Senior Carmen Kiewert ‘26 goes all-in on business, competition, and connection at PLU

When Carmen Kiewert arrived at PLU as a transfer student, she was searching for a place where she could grow academically, professionally, and personally. She found all three. “I chose PLU for a variety of reasons, and I’m really happy with my decision to transfer,” she says. “The biggest factor was the quality of the School of Business and the programs it offers. I was also excited to continue playing soccer, and when the opportunity for me to play at PLU was presented to me, I was all in.”

Bolstered by a scholarship from the start, Carmen reflects, “The academic scholarship I earned out of high school and maintained throughout my time at PLU means the most to me. It represents my hard work, dedication, and commitment to pursuing higher education at the highest level.”

That foundation made it easier for her to explore everything PLU’s School of Business had to offer. She crafted a well-rounded academic pathway, majoring in business with concentrations in finance and marketing and a minor in economics. “Once I arrived at PLU, I realized there were far more academic opportunities than at my previous university, and I was excited to pursue as many as possible,” she explains. “I’ll reluctantly admit that I became a subject-matter expert in the PLU business administration course catalog, which did help immensely.”

As she settled into PLU, she also reconnected with a familiar passion: DECA. Carmen first joined DECA in high school and continued her involvement at PLU through the university’s newly established DECA chapter, which supports students’ leadership and career development. DECA is an international nonprofit that prepares high school and college students for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management.

“Being part of PLU DECA has been a fun and rewarding aspect of my academic journey,” she says. In the Fashion Merchandising and Marketing competition category she was awarded first place at the 2024 International Career Development Conference and third place in 2025. “When my name was called for the first-place trophy, I was in shock and incredibly excited to represent PLU on an international stage.”

Her immersion in finance continued through the Regents Investment Fund (RIF) at PLU, a student-managed investment group organized through the PLU School of Business. The fund gives students real experience managing a diversified investment portfolio, including selecting assets, tracking performance, and making investment decisions much like professionals do. RIF members collectively manage a robust equity portfolio valued at over $400,000. “The Regents Investment Fund has provided one of my favorite platforms for educational growth at PLU,” she says. As Chief Financial Officer, she executed real equity trades while also building close friendships with like-minded Lutes.

For Carmen, a turning point came in New York. “The Global Asset Management Education (GAME) Forum in New York City was a highlight and defining moment of my time at PLU,” she says. In addition to participating in the conference and portfolio competition, she connected with PLU alum Riley Shulman, Vice President at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. “I left the trip with invaluable knowledge about equity markets, microeconomic cycles, and career pathways. Plus, a renewed passion for a future in finance.” 

Yet another standout experience for Carmen was completing a coveted internship with J.P. Morgan. “What surprised me most was how quickly and dramatically my lifestyle changed,” she reflects. “I’m from a small town in Eastern Washington, so moving to a city like Chicago was a big adjustment. It’s an experience I will truly never forget and one I’m incredibly grateful to have had.”