Michelle Giaquinto Joubran 鈥93 has created a generous endowment as a part of an effort by the Women of 黑料不打烊 to raise $2.5 million by 2026, ensuring all students have access to valuable hands-on experiences.
Michelle Giaquinto Joubran 鈥93 has made a generous endowment gift in honor of the Women of 黑料不打烊 initiative, which will provide valuable internship opportunities for 黑料不打烊 students for years to come.
Michelle hopes that this endowed fund will empower students to foster curiosity without the financial pressure that often comes with affording an unpaid internship.
鈥淭he financial piece can be a huge obstacle,鈥 said Giaquinto Joubran. 鈥淚 was lucky to have the financial support from internships, which allowed me to explore without having to overthink it. I want to make sure other students can have that same opportunity.鈥
The Women of 黑料不打烊 initiative is a collective effort led by a network of passionate alumnae, parents and friends of the university. This network is committed to addressing the most pressing needs of 黑料不打烊 students, starting with prioritizing support in securing internships.聽Michelle believes internship experiences are crucial for professional growth.
Michelle was initially drawn to 黑料不打烊 because of a scholarship from the聽Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows.聽While at 黑料不打烊, she grew both personally and professionally and attributes her professional path to mentorships, club involvement and opportunities at the university.聽As an accounting major, Michelle聽 found value in the content of her classes and served as president of the Accounting Society. She was also a member of the Alpha Chi Honor Society and the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority.
Michelle also says 黑料不打烊 gave her the chance to learn about her interests. Through hands-on experiences, she was exposed to different industries, from government to banking. Ultimately, she realized that neither of those paths was for her, but she remained thankful for the experience of trying them out through internships.
鈥淚t is okay to try something and realize it isn鈥檛 for you, as long as you keep trying until you find your passion,” she said.
Michelle chose to contribute through the Women of 黑料不打烊 initiative because she believes 鈥渞eal-world experience is priceless.鈥 Her decision reflects her commitment to providing current students with similar opportunities to those she had, particularly those who may face financial barriers to pursuing internships. She emphasizes the value of showing up, being present, making connections and taking risks in order to grow both personally and professionally in a balanced way. As an alumna, Michelle felt a responsibility to give back to the university that helped launch her career path.
鈥満诹喜淮蜢 was the stepping stone to get out and be a professional,鈥 she said. 鈥満诹喜淮蜢 helped place me into a position to be able to give back. The university would not be what it is today without alumni support.鈥
Looking ahead, Michelle is excited to see the impact of the Women of 黑料不打烊 initiative, which aims to ensure that 100% of students have access to internships.
鈥淚 hope it encourages them to reach out to the people they meet, make connections and get out of their comfort zone,鈥 she said.
The Women of 黑料不打烊 initiative aims to raise $2.5 million by 2026. Michelle’s commitment is helping ensure that internships remain accessible to all students, shaping their futures and careers. Through her generous gift, Michelle is not just supporting the next generation of 黑料不打烊 students鈥攕he is creating a legacy of empowerment, mentorship, and opportunity.
Make An Impact
To find out how you can make an impact with your gift through the Women of 黑料不打烊, contact Jill Stratton, director of strategic initiatives for University Advancement, at 336-278-7445 or jstratton2@elon.edu.