Ngandjui – Interview IQ, an AI-powered career platform that thinks like a recruiter
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2nd Place: Juan Beltres Diaz – Self Motivated, a purpose-driven clothing brand
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3rd Place: Michelle L’Esperance – Truck Trail, an ice cream truck tracking app
We are incredibly proud of all participants who brought their ideas to life and presented with confidence. The level of innovation, preparation and professionalism on display was truly impressive.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
This year’s competition awarded over $10,000 in cash prizes: $5,000 for first place, $2,500 for second, $1,500 for third and $250 each for additional finalist teams. The competition received strong support from the local business community, raising over $25,000 in sponsorships.
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First Place: Martins Ngandgjui, Business Administration
Third Place: Michelle Lesperance, Business Administration
Second Place: Juan Beltres Diaz, Psychology and Criminal Justice
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT Nancy Dias, CPA, MBA, ‘09, ‘13G. Since arriving at BSB in 2005, Nancy has exemplified the power of perseverance and giving back. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her BSBA in Accounting in 2009 and her MBA in 2013, building a global career that now includes leading a team at Geode Capital Management Trust Company overseeing more than $250 billion in assets. Since 2021, she has served on the SSU Foundation and now chairs its Investment Committee.
Neil Petrocolli, CPA, MSA, ‘19, ‘21G Since joining BSB in 2015, Neil has combined academic excellence with a commitment to mentorship. After completing his honors thesis and earning his MSA in 2021, he built a successful career at CRR, where he now manages an audit team. Equally dedicated to supporting BSB students, he has mentored dozens of aspiring accountants and helped more than a dozen students secure internships and full-time positions.
Alumni Highlights
Bertolon School of Business Graduates who were among the 40 under 40 honored at Alumni Weekend in 2025. • • • • • • • • • •
Madison Estes ’17: Business Education Teacher, Masconomet Regional High School Christopher Gomez-Farewell ’15, ’20G: Executive Director, Beverly Council on Aging Julio Hernandez ’23: Sr. Housing and Development Manager, City of Chelsea Qingzhi (James) Li ’15: Talent Development Lead, Apple Greater China Virginia Lyons ’16: People Consulting Manager, Ernst & Young, LLP Jobita Mao ’14: Associate Director of Admissions, Salem State University Michael Mulkern ’17: Owner/CEO, Mulkern Coaching and Consulting; MM Elevated Productions; MAVZ Naturals Brenda Ortiz-Peral ’15: Senior Loan Officer, Salem Five Mortgage Company Alexander Tilkens ’20, ’24G: Co-founder, Bubble Bar Boston Yaqin Zhu ’12, ’13: FSO Tax Manager, Ernst & Young, LLP
Mike Mitchell and the Salem State Alumni Association hosted another successful Graduating Seniors Celebration and Alumni Networking Event at Finz in downtown Salem. BSB alumni attended along with our seniors who will soon be launching their careers.
Bertolon School of Business | AY25–26
Graduating Senior and Alumni Event at Finz
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