Robert Warren ’26 recently graduated cum laude from the University of Hartford's Barney School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Management and a minor in finance. Long before arriving on campus, Robert was already building his own ventures, which inspired his desire to deepen his understanding of leadership, operations, and finance.
"I came to UHart knowing I wanted to build things," Robert says. "Management and finance gave me the formal foundation behind instincts I had been operating on for years."
His interest in finance was further shaped by a family real estate investment business he helped launch, sparking a passion for ownership, capital allocation, and creating long-term value. By combining management with a finance minor, Robert developed the skills needed to turn entrepreneurial ideas into sustainable businesses.
Following graduation, Robert will begin his career as a supply chain associate with PepsiCo's Frito-Lay division at the company's Killingly, Connecticut, facility. Alongside his corporate career, he will continue serving as co-founder and chief operating officer of HireU, the campus services platform he helped build while attending UHart, and remain active in the family real estate investment business. His long-term goal is to grow as both an operator and capital allocator while building organizations that create meaningful opportunities for others.
Throughout his time at UHart, Robert found that the University's greatest strength was access—to people, opportunities, and experiences. Faculty and administrators embraced his entrepreneurial ambitions and encouraged him to pursue them. He credits Dean Aarti Ivanic and Professor Irina Naoumova for taking a genuine interest in his work and helping connect him with resources and opportunities across campus. "UHart treated me like an entrepreneur, not just a student," Robert reflects.
Robert Warren '26, Alum, Barney School of BusinessI came to UHart knowing I wanted to build things. Management and finance gave me the formal foundation behind instincts I had been operating on for years.
In addition to his academic coursework, Robert immersed himself in campus leadership and professional development opportunities. He served as a Ron Brown Captain and was actively involved in the Black Student Union, National Society of Black Engineers, National Association of Black Accountants, and the Sports Business Association. He is also a proud brother and alumnus of Alpha Phi Omega, the national service fraternity. His achievements earned him recognition as a Nicholas and Viola Spinelli Foundation Scholar and a Takeoff Institute Fellow.
Robert completed internships with two globally recognized organizations during his time at UHart. At Otis Worldwide, he worked with the Global Real Estate team, gaining exposure to corporate asset strategy and strengthening his interest in real estate investment. At Target, he served as a store executive team lead intern, where he managed daily operations, led teams, and developed practical leadership skills in a fast-paced environment. Together, these experiences provided valuable exposure to operations, real estate, and people leadership while helping prepare him for his future role at Frito-Lay.
The Barney School also played a significant role in developing Robert's professional skill set. Through coursework, presentations, group projects, and entrepreneurial experiences, he strengthened his financial analysis, operations management, and structured problem-solving abilities. Just as importantly, he learned how to communicate effectively, lead teams, and translate ideas into action.
The relationships that Robert built at UHart proved equally impactful. Faculty mentors, classmates, and professional organizations helped shape his path and expand his network. In fact, Robert credits his involvement with the National Society of Black Engineers for helping create the connection that ultimately led to his opportunity with PepsiCo.
One of Robert's most memorable experiences at UHart was launching HireU while still a student and watching the campus community rally around the platform. Seeing fellow students, faculty, and administrators support something he helped build remains one of the defining moments of his college experience.
Today, Robert sees a direct connection between his UHart education and the work he will be doing at Frito-Lay. The operational and financial analysis skills he developed through the Barney School will help him drive efficiency and performance, while the leadership experience gained through student organizations and entrepreneurial ventures has prepared him to lead teams and make decisions in fast-moving environments.
For incoming students, Robert offers straightforward advice: "Get involved early and bet on yourself. The opportunities at UHart don't just come find you, you have to reach for them. Build relationships with your professors, take chances on opportunities that challenge you, and don't wait until senior year to start pursuing what you want. Four years go fast. Use all of it."