2018 Best & Brightest: Madeleine Roglich, Cornell University (Dyson)

Madeleine Roglich

Cornell University (Dyson)

Quirky, marathon running, cat-loving individual who cherishes friendships and laughter and dislikes idle time.”

Fun fact about yourself: I’m in the process of memorizing the script to the movie National Treasure.

Hometown: Hinsdale, IL

High School: Hinsdale Central High School

Major: Applied Economics and Management, Concentration in Marketing

Minor: International Development Studies

Favorite Business Course: My favorite business course has been Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy taught by Professor Deb Streeter. This course taught me how to approach problems in a new way. Students spend the semester focusing on how to search for problems, evaluate these problems, and then develop solutions to address them. Compared to other courses, where a typical course structure is to listen to in-class lectures, complete homework assignments and readings and then reproduce the learned information for assessments, Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy is a course that focuses on critical thinking in order to continuously address and problem solve.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:

Extracurricular Activities and Leadership Roles:

  • Dyson Undergraduate Council – Executive Vice President and Vice President of Public Relations
  • Teaching Assistant/Head Teaching Assistant for Management Communication (AEM 2700), Marketing (AEM 2420), Entrepreneurial Marketing and Strategy (AEM 3249), and Finance (AEM 2240)
  • Cornell Women’s Varsity Basketball – Head Manager
  • International Coursework (Global Business and Diversity Study Trip – South Africa 2017 and Global Capitalism through Service Learning – Jamaica 2017)
  • Dyson Leadership Development Program
  • ILR Sports Business Society

Community Work:

  • Fundraiser for Mercy Home for Boys and Girls, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Tree House Humane Society by running marathons
  • Volunteer in Office of Illinois State Representative Patti Bellock

Honors:

  • 2017-18 Dyson Scholar
  • Ho Nun De Kah Honor Society
  • Dean’s College of Business Student Advisory Council
  • Dean’s List

Where have you interned during your college career? (List Companies, Locations and Roles)

  • ALDI Foods; Tully, NY; District Manager Intern
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago; Chicago, IL; Members and Markets Intern
  • MJPR, Inc.; Chicago, IL; Marketing and Public Relations Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? Eversound (A startup focused on hearing technology for elderly communities) as Community Outreach Coordinator

Who is your favorite professor? I would like to acknowledge three professors and the impact that they have had on my undergraduate business education. Professor Cindy van Es and Professor Debra Perosio have been extremely influential on my Cornell education through their mentorship and their classes. In addition to working with Professor Perosio in her marketing course, Professor van Es and Professor Perosio led the Global Business and Diversity Study Trip to South Africa that I participated in over the 2017 winter break. This course, as well as their lively personalities and lessons conveyed, opened my eyes to work that promotes positive social change. I am extremely motivated to continue to find ways to apply my energies and education in order to make a difference. In addition, Professor Deborah Streeter has had a positive influence on my college career. Her entrepreneurial perspective has exposed me to the exciting world of startups, driven by the development of a sound business plan. I cannot thank Professors Streeter, van Es and Perosio enough for their tremendous support of my educational and developmental needs during my time at The Dyson School.

What did you enjoy most about your business school? I enjoy the collaborative nature of the Dyson School. The Dyson School does not promote a cut-throat environment. Rather, most classes are structured so that students learn from the experiences and the expertise of their classmates. Classes are often structured on group work, peer and professor feedback, and the premise that collaboration leads to better idea generation and problem-solving.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? The biggest lesson I gained from studying business is that people can learn the most when they push themselves beyond their comfort zone. I have been exposed to the most interesting and eye-opening information during my undergraduate career when actively challenging myself to be adventurous in my studies.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Often times, it seems that students at the Dyson School arrive already having identified their concentration of study. At the Dyson School, though, there are 11 different concentrations, all which teach very valuable and interesting topics. Although my concentration is marketing, some of the most interesting courses I have taken have been those outside of that concentration. Courses within the Business Analytics and the International Trade and Development concentrations have been fascinating. To those underclassmen who already have an idea of what they want to concentrate or major in or what field of business they want to work, don’t limit yourselves in your choices. This is your opportunity to explore and to find out more about yourself.

“If I didn’t major in business, I would be majoring in or studying…History and Museum Studies. I grew up dreaming of being a museum curator and how magical it would be to wander the museum halls and be responsible for developing programs to present exhibits in ways that would excite and intrigue museum visitors.”

What has surprised you most about majoring in business? The most surprising thing that I have learned majoring in business is how valuable personal connections and relationships are. You may not be the brightest in your field at all times. When people vouch for your work ethic, drive to learn and tenacity, then you will find yourself better positioned to excel. The relationships you establish with students, professors and alumni will be both helpful and rewarding in your career and life.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Training for  and running my first marathon. In 2015, I decided to run a marathon and cross it off of my bucket list. I had never been a long-distance runner and can add that I never had run much more than a 200-meter race or for the duration of a basketball game. I spent a few months training. Although I am absolutely certain that I do not have the body of a marathoner, I trained tirelessly and completed that marathon. My time was by no means fast or impressive, but to have completed that event was such a memorable experience for me.

Which classmate do you most admire? Daniel Abaraoha – Daniel is a very ambitious, bright person and a close friend. I have admired Daniel since we met freshman year. He is someone who has dreams and is pursuing them. Since Daniel was in middle school, he dreamed of creating a sneaker company. Upon arriving at Cornell, he has dedicated himself to this goal and worked tirelessly to create Vita Shoes Company. Vita donates profits to support homeless and youth shelters. Many people are supporting Daniel in his pursuit to promote positive societal change. As I shared with the Cornell Daily Sun when I was interviewed about Daniel and Vita Shoes Company,Daniel has so much support behind him because his ambitions are big and his heart is even bigger.”

 Who would you most want to thank for your success? My family. My parents and my brother have been so very supportive of my endeavors. I have had the privilege of having their encouragement and constructive feedback while pursuing my interests and dreams. As importantly, my father has taught me the value of possessing a great sense of humor while pursuing these dreams.

What would your theme song be? “Beautiful Day” by U2 – “Beautiful Day” is a positive song that references the possibilities in life when you have the right perspective. This song resonates with me given there is so much for which I am grateful and so much for which I am hopeful.

What are the top two items on your bucket list? Visit all 50 states (I have 12 left!) and on an international scale, climb to Mt. Everest’s base camp.

Favorite book:To Kill a Mockingbird

Favorite movie: National Treasure

Favorite vacation spot: Cinque Terre, Italy

What are your hobbies? Running, Letter Writing, Playing and Watching Basketball, Eating Cornbread, Trying New Foods, Hiking, Travelling, Creating Photo Albums, Making Friends Laugh

What made Madeline  such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2018?

“Madeleine (Maddie) Roglich is special because of her outlook on life and her approach to learning. I appreciate the breadth of Madeleine’s interests (sports, technology, entrepreneurship, consulting, marketing, social issues) – that is to say, she is not a cookie-cutter business major!  Madeleine has a rare deep interest in learning and has made deliberate and meaningful choices in her education. Her approach is a welcome contrast to the GPA maximization that seems to dominate the current environment. Madeleine’s world outlook has influenced her career path as well, where she has chosen to join the entrepreneurial ecosystem – a path less travelled – in a company where she can make meaning as well as money. All my interactions with her have demonstrated to me that Madeleine’s refreshing maturity results from a combination of a down-to-earth perspective, a keen intellect, a collaborative spirit, great emotional intelligence, a strong competitive drive, and a kind heart.”

Deborah Streeter
Bruce F. Failing, Sr. Professor of Personal Enterprise and Small Business Management
Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management

Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Cornell University

DON’T MISS: THE BEST & BRIGHTEST BUSINESS MAJORS OF 2018 — THE COMPLETE LIST

 

Questions about this article? Email us or leave a comment below.