Graduate Student Spotlight: Irma Marroquin ’26 MBA

Irma Marroquin is in her second year of the Isenberg School of Management’s on-campus MBA program. She also completed her bachelor’s degree as a marketing major at Isenberg in 2019. She was recently recognized as a 2025 Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar. This recognition brings with it a scholarship and a suite of support services including career services, mentorship, leadership development, knowledge building, and wellness training.

We recently caught up with Irma to hear about her Isenberg experience.

How did you get nominated for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) Scholar award?

The HSF application requires a professional or academic recommendation, and I’m so grateful that Bobbi Hopkins, assistant director of the on-campus MBA program, was kind enough to write mine. Her support has meant a lot throughout this process.

What does the HSF award mean to you?

Being selected as one of 10,000 HSF Scholars from more than 69,000 applicants is incredibly meaningful to me, especially as a first-generation graduate student. This recognition reflects the late nights after work and the resilience I learned from my family and mentors who never stopped believing in me. What means the most is that this award feels like a community saying, “We see you. Keep going.”

How will this award help as you approach the final stages of your graduate degree?

HSF will open new doors through mentorship, career development, and a network that will help shape the next chapter of my graduate journey. I’m deeply grateful to HSF, Isenberg, and to the people who have supported me every step of the way. This accomplishment honors not just my hard work, but my family’s story and the future I’m striving toward.

Where are you from?

I’m from a little town called Armenia, in El Salvador.

How did you decide to come back to Isenberg for your MBA?

An MBA was always in my mind, but I kept waiting for the "perfect" time. I finally realized that moment never arrives, but you create it. My dad has always said “What you’re not changing, you’re choosing.” As you must make a choice to take a chance to embrace change. Coming back to Isenberg was that choice that I would later embrace. For me it was not just the school that teaches business; it inspires you to lead with purpose, empowers you to own your voice, and connects you to a community committed to creating real impact. Isenberg was right as it aligned with my goals.

What are your favorite classes and experiences at Isenberg so far?

I’ve loved classes that challenge me to think holistically. Analysis for General Managers pushed me to think like a leader, and it paired perfectly with the technical rigor of Corporate Finance and the human-centered insights of Leadership & Organizational Behavior. Beyond the classroom, re-engaging with the UMass community through graduate clubs and campus life has been incredibly rewarding. These experiences have sharpened my strategic thinking and deepened my passion for solving complex, meaningful problems preparing me well for impactful, cross-sector work after graduation. The journey has been wonderfully challenging, full of late-night study sessions, endless presentations, case studies and moments of self-discovery. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has been transformative. I’m learning to embrace the process, not just the outcome.

Have you had a mentor from the Isenberg community who has helped shape your experience?

Absolutely! Being part of a tight-knit graduate community means mentorship happens everywhere from professors who go the extra mile to classmates who become thought partners. Bobbi has been an incredible guide, and so many faculty members have invested in my growth. It’s that culture of support that makes Isenberg so special.

Have you had any jobs or internships during the MBA?

Yes, I’ve been fortunate to gain hands-on experience throughout the program. I worked with Dean’s Beans Coffee Company on a consulting project through our Integrative Experience, spent a summer with a local property management firm, and have been working with the UMass Amherst University Relations Marketing and Communications group on research and marketing projects each semester. These roles have honed my skills and shaped my professional confidence.

What are your plans for after you graduate?

I’m approaching my post-MBA path with a lot of intention and excitement. I don’t see my next step as just a job, it's the beginning of a career chapter where I want to align my skills with my purpose. I’m particularly interested in marketing strategy within essential service sectors like energy or utilities, where I can contribute to initiatives that directly and positively affect consumers’ daily lives. Isenberg has equipped me with the tools, network, and the confidence to pursue roles that are both challenging and meaningful.

Do you have some career highlights we should be mentioning?

As a first-generation college graduate, every milestone feels deeply meaningful. They’re fruits of resilience, dedication, and a lot of hard work. I started as an assistant manager at Kohl’s, transitioned into property management with companies like Beacon Communities LLC and Amherst Innovative Living, and each step fueled my desire to learn and grow. Being named an HSF Scholar is incredibly dear to my heart, as is my role as a UMass Amherst University Relations Marcom Fellow. These opportunities, scholarships, and scholar programs that made them possible have been pivotal in my journey. They all have enabled me to be where I am today and I'm grateful for all of them.

What are some highlights of your last year at Isenberg as an MBA student?

This past year has been fulfilling, challenging in all the right ways, transformative, and instrumental in shaping the professional I am becoming. Whether it’s case studies, practicum work, group projects, student leadership, or fellowship opportunities, I find myself growing every day.

What are some memories you’ll take away from your graduate experience here?

The support from faculty, staff, and my classmates has made this experience meaningful, and I’m grateful to be part of an inspiring community.