Aryanna Baytop
Tulane University, AB Freeman School of Business
“Highly-driven, brilliantly goofy, and boldly curious—Aryanna thrives on challenges and defying expectations!”
Fun fact about yourself: I was a background dancer in the Hulu remake of White Men Can’t Jump so I got to meet Jack Harlow and Laura Harrier!
Hometown: Los Angeles, California
High School: Granada Hills Charter High School
Major: Management
Minor: Economics
Favorite Business Course: Management Communication (MCOM 3010)
This class significantly improved my written communication skills and has enabled me to transfer these skills into effective application answers, mass communication emails in my organizations, and as a leader!
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
Extracurricular Activities:
Shockwave Dance Team (Selected Member, 2021-2023)
Community Work:
Hotel Hope (Volunteer, 2023 – Present)
SOUL Nola (Volunteer, 2023-Present)
Grace at the Greenlight (Volunteer, 2022- Present)
Tulane Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (Mentor, 2022- Present) Afterschool Newcomb Tutoring (Volunteer Tutor, 2021-2024)
Leadership Roles:
Supplemental Instructor (2024-Present)
Green Wave Ambassador (Tour Guide, 2023-Present)
Diversity Fellow (Events Coordinator 2024- Present, Fellow Since 2023) Teaching Assistant (Financial Accounting, 2023-Present)
Mortar Board Honor Society (President 2024-Present, Member Since 2023) Greek Ambassador (Facilitator, 2022- Present)
Academic Tutor (2022-Present)
Students Against Food Insecurity (Communications Director and Co-Founder, 2022- Present)
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Omicron Psi Chapter (President 2024-Present, Secretary and Membership Chair 2022-2024)
Peer Success Leader (2022-2023)
Honors and Awards
Posse Scholar (2021-Present)
Hispanic Scholarship Fund Scholar (2021)
Alpha Lambda Delta Freshman Honor Society (Inducted Spring 2022)
Mortar Board Honors Scholar (Inducted Spring 2023)
Beta Gamma Sigma Honors Scholar (Inducted Spring 2023)
Undergraduate Dean’s List (Fall 2021-Fall 2024) Graduate Business Dean’s List (Fall 2024)
King Freedom and Justice Community Service Award (January 2025)
Where have you interned during your college career? (
Institute of Trauma and Economic Justice – Remote – Market Research Intern (2022)
J.P Morgan Chase – Plano, TX – Corporate Functions Fellow (2023)
KPMG – San Diego, CA – Embark Scholar (2024) KPMG – San Diego, CA – Audit Intern (2025)
Where will you be working after graduation? I will be continuing with graduate school at Tulane to finish my Master of Accounting. I hope to obtain my CPA license and work as an Audit Associate.
Who is your favorite business professor? Christine Smith is my favorite professor and a truly inspiring mentor. Her passion for financial accounting and talent for making complex concepts clear ignited my interest in the field.
Through her guidance and support, I found the confidence to explore the Joint BSM/MACCT program—an opportunity I may never have considered without her influence.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? One of the biggest lessons I’ve gained from studying business is the power of adaptability and communication. I am fortunate to attend an institution that fosters an adaptive mindset, allowing me to apply the knowledge and skills I’ve gained to successfully navigate the challenges I’ve encountered. My business education has equipped me with the skills to think strategically, pivot when faced with challenges, and communicate effectively in diverse settings. Through case studies, group projects, and problem-solving exercises, I’ve learned how to analyze situations, develop contingency plans, and approach obstacles with a solutions-oriented mindset.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? One of the most daunting challenges for college students is determining their path after graduation. The pressure can feel overwhelming, especially in a competitive environment
where you’re surrounded by talented and ambitious peers. For students considering a business-related major, my advice is to be proactive in utilizing the wealth of resources available— whether on campus, through career counselors, or within your local community. Many universities offer career services that can help identify opportunities aligned with your interests. Even beyond that, engaging with faculty members and tapping into your alumni network can provide invaluable insights.
Additionally, platforms like LinkedIn serve as powerful tools to connect with professionals, explore career paths, and gain industry knowledge. The purpose of networking—whether online or in person—is to learn from others’ experiences, share your own aspirations, and build meaningful connections. If you reach out, the worst that can happen is that someone says no— but every interaction is a learning opportunity. With endless career possibilities across industries, each step, whether a success or a setback, helps refine your skills, strengthen your professional presence, and bring you closer to a fulfilling career.
Looking back over your experience, what is the one thing you’d do differently in business school and why? One thing I would do differently is have more confidence in my abilities. Looking back, I regret immediately dismissing the idea of double majoring in business due to my fear of math and writing. Even though I performed well in my introductory courses across various majors, I particularly enjoyed legal studies. However, I decided against pursuing it as a second major simply because I didn’t like the writing aspect and assumed, “I’m not planning to be a lawyer anyway.”
By the time I realized the flaws in that mindset, it was too late to incorporate an additional major into my coursework. Over time, I came to understand that, strategically and pragmatically, a strong foundation in legal studies could have been invaluable—especially in accounting or any business field. Having a strong understanding of laws and regulations, along with legal writing skills relevant to my industry, would have been instrumental in my long-term success
What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? While some professors are strongly opposed to AI, I have had others who acknowledge its inevitability and emphasize the importance of learning how to integrate it ethically and effectively. In today’s evolving landscape, leveraging AI is becoming an essential skill for staying competitive.
I firmly believe in upholding academic and professional integrity, but I also recognize AI as a valuable tool for refining my work. For instance, when composing emails to faculty or peers, I use AI to check for grammar mistakes. If I struggle with the flow or tone of my writing, I seek AI’s input on making it more professional and cohesive. These refinements not only improve my writing in the moment, but also enhance my long-term ability to craft clear and effective communication.
As long as AI is viewed as a tool rather than a replacement for original thought and creativity, it can be an invaluable asset in professional and academic settings.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? I am most proud of receiving the King Freedom and Justice Community Service Award in January 2025. Growing up in a family that valued community service as much as education and career success, I have always understood the importance of creating meaningful change through service.
Throughout my college career, I have been intentional in seeking job opportunities and leadership roles that allow me to give back—whether through tutoring my peers, mentoring local middle school girls, or running a free food pantry on campus. While some may struggle to find a common thread in my involvements, each one is a deliberate reflection of my commitment to service. Receiving this award was a proud moment for me, as it reinforced that my dedication has made a tangible impact and has not gone unnoticed.
Which classmate do you most admire? The classmate I admire most is Janae Burney. From the moment we met as Posse Scholars in 2020, she has been both a best friend and a true inspiration. Her passion for service and community impact has not only shaped me as a person but also strengthened my own leadership skills. As the principal founder of Students Against Food Insecurity (SAFI), Janae recognized an overlooked issue at Tulane and took action. She brought together a team, including myself, to establish the first student-operated, free food pantry for all students at Tulane—an initiative that has since transformed campus support systems. Because of her dedication, Tulane was designated a Hunger-Free Campus by the Louisiana Board of Regents, created a Hunger-Free Task Force involving top administrators, and SAFI earned the 2024 Winds of Change Award. Janae’s humility and relentless commitment to change inspires me every day, reinforcing my own passion for servant leadership and community impact.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? I would thank my mom, Jenee Baytop, for her unwavering love and support in shaping the person I am today. From an early age, she instilled in me the belief that education is not just a skill but a lifelong value, fueling my excitement for learning and my curiosity while ensuring I maintained a healthy mindset through every challenge.
Through all my accomplishments, she has been my biggest cheerleader, always believing in my potential—even before I saw it myself. If anything, she’s the one who reminds me to slow down and be kind to myself. Everything I have achieved is a testament to the way she raised me, constantly uplifting me and pushing me not just to reach my potential, but to surpass it.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
- Enjoy my job.
- Pass all the sections on the CPA exam the first time.
What made Aryanna such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?
“Aryanna’s combination of academic brilliance, leadership in service, mentorship, and professional ambition makes her an invaluable member of our academic community here at Tulane University. She is not just a student with outstanding accomplishments—she is a catalyst for change and empowerment, continuously lifting those around her while maintaining her own academic and professional trajectory. Her unwavering dedication to excellence and her desire to make a positive impact on both her peers and her community speaks volumes about her immense value.”
Charlotte Battiest
Director, Undergraduate Student Experience,
Office of Undergraduate Education
Freeman School of Business, Tulane University
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