About the BCLC
Your Journey Begins Here.
Connect. Learn. Lead. Succeed.
Begin Your Business Journey with the BCLC
Starting in your first semester, the Stamford Business Connections Learning Community (BCLC) immerses School of Business students in a supportive and engaging environment designed to help them connect, grow, and succeed. More than a program, the BCLC is a community where students develop the confidence, skills, experiences, and professional connections needed to thrive in today’s business world.
Through hands-on learning, meaningful relationships, and real-world experiences, BCLC students have the opportunity to:
- Build essential business skills that connect classroom learning to real-world challenges
- Develop leadership, communication, and professional networking skills
- Participate in case competitions that challenge students to solve business problems and present solutions to industry professionals
- Engage in mentorship opportunities that connect students with peers, alumni, faculty, and business leaders
- Experience global business through an international immersion experience
- Connect with industry professionals through networking events, company visits, and professional development opportunities
- Become part of a collaborative community that encourages innovation, leadership, service, and lifelong learning
The BCLC prepares students not only for their first internship or career opportunity but also for a lifetime of professional growth. Through meaningful experiences and lasting connections, students graduate with the confidence, skills, and network to make an impact in the business world.
Experience Business Beyond the Classroom
Students in the Stamford Business Connections Learning Community have the opportunity to participate in many amazing events! Check out some of our events below:
BCLC Stamford Professional Development Conferences provide students with immersive opportunities to strengthen their networking and communication skills while engaging with business professionals and industry leaders. Through interactive sessions and meaningful conversations, students build confidence, expand their professional network, and develop lasting connections that support their academic and career success.
Put your classroom knowledge into action.
BCLC Case Competitions challenge students to solve real-world business problems while working collaboratively in teams. Students analyze business scenarios, develop strategic solutions, and present their recommendations to industry professionals. These experiences strengthen critical thinking, communication, leadership, and presentation skills while providing valuable feedback from business leaders. Case competitions also give students the confidence to tackle complex challenges and prepare them for internships, interviews, and future careers.
Make a difference while developing as a leader.
Giving back is an important part of the BCLC experience. Through community engagement initiatives, students collaborate on service projects that strengthen connections both on campus and within the greater Stamford community. These experiences foster teamwork, civic responsibility, empathy, and leadership while demonstrating how business professionals can create a positive impact beyond the workplace.
Business Connections Learning Community offers students the unique opportunity to experience a study abroad trip focused on international business early in their academic careers.
BCLC students have the opportunity to participate in off-campus company site visits.
BCLC students have the opportunity to participate in the Lunch & Learn series, with various guest speakers.
2026/27 Student Leadership
My name is Evelyn Gaspar and I am this year’s president of BCLC! As President, I have many goals to enhance the visibility of BCLC to our new incoming class. Such as, building engagement between leaderboard and students, enhancing networking experiences, and encouraging involvement. BCLC has helped me in so many professional ways, and I aim to pass down my knowledge and experience to others.
Currently, my major is Marketing Management, but I do intend to switch to Accounting when I make the move to transfer to the Storrs campus. Aside from BCLC, I am also involved in Stamford’s Student Government Association as Senator and Financial Analyst and a member of Stamford’s Women in Business organization..
I am looking forward for what this incredible year will bring for both students and BCLC!
My name is Parkeerat, and I’m excited to serve as the Vice President of BCLC at UConn Stamford beginning this fall. Outside of school, I enjoy listening to music, playing basketball, hiking, and spending time with my family and friends. I value building meaningful connections and creating a welcoming community wherever I go.
As Vice President, my goal is to make a lasting, positive impact on BCLC by increasing student engagement, improving attendance at our events, and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment for all members. I’m committed to helping create a stronger sense of community not only within BCLC, but across the UConn Stamford campus.
I also serve as a Peer Mentor for incoming business students, so you’ll often find me on the third floor. Don’t hesitate to stop by, say hello, or ask a question, I’m always happy to connect!
Hello, my name is Vanessa Codjoe. I am a sophomore and Marketing major here at UConn Stamford. I enjoy collaborating with others and trying new things.
BCLC Success Stories - From BCLC student to business professional.
I graduated with a B.S. degree in Financial Management and Digital Marketing & Analytics. My journey at UConn was shaped by saying “yes” to opportunities.
Throughout my college experience, I was deeply involved with the Business Connections Learning Community (BCLC), which became the foundation of my growth. I served as Co-Chair and Leader of the Women in Business Committee. Through Lunch and Learn events, I gained valuable insights from professionals across a variety of industries, helping me better understand the corporate world and envision my own career path. I also participated in case competitions, which strengthened my public speaking skills, taught me how to solve real-world business challenges, and reinforced the importance of teamwork and collaboration.
One of the most memorable parts of my time at UConn was participating in the Business School’s international immersion experiences. These trips allowed me to collaborate with fellow students while exploring business practices and cultures around the world. By the time I graduated, I had visited five countries through BCLC, experiences that challenged me to think beyond the classroom and appreciate business on an international scale.
These experiences gave me confidence that has continued to benefit me in my professional career. The Business School experiences opened doors beyond campus, leading to a sophomore-year internship at a bank and a junior-year internship with Interactive Brokers (IBKR), which ultimately led to my full-time career.
My college experience was about learning, leading, and growing. I wouldn’t be where I am today without taking advantage of the opportunities provided by the UConn School of Business and the BCLC. Those experiences prepared me not only for my career but also for the leader and professional I continue to become.
I am incredibly grateful for the foundation the Business Connections Learning Community (BCLC) provided throughout my time at UConn. From my first day on campus, BCLC opened doors within the School of Business and created an environment where I could develop both the interpersonal and technical skills that became essential to my academic, professional, and personal growth.
The confidence and support I gained through the program encouraged me to pursue opportunities that challenged me beyond the classroom, including the Student Managed Fund, the CFA Institute Research Challenge, and the Financial Management and FinTech Clubs. Each experience strengthened my analytical abilities, leadership skills, and passion for finance while allowing me to apply what I learned in real-world settings.
These opportunities ultimately prepared me to launch my career as a financial analyst at Lockheed Martin through its Early Career Development Program. Looking back, I am incredibly thankful for the advisors, faculty, mentors, and peers who invested in my success. Their guidance, combined with the experiences I gained at UConn, has played a significant role in shaping both the professional and the person I am today.
I recently graduated from the University of Connecticut, Stamford, with a dual degree in Financial Management and Economics. Throughout my time at UConn, I developed a strong interest in investment research, portfolio strategy, and financial markets while taking on leadership roles that challenged me both academically and professionally.
One of the most impactful experiences of my college career was being part of the Business Connections Learning Community (BCLC). The program provided me with the skills and opportunities to grow as a student and leader. During my junior year, I was honored to serve as a Business Connections Ambassador, mentoring first-year students and helping them navigate their academic and professional journeys.
I also served as a Portfolio Manager for UConn's Student Managed Fund (SMF), where I helped manage a real-money equity portfolio by conducting investment research, performing company valuations, and contributing to portfolio strategy and investment decisions. In addition, I led UConn's CFA Institute Research Challenge team to the Americas Final, finishing among the top 18 teams globally and the top six in the Western Hemisphere. That experience strengthened my analytical skills, leadership abilities, and passion for investment management.
Beyond the classroom, I served as President of the Financial Management Club, where I worked to expand student engagement and organize programs focused on investing, professional development, and financial literacy.
I'm excited to begin my career as a Client Services Associate at ARGA Investment Management in Stamford, where I'll continue building my experience in financial markets, client service, and asset management while contributing to the success of clients and the firm.
TBA.