Hanley Follows ‘Path to Business Excellence;’ Event Nov. 22

Coming from a non-business background as the son of teachers, Ryan Hanley '26 initially felt intimidated by the field.

When he enrolled at The University of Scranton, he had a burgeoning interest in the stock market. However, he also had a lot to learn and at least a little trepidation about whether he could hold his own.

"But I went in with an open mind," he said. "And by the end of my freshman year, I'm like, 'Yeah, this is something that interests me.'"

Hanley, a double major in accounting and finance from Dumont, New Jersey, is among the Kania School of Management (KSOM) students who will greet high school students at the upcoming Path to Business Excellence Conference. Attendees at the event, which begins at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, will learn about Scranton's nationally recognized programs.

Guests will also have the opportunity to meet faculty and students like Hanley, who, in three-plus short years, has made major strides in his business acumen.

"Just because you don't have a business background doesn't mean that it should debilitate you, or your kid, from getting involved in business if that's what they're passionate about. At this University, it will not hold you back," he said. "Look how far I've gotten."

Putting his best foot forward at Scranton, Hanley is a dean's list student who has served in leadership capacities with several extracurricular programs. He is co-president of PRISM (Portfolio of Responsible Investments Under Student Management), which was founded in 1999 with a $100,000 gift that under student management and investments has grown to more than $1.3 million.

He's also had a pair of paid internships at top accounting firm Wiss & Co. and at Ernst and Young, one of the "Big Four" accounting firms. He has already secured employment post-graduation.

"You can go and get a good education anywhere," Hanley said. "But there's something special about here, especially the alumni. We're not an Ivy League school. Where we lack in maybe that 'high prestige,' we definitely make up for in the alumni network and the people of the Scranton community. They're really willing to stick their neck out for you, take a chance on you and help push your resume through. I think that's part of the reason why Scranton is what it is.

"The people make the place. The personal connections that you get here are really important."

Scranton recently placed top 40 in the nation on U.S. News' "Best Undergraduate Programs in Analytics" and "Best Undergraduate Programs in Accounting," while the Wall Street Journal recognized the University as a top school for post-graduation salaries and return on investment.

According to the Roche Family Center for Career Development's Class of 2024 First Destination Survey, KSOM graduates reported a 100% success rate. Accounting majors reported a $69,988 starting salary; business analytics, $68,000; finance, $67,579.

"What I like about this school is, academically, it will set you up for success," he said. "But if you're willing to step up and take extra time, you can be really successful in the extracurriculars, too."

Visit the University's website for more information on the upcoming Path to Business Excellence Conference.