By student writer Faith Lam
Maya Parady’s journey as a marketing major at Salve Regina University has been defined by an exceptional level of learning that goes beyond the classroom. Within the Jean and David W. Wallace Department of Business and Economics, she has gained not only industry-relevant knowledge but also hands-on experience that sets her apart. Through rigorous coursework, experiential learning opportunities and the department’s signature capstone course, Parady has developed the critical thinking, creativity and real-world problem-solving skills essential for success in the field. As she prepares to graduate this May, she leaves Salve with a well-rounded education that has laid a strong foundation for her future in marketing.
Parady’s first impression of the University as an eighth grader on family vacation transitioned into a life-changing opportunity. Finding Salve was exactly what she needed but the opposite of what Parady was looking for. A Connecticut native, Parady had her heart set on a big school environment, but one visit to Salve changed that for her. As a high school senior, she realized she did not want to just be another number, and when visiting Salve she could picture her life in Newport. She found a community of professors and friends she could count on to support her in her academic journey.
Like many first-year students, Parady took time to find her place – navigating the challenges of adjusting to college life. As she met people from different backgrounds and experiences, she discovered a strong sense of community within the business department – where she formed meaningful relationships that brought excitement and fulfillment to her Salve experience.
“It doesn’t matter the place that I am in, it matters the people I am with,” said Parady.
The most impactful relationship Parady found at Salve was with her professors. When asked about her experience at the University, Parady proudly talks about the incredible leaders and mentors she has had over the years. A standout is Sam Sacco, senior lecturer in the department and someone she considers a personal mentor and guide. Sacco has supported Parady in various ways, from refining her resume to encouraging her to take a step back and pace herself.
Sam Sacco (right) and Parady.
“I like to joke that I have a campus mom, campus dad and campus grandpa, and my campus dad is absolutely Sacco – He is always the one I talk to when I need advice,” shared Parady.
Encouraged to join by Sacco, despite having no background in finance, she quickly discovered the power of experiential learning in Salve Regina’s Investment Club. The club offers students a dynamic, hands-on approach to learning about finance, and for Parady, who is now the club’s co-president, it has been a full-circle experience.
Each year, the club competes at the Student Managed Investment Fund Consortium (SMIFC) in Chicago, hosted by Indiana State University, where universities from around the country tackle high-level finance challenges. This past October, after weeks of late-night prep sessions and teamwork, Salve’s team placed third in the nation—an achievement made possible by dedicated students from diverse backgrounds, including business majors and student-athletes. “The curriculum of classes at Salve really build your confidence,” said Parady. “By the time you have an opportunity to lead and work collaboratively, you feel prepared, you feel good and you feel respected.”
A pivotal and required course for all majors within the department is the Strategic Business Planning Capstone, commonly known as BP, where seniors develop a business, conduct comprehensive research and present their findings to local professionals. Parady’s group, a mix of marketing, accounting and business administration majors, created an impressive 75-page appendix on their “Killer Cooler,” a versatile beach cooler with convenient features and entertainment enhancements, which they created over long hours at friends’ houses while gaining an eye-opening experience in teamwork. Throughout this capstone, Parady’s team learned the power of delegating work in effective ways, and the importance of a team with a variety of skills. She got to use her marketing expertise to aid the team.
Parady and BP team after their “Killer Cooler” presentation.
Salve has a great tradition surrounding the BP capstone. Each year, as groups complete their final presentations, they gather on the lawn outside the O’Hare Academic Building – ocean in view – to cheer, pop champagne and celebrate their hard work. It’s a moment of pride and accomplishment, one that the entire campus recognizes and admires. For Parady, she felt grateful – not that it was over but for the experiences she has gained through the course and her time within the department.
“We work so deeply within the Newport community and have so many opportunities to network with local professionals,” shared Parady. “I don’t have stress about finding a job post-grad. I have faith in the relationships that I’ve built and the connections I have made in my time in the department, and I think Salve is such a hidden gem for that.”
When looking back at her experience, Parady realizes how Salve’s mercy mission shaped her education, and will continue to shape her future in the marketing field. “Compassion” is the word she uses for her own path with mercy. She’s found this in the professors, the students and the many resources provided at Salve.
“The field of marketing can sometimes be seen as cutthroat or cold-hearted, or hard to connect back to our mission, but there’s so much leading with empathy that happens here, and there’s so much immersion within a community that it makes you care,” emphasized Parady. “Our values are ingrained in what we do here at Salve, and it sticks with you.”
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