Nicholas Arbes

Bucknell University, Freeman College of Management

“Dedicated friend and passionate learner, always in pursuit of making a difference and good coffee”

Fun fact about yourself: I have been playing the piano and the guitar for over a decade.

Hometown: Devon, PA

High School: Conestoga High School

Major: Finance

Minor: None

Favorite Business Course: Investments – ACFM 362

Investments (ACFM 362) was my favorite course at Bucknell because it gave students an in-depth look at the fundamentals of investing and navigating different financial instruments, specifically derivatives. The course was also taught by Professor Frank Schreiner, one of the most knowledgeable and dynamic professors at Bucknell.

Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College: Division I Wrestler, Sigma Chi Fraternity (Senior Chapter Adviser), Bucknell Club Rugby, Interfraternity Council, Derby Days chairperson, Hellenic Society, Study Abroad (Barcelona), Bison Finance Society Analyst, Open Discourse Coalition, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student-Athlete Leadership, Dean’s List

Where have you interned during your college career?

1. Hamilton Lane, Greater Philadelphia, Secondaries Summer Analyst
2. Selector Software, Santa Clara, Calif. (remote), Marketing Research Analyst
3. Circonus Enterprises, Greater Philadelphia, Business Development Intern

Where will you be working after graduation? This coming summer I will be working for Campbell Lutyens, on their Secondary Advisory team in New York City.

Who is your favorite business professor? I have had the privilege of being a student of Professor Curtis Nicholls, accounting, for multiple semesters, including courses in accounting and financial statement analysis. Professor Nicholls has a rare ability to break down complex information and big ideas, helping his students gain a deeper level of understanding. He is a perfect example of someone who has true mastery of the content that he teaches and the ability to communicate with his students. Professor Nicholls champions deep learning over surface-level academic outcomes, and challenges his students to absorb all that is on offer in his accounting and finance courses.

Above all else, and despite his endless amounts of responsibilities and obligations, Professor Nicholls never fails to be generous with his time and to provide help to others where he can.

I have sought him out countless times for advice on career decisions as well as on navigating Bucknell. No matter the circumstances, he is always there to provide wisdom and support. For that, I have tremendous respect for him, and gratitude for having been his student.

What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? One of the biggest lessons I have learned from studying business is that effort put toward a goal is never wasted, even if that goal is not achieved. While it may sound counterintuitive, I have found this mindset to be incredibly helpful in navigating the largely uncertain nature of the business world. Often in business, opportunities are pulled out from underneath us, or we face failure despite putting long hours into trying to achieve something — something I’ve experienced in my career exploration and search. While these setbacks never feel good, I’ve found that my greatest opportunities have come after I made adjustments following failure. Instead of seeing setbacks as endpoints, it is important to remember that the lessons and effort put into one endeavor often translates into the pursuit of another. These setbacks are a key and mandatory part of any successful journey in the business world and in life.

What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Remember the importance of personal and professional connections and their contribution to your success. When it comes to studying business or looking to have a career in business, your ability to build your network is just as, and perhaps more important than, your ability to find academic success. When building your network, build early in your experience, and build as frequently as possible. Make personal commitments to consistently reach out to new people, while also being sure to build relationships with individuals already in your circle. You never know when quality time invested in getting to know someone could prove to be beneficial later in your life. Growing my personal network has given me a better feel for what certain business domains are like outside of college, and has allowed me to navigate career decisions with greater levels of insight.

What is one way that your business school has integrated AI into your programming? What is one insight you gained from using AI? The professors within the Freeman College work dynamically with both the opportunities that AI brings to the table as well as some of the potential drawbacks. I have seen firsthand how AI can really hinder the creative and critical-thinking processes of students. With this in mind, however, my professors have used AI in supplemental formats to aid in the reworking or deeper learning of certain concepts. I find myself using AI from time to time to rework writing or learn concepts at a faster pace.

Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Some of my proudest moments and achievements came from difficult seasons on the wrestling mat. During my time as a Division I wrestler, few obstacles can compare to the challenge and pain of cutting weight, brutal early morning workouts and long winters spent training. I am forever grateful for the years I spent wrestling, learning how to challenge myself and be a good teammate.

Which classmate do you most admire? This is undoubtedly my classmate and friend Bevin Cranley. I have had the great joy of knowing Bevin for the past four years as she was one of my very first friends at school. She is, without question, one of the most driven, intelligent and well-rounded people that I know. Over the years, I have watched Bevin not only excel in courses we have taken together, but also lead in many other areas outside the classroom. She is a leader across campus, most notably on the board of the Bison Finance Society and as former president of her sorority. Additionally, she also works hard to elevate other young students (especially women) in financial services. Most importantly, however, I admire her for being a true and compassionate friend and taking on big challenges with tremendous composure. Her remarkable talent and work ethic have earned her an amazing career opportunity after graduation, and I cannot wait to see the trail that she blazes.

Who would you most want to thank for your success? My mom — throughout the endless trials that come with growing up, my mom has remained a constant source of love and support for me along my journey. She has made countless sacrifices with her time and energy to put me in the best possible position for success. Whether it was late night phone calls, drives to practices and matches, packed lunches, or long hugs when they were needed most, she has always been my supporter.

During my time at Bucknell, my mom was a source of constant reassurance and support, no matter what the path or obstacle. Even when progress was slow or I found myself at a low point, she made it a point to celebrate my small wins, giving me the motivation to continue. She is an incredibly accomplished, strong and compassionate person who has worked hard to set an example for her children on how to live.

What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?

1. I hope to work somewhere abroad at some point in my early career.
2. I eventually would like to navigate into doing financial work for a corporation that tackles global issues, specifically in the domain of cutting-edge medicine.

What made Nico such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2025?

“Nico is an invaluable member of the Class of 2025, bringing a visionary mindset and an exceptional level of academic engagement to every setting. His intellectual curiosity is evident not only in the classroom but also during office hours, where he asks thoughtful, probing questions that push discussions to a deeper level. He is not content with surface-level understanding — he consistently seeks to uncover underlying principles, challenge assumptions and make meaningful connections across disciplines. This dedication to learning elevates the academic experience for both his peers and professors, as his insights spark richer conversations and encourage others to think more critically.

To illustrate, let me explain a representative class with Nico sitting in the ranks:

After wrapping up a particularly challenging in-class example, I often follow up with something like: “I know that was a challenge — any questions?” The first hand in the air: always Nico, typically followed by a number of thoughtful questions directly pertaining to the example. You can see the nodding heads around the room as Nico articulates a number of questions clearly contemplated by many students. After the initial salvo, Nico often allows time for other students’ questions, but the continued thought and concentration continues to cycle through his expression. Once other students have had a chance, Nico often jumps in with additional questions, although this time the questions tend to connect the example to a number of previous concepts or concepts from other classes. After a rich discussion, the classroom, and the concepts, have been elevated. Every student in the class benefits from Nico’s engaged and thoughtful interactions.

Nico is an inspiration to his classmates, proving that excellence in multiple domains is not only possible but also deeply rewarding. Through his intellectual curiosity, dedication and leadership, Nico enhances the academic community, making a lasting impact on the Class of 2025.”

Curtis Nicholls
Associate Professor of Accounting
Co-Director, Bucknell’s Student Managed Investment Fund
Chair, Department of Accounting & Financial Management
Freeman College of Management
Bucknell University

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