Colby Brown ’24

Management
Sociology

Five students chatted comfortably in a classroom at Nowell Academy, a Providence-based high school for underserved youth and students who are parents. At the front of the room, under a poster that promised, “Everyone is welcome here, everyone belongs,” Colby Brown ’24 called a meeting of the First Generation Investors to order. “OK, let’s start by reviewing what we learned last week about taxes.”

Colby is one of 16 students from Providence College and Brown University serving as tutors through the First Generation Investors program. The program, administered through a national nonprofit, is an eight-week financial education curriculum designed for high school students who may not have resources to learn about investing. A student in the School of Business, Colby helped to launch Rhode Island’s inaugural chapter. The program combines two areas of studies that Colby has become increasingly interested in during his time at PC: management and social responsibility. Because of the latter, he has decided to minor in sociology.

“All business practices are sociological. Studying sociology has made me a more well-rounded student and will make me a more well-rounded professional,” Colby said.

He credits classes with Eve Veliz-Moran, associate professor of sociology, and Kelly Ramirez, director of PC’s Donald Ryan Incubator for Entrepreneurship in the Arts and Sciences, with igniting his interest in the social impact of businesses. With Ramirez, he’s also begun a consulting project for the car brand Hyundai Genesis, reviewing case studies and advising on the best corporate social responsibility strategies.

Faculty support has led to several co-curricular experiences for Colby, including internships with Cape Abilities, a Cape Cod-based service organization for people with disabilities; Raytheon Technologies, in their global trade office; and with a tech startup in London helping to develop DEI mentoring programs.

“One of my favorite things has been being able to study abroad in England — not only studying abroad, also having an internship to gain international business experience and technical skills in a foreign environment.”

Being comfortable in a variety of business settings is due to the skills he developed his Honors Civ classes, according to Colby. “My professors encouraged us to disagree and to engage in debate effectively and politely. They taught us that it’s cool to disagree with people as long as it’s in an open way and respectful.”

Colby likes speaking to his students about his experiences and what it’s like being a PC student. He didn’t expect PC to be “the one” when he visited during his college search. “I was thinking about a big school and going far from home, but Providence ended up being that perfect blend of small enough but with the best of what a big school would offer, like alumni support, sports, and school spirit. Providence College had a different energy than the other schools I visited. It had a much more personal feel.”

Ultimately, Colby said, that initial feeling of connection has lasted through his four years in Providence.

“There’s something about the community here that is just different,” he said. “What differentiates it day-to-day is that professors go out of their way to help you. They want you to succeed.”

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