Each year, The Quadrangle compiles a list of the most influential seniors on campus, creating our own version of the Time 100. Those selected represent the very best and brightest Manhattan University has to offer and highlight the significant impact of these seniors’ contributions over their years on campus. This year’s list was voted on by students in the wider campus community and ultimately decided by The Quadrangle’s staff. The ten following seniors constitute this year’s final Quad 10 list.
Interviews compiled by: Laili Shahrestani, Misha Jabal-Abadi, Mary Haley, Joshua Reichard, Sarah Rolka, Leyla J. Mercado, Maria Castano and Barbara Vasquez
Laili Shahrestani:
Whether it be in Anaheim Hills, California or The Bronx, NYC, Laili Shahrestani has made a name for herself through various ways in impeccable amounts of time. From going as a contributor to The Quadrangle’s editor-in-chief in only a year and eight months, her hardwork, passion and dedication have truly spoken for itself.
Shahrestani, a communication major with a concentration in journalism and minor in psychology, as well as a member of Epsilon Sigma Phi, first transferred to Manhattan University (MU) in 2024. Her inclination to apply to MU was a gut feeling that further resulted into one of the most transformative experiences of her life. Thanking Thom Genceralli for pushing her to join The Quadrangle, Shahrestani’s shell came sooner than later.
“Once I joined The Quad I just put everything I had into it,” Shahrestani said. “For me, it was more than just a club, it was something I genuinely saw myself doing in the future, and something I’m really passionate about. So I think because of my dedication, it allowed me to grow faster.”
With her bi-coastal lifestyle becoming another key aspect of her life, Shahrestani’s ability to remain connected to her friends and family 2,782 miles away in the midst of holding one of the biggest roles in MU’s world of student communication is solely the beginning of her future.
“I don’t think I would have grown as much as I did if I didn’t move here,” Shahrestani said. “There weren’t many options for me back in my hometown … If you told me that I would be interviewing all of these incredible people like 3OH!3 and the lieutenant governor of New York … I’d be shocked.”
Beyond graduation, Laili hopes to work as a journalist in the New York City Metropolitan area.
Gabriella Morelli:
Gabriella Morelli is graduating with a major in chemical engineering, a concentration in consumer goods and cosmetic engineering, as well as minors in chemistry, mathematics and business. From the start, she aimed to make her mark on campus. Morelli chose to come to Manhattan University (MU) due to its close proximity to the city, small class size and welcoming environment.
In her freshman year, she attended any event that was interesting and began to take on more serious roles in the following year. During her time here, she has taken part in Tau Beta Pi, A.C.G. Chemist Club, Pen and Sword and Omega Chi Epsilon. One highlight was becoming president of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) club in her junior year.
“I would say I am proud that I took on the role of SWE president my junior year because it was a little bit unexpected … I’m proud of planning all the things that came with being president my junior year,” Morelli said
Through all events, activities and clubs she has taken part in, she has created connections to fellow Jaspers, building the community that had drawn her to come to MU. As she gets ready to move on to the next chapter, she will always remain a Jasper.
“… Jaspers really like to help each other out, like whether they’re still in undergraduate or alumni as well,” Morelli said, “So, I really feel like I’ll have that community with me even after I graduate too.”
Billy Walker:
Billy Walker, a communication major with a media production concentration and a theater minor, has become a key figure in media production at Manhattan University (MU). Many of MU’s most visible media and entertainment efforts are thanks to his dedicated work.
During his time at MU, Walker has been involved with LOTUS Magazine, MCTV, MU Singers and MU Players, among other clubs and organizations, finding ways to contribute his creativity to the campus community.
Behind-the-scenes, Walker serves as technical director for WRCM Radio, managing audio production and training students on professional studio equipment. He also contributes to ESPN+ productions on campus, where he directs live sports broadcasts and operates film equipment.
Most notably, Walker is also the co-founder and president of Manhattan Media Network (MMN), a student-run television and media production group that produces short and long form video content for the MU community.
Walker believes that MMN has set him up for success on campus, and has become a launching point for many of his opportunities.
“Most of the jobs I have now, like WRCM and LOTUS would’ve never happened if it wasn’t for [Manhattan] Media Network.” Walker said.
Aside from media production, Walker also serves as an admissions ambassador for the university, giving tours, and assisting in the admissions department.
Off campus, Walker interned at BronxNet TV, and participated in the Disney College Program. He also works with Magnolia Bakery, as a content creator and outreach intern.
Walker’s advice for future students? Get involved.
“Do everything you can. That’s what college is for. Find yourself, and find what you’re passionate about, and do it with your friends,” Walker said. “If you have an idea, ask your friends, and ask your classmates. You’ll find the people who will say yes, and that is how you’re going to thrive.”
Lucas Haas:
Lucas Haas, a name familiar to many, as he currently serves as the senior class president, will be graduating with a degree in environmental studies with minors in biology, spanish and political science.
As president of Sanctus Artem, hosting weekly events, and being heavily involved in the Green Club, Haas has made his presence on this campus very well known. Haas will go on to pursue a master’s degree at Hunter College for urban planning, while also being employed by the school as the executive assistant for Kristelle Lowe, vice president of student life. Haas cannot wait to be in this role, still impacting campus life like he has been over these last four years.
Haas mentions that while he feels ready, everything still seems to come to an end so fast.
“I think I’m ready,” Haas said. “It does feel like it came up really fast, like a bullet train…It’ll still feel like a soft transition to the next chapter of life [since he will be still working here]…”
Upon earning his master’s degree, Haas hopes to eventually go on into the field of urban planning in New York City, or any other big hub. He mentions how he doesn’t feel “rooted” anywhere, and will “see where the wind takes him.”
Haas also gave a word of advice to the next leaders on campus, and students in general.
“I would say to everyone either taking on new leadership roles or continuing the same roles, continue doing what you’re doing, it is very much appreciated, even though it might be a thankless role…and your impacts don’t go unheard or unseen,” Haas said.
Haas will be missed by many on campus, yet his impact will permeate for years to come.
Natalia Cieslak
If you’re in the chemical engineering department or have ever needed chemistry tutoring, then chances are, you know who Natalia Cieslak is.
On campus, Cieslak has served as a chemistry tutor in the Center for Academic Success since her sophomore year at the institution. A pillar of the chemical engineering department, Cieslak has maintained Dean’s List standings for multiple semesters in a row, alongside multiple honors and distinctions, including Epsilon Sigma Pi and Omega Chi Epsilon.
Of her achievements, Cieslak denotes her internship at Henkel as what she’s most proud of. For this role specifically, she spoke on how her membership in Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and the conference held last year in Chicago, where she networked for the position, aided in her achieving it. Throughout her time at Manhattan University (MU), Cieslak has become very familiar with the importance of putting yourself out there and building experience.
“Both of those internships, I got them by being connected to the school,” Cieslak said. “That is one of the greatest strengths about MU, the opportunities they give you.”
For underclassmen at the school, Cieslak advises getting involved and applying yourself, both on and off campus.
“As much as it’s important to do well in your classes, it doesn’t matter how well you do if you’re not applying it to anything,” Cieslak said. “If you’re not gaining the experiences, you’re going to stay at a flat line and plateau.”
With her upcoming departure from the school, Cieslak reflects on what she’ll miss most about the school, bringing it back to the size of the school – one of the reasons she came to MU initially.
“I’ll miss the community here most,” Cieslak said. “I like being on campus, I like hanging out with my friends whenever I want. It’s nice to be able to do that.”
Mia Porritt
Mia Porritt has had a particularly interesting college experience these past four years at Manhattan University (MU). She went to MU as an undecided major, not knowing where the next four years would lead her. Now, looking back, Porritt has lost count of the leadership experiences she’s had.
Porritt has gone above and beyond with her involvement on campus, being one of the youngest chapter presidents of the university’s chapter of Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), where she has hosted public relations teams from projects like “Stranger Things,” and esteemed companies like NBC.
Along with her four-year commitment to PRSSA, Mia has been a pillar in the communication department – working in the communication office since her sophomore year, becoming social media director of LOTUS magazine and for the Sixth Borough Film Festival, where she brought in hundreds of thousands of views on her curated posts. Porritt also served as president of Lambda Pi Eta, the national honors society for communication.
Porritt has dipped her toe into everything. Going into her junior year, she joined the university’s D1 swim team, after never swimming competitively in her life. Her experience as a competitive swimmer over the past two years further highlights the opportunities that MU gives people.
Outside of her involvements and love for MU, Porritt quickly discovered her love for the Bronx through her year-long internship with the Bronx Economic Development Corporation. There, she further discovered her love for community.
Porritt will remember MU fondly, and says what she will miss most are the simple interactions people have going to school here.
“I’m gonna miss most is going from Kelly [Commons] to Miguel [Hall], and it taking me like 30 minutes to go from Kelly to Miguel, because I keep stopping and having a conversation with friends,” said Porritt.
Sam Wofford
Sam Wofford might come across to you as a familiar face, whether through his short videos on all of Manhattan University’s (MU) social media pages, or more advertently, on the billboards in Times Square. Although his impact on campus runs much deeper than what you can see online or in person.
Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, Wofford was inspired to come to MU from his frequent childhood trips to NYC with his mother, who coached a moot court team and would come to the city for competitions. This connection sparked his love for the city’s energy, and the connection made coming to a small liberal arts college in New York feel like the right fit.
Wofford first got involved with WRCM, the university’s radio station, and eventually became vice president. He then joined the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), where he now also serves as vice president. He’s been involved with Manhattan Media Network (MMN) since its inception two years ago, rising to be secretary of the club this year.
Sam has been an integral piece of the front-facing work of the university, working as an admissions ambassador for over three years, and recently joining the school’s marketing department, running social media. He also contributed heavily to the university’s inaugural Sixth Borough Film Festival, which is one of his most proud projects he’s worked on, along with the many WRCM Bash events he spearheaded in organizing.
“Music is a huge passion of mine, and it is something that I feel like I kind of lost through my first couple of years, but the more I got involved with leadership roles on campus, the more music I wanted to bring to campus,” Wofford said. “Helping organize the WRCM Bashes to showcase how talented some of our music production students here are on campus was super meaningful to me. It really brought me back to who I was before I came here to MU.”
Jonathan Carsen
Even while being a double-major in computer information systems and business analytics, Jonathan Carsen has still found the time to influence much of MU’s campus over the years.
Carsen will be leaving MU to start as a digital assurance and transparency associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers in July after interning in the same position last summer. Before acquiring these positions, Carsen’s involvement at MU set him up for the highest success. He was on the Dean’s List for almost every semester, was a MAAC scholar athlete as well as a NCAA Academic All American and is receiving the William P. Cain medal for computer information systems. Carsen has also been inducted into a handful of honors societies, including Pen & Sword.
Even through all of the commitments Carsen has been dedicated to, there is one thing he has become the most proud of — advocation. Carsen was on the executive board for the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) for two years before being elected as president for this past academic year, while also being team captain of the men’s D1 swim team. In these positions, he worked to make sure student-athlete voices were heard, whether in formal settings with administrators, or in quieter, one-on-one conversations with teammates seeking guidance. For him, advocacy has meant being a reliable resource, a listener and a bridge between student-athletes and the broader campus community.
“Advocating for other people in turn let me also advocate for myself,” Carsen said.
As he prepares to graduate, Carsen says he’ll miss both the challenge and the camaraderie of MU.
“I’ll miss just being challenged all the time,” Carsen said. “I’ll take the lessons learned from all the challenges I’ve had over the past four years into the rest of my life.”
Fares Al-Halabi
Fares Al-Lahabi will graduate with a degree in civil engineering, after serving as president of Manhattan University’s (MU) chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Al-Lahabi is also a former winner of the annual Innovation Challenge, which provided him with funding to kickstart his environmental technology company: CarbonClair.
Before becoming a Jasper, Al-Lahabi already had a hefty resume with leadership positions within his field that could have granted him entry to a multitude of institutions; however, he chose to come to MU thanks to the Jasper spirit he noticed while navigating the industry.
“Not even the Ivy League schools have the same sense of community that MU has,” Al-Lahabi said. “When I used to go to networking events, all I heard was about Jasper alumni, and how they support each other. They always shout themselves out in those events. There’s always a Jasper in every company.”
After graduating, Al-Lahabi plans on getting a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, as he is passionate about new technologies, and considers this choice to align better with his lifelong interests. As a senior, the most daunting question is what you’ll go on to do afterwards, yet Al-Lahabi has no fear, and welcomes change.
“I don’t have a slight fear about what I’m going to do after graduation,” Al-Lahabi said. “Since I utilized everything this campus offered … as an undergraduate … I have no regrets that I could have done more. In that sense, wherever I’m ending up after is where I should go.”
Al-Lahabi is firm on the idea that undergraduates should take advantage of every opportunity they see, and that exploration is the key to growth.
“[College is] really the best time to explore because you have no risks,” Al-Lahabi said. “You’re investing your own time and things to clarify what you really want. “Don’t just do the things that you’re supposed to do for your major. In the end, if you’re getting a job within your major, they’re going to train you on the things that they’re expecting you to know … but when it comes to having multiple skills, that’s something every job will value.”
Mary Haley
As a double-major in communication and psychology, current editor-in-chief of LOTUS Magazine, vice president of the psychology club, former marketing chair and assistant features editor for The Quadrangle and a D-1 swimmer — Mary Haley really does it all.
Haley, coming from two different academic backgrounds in both communication and psychology, emphasized her appreciation for both, and expressed how they are way more interconnected than one may think.
“Communication and psychology, they really do bleed into each other,” Haley said. “Psychology is vital to everything, and I think the same with communication. Like with my writing, I need psychology to ask the really important questions, and to understand the dynamic between me and the other person.”
In her future, Haley sees herself making an impact on her community by going on to work in the children’s publishing industry, before later transitioning to work as a child counselor or psychologist.
Haley has also demonstrated great work-ethic through her internship roles. She served as a marketing and communication intern for The Bronx Economic Development Corporation and also a digital marketing associate at Twipes. Within both these opportunities, Haley felt extremely passionate about the work she was doing, as it made a great impact on those around her.
“At BXEDC I did ‘Tour de Bronx’ and promotional work for ‘Savor the Bronx’ … It was really fun to contribute to the community that I was new to,” Haley said. “With Twipes, they make biodegradable toilet paper. I do a lot of hands-on content creation, and I feel very passionate about this because I care a lot for the environment.”
It is clear by Haley’s deep sense of dedication that while this chapter may be coming to an end, her story is just getting started.