Allison Phanthavong

Allison Phanthavong always wanted to travel: to see far-off places and meet extraordinary people. When the High Point native first considered UNC Greensboro, the diversity of the campus community drew her in; studying international business kept her.

“Traveling abroad was always my dream,” Allison, now a junior, explains. “The idea of working in different countries – being surrounded by different cultures and lifestyles – appeals to me, so majoring in pre-international business studies made sense.”

The Department of Management in the Joseph M. Bryan School of Business and Economics has been a perfect fit. Dedicated to developing exceptional problem solvers who are prepared to tackle local and global issues, the Department of Management encourages experiences such as foreign language acquisition and study abroad.

“The vast array of opportunities and resources available has helped me in my studies and future career. I’ve studied French, learned about the connections between technology, environment, and society on the economy, and even earned a Microsoft Office Specialist certification in Excel!”

Such experiences were exactly what Nido Qubein ’73 MS hoped to provide when he established the Nido and Mariana Qubein Scholarship in 2005. A native of Jordan and the current president of High Point University, Nido has had a successful career with national and international corporations, including Great Harvest Bread Company, BB&T, and La-Z-Boy. His scholarship, aimed toward undergraduate students from the greater High Point area, supports high-achieving future leaders pursuing any discipline in the Bryan School of Business and Economics.

Allison is grateful for the support.

“I was so surprised when I was notified that I received this scholarship. This year, the time I would have spent stressing about finances is being put to much better use as I focus more on classes and prepare for my career.”

Looking forward to graduation and a career in an international organization, Allison appreciates every extra moment this scholarship gives her.

“It’s incredibly uplifting to know there are people who have such faith in me. You inspire me to continue working even harder. Thank you, President Qubein.”

Story by Michelle Danner-Groves, Donor Relations