Patrick Dougherty ’25 Builds His Network from Iona University to Morgan Stanley
New Rochelle, N.Y. – As a finance major, Patrick Dougherty ’25 is a dynamic force, blending his academic pursuits with invaluable hands-on experience as an intern at Morgan Stanley.
“What I enjoy most about the experience is the ability to apply my classroom knowledge to real-world financial scenarios, gaining hands-on insight into wealth management and investment strategies,” Dougherty shared. “This dynamic nature of finance keeps me engaged, as there’s always something new to learn and apply.”
Within Iona University’s close-knit community, Dougherty has also discovered that some of the most rewarding investments aren’t just financial – they’re built on cultivating meaningful connections. He is especially grateful for the mentorship of Kyle Byrne, director of student and alumni engagement, for helping him land this opportunity.
“Kyle has been an invaluable mentor throughout my time at Iona,” he said. “He has provided guidance on my job search, reviewed my resume and connected me with the internship opportunity that I was later offered.”
With a major in finance and a minor in information systems, Dougherty is interested in how “finance drives decision-making in businesses and economies.” His passion is evident as he dives into analyzing market trends and evaluating investment opportunities, always eager to build his skill set.
Hailing from Chester Springs, Pa., Dougherty’s involvement at Iona also extends beyond the classroom.
Whether guiding prospective students as a Gael Guide or landing shots on the intramural basketball court, he makes the most of his time on campus through a well-rounded mix of academic and extracurricular pursuits.
“I chose to attend Iona because of the welcoming and close-knit community the school fosters,” he said. “Walking through campus and seeing familiar faces creates a sense of belonging that makes Iona feel like one big family. While it may be a smaller school, there's always something happening on campus, and countless opportunities to get involved and make meaningful connections.”
As he looks ahead, Dougherty reflects on the unique advantages of studying just outside New York City.
“Iona’s proximity to New York City makes it an ideal place to major in business,” he said. “It has provided me with endless opportunities for networking and career growth in one of the world’s biggest financial hubs."
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 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 5 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 recognized Iona’s on-campus MBA program as a “Best Business School for 2024.” 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 one of the nation’s top hospitals. 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.