BRIDGE Students Gain Corporate Insights During Chicago Site Visits
LeBow BRIDGE students immersed themselves in the corporate world and connected with Drexel alumni during a spring break experience in Chicago.
LeBow BRIDGE, a Drexel program founded in 2012 to support underrepresented populations in the fields of business, brought students on site visits to PepsiCo, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Deloitte and CFI Partners, where they were able to have conversations with industry leaders that provided insights into their organizations.
Beyond the knowledge gained, the site visits allowed students to envision themselves in these roles, laying the groundwork for becoming future leaders in the industry.
“The purpose of the trip comes back to BRIDGE’s four pillars: academic excellence, community activism, social engagement and financial literacy. In Chicago, we tackled all those things,” said Emoni Lee-Murray, BSBA marketing and business analytics ’27.
“It was great to take part in this experience, just so we can immerse ourselves with what’s out there and be able to bridge that gap that’s not afforded to minority students like us regularly at different universities.”
During the visit to CFI Partners, students got a firsthand look at the operations of an investment management firm and met with its CEO/CIO Levoyd Robinson, who is on the Drexel Board of Trustees.
At Deloitte, Lebow Dean’s Advisory Board member Derreck Robinson ’93 guided a look at the company and its work culture.
A visit to the FTC taught students about consumer protection and gave them the opportunity to connect with Roberto Menjivar ’03, who works with the organization as an investigator.
The trip was capped with insights from one of the world’s leading brands, with students getting information behind the strategy at PepsiCo.
Students also had the chance to hear from Drexel alumni and learn more about their career paths during a networking reception at the Museum of Illusions, hosted by David Stec ’03.
“It was amazing to see the willingness of Drexel alumni to give back to current students,” said Fritz Loracle, BSBA finance and international business ’25. “They spoke to us about their professional experiences and their experience at Drexel, taking time out of their busy schedules to come meet us. That was something that really meant a lot to me.”
While there’s a definite focus on business and careers during BRIDGE’s annual spring break trip, civic engagement is also an important component of the learning experience.
Students volunteered at the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where they were able to package more than 7,000 meals for community partner organizations like the city’s local food pantries, soup kitchens and shelters.
This is part of the culture that BRIDGE has built at LeBow, fostering a sense of community and empowerment to drive student success at Drexel and beyond.
“The BRIDGE program lets me know someone believes in me,” Lee-Murray said. “It only takes that little motivation to continue going forward.”
“I see it as a family, honestly,” Loracle said. “Going on this Chicago trip really helped us get into that family mindset and really get to know the other BRIDGE members.”
