Yosiah Bartlett ’26
From an early age, Yosiah Bartlett was drawn to the idea of owning a business. This passion led him to pursue a degree in business. Within the School of Business, he discovered an environment of growth and encouragement, where supportive professors and leaders helped shape his skills, confidence, and entrepreneurial mindset.
Through numerous opportunities to learn both inside and outside of the classroom, Bartlett found that success felt within reach. One of his standout experiences was attending the annual Rochester Business Hall of Fame reception and dinner, where he heard the inspiring stories of accomplished entrepreneurs. These moments reinforced his belief that hard work can open doors to limitless possibilities.
“Fisher speaks success to me,” said Bartlett. “I felt like I was going to be set up and prepared for a successful future and education the second I walked through the door. Fisher also held the opportunity to grow and to become a better person.”
Kari Johnson ’10
Assistant Director of Human Resources at Northeast College of Health Sciences
Kari Johnson solidified her goals for her career path during a shadowing opportunity. She experienced a day in the life of a human resource professional at a learning organization. “The organization truly cared for their employees and they were passionate about their development,” she explained.
Now, she carries that same commitment to serve others in her role as assistant director of human resources at Northeast College of Health Sciences. She attributes her success and preparedness for this role to her time at Fisher. “The program at Fisher was amazing and thoroughly covered all aspects that I would eventually be using in my day-to-day work.”
Johnson believes that her experiences at Fisher promoted confidence to “hit the ground running.” In her current role, she evaluates processes and policies to inform important human capital management decisions for the organization. “The knowledge I gained during my time at Fisher allowed me to be a better strategic partner when making key business decisions that impact the organization's ability to innovate in an ever-changing market.”
She tells students to “be bold” as she encourages them to explore all that Fisher offers. “The resources on campus are incredible, and I can't stress how much it made a difference in learning about who I am and what I wanted to become.”
Mike Rizzo ’21
Senior Branch Manager, M&T Bank
After graduating from Fisher, Mike Rizzo was accepted into a management development program at M&T that launched him on his professional journey.
Rizzo attributes his success in part to the professors at Fisher who inspired and challenged him to make a difference in the lives of others through his work. “Fisher influenced me to make a difference in whatever industry I ended up in,” he said. Within the School of Business, Rizzo took courses directly tied to his current role. “I believe some of the courses like strategic marketing and professional sales really prepared me for a real-world position.”
Rizzo encourages others to explore the program because he believes it has given him the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in the real world. “I would tell folks who are considering the program to be patient and enjoy it, as you will look back on the program and see how truly beneficial it is.”