2021 Best & Brightest Business Majors: Giselle Enriquez Durazo, University of Arizona (Eller)

Giselle Enriquez Durazo

University of Arizona, Eller College of Management

“Wickedly talented biz student, klassy kinder teacher, and supersonic Kindle reader.”

Fun fact about yourself: My favorite hobby is going to Sprouts and trying new drinks to feature them on my Instagram. I call it #DrinkoftheWeek!

Hometown: Tucson, AZ

High School: Sahuaro High School

Major: Marketing and Management Information Systems

Favorite Business Course: Social and Ethical Issues of the Internet

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Eller College of Management – Outstanding Scholar of the Year 2019-2020
Eller College of Management – Top Multicultural Students Award
Eller College of Management – Top Collegiate Women of the Year
St. Joseph Catholic Church – Pre-K & Kinder Catechist
Business Communications (BCOM 314) – Preceptor
Eller Hispanic Honorary – Vice President of Marketing
Dean’s List with Distinction
Management Information Systems Department Office Assistant
Eller College of Management – Top 50 Eller Hispanic Scholar
Thomas R. Brown Scholarship
St. Joseph Catholic Church – Youth Coordinator
TED x University of Arizona – Food Handler
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona Scholarship
Humane Society of Southern Arizona – Volunteer
Friends of Pima Animal Care Center – Volunteer
Eller Make A Difference Day – Site Organizer
Zipperman Scholar
Computers and the Internetworked Society (MIS 111) – Course Preceptor
PREMIER Freshman Honorary – Honorary Member

Where have you interned during your college career?
GoDaddy – Remote – YouTube Channel Specialist Intern
Golden State Warriors Internship Conference – Remote – Invitee
GEICO Winter Externship – Tucson, AZ – Extern

Where will you be working after graduation? GoDaddy – Marketing Specialist

What company do you admire most? Slack – I admire Slack and its continuous efforts towards hiring diverse talent. Slack adapts and changes to create a more inclusive company culture while also investing in future leaders interested in technology.

Who is your favorite professor? It would be Mikel Chertudi because he shows unmatched care for his students. Being part of his teaching team has taught me what it means to be a consistent and empathetic mentor.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? We are all incredible, but none of us are special. Believing we are great leaders does not justify bending the rules or crossing over ethical norms. 

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? As broad as a business major can be, find your niche! Each class is a new opportunity to find a subject that makes you realize what you want to be doing for the rest of your life.

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? I was surprised by the number of economics courses I had to take. I never thought I’d get to the point where I’m finally not enrolled in an economics course. Nevertheless, I believe economics makes the world go round.

Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? I dealt with serious imposter syndrome during my freshman/sophomore years. I’m sure it is common among first-gen students. I wish I could go back and tell myself that I was capable. However, I still feel fortunate for my growth.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of my recognition as Outstanding Scholar of the Year. Although my speech was virtual, seeing just how happy it made my parents who attended my recognition made me so proud. It was a moment that made me so grateful for my family and my hard work.

Which classmate do you most admire? I admire my peer/friend Jennifer Gonzales. She is empathetic, sensitive, and kind. She was my friend in every class that I knew I could count on and would do everything to the best of her ability.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My dad is the most hard-working and persistent person I know. I thank him for giving me the ability to get an education and for always providing for my family. He endures the blazing Tucson sun year-round on rooftops so that I may pursue my education in an air-conditioned classroom. I am so proud to be his daughter! (I love my mom too.)

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
 1. Find my niche in the business world! I plan to network and adapt to find something I feel passionate about.
2. Make enough to take care of my parents.

What are your hobbies? Reading, baking, spending too much money at Starbucks, drink connoisseur, online shopping, and digital drawing.

What made Giselle such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021?

“When I learned Giselle Enriquez was nominated for 2021 Poets & Quants Best and Brightest Undergrads, I was not shocked, and felt incredibly proud that she was recognized and celebrated in this manner. She was already brilliant when she entered my classroom her freshman year. Giselle’s brilliance does not separate her from her peers, but it’s her balancing of professionalism and grace. Giselle is intuitively quiet but not because she’s shy, but because she’s an active listener who seldom wastes words or speaks without thinking critically about what she has to say. It has been a joy having her as a student and as a coworker (she was a student employee in the department). In both environments her professionalism is top notch. Giselle’s strong time management  and interpersonal skills has allowed her to excel academically and professionally. She consistently submitted work and class assignments before deadlines, and as a teammate she consistently received the highest praises from her teammates. Giselle is a professional, bright academic, and more importantly- a good person.”

Brandon Marshall
Lecturer, Management Information Systems
Director, Zipperman Scholars Program

“Now and then, I meet a student and realize I’m lucky – lucky to be witnessing someone at the beginning of a brilliant career. Giselle Enriquez is one of these students. I’ve worked with her for almost two years, first as an incoming Eller student and then as a preceptor on my teaching team, where she guides and mentors new Eller students through their first semesters of business school. What amazes me about Giselle is her consistency.  Day in and day out, she’s always excellent, always prepared, always willing to assist others, and always kind. She represents the best of Eller.”

Mikel Chertudi
Senior Lecturer, Business Communication

“I have had the pleasure of having Giselle in two completely different courses. The first course was Marketing Analytics, which is very quantitative, and the second course was a New Product Development course that is very creative. Giselle excelled in both the courses, which is only expected with her consistent and strategic hard work. Her comments in class are always so thoughtful, profound, and insightful. She always rises to the occasion and does her absolute best.”

Sangeetha Venkataramani
Lecturer, Marketing

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