Two Babson College Undergraduates Named Poets & Quants 2017 Best & Brightest
Josuel Plasencia ’17 and Allana Nelson ’17 are among the 2017 Best & Brightest Business Majors in the United States according to Poets & Quants.
“As students, they sparked discussions, spearheaded initiatives, and racked up accolades. They challenged conventions, overcame odds, and built communities,” says Poets & Quants. “You’ll find this same spirit in Poets & Quants’ top business majors from the Class of 2017. They are a class of catalysts and volunteers, ambassadors and difference-makers who took 100 different paths to the graduation stage.”
“These students exemplify the diversity and talent in the student body here at Babson,” says Dean of the Undergraduate school Ian Lapp. “Both Josuel and Allana model Entrepreneurial Thought & Action® in their commitment to their communities, Babson and beyond.”
Josuel Plasencia ‘17
Josuel Plasencia is the co-founder of Project 99, a social venture enabling millennials of color to not only get a seat but also stay at the table of corporate America through workforce development programs, network of mentors-femtors and conferences – all for millennials of color by millennials of color. He grew up in the Dominican Republic.
“At Babson, I was a Director of Speakers at the Babson Latin American Club, Student Senator at the Babson Student Government Association, a MoneyThink Mentor, a member of the ALPFA [Association of Latino Professionals for America] Business Club, a Social Media Ambassador for the college, a member of the Babson Players, and most notably the Co-Chair of the 11th National Dominican Students Conference (NDSC),” said Plasencia.
When asked about the happiest moment of his life thus far, Plasencia answered, “On November 10, 2012, I received the Junior Achievement Student of the Year Award and was able to accept and give a speech in front of 500 people, but most importantly in front of my family and closest mentors and teachers. This day changed my life forever as it marked a new professional attitude coupled with many new opportunities presented to me by Junior Achievement (which is the root of all the work I do today).”
Learn more about Babson’s involvement with Junior Achievement >>
Allana Nelson ‘17
Allana Nelson, originally from Kingston, Jamaica, is studying Business Accounting with a concentration in Legal Studies at Babson. When asked about future career goals she answered, “I would like to return to my home country of Jamaica, and work in the Ministry of Finance or any governmental position, where I can impact the country’s financial stability. More importantly, this would allow me to give back to Jamaica’s underserved population that faces poverty.”
At Babson she has held leadership roles in the Student Government Association as Senator of the Class of 2017 and current Vice President of Finance, the Black Student Union as Vice President and current Black Affinity Conference Student Chair, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion as Student Associate, Student member and Scholarship Recipient of the National Association of Black Accountant (NABA), as well as Student member and Scholarship Recipient of National Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
In her profile, she thanks Babson for much of her success:
“I attribute much of my success to Babson College and the opportunities that I have received at this school. In particular, I have to thank Dr. Sadie Burton-Goss, Babson’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, who recruited me to attend Babson College. She organized my first visit to the campus during in my senior year of high school, at which point I immediately fell in love with the people and the campus — not just for its aesthetics, but also for the warm welcome I received from current students, faculty, and staff. Once I committed to the college, Sadie mentored me and continued to support me in all of my academic and extracurricular activities, in and out of school.”