Student Spotlight: Jayden Bryant '27

Jayden Bryant is a junior Isenberg student from Mashpee, MA. She’s a double major in finance and hospitality and tourism management and expects to graduate in the spring of 2027. She was recently honored as one of the recipients of the Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year Award, which honors students who have demonstrated exceptional performance by contributing their time and skills to help the university achieve its goals and objectives. Bryant, an employee of the Center for Student Businesses, received this recognition for her work revitalizing Greeno Sub Shop and making their business model more sustainable and successful after several years of post-pandemic struggles.

How did you choose Isenberg and UMass Amherst?

Isenberg and UMass Amherst’s reputation and endless opportunities were a huge draw, and I knew I’d be getting a great education at a great value. But what really made the decision feel right was the community. During my senior year of high school, I visited a friend on campus a few times, and every time I was here, I met people who were welcoming, fun, and genuinely themselves. Those visits made UMass feel like a place where I could belong, and that ended up being true.

How did you choose this combination of majors?

At first, I came into Isenberg as a finance major. I’ve always loved numbers and have always been interested in investing and helping people optimize their savings, so it just felt like the natural direction to go. I added HTM as a second major in my sophomore year after going on the two-week Isenberg Culture and Tourism Management in Europe trip that past summer. I had such a great time on that trip, and it showed me just how big the hospitality industry really is and the endless possibilities within it. On that trip I also had the opportunity to meet Dr. Melissa Baker, who is the chair of the HTM department. I don’t think I’ve ever met a better salesperson, and her love for hospitality spread like wildfire into me.

What have been your favorite classes and experiences at Isenberg so far?

One of my favorite classes here at Isenberg has been Finance 304 with Professor Jeffrey Robert. While this class was one of the most challenging classes I have taken during my time here, it was the best type of challenging. I felt like I was truly learning – not just the material, but also how to think critically and apply things to the real world. Professor Robert also made this difficult class a welcoming experience. He was always available for me to meet with him and ask questions and make sure that I get to that “aha” moment. He truly cares if his students learn.

What clubs and extracurriculars do you participate in?

Since my sophomore year I have been a brother in the co-ed business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi here at Isenberg. I can confidently say that my experience here at UMass would be incomplete without the people I have met through being a part of this organization, and I would not be the person I am today without being surrounded by these hard-working and exceptional people.

How did you get involved with Greeno Sub Shop?

I got involved with Greeno through the Center for Student Businesses tabling in the Berthiaume Business Innovation Hub.

What does it mean to you to receive the Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year award?

Receiving the Gerald F. Scanlon Student Employee of the Year award means a great deal to me. My work with Greeno has been one of the most meaningful parts of my time at UMass. I’ve always seen my role as helping other students succeed, and being recognized for that is incredibly rewarding. I’ve dedicated much of my college experience to supporting a community that I care deeply about, so this award feels like an acknowledgment not just of my effort, but of the impact that cooperative student-driven work can have. I’m grateful to be part of that community and proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish together.

How did you approach turning things around for Greeno and why do you think it was so successful?

I approached the turnaround at Greeno by focusing on supporting the co‑managers and giving them the tools and information they needed to make smart decisions. Greeno is a cooperative, and its success comes from the people who run it day‑to‑day. My role was to help them see the business side of things more clearly and operate with confidence. One of the first things we did together was revamp the menu. Prices had been based more on “vibes” than on data, so I worked with the business to build a pricing model that reflected actual costs and provided profitable margins. Whether it was evaluating a new menu item, helping them plan for and market an event, or analyzing their financials, I tried to be the person they could come to for a logical, data‑driven perspective. But the real reason the turnaround worked is not because of me, but because of the extremely hard-working co‑managers who showed up with dedication, consistency, and a genuine commitment to improving the business. They took the information I provided, asked smart questions, and put in the work to make the changes stick. My job was to support them; the success entirely belongs to them.

Have you had any jobs or internships during college in addition to your consulting work for Greeno Sub Shop?

In addition to my consulting work for Greeno, I also work at Tandem Bagel Co. in Northampton, where I’ve been a line cook 3–4 days a week since last fall. It’s a fast‑paced environment, and it’s taught me a lot about teamwork and consistency. Outside of campus, I spent my summer after sophomore year as a Relationship Banking intern at Cape Cod 5 Cents Savings Bank. I’ll be returning there this summer as a Treasury Management intern, which I’m really excited about. Those roles have given me hands-on experience in customer service, financial operations, and the banking side of business, all of which complement the work I do with Greeno.

What are you planning after graduation? Are you interested in continuing with business consulting like you have on campus?

Like many students, I’m still exploring what I want to do after graduation, but I know I want to continue doing work that feels as meaningful as my role with Greeno. I’ve really enjoyed being able to work closely with a business, understand its operations, and help guide decisions that make a real impact. If I can find a role that mirrors the kind of hands-on consulting and problem-solving I’ve done here, I would love to pursue that. This experience has shown me how much I enjoy supporting teams, using data to drive strategy, and helping organizations grow, and that’s the direction I hope to continue in.

If you could go back and give your first-year self some advice, what would you tell them?

I would tell myself that in the grand scheme of things nothing really matters as much as it feels like it does in the moment. Everything changes, sometimes for the better, sometimes not, and learning to accept that makes life a lot lighter. You are your own main character, and you only get each experience once, so live it exactly how you want to.

Do you have a mentor from the Isenberg community who has helped shape your experience?

I don’t have one specific mentor from the Isenberg community, but I have been shaped dramatically by the people and environment around me. Working with the student‑run businesses has connected me with students and staff who have all influenced me in such different and positive ways. The co‑managers I’ve worked alongside have taught me just as much as I’ve taught them. The collaborative culture within Isenberg has pushed me to grow, ask better questions, and take on more responsibility. So, while I can’t point to one mentor, I’m grateful for the community that has guided me throughout my time here.