Chancellor Medallion Recipient: Meet 2023 PNW graduate Rachel Fleszewski

Rachel Fleszewski’s favorite subject has always been math. A marketing-focused business class in high school led her to earn a bachelor of science degree in Marketing and a minor in Accounting from the College of Business at Purdue University Northwest.

Fleszewski, ‘23, is the recipient of a Chancellor Medallion, an honor awarded to baccalaureate candidates with the highest grade point average in each academic college.

During her time at PNW, Fleszewski was a member of the Marketing Club where she served as vice president. As a member of the Honors College, she was a peer mentor and volunteered and attended many of the events.

The St. John native had the opportunity to participate in the Washington Media Scholars Media Case Competition in Spring 2023 where her team made it to the semifinals. Fleszewski acknowledged that participating in the competition reinforced her decision to study marketing. “It was a pivotal moment,” she says. “I knew I chose the right major and was doing what I really liked.”

Fleszewski currently works in her family’s business doing the accounting and payroll. After graduation, she will begin managing the company’s marketing and social media in addition to planning events. In the future, she plans on expanding the business by opening her own locations and eventually taking over the business with her sister.

What does being named a Chancellor Medallion recipient mean to you?

“I’m very proud to have received it. It shows that the times I would go the extra mile on a project, work extra late or study extra hard for a test really paid off. It shows my hard work has been recognized.”

How did you become interested in Marketing and Accounting?

“I took a business class my senior year of high school that was marketing-focused. I was very interested in how you can grow a business through marketing, bring it to a whole different level and reach new audiences. I thought that was cool and it intrigued me.

Math has always been my favorite subject and I’ve always been good with numbers. I’m also going to be taking over a family business, not just one section like marketing, but the entire thing. So having that accounting background I thought would be very beneficial.”

What do you like most about PNW?

“Honestly, I really loved the classes, specifically the marketing and Honors College classes. The Honors classes were project-based and were interactive and fun. You were able to interact more with the professors and students.

The professors are so personable and always willing to help. Those projects were so beneficial – it’s not just studying definitions; you’re actually putting what you are learning to use.”

How do you think your involvement in campus organizations and activities helped define your success at PNW?

“It taught me great social skills. Specifically, being a peer mentor taught me how to connect with people, help bring them out of their shells and I learned how to interact with people of all different personality types. Being involved taught me teamwork and a lot of social skills that will definitely help me in the future.”

What words of advice would you share with prospective students looking to attend PNW?

“Get involved with a group or club in your major. Once you’re involved in something it encourages you to get out there more. Definitely put yourself out there, try to make connections with your peers and you’ll really benefit from networking and creating those long-lasting friendships.”

Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?

Matthew Hanson

clinical associate professor of Marketing, executive director for graduate and external programs

“He was a mentor to me. He would always tell me straight up what he thought and never sugar coated anything. A lot of people who graduate with a marketing degree start out in an entry level position and will have people above them they can go to for advice. But for me, it’s nice to have someone like him to be able to go to for professional advice.”

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