Rising With Purpose

The proof is in the performance of University of Louisville College of Business (CoB) second-year student Mariana Meneses, who is delivering leadership and inclusivity as both a supportive and collaborative peer leader. Currently serving as Student Council President for the college, Meneses has also been re-elected to lead for the 2025–26 academic year—a testament to the trust and respect she’s earned amongst her classmates.

With a passion for business inspired by her keto-friendly pastry shop, Meneses is taking the skills she’s developing at UofL and mixing them into the perfect recipe for a sweet future. We had the chance to talk with her about her love for family, adjusting to life in America, how her college experience has helped her develop boundaries and a school/life balance and her goals for her professional and her academic future.

College of Business: Could you describe your background and what life was like growing up for you?

Mariana Meneses: Growing up, my life was full of change. When I was five, my family and I moved from Colombia to Panama, and that shift really shaped who I am. I had to adjust to a whole new culture, a new country and find my place in a different environment. I was so young, but I remember how hard it was trying to make new friends. However, I was lucky enough to have my family supporting me everywhere I went.

When I realized I wanted to leave for college, it wasn’t an easy decision. My family means everything to me; we’ve always been so close. The thought of missing our daily meals together or our Sunday adventures really hit me hard. Those little routines were my comfort, my safe space. I remember sitting with my them and talking about it over and over, but they told me they were proud of me and no matter where I go, I’ll always have a home with them. That gave me the courage to start this new chapter. As the older sister, I’ve always felt a responsibility to set a good example. It means a lot to see my younger sister looking up to me and following my path in her own way.

College of Business: Why did you decide to earn your bachelor’s degree at the University of Louisville?

Mariana Meneses: Back home, there’s an exchange program where students can study for two years in Panama and two years at UofL, which makes it more affordable and accessible for international students. I decided to apply, and I was lucky enough to receive the Grawemeyer Scholarship for four years! After that, I visited campus and got completely lost. But what stood out to me was how many students helped me in that movement. That showed me how welcoming the UofL community is. It made me feel like this could be my home away from home, a place where I wouldn’t be judged, but appreciated for who I am.

College of Business: How did you first develop an interest in your major?

Mariana Meneses: During COVID, I wanted to do something more than just study, so I started my own business, Keto Bakery PTY. I baked and sold keto-friendly, gluten-free, sugar-free and lactose-free pastries through Instagram. I was running around delivering pastries myself, going on radio shows to talk about the business, and learning how to interact with customers. That whole experience made me realize how much I enjoyed the business world, and inspired me to major in it, as well as have a future in the corporate world.

College of Business: What challenges have you experienced as a student here at UofL, and how did you overcome those obstacles?

Mariana Meneses: One of the biggest challenges at UofL was balancing school with all the opportunities and leadership roles I wanted to take on. When I first got here, I was so excited to be involved, I wanted to join every club and say yes to every event. But before I knew it, I was stretched way too thin, and my academics started to be affected by my involvement. This past semester was tough, but it taught me a lot. I started using planners, Google Calendar, daily to-do lists and understanding that saying no is okay. I realized I had to be more intentional with my time and energy and focus on the things I’m passionate about. I also learned the importance of taking care of myself and setting time aside to relax and rest. Thanks to this, I got much better at managing multiple responsibilities and found a healthy way to balance my involvement and academics.

College of Business: What are some of the most impactful and positive experiences you have had at UofL, and why were those so significant for you?

Mariana Meneses: Some of the most impactful and personal experiences I’ve had at UofL have come from the people around me. I’ve built friendships that have truly shaped my college for me, friends who support me, listen to me, and are always there when I need them. Just hanging out with my roommates, ranting about our days, or laughing over the little thing, those moments have become the highlight of my day. Furthermore, being part of such a diverse and welcoming community has also made a huge impact. I’ve felt like I belonged here from the beginning, and that sense of inclusion really matters, especially being far from home.

On a professional level, I’ve been the most impacted when I get to plan events and help students connect with industry professionals. Seeing how something I helped put together can make a difference in someone’s path feels amazing. Those moments have been so significant because they showed me that I made the right decision on coming here and getting involved.

College of Business: What faculty and/or staff have most left an impact on you during your time in your undergraduate program, and why?

Mariana Meneses: During my time as an undergrad, I’ve had the chance to meet several amazing mentors, but the two who have had the biggest impact on me are Professor Haworth and Professor Gohmann. They’ve both played a huge role in my personal and professional growth, and I’m grateful for them.

Professor Haworth was one of my first economics professors. His class really challenged me, but it also showed me how far hard work and persistence can take me. He helped me realize that even if I struggle at times, I can always get back up and keep pushing forward. That mindset has stayed with me ever since.

Professor Gohmann, on the other hand, has been an incredible mentor outside the classroom. He’s taught me the value of networking and has always been willing to give advice when I needed it most. Thanks to him, I’ve had the chance to meet and learn from professionals in the business world, experiences I’ll carry with me forever.

Both inspired me to pursue a minor in economics, and they’ve shown me what real leadership looks like–kind, thoughtful and supportive. I don’t think I would be where I am without their mentorship.

College of Business: What made you decide to run for the College of Business Student Council as president, and what were you hoping to accomplish when you stepped into this position?

Mariana Meneses: I never actually planned to run for CoB Student Council, until Alexis Mowen, the president before me, encouraged me to get involved. She believed in me and saw potential in me that I hadn’t fully seen in myself yet. Thanks to her support, I decided to run and was elected VP. A little later, when Spencer Adkins, who was president at the time, graduated, he passed the torch to me. Having two people I really looked up to trust me with this role meant everything, and that’s what gave me the push to officially run for president.

When I stepped into the role, my biggest goal was to help others grow professionally and to show that true leadership is kind and inclusive. I also wanted to make college more fun and build a sense of community within the CoB. So far, I’ve hosted several fun events for students, I’m working on creating new traditions for the CoB and I’ve organized panels with diverse industry professionals to show that anyone can be successful.

This year, I ran again, and being elected as next year’s CoB president is such an honor. It’s been one of the most rewarding college experiences, and I can’t wait to see what next year holds for me.

College of Business: What experience as president impacted you most and why?

Mariana Meneses: One of the most impactful experiences I had as president was seeing how the events I helped plan truly made a difference for others. For example, during the CEO Panel, students had the chance to network with the CEOs and build valuable connections. After the event, I received several emails from students thanking me, and even some from the CEOs saying how impressed they were with the students and the conversations they had. Knowing that something I organized helped open doors for other students has been the most rewarding and impactful experience as SC president.

College of Business: As president, what is the greatest challenge you worked to overcome, and how did you find that solution?

Mariana Meneses: Honestly, the biggest challenge I’ve faced as president has been understanding the importance of communication and understanding others’ ideas. I’ve always been a bit of a perfectionist; I like when things are done right and done well. So, at first, I tried to take on everything myself and make sure every little detail was perfect. I started feeling overwhelmed, and that’s when I knew something had to change. I started having more honest conversations with my team just asking for help, creating committees so everyone could participate on something and being clear about expectations and creating space for everyone to contribute. That small shift changed everything. Once I stopped trying to do it all alone, people showed up, supported me and even brought in ideas I hadn’t thought of.

I’ve grown as a leader due to overcoming this challenge; I realized that’s just not efficient, and more importantly, that’s not what being a leader is about. I’ve learned that I need to communicate with others and count on their support. I’ve learned how to be more understanding with others when things don’t go as planned, and more forgiving with myself, too.

College of Business: What else are you hoping to accomplish during your time at the CoB, and what are your goals once you graduate?

Mariana Meneses: While I’m at the CoB, I really want to make the most of every opportunity available. Whether that’s connecting with industry professionals, gaining hands-on experience through internships or helping other students grow professionally through student council events. After graduation, I’m hoping to pursue my master’s in business and eventually work in corporate strategy or for a multinational company where I can keep learning and making an impact.

College of Business: Would you encourage prospective students to choose UofL for their business degree and if so, why?

Mariana Meneses: Definitely! A business degree opens doors in nearly any career field. At UofL, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, expand your professional network quickly and gain access to exclusive opportunities that can jumpstart your career while still being in undergrad.

College of Business: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Mariana Meneses: If there’s something you’re passionate about, just go for it. Don’t wait for the right moment or for everyone else to believe in you. Not everyone’s going to get it at first, and that’s okay. If it matters to you, that’s enough. Trust yourself, take the risk and figure it out as you go. You may fail but you can always get back up and you will never know what you can do if you don’t try.

Looking for a business program you can tailor to fit your goals? Learn about our wide variety of undergraduate business majors, minors, and certificates at https://business.louisville.edu/academics-programs/undergraduate-programs/

About the UofL College of Business:

Founded in 1953, the UofL College of Business fosters intellectual and economic vitality in our city, region, and the global business landscape. Our academic programs, research, community outreach initiatives, and commitment to student success inspire lives and businesses to flourish through entrepreneurship, innovation, critical thinking, diversity and the power of people.

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