group of students in NASDAQ studio
Chestnut Hill College business students took part in a trip to NASDAQ, which included meeting the legendary Isiah Thomas. All photos courtesy of Colby Seelig ’25

Recently, a group of Chestnut Hill College business students had the opportunity to take a trip to the NASDAQ headquarters in New York City. During this trip, students visited the NASDAQ bell ringing stage and had the chance to watch a Forbes journalist conduct two interviews, including one with NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who the students met and interacted with after the interview. While in New York, the students also connected with CHC alumnus Nigel Haughton ’23.

Trevor Ciampoli ’27, one of the students who attended the trip, shares his thoughts below:

On November 18th, 2024, Chestnut Hill College accounting professor Larz Jeter ’09, took a group of 12 students to New York City to visit the NASDAQ Stock Market to watch two interviews conducted by Jabari Young, a Forbes senior writer and editor.

Young interviewed Lynwood A Bibbens, chairman and chief executive officer for Reach TV, America’s largest in-airport TV network. He also interviewed Isiah Thomas, two-time NBA champion, member of the NBA’s 50th and 75 anniversary teams, and Nasimith Hall of Fame inductee. The second overall pick in the 1981 NBA draft, Thomas played his entire 13-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons, reaching 12 All Star games and winning the NBA Finals MVP as well.

 

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Currently, Thomas owns and operates Isiah International LLC, and Cheurlin Champagne. He was generous enough to share his time with the students, offering business strategies and advice. Prior to Young’s interview, students were able to submit questions, two of which were used as Young was chatting with Thomas. Following the interview, one student, Sarai Coates, even shared information about her own business, “SAPS Juice” with Thomas, who offered his support and wisdom on how she can improve her business. It was an amazing opportunity and one all of the students took to heart.

“Hearing the perspectives on innovation, leadership, and overcoming obstacles in the business sector was enlightening,” notes Elizabeth Deal ’25. She wasn’t the only one to offer positive feedback of the trip with Colby Seelig ’25 sharing, “it was a unique opportunity to hear from such influential figures and see real-world applications of the concepts we’ve been learning in school.”

As Seelig noted, the purpose of this trip was to showcase real-world business leaders actively applying the concepts Chestnut Hill College students study in classes. The trip was predominately attended by  business, marketing, and accounting students who are interested in being future business leaders of tomorrow. It also served a purpose for students to connect with alumnus Nigel Haughton ’23. Before heading to NASDAQ, the students grabbed lunch with Haughton, a Strategy and Transaction Diligence Associate at Ernest & Young. Haughton shared his immediate experiences after graduating for CHC and offered some insight on how our students can make efforts to be gainfully employed upon graduating.

group of students on NASDAQ bell ringing stage
Students stood on the NASDAQ bell ringing stage during the trip.

Students also got a chance to visit the NASDAQ Ceremony Bell Ringing Stage, where each morning the ceremony is streamed live from the heart of Times Square and broadcasted on television to a global audience.

On the bus ride home, Jeter recapped the trip to his students and stressed the importance of networking, which is how this trip came about. There was a host of people to network with at NASDAQ headquarters and there is always opportunity for students to showcase their skills.

“Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to meet incredible people and share visions that have enriched my path,” noted Jeter in an Instagram post. “One of the most meaningful experiences has been reconnecting with the students at my alma mater, Chestnut Hill College, and sharing the relationships I’ve cultivated over the years…I had the honor of accompanying the CHC students to New York City, where we visited NASDAQ, Forbes, and alumnus Nigel Haughton. Students had the chance to discuss their dreams for careers in business, marketing, accounting, journalism and finance. The highlight of the trip was sitting in on a live interview, hosted by Forbes senior journalist Jabari Young with Lynn Bibbens followed by NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas. It was an inspiring moment, and I’m grateful to have played a small role in sparking their aspirations. To witness the next generation of leaders igniting their passions—there’s nothing more fulfilling.”

The trip went extraordinarily well with Young impressed by the students’ questions and how they presented themselves. There is talk of possibly another trip in the spring.