The Berkeley Business Excellence Program

The Michael J. Berkeley ’85 Business Excellence Program is designed to offer support and career advancement opportunities to students from groups under-represented at PC Business. Building on PC’s founding purpose to enroll immigrants, the Berkeley Program aims to further the professional development and educational excellence of PC Business students and is open to all business students.

The Berkeley Program

The Berkeley Program supports students in classroom studies, the pursuit of competitive internships, and the launching of desired careers with the following opportunities:

• guest speakers
• workshops
• career & job search advising
• alumni networking
• connecting with local business & community leaders

Topics covered in these sessions will include advice from recruiters, resume-writing best practices, interviewing & communications skill-building, and development of soft skills, such as public speaking, project management, and leadership development.

Meet the Berkeley Scholars

About Michael J. Berkeley ’85

Michael Berkeley embodied many qualities that endeared him to countless individuals throughout his life. He was born in New Rochelle, NY, attended Iona Preparatory School and graduated from Providence College in 1985 with a BS in Finance. At PC, Mike was an MLK Scholar, walked onto the men’s basketball team, and set his sights on a career on Wall Street. He earned an MBA from Columbia Business School and interned at Salomon Brothers. Mike then joined Merrill Lynch’s sales and trading program. That same year, he met his wife, Lourdes Perez, who would become the love of his life. They later went on to have two sons. After several years spent honing his expertise, Mike founded his own firm, The Berkeley Group, focusing on securities brokerage, private equity investments and various golf course development projects. Golfing was near and dear to Mike. He started caddying at 12 and was the first recipient of Winged Foot’s Gene Hayden Outstanding Caddy Award. As his success grew, Mike became one of the very early black members of Winged Foot; something that was not lost on him in terms of significance. Mike tragically lost his life on September 11, 2001. His office was located on the 79th floor of the north tower of the World Trade Center.

2024 Application

PC Business Berkeley Business Excellence Scholars Application – 2024-25

This program is named after PC alum, Michael Berkeley ’85. During his time at PC, Michael was a MLK Scholar and a walk-on to the men’s basketball program. He dreamed of working on Wall Street and of becoming one of the first black members of Winged Foot – both goals he was able to achieve. 

Michael had great success at Merrill Lynch before starting his own firm, The Berkeley Group. Michael was one of the many who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. His office was located on the 79th floor of the north tower of World Trade Center.

In alignment with the mission of Providence College, this program is intended for people who embody Providence College’s founding purpose to enroll the children of immigrants. 

This program is designed to offer support and career advancement opportunities to students from groups under-represented at PC Business. Six students will be selected from the first-year class to be part of this year’s cohort of Berkeley Scholars.

Students will have access to a team of advisors for academics, career advancement, and a program advisor to support students through the program. The Berkeley Scholars will be also be supported by student and alumni mentors.

Berkeley Scholars will have access to pre-registration for PC Business courses, financial support for experiential learning opportunities, and access to special events, like lunch & learns and networking opportunities.

To apply to be a Berkeley Scholar, please submit answers to the questions below. 

The deadline to apply is November 3, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

If you have questions regarding the application, please contact Gabriela Moretti, assistant director of academic advising, and DEI, at gmorett2@providence.edu.

Learn more about the Berkeley Business Excellence Program, including the Berkeley Scholars Program, at prov.ly/berkeley.

First Name

Last Name

PC Email Address

Hometown & State

Major

Please select… Accountancy Finance Management Marketing

Are you a MLK Scholar

YesNo

Please share a personal statement on why you are applying to be a Berkeley Business Excellence Scholar. Maximum 500 words.

Please share what skills you are hoping to gain from the program.

Please upload your resume or a summary of your high school accomplishments.