The Student Leadership Council (SLC) advances the preeminence of the Herbert Wertheim College of Business and promotes student engagement, collaboration and connection both within the college and among the broader stakeholder community. The mission of the council is built in alignment with the goals of the college's dean and the Herbert Wertheim College of Business Board of Governors.
The SLC is comprised of approximately 40 discipline-specific, exemplary business students representing each of the departments within the college. The SLC assists with administration of mentoring programs, faculty-student networking events and other student-focused initiatives within the college. Members meet bi-weekly to discuss council business, participate in professional development activities and engage in service projects.
Meet the Members
MICHAEL CANIZIO
President
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors: Accounting & Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I used to post pizza reviews on Instagram.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
The second floor of Strozier Library.
MAGDELYNN WHISLER
Executive Vice President
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Major: Accounting
What are you most excited about in SLC?
I am super excited to help with the transition to the new College of Business, Legacy Hall!
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
Get involved with clubs and orgs related to your major, go to the career fairs and get to know your professors.
BRIAN STOCKWELL
VP of Operations
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors: Finance & Managment Information Systems
What is an interesting fact about you?
In high school, I started my own logo design company. I created dozens of logos for local businesses and sports teams!
What is your favorite part of being an FSU student?
The campus! Every walk to class is super enjoyable, and everyone here is super outgoing!
SAM KOKALES
VP of Communications
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Major: Management
What is an interesting fact about you?
I've been vegan for 13 years.
What is your favorite part of being an FSU student?
I love the sense of community, and everyone really does love being at FSU together. Campus is beautiful, people are excited to meet one another, and there’s always something fun to do on or around campus. There’s something here for everyone!
GABRIELLA FRINO
VP of Programming
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors: Professional Sales and Management
What is an interesting fact about you?
I was a member of the Junior Varsity Sales Team last spring, where I had the opportunity to compete at the University of Toledo Sales Competition in Ohio. I was proud to place second in my bracket, which was an exciting achievement that strengthened my passion for sales. It was also a memorable experience because I got to see fluffy snow in person for the very first time!
What are you most excited about in SLC?
It gives me an opportunity to connect with other college of business students and alumni at a high level. I am also looking forward to giving tours of Legacy Hall.
EVAN GARCIA
Director of Internal Operations
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Accounting
What are you most excited about in SLC?
Opportunities, meeting new people, and the experiences that come from growing professionally.
What are three events at FSU you can’t miss out on?
Game days, Back to Business and Market Wednesdays.
ALEXIA ASLIN
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Major: Finance
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
For sure Dodd Hall!
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
Get involved in clubs, meet your teachers and show up to every event!
BROOKE BUCHANAN
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Professional Sales and RMI
What is an interesting fact about you?
I went paragliding in Switzerland!
What is your favorite thing about the College of Business?
How easy it is to get involved and how all the professors and students are so willing to help each other out and network.
SADIE CALLAGHAN
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Major: Accounting
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
The third floor of Strozier.
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
Get involved early, be an engaged student and attend as many COB events as possible to grow your network and community.
LAUREN CARECCIA
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Major: Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
My favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip!
What are you most excited about in SLC?
I am most excited to meet other students in the college of business who align with my aspirations and values!
SOPHIA CORTINA
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Professional Sales and Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have a Black belt in MMA.
EMMA CROSA
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Major: Marketing
What is an interesting fact about you?
I’ve been doing Shotokan Karate for 10 years, and I love to try new activities!
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
- Have a balanced lifestyle. It is important to stay focused on schoolwork, but it is also just as important to find extracurriculars that you love.
- Manage your time well. It allows you to find time to do everything to the best of your abilities.
- Push yourself out of your comfort zone. Doing so helps you meet amazing people and find new experiences and knowledge. It’s how I found the SLC!
AMANDA FRONCZAK
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Major: Marketing
What is an interesting fact about you?I have my wedding officiant license.
What is your favorite thing about the College of Business?
I love how knowledgeable and personable the professors are. They truly want you to succeed and excel in their classes and beyond.
ZACHARY GREIF
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Major: Management Information Systems
What is an interesting fact about you?
I love to wake surf.
What is your favorite part of being an FSU student?
The balance between having a fun campus culture/“college experience” and academic/career opportunities.
LEAH GRIVETTI
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors: Accounting and Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am training for my first marathon.
What is your favorite FSU tradition?
Renegade and Osceola
CALEB HENDERSON
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Accounting and Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have an identical twin.
What is your favorite part of being an FSU student?
Football games!
NADIA KHALIL
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Finance and Real Estate
What is an interesting fact about you?
I was the valedictorian of my high school.
What is your favorite part of being an FSU student?
The beautiful campus!
RYAN LOWE
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Majors: Finance and Real Estate
What are you most excited about in SLC?
Building new relationships with the other students in the SLC and all the professors.
What is your favorite thing about the College of Business?
The people! Everyone is so motivated and outgoing!
CLAIRE MADSON
Grad Year: Spring 2029
Major: Marketing
What is an interesting fact about you?
My sister is in the SLC!
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
Get to know your professors, get involved in the College of Business, and network!
ANTHONY NARANJO ABRAHAM
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Major: Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I play the violin.
What are you most excited about in SLC?
Meeting with the new or prospective students during tours.
SIMON PACHECO
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Finance & Managment Information Systems
What is an interesting fact about you?
I used to be a competitive chess player
What are three events at FSU you can’t miss out on?
FSU Football games, the Business Career Expo and Market Wednesdays.
AOIFE PEDEN
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Accounting and Finance
What are you most excited about in SLC?
Giving tours of the new Legacy building and growing connections within the SLC.
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
The Union
EMILY PILIPCZAK
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Major: Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I love art and especially enjoy oil painting!
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
Time management, prioritizing health/sleep and setting goals that you stick to.
ELLIOTT REDCAY
Grad Year: Spring 2028
Major: Finance & Accounting
Where is your favorite place to study on campus?
Fourth floor of Dirac.
What are three essential elements to succeeding as a College of Business student?
Be proactive with academics, join organizations related to your major ASAP, and connect with as many other students as possible.
RYAN SCHEFSTAD
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Major: Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I have a 17 year old cat.
What is your favorite FSU tradition?
Pregame show before every home game .
JACKSON THOMAS
Grad Year: Spring 2029
Major: Finance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am ambidextrous!
What are three events at FSU you can’t miss out on?
Back to Business, Business Career Expo and Legends and Leaders day!
MARK VELTRE
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Accounting & Finance
What are you most excited about in SLC?
Making an impact on prospective students that are interested in entering the college.
What is your favorite part of being an FSU student?
Being surrounded by ambitious like-minded individuals. I can't express the profound impact of professional connections and friendships I have made through the college.
CAROLINE WHYTE
Grad Year: Spring 2027
Majors: Finance and Risk Management/Insurance
What is an interesting fact about you?
I am a fourth generation FSU Seminole. My great grandma went here when it was an all-girls school.
What is your favorite thing about the College of Business?
How welcoming and supportive all the professors are. Despite so many students being in the College of Business, professors take the time to get to know each and every one of us.
Events & Activities
The Student Leadership Council hosts and participates in many Wertheim College events and programs throughout the year including:
College Tours
Members of the SLC serve as ambassadors to prospective students and provide guided tours of the college on select dates during the fall and spring semesters. Each tour lasts approximately 30 minutes, with SLC members providing information on networking and engagement, student life and academic options in the college. For more information on tours, or to register, please see Visiting the Herbert Wertheim College of Business.
Family Weekend
On the Friday afternoon of FSU's Family Weekend, SLC members host an open house for the Wertheim College. This event provides an opportunity for current business students to bring their families to the college. The SLC provides each visiting family member with a small welcome bag and offers guided tours of the college.
Legends & Leaders Day
SLC members assist with hosting visiting Alumni Hall of Fame guests on campus each fall for our annual Legends & Leaders Day. The half-day event provides an opportunity for our Alumni Hall of Fame members to return to the college and connect with students by speaking to classes, holding roundtable discussions and participating in other activities throughout the day.
Student-Faculty Mixer
This annual event, held in the spring semester, provides an opportunity for students in the college to connect with our faculty members outside of the classroom. Students and faculty members are invited to drop-in as their schedule allows to enjoy refreshments and networking in a casual setting.
Volunteering & Community Service
Each year, members of the SLC choose a community charity or organization to support through their time, talent and treasure. Recent projects have included the following:
- Cleaning the Path to Legacy Hall – in the 2025 spring semester the SLC partnered with Sustainable Campus to pick up trash on campus from the Rovetta Building all the way to the Wertheim Center, the college’s new home.
- Elder Care Services – creating hand-made Thanksgiving and holiday cards for senior citizens in the community
- Big Bend Heart Walk – fundraising for the American Heart Association and participating in the local heart walk as a group
- Chaires Elementary School – selecting an age-appropriate book to read with second-grade kids as part of a small Valentine’s Day celebration
- Children’s Service Council – staffing various stations during the 2024 Summer Youth Expo to showcase available summer camps
How to Join
Membership in the SLC is an academic-year commitment, beginning in the fall semester and running through the following spring semester. To be considered for SLC membership, students must:
- Be an undergraduate degree-seeking student with a declared major in the Wertheim College
- Have a minimum FSU GPA of 3.3
A link to apply to the SLC will be sent early in the fall semester to all students with declared business majors or intent to apply.
Connect with Us
Emily Balke
Student Engagement Coordinator and SLC Advisor
(407) 620-7344
ebalke@wertheim.fsu.edu
You can learn more about the Student Leadership Council, or connect with members, by visiting Nole Central.
