Dean's Student Advisory Board

Hi there, my name is Angelique Benda and I am a Senior at Nova Southeastern University in the Huizenga Business Innovation Academy pursuing a BSBA with a management major and double minor in entrepreneurship and venture creation.

In May 2022, I will begin my MBA degree at NSU. I’m a member of the NSU Collegiate DECA chapter, a member of the Strategic Forum Student Group, Treasurer for NSU’s Pre-Health book club, and I am on the HCBE Dean’s Student Advisory Board. I am an Administrative Coordinator/Junior Recruiter at the NSU Business College Graduate School and look forward to advancements within the NSU community. My interests are helping others, solving problems, and creating happiness.

My name is Romy Bensoussan. I am a senior in the Huizenga Business Innovation Academy. I live in Miami, but I am originally from France.

On the Dean's Student Advisory Board, our purpose is to improve the lives of students at Nova Southeastern University. I encourage you to reach out to any of us regarding anything NSU-related. We are here for the students and want to know of any questions, comments, concerns, and additions you would like to see happen here at NSU.

My name is Sebastian Harada, and I am currently a final year finance major at the Huizenga College of Business of Nova Southeastern University. I am very involved on campus, holding leadership roles in the Strategic Forum Student Group, the Personal Finance and Investments Association, as well as running my own on-campus business, “After Hours."

I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and in high school I played baseball competitively as a right-handed pitcher. My interests include reading, keeping up with the financial markets, and helping others in any way, shape, or form that I can. Upon graduation, I hope to break into the buy-side of high finance and help both institutional and individual investors create wealth through my analytical and interpersonal skills.

Kacie John. I am a third-year senior graduating this semester. I am studying Sport and Recreation Management with a minor in Marketing. I am also getting my certificate in Human Resource Management.

I am originally from Connecticut, but my parents have relocated to Florida. I came to NSU because I thought it would provide the best opportunities for me being a Sport major. I am a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon and am the Intramural Coordinator for our chapter. I have a Research position on campus and am the treasurer for the Sport Business Student Association. I worked for the Miami Dolphins this past season! I am excited to be on this Advisory Board and look forward to what the future holds! 

Julianne Mangano

My name is Julianne Mangano, and I am a Senior at NSU studying Entrepreneurship and Pre-Law. I am very involved on campus and hold a lot of leadership roles as I am in Razor's Edge Shark Cage (Marketing Co-Chair), Huizenga Business Innovation Academy, Strategic Forum (Secretary), Delta Phi Epsilon (Vice President of Academic Affairs) and HCBE Dean's Student Advisory Board Member.

In high school, I played Field Hockey, Basketball and Lacrosse. I love to stay active  and I am very competitive. In my free time I love traveling, going to the beach, and hanging out with my friends and family. After graduating next May, I plan to continue my education at NSU to get my master's in business and then go to law school. My goal is to become a corporate, patent, or real estate attorney. 

Rukiye Devres Unver

Born and raised in Istanbul, Turkey, Rukiye Devres Unver, is an avid supporter of the arts, archeology and education among other causes. Mrs. Devres Unver sits on the boards of several non- profit foundations. She is a trustee and board member of the Hisar Educational Foundation, a member of the Turkish Educational Association, a founding member and board vice chair of the 65+ Rights for the Elderly Association, a member of the International Advisory Board of the New York Philharmonic, and the Advisory Board of the Istanbul Technical University Turkish Straights Maritime Applications and Research Center, a member of the Istanbul Culture and Arts Foundation, a Friend of Aphrodisias, a patron of Side, a member of the American Research Institute in Turkey, on the board of the Bebek Community Association, and a trustee of the Global Relations Forum.

Rukiye believes in the power of philanthropic efforts in informing policies of developing Turkey. In her daily life, she heads the Devres Real Estate Investment and Management Company, which she established in 2006 when her architecture practice lead her to the world of real estate. She is also a director of their family investment firm, True Value Capital Partners SA.

In the past, Mrs. Devres Unver joined projects designing in Pakistan with the Aga Khan Foundation and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and in China, Puerto Rico and Eastern Turkey, concentrating on financially, socially and environmentally sustainable low income pilot projects for regions in need of a better future. Following the devastating Marmara Region earthquake in 1999, she supported and worked with a group of earthquake victims, in partnership with CEKUL Foundation, Habitat for
Humanity International, MIT Department of Architecture and Urban Planning, local and international academicians and philanthropists, local government, businesses, and NGOs to create a pilot village filled with sustainable and renewable solutions in Adapazari, Turkey.

Devres Unver graduated with a B.S. in Art and Design and later earned a Masters of Architecture, both from MIT. She currently is working towards a Master in Management in Philanthropy and Public Policy at Nova Southeastern University.

Shalima Mohamad

An immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, Shalima K. Mohamed moved to Miami with her parents and three siblings as a young child. She excelled in grade school and is the first person in her family to graduate from high school and move on to higher education.

She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University. She began her career working for five-star hotels such as The Setai and Fontainebleau in Miami and then transitioned to local government.

For more than nine years, Mohamed has been an exemplary government professional in the South Florida community. During her tenure in local government, Shalima has assumed positions of increasing responsibility. Her background includes talent acquisition and retention, compensation, benefits, marketing, public relations, innovation programs, technology enhancements and executive management.

Mohamed is currently the Strategic Administration Officer for the City of Miramar, Florida, where she assists with overseeing the operations of the city’s administrative departments to include Human Resources, Management and Budget, Procurement, City Clerk and Finance. She is also a member of the Reopen Miramar Task Force, which oversees the processes and changes required to accommodate the unprecedented COVID-19pandemic. In addition, she is directly responsible for the municipality’s Office of Innovation and Technology, which spearheads Miramar’s smart city initiatives and Geospatial Information Systems division.

Throughout her career, Mohamed has played an integral role in the successful implementation of organizational enterprise systems as well as creating and building strategic divisions and programs within the organization. She has also been credited with implementing award-winning initiatives on behalf of Miramar.

Shamila is pursuing her Master of Public Administration degree at Nova Southeastern University and maintains a 4.0 GPA. She is a member of the Golden Key Honor Society. She is also a member of  United Way of Broward County’s Women’s Council.

Eileen Arrien

I am Eileen Arrien, Vice President of B-GEAR Services Inc., a boutique South Florida company providing consulting services in business operations. Before evolving to this venture with my husband, I taught accounting and personal finance at the University of Phoenix for nine years. Prior to transitioning to teaching, I worked for General Electric Medical Systems for over 12 years.

I have held various roles in Finance, including Senior Finance Analyst Latin America and Finance Manager Central and Andean Region – one of the four major regions which includes 22 countries in Latin America. To diversify my experience, I took a role in Quality Six Sigma for the Latin America Operations.

I earned a Bachelor of Accounting and International Business from Florida International University and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. I also received corporate certification from GE Financial Management Program for Six Sigma Green Belt/Black Belt Certified.

I continue to cherish learning and growth.

Tanya Perez

Hello all! My name is Tania Perez and I am currently pursuing my MBA with a concentration in Complex Health Systems at Nova Southeastern University Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship.

My plan is to graduate in December 2022 and pursue a career in healthcare administration. AT NSU, I am also the secretary of the Complex Health Systems Student Association.

I was born and raised in Southern California and moved to Florida to attend NSU for my bachelor’s degree; I graduated in May 2017 with a B.S. in Biology. In my free time, I like to spend time with my family and friends, go to the beach, and travel.

I hope to someday soon work in a healthcare system that leads me to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

My name is Christie Jean, and I am an international student from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. I am in my last semester in the M.B.A. in Management program.

I am currently the president of the Graduate Business Student Association. Before attending Nova Southeastern University, I completed a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Entrepreneurship at Monroe College in New Rochelle, NY.

My goal is to be a leader who will bring innovation and a taste for change to my community. Additionally, I want to seek a managerial position to practice my skills and gain the experience necessary to own my business.

I am a horse lover. I enjoy cooking and dancing. I speak French and Creole.