Invested in finance and fashion, business grad found wealth of opportunities at Western

Contact: Erin Flynn
December 5, 2024
Racheal Mmanga puts her hands in the shape of a W while wearing her graduation regalia.
Through a number of professional challenges and internship experiences, Racheal Mmanga cultivated the necessary skills to succeed in her finance career.

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—From financial modeling to modeling on the runway, Western Michigan University student Racheal Mmanga has fashioned a resume packed with industry experiences to help her land her dream job after graduation. 

"I never thought my goals for the future had a chance of actually happening, but choosing Western definitely helped me reach them," says the finance student, who will graduate Saturday, Dec. 14, with a bachelor's degree and an insurance portfolio analyst position waiting for her at Atlanta’s Voya Investment Management, one of the largest institutional asset management companies in the world.

Mmanga has come a long way in her career journey. A first-generation college student from the developing southeastern African nation of Malawi, she flew halfway around the world to pursue a future in finance.

"Growing up in an environment with limited financial resources sparked my curiosity about how economies function," she says, adding that in her hometown, there are "not many people with a finance background, so pursuing that as a career will help me in the future to give back to my community."

Focused on experience

Scholarship opportunities and the world-class reputation of Haworth College of Business initially drew Mmanga to Western. A campus visit sealed the deal.

"At my orientation, I met a student who said, 'I've had an internship every single semester since my freshman year.' I wanted to do that, too!" she says

A group of students sits in front of a computer.
The Greenleaf Trust Trading Room allows students like Mmanga to experience the fast pace of Wall Street from campus with access to software and hardware commonly used by finance professionals.

Laser-focused on her investment banking career goals, Mmanga was intent on taking full advantage of all opportunities before her. She secured an externship within her first year at Western, learning consulting at leading professional services network PwC. A few months later, she landed a sales internship with CDW, a Fortune 500 company in Chicago focused on information technology solutions.

"It was my first job in a professional setting. I really liked doing that. It really helped develop the skills I was looking for," she says. "I was able to network with different people and go to different conferences and experience the city."

Another internship opportunity arose her senior year at Greenleaf Trust after she was accepted as a Greenleaf Trust Scholar, a program that offers financial support and mentorship to students interested in finance careers as well as internship opportunities.

"With the internship, I get a mentor in every department," she says. "Not only do they help me with the work I'm doing but also how I can improve professionally."

Mmanga gained valuable experience in research, retirement planning, operations and wealth management, exploring finance through a variety of lenses.

My internship at Greenleaf Trust has been instrumental in developing my skills in financial modeling, valuations, and market analysis," she says. "Seeing the things I've been learning in class during my internship really helped me understand how it's applied to the real world."

I believe in my abilities and decisions, which empowers me to take bold actions in both finance and fashion. Confidence allows me to present myself authentically, whether I'm negotiating a deal or walking the runway.
— Racheal Mmanga

Applied learning

While she relished opportunities to grow in professional settings, Mmanga didn't have to leave campus for other hands-on experiences. 

Racheal Mmanga poses for a photo in a hallway.
"I never thought my goals for the future had a chance of actually happening, but choosing Western definitely helped me reach them," says Mmanga.

Finance students are encouraged to participate in student competitions to put their skills to the test in real time. Mmanga tried her hand at almost all of them, including the Risk Management Association Commercial Credit Analysis Competition, Community Bank Case Study CompetitionBloomberg Global Trading Challenge and Chartered Financial Analysts Institute Research Challenge.

"They are a good way to try to put skills to the test, work in a team and test your leadership skills," she says. "It's very fun and exciting, because not only do I work with my classmates but I get to present in front of professionals who are working in the field. Seeing their perspectives and getting their advice has been very inspiring."

Mmanga also had the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of managing a major investment portfolio through the Student Managed Investment Fund course. It puts a select group of students in the driver's seat of a WMU Foundation portfolio, managing nearly $4 million in funds.

"The most impactful part of this course was realizing that my investment decisions had real-world implications, contributing to a fund that benefits the entire WMU community," she says. "It was an incredible opportunity to bridge classroom theory with actual financial management."

Seeing her decisions play out in real time and implementing strategies she's learned during her internships, Mmanga has gained valuable experience that gives her a leg up on other recent graduates headed into the professional world.

"This course has been instrumental in preparing me for my future career by equipping me with practical experience in areas such as portfolio management, investment strategy development, team collaboration and financial modeling—essential skills for a successful career in investment banking."

Getting involved

Even with multiple internships and competitions, Mmanga also made time at Western to get involved. She participated in several registered student organizations, from the Bronco African Student Association to the Financial Services Association to Western's chapter of the Merchandising, Operations and Design Association (MODA).

Racheal Mmanga walks down a fashion runway.
Mmanga participated in fashion shows with MODA.

"I have always had a passion for fashion. I did my first runway show at the age of 16 and discovered how much I truly enjoyed being in that creative space," she says. "I love to express myself through color and fashion, and joining MODA gave me a space to do that here at Western."

Through MODA, Mmanga has had opportunities to work with student fashion designers and model their clothing at runway shows both on and off campus. While she doesn't intend to pursue modeling as a career, the skills and confidence she's built will help her put her best foot forward in her professional life.

"I believe in my abilities and decisions, which empowers me to take bold actions in both finance and fashion. Confidence allows me to present myself authentically, whether I'm negotiating a deal or walking the runway."

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.