For Bella Markeveys ‘27, M’28, success means embracing opportunities, learning from setbacks, and continuing to grow. As she prepares to earn her bachelor's degree in management, Bella is already building her professional future while preparing for the next step in her education.
Bella chose to study management because of her longstanding interest in real estate and her passion for leadership. Although she knew she wanted to pursue business when she arrived at UHart, she was initially unsure which area of study would best fit her goals. Bella ultimately chose management because it offered a broad understanding of business, from accounting and finance to marketing and operations.
Looking back, she considers it one of the best decisions she could have made. Bella’s coursework has helped her understand how different areas of business work together while strengthening her ability to lead teams and approach challenges with confidence.
“What I enjoy most about UHart is the sense of community,” Bella says. “Because the campus is smaller, I've been able to build meaningful relationships with both my professors and classmates. Whether I'm walking to class, studying in the library, or attending an event, I always see familiar faces.”
That supportive environment has played an important role in Bella’s development, both personally and professionally. Through Barney's career development program, she gained practical skills that extended beyond the classroom, including résumé writing, interview preparation, professional networking, and presenting herself with confidence.
The program also connected Bella with employers and industry professionals, helping her explore career interests and identify future opportunities. These experiences proved invaluable in securing a position at WM (formerly known as Waste Management), where she plans to continue working full time after graduation while pursuing her interests in real estate.
Bella Markeveys ‘27, M’28, Barney School of BusinessKnowing there were people on campus who truly cared about my success made a huge difference, and I am incredibly grateful for their support.
Bella credits several members of the UHart community with helping her grow along the way. As a preceptor for Catherine Ribeiro, Barney’s director of career planning and development, she benefited from mentorship and encouragement that challenged her to recognize her abilities and push herself further. Assistant Professor of Sports Management Hailey Harris also made a lasting impression by consistently checking in on Bella’s progress and encouraging her to do her best.
“Knowing there were people on campus who truly cared about my success made a huge difference, and I am incredibly grateful for their support,” Bella emphasizes.
Her time at UHart has reinforced the importance of combining classroom knowledge with real-world experience. The business skills that Bella has developed have prepared her to take the next steps toward her goals, including continuing to build her real estate business.
And her academic journey is far from over. Beginning in January 2027, Bella will remain at UHart to pursue her MBA, allowing her to continue developing her business expertise while balancing her professional responsibilities.
Outside of work and school, Bella enjoys spending time with family and friends, often grabbing a bite to eat at Blue Back Square. No matter how busy her schedule becomes, she remains focused on learning, growing, and making the most of the opportunities ahead.
For Bella, one of the most important lessons from her college experience is that success does not require perfection. Instead, it requires resilience and a willingness to learn from every experience. “If I could give one piece of advice to other students, it would be to remember that failure is okay,” she says. “Some of the biggest lessons I've learned have come from things not going the way I planned. Every setback has taught me something valuable and helped me grow.”
Her message to fellow students is simple: take chances, embrace mistakes, and keep moving forward. With the foundation she has built at Barney, the support of the UHart community, and her continued commitment to education, Bella is ready to put that philosophy into practice as she pursues her goals in business and real estate.