Meet the Berkeley Scholars Class of 2029
The Berkeley Business Excellence Program offers mentorship, academic enrichment, and a welcoming scholarly community to students from groups underrepresented at PC Business. Open to first-year PC Business students, the program provides practical guidance to students for whom Providence College presents a new and different academic and social culture from their home communities.
Reginald Browne ’29
Major: Finance
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island
Involvement: PC Men’s Club Soccer, Footprints Gospel
Choir, PC Chess Club, Chapel Bible Study
“The Berkeley Scholars program has helped me to believe in myself because it provides me with important resources and networking opportunities that will help me develop my professional career.”
Alex Esteban ’29
Major: Finance and Health Policy Management
Hometown: Somerville, Massachusetts
Involvement: National Association of Black Accountants, Resident Assistant, Treasurer- Hall Council, Horizon’s Mentor, Model – Motherland Dance Group
“Embracing an opportunity like the Berkeley Scholars Program has pushed me to become more attentive and proactive in my career. Creating deeper connections and speaking up in the moment has taught me to treat every conversation as a chance to learn and ask insightful questions.”
Brenden Gharagozlo ‘29
Major: Finance and Economics
Hometown: Stewart Manor, New York
Involvement: AI in Business Club and Sports Analytics Club
“Being surrounded by a group with similar interests and backgrounds creates a strong bond and makes the club feel like family. In the business world, pre-registration, Road Treks to different firms and early-access to career events heavily helped me network and with my internship search. While we are all of similar backgrounds, it is still different and I get to learn about different cultures at every event.
Luis Gutierrez ’29
Major: Finance and Business Management
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
Involvement: PC Men’s Soccer
“Being a Berkeley Scholar has made me more confident speaking with professionals and asking questions, even when I’m still learning. Hearing from alumni and other scholars has shown me that there isn’t just one path into business, which has helped me feel more comfortable exploring my interests in finance. It’s also reminded me that building relationships and being willing to learn matter just as much as what I know right now.”
Briannah Mathieu ’29
Major: Marketing
Hometown: Avon, Massachusetts
Involvement: Afro-Carribean Association Executive Member, Motherland Dance Group, Afro-AM, American Marketing Association, Women in Business, Student Worker at Res Life and Sports Marketing Department
“Being named a Berkeley Scholar gave me an early vote of confidence that I’ve carried into every professional experience since — from gameday marketing at Providence Athletics to shadowing the Boston Celtics’ marketing department to managing social media for a retail brand. It pushed me to see myself as someone capable of contributing at a high level, not just learning from the sidelines, and being part of that community alongside groups like Women in Business and ACA (Afro-Caribbean Association) broadened my perspective on what business leadership can look like across different backgrounds and voices. That combination of confidence and perspective shows up in how I approach my work now: proactively, with attention to detail, and with an openness to different viewpoints on a team.”
Jeremy Ortega ’29
Major: Marketing, Minor in Finance
Hometown: Danbury, Connecticut
Involvement: Member of Board of Multicultural Student affairs, Sports and Entertainment Council, Club Soccer Member
“Being a Berkeley Scholar has given me confidence by surrounding me with high expectations and strong mentors, pushing me to think more critically about business and the economy as a whole. It’s shaped my perspective by showing me that success comes from true hard work and continuous learning; which motivates me to keep growing in finance and marketing.”
Rosalina Paulino ’29
Major: Finance and Management
Hometown: Providence, Rhode Island
Involvement: Women in Business, Sports and Entertainment Club, Make-a-Wish PC, Fashion Society
“Being a Berkeley Scholar has helped me grow not only in my professional knowledge but also in the personal qualities that shape the kind of professional I want to become. Through networking opportunities, workshops, and meaningful interactions with other scholars and professionals, I have learned the importance of having a strong presence in professional spaces and building a positive reputation. I have also gained a better understanding of how important it is to know how to conduct myself, communicate effectively, and recognize the appropriate next steps in different professional situations. Experiences like these have given me greater confidence in navigating the professional world and have helped me become more intentional about the goals I set for myself.”
Sofia Torres-Martinez ’29
Major: Marketing and Communications
Hometown: Billerica, Massachusetts
Involvement: American Marketing Association and Women in Business
“Being a Berkeley Scholar has helped build my confidence by challenging me to step outside of my comfort zone, think critically, and engage with new ideas and perspectives. Through the program, I have also had the opportunity to meet new people and build relationships with students I would have not otherwise been able to have met. These experiences have helped me become more comfortable networking and connecting with others. As a future business professional, I feel more prepared to take on challenges, communicate effectively, and approach new opportunities with confidence and an open mind.”
