Beyond the classroom: How Warrington students get involved and stay ahead

At the Warrington College of Business, there are over 40 student organizations for our nearly 8,000 Business Gators to get involved with to learn, network and gain experience outside the classroom. 

Matthew Smith, Cecelia (Cece) Duncan and Alejandra Sammataro are three Business Gators who have flourished by joining student organizations in their respective fields. Read how these brilliant business student leaders have grown through their extracurriculars.

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Building something that didn’t exist

Matthew Smith, BSAc ’26, Founder/President of Business Law Society, President of Caimanes Student-Managed Equity Hedge Fund

Matthew Smith (BSAc ’26) is planning to attend law school after graduation.

While learning the language of business, Smith noticed a gap: there wasn’t an organization at the University of Florida that combined business and law.

So, he created one.

Smith founded the Business Law Society in 2024 and currently serves as the organization’s President.

Then, in fall 2025, he launched the Legal Analyst Program within the Business Law Society, a student-run legal consulting organization that gives students hands-on legal experience working alongside attorneys.

Members work with four main community partners: the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County, Three Rivers Legal Services, Community Legal Services of Mid-Florida and United Way of North Central Florida.

“I didn’t realize how open legal aid organizations would be to partner with undergraduate students,” he said.

Through the organization, students work to provide legal research and support legal aid projects that uplift community members.

“It’s really transformed more into a platform for impact, something that really makes a meaningful change in the community.”

In under two years, the club has grown to nearly 40 members and expanded its’ reach across Florida.

In addition to his role at the Business Law Society, Smith was also one of the founding members of the UF Caimanes Student-Managed Equity Hedge Fund, UF’s first and only student-managed equity hedge fund and one of the only collegiate hedge funds nationwide.

He currently serves as the President of Caimanes.

“I’ve learned about how to analyze a company, how to go through financial statements, SEC filings, how to run a portfolio with risk management options,” Smith said. “I’ve learned so much.”

This year the hedge fund took on 27 new analysts.

In his role as President, Smith focuses on ensuring members receive the best analyst training experience to position themselves for success in a future career.

He focuses on creating opportunities for members to grow, network and succeed.

“We have really worked in that bottom-up approach by focusing on analyst training, and I think that’s what separates us from other funds,” he said.

As the president of two prominent student organizations, Smith takes his role as a student leader seriously.

“You’re put in a position of responsibility,” he said. “You can make a [positive] impact on the members within your club or the analysts within your fund.”

For Smith, he is always thinking: “How can I improve the experience of the people within my club[s]? How can I help their resume? How can I improve their prospects, whether it be applying to law school or getting jobs?”

Smith appreciates how many opportunities there are to get involved as a business student.

“Outside of just the existing organizations, it’s so easy to create your own organization,” he said. “There’s so many professors who are always willing to help and [I] have really loved UF for that reason.”

He credits professors like Dr. Michael Ryngaert and Dr. Kristin Joys for supporting his leadership growth and connecting students with industry professionals.

“Warrington allows you to blaze your own trail or [follow] in somebody else’s footsteps.”

He encourages his fellow peers to seek out opportunities and consistently be present.

“I think the students that always make the biggest impression [are] the people who are always going to events, who are always coming up to [and] speaking to us about how they can get involved, and actually follow through on those things,” he said. “Putting in an effort and showing that you really care goes a long way.”

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Turning passion into purpose

Cecelia (Cece) Duncan, BSBA Marketing ’26, President of Eco-Gator, project member of UF ENACTUS

Cecelia (Cece) Duncan described herself as a “jack-of-all-trades” when choosing what to major in college. While she was multifaceted, she didn’t feel adept at a “singular thing.”

She wanted to explore a career field that was analytical, data-driven, impactful and creative.

For her, a marketing degree from the University of Florida Warrington College of Business seemed to check all her boxes.

“I hope to use my skills and degree to work for a company that prioritizes ethical and sustainable practices,” she explained. “My goal is to work in digital marketing or merchandise planning for a retail company that responsibly sources its materials.”

Duncan isn’t alone in her passion. At the Warrington College of Business, Gators that share her interests can prepare to enter the field by joining organizations like Eco-Gator and UF Enactus.

Duncan serves as the president of Eco-Gator, a student organization within the Warrington college of Business that focuses on spreading awareness about the importance of environmental sustainability and to prepare students to enter the business world.

She first learned about the club at the Fall 2023 Business Bash networking opportunity.

“I began attending weekly meetings and quickly fell in love with the organization’s mission and the opportunity to connect with other students who care deeply about the environment.”

Through Eco-Gator, members can learn more about career paths that align with their goals, network with entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders and sustainability leaders at the corporate level.

As president, Duncan worked to make the club more accessible to students of all majors.

“I worked to accomplish this by expanding our marketing efforts collaborating with other environmental organizations on campus, hosting résumé workshops, and increasing the number of guest speakers who could demonstrate how sustainability fits into real-world business careers.”

In addition to her work as president of Eco-Gator, Duncan was a member of UF’s chapter of Enactus, a global network of leaders committed to using entrepreneurial action to create a more sustainable, equitable and prosperous world.

As a project member, Duncan worked to assist a private airline charter in developing their sustainability initiatives.

“Enactus has played an important role in my professional development by allowing me to directly support the local community while strengthening my skills in marketing, strategic thinking and collaboration,” she said.

Duncan says her involvement in student organizations has strengthened her communication, teamwork and leadership skills.

“Getting involved as a student leader has allowed me to meet new people while gaining hands-on professional experience,” she said.

She encourages her peers to “put yourself out there.”

“I have gained many opportunities through the business school, including involvement in clubs, skills workshops, leadership summits, and jobs,” she said. “None of this would have happened if I had not been willing to step outside my comfort zone and say yes to the opportunities presented to me.”

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Leading with intention

Alejandra Sammataro, BSBA Finance ’27, MIB ’27, President of Hispanic Finance Association, Vice President of Operations at DISS Capital Inc., Warrington Diplomat

Alejandra Sammataro (BSBA Finance ’27, MIB ’27), who earned both her high school diploma and associate’s degree at the same time, was intentional about choosing a university that would continue to challenge her.

The University of Florida Warrington College of Business offered her the opportunity to pursue both an undergraduate and graduate business degree, while exploring a minor in wealth management to extend her time at UF in a way that was both “purposeful and rewarding.”

Sammataro plans to build a career in investment management and has joined organizations that support that path.

As a sophomore, she was a part of the founding executive board that re-established the Hispanic Finance Association, an organization rooted in increasing Hispanic representation in high finance roles and inspiring character in the next generation finance leaders.

After serving as Vice President of Operations, she stepped into the President role as a junior, where she’s established a mentorship program to support her peers.

“I created this initiative to address early challenges with member engagement and retention, while also providing greater value to our younger members and fostering a stronger sense of community within the business school.”

With this new initiative, she was able to grow active membership from 10 to over 30, while maintaining full retention.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to serve as a mentor and help build a more structured, impactful organization for our members.”

In addition to the Hispanic Finance Association, Sammataro serves as the Vice President of Operations at Diverse Invested Student Securities (DISS Capital), a student investment fund that provides a unique learning experience for historically underrepresented students.

She joined the organization as a freshman, with limited exposure to the finance industry.

“What stood out to me about DISS Capital was its Fundamental Analyst Program, a structured 10-week training program that teaches core concepts in accounting, valuation and financial modeling,” Sammataro explained.

She became one of 36 students in the program, serving in the communications sector as an investment analyst and later a section leader.

“DISS Capital has been the most impactful part of my experience at UF and the foundation of my technical development,” she said. “It provided me with hands-on experience that closely mirrors what I have seen in internships, from financial modeling to equity research and investment decision-making.”

For Sammataro, the experience she’s had through DISS Capital has instilled the confidence and skills in her to pursue a career in investment management.

Sammataro also served as a senior analyst for the Finance Professional Development Program, a program designed to help students enhance their technical skills and expand their professional network by specializing in one of five tracks: Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Commercial Finance, Wealth Management and FinTech.

“[The Finance Professional Development Program] served as an important early step in building my interest in finance and provided a foundation that I continued to build on through other experiences,” she explained. “I gained a stronger understanding of the wealth management industry and developed relevant skills, particularly in financial planning.”

She’s also connected deeper with the Warrington College of Business by serving as a Warrington Diplomat, where she leads tours for large groups or prospective students and families.

“As a Warrington Diplomat, I have refined my communication skills in a more outward-facing setting,” she explained. “Working closely with the diplomats has strengthened my ability to collaborate and operate effectively within a high-performing team.”

For Sammataro, being a student leader has allowed her to grow both personally and professionally.

“I sought out organizations that would push me in different ways,” she said. “They have allowed me to develop skills, relationships and confidence that I would not have gained otherwise.”

“These roles have shaped my college experience in a way that extends far beyond the classroom.”

She encourages her peers to: “be proactive, be persistent and be resilient.”

“Be intentional about seeking out and taking advantage of opportunities,” she said. “Put yourself out there, get involved, and explore different paths. That is ultimately what will help you figure out what you want to pursue, and it can open doors you never expected.”