Iona University Partners with Morgan Stanley’s Equity Collective to Empower the Next Generation of Diverse Leaders

Its first collaboration with the University, the Equity Collective will provide Iona students with invaluable skills to enter the workforce

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. — Iona University today announced its collaboration with The Equity Collective, led by Morgan Stanley. The Equity Collective is an industry-leading group of wealth and asset management businesses that have come together to educate, empower and develop the next generation of diverse leaders in the finance industry.

Spearheaded by Iona alumnus Carlos Muñoz '10MBA, executive director at Morgan Stanley, The Equity Collective is comprised of 27 members from leading financial organizations, including Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, PIMCO, NY Life and American Century Investments, among others.

“We are thrilled to launch this new collaboration with The Equity Collective,” said Seamus Carey, Ph.D., president of Iona University. “Not only will our students gain invaluable insight directly from industry leaders, but they will also refine their skills and build networks into some of the most prestigious firms in the world. This is yet another example of how an Iona education provides real value beyond the classroom. Thank you to Mr. Muñoz and all who made this collaboration possible.”

Aligning with Iona’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), this initiative creates awareness of the broad array of career opportunities in the financial services industry, while also expanding the talent pool. Over the course of the 2022-2023 academic year, Iona will host four workshops related to resumé-building, interviewing skills and networking, led by senior executives from the top asset management firms.

“Iona provided me with a wealth of knowledge, experiences and connections,” said Muñoz. “Our goal is to help create and provide current students with resources to help empower them as they navigate their career journey. Industry leaders have to be diligent in proactively raising awareness about the wide-ranging opportunities in the finance world, and stress that there is an opportunity for everyone.”

Students interested in the Equity Collective must commit to all four sessions, and will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program, serving as a powerful tool for their future and current job search strategy. The certificate can be listed on their resumé and LinkedIn profile, where it will enable them to uncover potential opportunities with any of the Equity Collective’s 27 firms. 

“At Iona, we encourage our students to Learn Outside the Lines and delve into real-world experiences beyond the classroom,” said Kyle Byrne ’15, ’20MBA, coordinator for student and alumni engagement in the LaPenta School of Business. “Our collaboration with the Equity Collective will provide our students with vital skills, connections and a leg up in their job hunt.”

The four sessions will be held on October 19, November 9, February 15, and March 8 in the newly renovated LaPenta School of Business. The program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students from any major.

“Reaching diverse talent is a must for any organization to be successful today,” said Alison Munsch, Ph.D., interim associate provost for DEIB at Iona. “Creating awareness and expanding the applicant pools will provide these companies with new perspectives, ways of thinking and points of view; the value is priceless, and I’m delighted that Iona students have the chance to be a part of such a wonderful opportunity.”   

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 more than 50,000 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 Health Sciences; and Hynes Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation. Iona is widely recognized in prestigious rankings, including The Princeton Review’s 2024 national list of “The Best 389 Colleges” and The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse’s “2024 Best Colleges in America,” which ranked Iona at #66 in the nation overall and #8 in the nation among Catholic schools. Iona’s LaPenta School of Business is also accredited by AACSB International, a recognition awarded to just six percent of business schools worldwide. In addition, The Princeton Review recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2023.” Iona also offers a fully online MBA program for even greater flexibility. In July 2021, Iona announced the establishment of the NewYork-Presbyterian Iona School of Health Sciences, which is now principally located on Iona’s Bronxville campus in collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian. Connecting to its Irish heritage, the University also recently announced it is expanding abroad with a new campus in County Mayo, Ireland. 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.