WMU Haworth celebrates 2025 Presidential Scholars
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Each year, faculty members from across Western Michigan University select outstanding students in their various academic schools, departments and programs to represent their units as a Presidential Scholar at Western, the highest academic honor that WMU can bestow on its undergraduates. In the Haworth College of Business, six Presidential Scholars are selected each year.
Ivane Mkheidze
Presidential Scholar in accountancy
Ivane Mkheidze of Tbilisi, Georgia, is an accountancy major with a minor in business administration. Graduating in spring of 2025, Mkheidze is an active member in Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance, and information systems students, which offers professional development and service opportunities for its members.
Mkheidze is currently a tax intern for UHY LLP where he prepares 1040 tax returns. Previously, he held an audit internship at UHY LLP. After graduation, he plans to complete the Master of Science in accountancy program at Western Michigan University, beginning in the fall of 2025. During this time, Mkheidze also intends to obtain his Certified Public Accountant license. Upon completion of his M.S.A., Mkheidze will return to a full-time position at UHY LLP.
Asmina Sainju
Presidential Scholar in business information systems
Asmina Sainju of Kathmandu, Nepal, is a computer information systems and leadership and business strategy (LBS) major with a minor in general business. Graduating in fall of 2025, Sainju has been on the dean’s list since spring of 2023. She has been an active member in multiple student organizations, including the Nepalese Students Association, Business Analytics and Information Technology and the LBS organization.
Sainju has held a project management internship at the University of Michigan in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts’ Operational Effectiveness department, which led to the part-time project management role she currently holds. She is also part of the 2025 Conference of State Bank Supervisors Community Bank Case Study Competition. After graduation, Sainju plans to pursue a career in IT project management, focusing on continuous business improvement projects in infrastructure and networking while also working to obtain her Project Management Professional certification. She intends to pursue graduate studies beginning in fall of 2026.
Parker Dayton
Presidential Scholar in finance and commercial law
Parker Dayton of Oxford, Michigan, is a finance and LBS major with a minor in general business. Graduating in spring of 2026, Dayton is involved in Delta Sigma Pi, a professional business fraternity where members better their community, gain professional experience and network with business professionals.
Dayton has held two finance internships, one at Romeo Capital and another at Sleeping Giant Capital. He has also competed in the Chartered Financial Analyst Institute and Association for Corporate Growth Cup case competitions, while growing his professional skills in the LBS program. After graduation, Dayton plans to pursue a career in private equity or investment banking. He hopes to secure a role as a financial analyst at a prestigious private equity firm, with the relevant experience he has gained during his time at WMU Haworth.
Lauren Woodside
Presidential Scholar in management
Lauren Woodside of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a finance and LBS major with a minor in general business. Graduating in spring of 2025, Woodside has been on the dean’s list each semester of her college career. She has held leadership positions in both the Women’s Business Network and the LBS student organization.
Woodside received the LBS Servant Leader Award and the LBS G.W. and Edna M. Haworth Principled Leadership Scholarship for her achievements within the program. She has also widened her professional exposure through her work as an LBS teaching assistant, a Business Externship Program mentor, a Sleeping Giant Capital financial intern, and a J.P. Morgan Corporate Analyst Development Program (CADP) intern. After graduation, Woodside plans to return to J.P. Morgan to participate in their two-year rotational CADP program in Columbus, Ohio. The program focuses on project management, process improvement and data analytics.
Aidan Paciorek
Presidential Scholar in marketing
Aidan Paciorek of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is a food marketing major with a minor in supply chain management. Graduating in the spring of 2025, Paciorek has been on the dean’s list each semester of his college career.
Paciorek is active in the Food Marketing Association, having held leadership positions including his current role as president, where he leads a team to execute company days and support all members. He has also participated in experience-driven learning in food marketing, including the industry tour, food marketing in Ireland study abroad, and industry conferences including PLMA in Chicago, Expo West in Anaheim, and The NACS Show in Atlanta. He has also served as a panelist for the Frozen & Refrigerated Association of the North Eastin Boston and Progressive Grocer in Orlando. After graduation, Paciorek will be working as a business analyst for Meijer, combining his passions for both food marketing and supply chain.
Griffin Fill
Presidential Scholar in supply chain management
Griffin Fill of White Lake, Michigan, is a supply chain management major with minors in business analytics and general business. Graduating in spring of 2025, Fill has been on the dean’s list most of his college career. Fill is also a Medallion Scholar, using the opportunity to work on a sustainability service project as a part of his scholarship.
Fill is involved in the Supply Chain Management Association, where he served on the executive board for two years, as well as a member Phi Delta Theta. Fill is also an active volunteer at Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, a local food bank. He has completed two internships with Magna International as a purchasing and supply chain intern and with Perrigo through a supply chain co-op where he worked with supply chain analytics, production planning, and inventory and optimization. After graduation, Fill plans to work at General Motors as a part of their Global Purchasing & Supply Chain TRACK internship program.
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