Beyond the Classroom: How Mentorship Propelled a Determined Finance Student to Goldman Sachs
Victoria Curreri ’26
Iona University's Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs serve as a vital bridge between students and alumni, fostering connections that spark ambition and inspire growth. Through this program, students gain direct access to accomplished alumni who share real-world experience, industry insight, and invaluable guidance.
This is the story of one such powerful connection — between Victoria Curreri ’26, a driven and determined finance major, and her mentor Terry Edwards ’77, former executive vice president and chief operating officer at the Federal National Mortgage Association. Together, they transformed ambition into achievement, culminating in Curreri landing a coveted summer analyst role at Goldman Sachs Ayco.
According to Goldman Sachs, more than 360,000 global applicants competed for just 2,600 positions across offices worldwide, making it the most competitive intern class in the firm’s history. Over 500 colleges and universities were represented, with more than 85 languages spoken among the selected candidates.
For Curreri — a senior studying finance with dual minors in sports business and management — Gaels Go Further became a cornerstone of her journey. Her unwavering determination to succeed, paired with Edwards’ mentorship, helped her stand out in an exceptionally competitive field.
Terry Edwards ’77
“Gaels Go Further was a big part of my journey to get there [Goldman Sachs],” Curreri shared. “Through the program, I learned how to refine my resume, cover letter, LinkedIn, and practice interviews. Terry helped me find the confidence to show who I am in a professional setting and to develop an elevator pitch that truly expressed my value.”
Edwards quickly recognized that there was something special about his mentee — a rare blend of curiosity, discipline and drive that set her apart. He encouraged her to lean into her strengths and approach each challenge as an opportunity to grow.
Beyond the undergraduate mentorship program, Curreri credits her success to the LaPenta School of Business, her involvement in clubs such as Women in Business, and her experience as a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team — all of which reinforced her leadership, resilience and teamwork. Upon graduation, she is proud to be returning to Goldman Sachs full-time as a financial analyst, proudly noting, “I couldn’t have done this without the support and resources of Iona University.”
Edwards reflects on the experience with pride:
“Gaels Go Further is appropriately named — my mentees truly go further. Victoria’s initiative, focus and determination are exactly why she’s achieving so much so early. I’m honored to have played a small part in her journey.”
Through mentorship, perseverance and a shared commitment to excellence, Curreri and Edwards embody what it means to go further — together.
To learn more about the Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs or to get involved, please contact Matthew Ricker ’18, ’24 MA, assistant director for Student-Alumni Engagement, at mricker@iona.edu or (914) 633-2033.
Read More: Alumni Magazine Feature Article
Iona University's Gaels Go Further Mentoring Programs serve as a vital bridge between students and alumni, fostering connections that spark ambition and inspire growth.
ABOUT IONA
Founded in 1940, Iona University is a master's-granting private, Catholic, coeducational institution of learning in the tradition of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers. Iona's 45-acre New Rochelle campus and 28-acre Bronxville campus are just 20 miles north of Midtown Manhattan. With a total enrollment of nearly 4,000 students and an alumni base of 55,000 around the world, Iona is a diverse community of learners and scholars dedicated to academic excellence and the values of justice, peace and service. Iona is highly accredited, offering undergraduate degrees in liberal arts, science and business administration, as well as Master of Arts, Master of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees and numerous advanced certificate programs. Iona students enjoy small class sizes, engaged professors and a wide array of academic programs across the School of Arts & Science; LaPenta School of Business; NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Nursing & Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona also continues to be recognized in prestigious national rankings. Most recently for 2025, Iona has been named one of the nation’s best colleges by The Princeton Review, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes and others. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report recognized Iona as one of top for social mobility in the country, while Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) ranked an Iona degree in the top 6 percent nationally for long-term return on investment. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business, meanwhile, is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just 6 percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review once again named Iona to its “Best Business Schools for 2025,” recognizing both its on-campus and online MBA programs. Connecting to its Irish heritage, Iona also opened a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland, located on the historic 400-acre Westport House Estate. A school on the rise, Iona officially changed its status from College to University on July 1, 2022, reflecting the growth of its academic programs and the prestige of an Iona education.