Congratulations to our 2020/2021 Scholarship and Award recipients!

Marina Tsikitas

Junior pursuing a BA in Economics and intending to pursue a Political Science BA, as well

In three sentences or less, tell us about your interests, accomplishments and goals.

My name is Marina Tsikitas! I love to listen to classic old music, watch basketball, play with my dog, and explore different restaurants. I also enjoy playing sports and have won multiple awards for my display of leadership, character, and skill in both the sport of volleyball and softball. In the next upcoming year, I hope to accomplish my goal of getting into Columbia Law School and work my way into either family law or real estate law. One of my biggest accomplishments in life is being knocked down and being able to get back up to keep moving forward.

How will this award impact your life?

This award will make a grave impact on my life. I hope to take some of this money and put it towards the non-profit charity my family and I run. With this award I will not only be contributing to my own personal benefit, but also the kids in the program. I am excited to be able to buy new uniforms and sneakers for the team, especially for those who cannot afford the proper materials. I plan to also start speaking to those who are familiar with non-profit organizations and start moving the program to a global level because of the impact it has had on kids who are underprivileged.

Aaron Chase

Senior pursuing a BA in Economics

In three sentences or less, tell us about your interests, accomplishments and goals.

As an economics major I am very fascinated in learning and studying about the economy, the various equity and bond markets, and the world of finance. I have big aspirations and goals of pursuing a career in finance as a financial analyst or adviser. Currently I am a member of the UB football team and I am on track to graduate quite early, which will hopefully set me up for greater opportunities down the road.

How will this scholarship impact your life?

This scholarship means quite a lot to me and I am very honored to have been chosen as this year’s recipient. Financially, this scholarship will definitely help me in my pursuit of higher education as it provides me with an opportunity to pay for school, books, and other necessary materials. On a personal level, this scholarship acts as a source of motivation to me in terms of wanting to work even harder to achieve the goals and aspirations I wish to achieve throughout my professional life as well as personally.

Michael De La Rosa

Senior pursuing a BA double major in Economics and Math.

In three sentences or less, tell us about your interests, accomplishments and goals.

My interest is taking care of animals. My accomplishments aren’t vast – I consider being a proud member of the economics department an accomplishment. My goal is to pursue a doctorate degree and proudly represent this university wherever I go in the future.

How will this scholarship impact your life?

The impact that this scholarship will have on my life is absolutely enormous. It is difficult to quantify the weight that has been lifted off of my family’s shoulders. Coming from a family where our finances aren’t the most flexible and a source of stress, being the recipient of such an award feels like a miraculous blessing. Due to this scholarship, my dream of attending graduate school doesn’t feel so far-fetched and I can hope to one day earn a respectable job and take care of my mother.

Claudia Cabrera Segovia

Junior pursuing a BA in Economics with a Philosophy, Politics, & Economics minor as well as a BS in Business Administration.

Member of the School of Management Honors Program.

Co-winner – receiving $5,245

In three sentences or less, tell us about your interests, accomplishments and goals.

My name is Claudia Cabrera, and I am an international student coming from Arequipa, Peru. Currently, I am an honors junior student dual majoring in Economics and Business Administration with a double concentration in Data Analytics and Financial Analysis. I am currently a Teaching Assistant, International Admission Ambassador, and Academic Assistant. One of my main long-term goals is to work alleviating poverty in low-income countries. I look forward to work with the Peruvian government and other nonprofit organizations.

How will this scholarship impact your life?

As an advanced and business honor student, I want to do my thesis centered around my experience living in a third-world country. To promote economic stability, I aim to create multisector labor models that accommodate country-specific conditions, including the lack of job availability. As such, I am in the process of establishing connections with professors who understand the disparity between the economics of first-world nations and the suffering of third-world citizens and whose instructions currently guide my creation of these models. In addition, I have been involved with several internships with various Peruvian companies that work with and assist low-income rural Peruvian communities. These experiences would not have been possible without the help of the William A. Strauss Economics Scholarship Endowment Fund. The scholarship will help me save money to cover part of my travel-internship expenses.