On Thursday, December 11, the Poole College of Management will celebrate the accomplishments of students graduating from its Jenkins Graduate Programs. This fall’s graduates represent a diverse group of professionals who have balanced demanding coursework with full-time careers, navigated industry changes, led student organizations and brought valuable real-world experience into the classroom.

This semester’s graduating class includes 56 Master of Business Administration (MBA) students, 33 Master of Accounting (MAC) students, 12 Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) students, 13 Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) students, 2 economics master’s students and 4 economics Ph.D. students.

Explore the stories of several graduates as they share their journeys, achievements and the next steps in their professional paths.

Bryan Rodriguez-Sanchez, Master of Accounting (MAC)

Bryan is graduating from the Jenkins Master of Accounting (MAC) program as a full-time, on-campus student. A first-generation student from Durham, N.C., he began his studies at Durham Technical Community College before earning his bachelor’s degree in accounting from North Carolina Central University.

Since joining Poole in January 2025, Bryan has appreciated the supportive faculty, the MAC community and the program’s strong preparation for the CPA Exam. He has been active in ALPFA NCSU, the MAC Student Organization, the Latiné Graduate Student Association and the Graduate Student Association.

Bryan gained hands-on experience as a graduate research assistant with Professor Christina Lewellen and as an audit intern at Stancil PC, where he worked on financial statement audits, compilations and reviews. He also volunteered as a research assistant for Professor Joseph Brazel.

After graduation, Bryan will join the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor as a staff auditor while continuing to study for the CPA Exam.

Andrew Gray, Master of Accounting (MAC)

Andrew took an unconventional path to accounting. After growing up in Cary, N.C., and earning a criminology degree with an accounting minor from NC State University, he entered the MAC program in Fall 2024, where he found a welcoming, supportive environment to build a new foundation.

He says his favorite part of Poole College has been the community: supportive faculty, motivating peers, and plenty of opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. During the program, Andrew interned with the Internal Audit team at Vontier Corporation, where he gained hands-on experience that connected his humanities background with real-world audit and finance work. The skills he developed in the MAC program helped him excel in the internship and ultimately secure a full-time role.

As an undergraduate at NC State, Andrew served as treasurer for the Criminology Club and as a site leader for the Food Recovery Network, which were early experiences that sparked his interest in leadership and service. After graduation, he will join Vontier’s Internal Audit department as an Analyst.

Steve McCall, Master of Business Administration (MBA)

For more than 25 years, Dr. Steve has been connected to NC State — as a researcher, instructor, mentor and now, a graduating MBA student. Originally from Florence, S.C., he completed his Ph.D. in Synthetic Organic Chemistry at NC State in 2007 after earning his undergraduate degree from Francis Marion University.

Steve joined the Jenkins MBA program in Spring 2023 and says his favorite aspect of Poole College is the program’s flexibility, which allowed him to balance ongoing professional and personal commitments while earning a valuable degree. During his time in the program, he volunteered with NC State’s WIN Program, adding to a long list of ways he has contributed to the university community. Over the years, he has held a postdoctoral appointment at NC State, taught as an adjunct faculty member, served as a guest chemistry lecturer, worked with a startup born from NC State labs, mentored numerous students, recruited future talent and was named the university’s Outstanding Young Alumnus in 2014. His NC State ties continue to grow as his daughter is now a freshman on campus.

After graduation, Steve plans to continue in his role at BASF and apply the insights and skills he gained through the Jenkins MBA program.

Nyla Blanding, Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA)

Nyla is graduating from the Master of Management, Marketing Analytics (MMA) program, where she also earned a certificate in business analytics. Originally from Lillington, N.C., she completed her undergraduate degree at UNC Greensboro before joining Poole College in Fall 2022.

She says her favorite part of the program is its flexibility and diverse course offerings, which allowed her to balance in-person and online learning. During her time at Poole, Nyla worked as a marketing coordinator at WingSwept, where she strengthened her strategic thinking and learned to use data to guide marketing decisions. She was also a member of the Black Graduate Student Association.

After graduation, Nyla plans to continue growing in her role at WingSwept and further build her career in marketing analytics, applying the mix of creative and analytical skills she developed throughout the program.

Nhung Truong, Master of Management, Risk Analytics (MRA)

Nhung is graduating from the Master of Management, Risk and Analytics (MRA) program with a certificate in business analytics. Originally from Hickory, N.C., she completed her undergraduate degree at UNC Charlotte and joined Poole College in Fall 2022.

Her favorite part of the program has been collaborating with classmates from diverse backgrounds and professional experiences. While in the MRA program, Nhung worked as a business analyst at LPL Financial and later joined Electrolux Group, where she supports the Warranty, Service, Consumer Engagement Center, and Spare Parts business areas. She credits the program with strengthening her technical analytics skills as well as her strategic thinking and business acumen.

After graduation, Nhung plans to continue in her current role as a business analyst and apply the new skills she gained at Poole. This fall is a special semester for her family, as her brother is also graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance.

Khalid Alwuhaib, Economics Ph.D.

Khalid is graduating from Poole College’s Ph.D. program in economics, where he specialized in environmental and urban economics as a CEnREP advisee. Originally from Kuwait, he earned his bachelor’s degree from Kuwait University’s College of Business before joining Poole in 2019.

During his time in the program, Khalid appreciated the strength of the economics department and its applied, interdisciplinary approach, which aligned closely with the needs of his employer. He valued how the program broadened his understanding of economic issues and how faculty supported research connected to his home country.

After graduation, Khalid will continue at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research as an Associate Research Scientist in the Techno-Economic Division. He is currently publishing and presenting his dissertation findings to academic and policy audiences, training junior colleagues and developing new research inspired by his doctoral work.

Learn more about Jenkins Graduate Programs at Poole College of Management.