Luis Engleton-Sapon believes his participation in student professional organizations have helped shape his career path. (Photo courtesy of Luis Engleton-Sapon)
Name: Luis Engleton-Sapon
Major: Finance and Real Estate
Hometown: Richboro, PA
Luis Engleton-Sapon, graduating this year with dual degrees in finance and real estate, has had an undergraduate journey marked by strong academic performance, insightful extracurriculars and a genuine commitment to helping others.
Engleton-Sapon began his academic journey as a statistics major but eventually he found his true calling in finance. He then added real estate to his studies, after recognizing the tangible impact that property investment had on his family.
“My interest in real estate sparked from seeing my dad own and operate a building for his restaurant,” he says. “It opened my eyes to the benefits of owning real estate.”
His family’s restaurant was also a major inspiration for developing a strong commitment to stewardship and helping others.
“Being a first-generation student in that organization was a wake-up call for what I wanted to do. Being surrounded by such motivated people pushed me to work harder and showed me what it takes to succeed.”
“My family’s had the restaurant for over 20 years.,” he says. “I know people who used to work with us when they were in high school, and now they’re visiting the restaurant with their own children.
“I’ve grown up making those kinds of personal connections at the restaurant, and it’s something that I want to take into my own career.”
At Temple, Engleton-Sapon actively engaged with various student professional organizations, crucial in shaping his career path. He was deeply involved with the Temple Finance Association and the Owl Fund, a student-managed investment fund that offers practical experience in investment management.
“Being a first-generation student in that organization was a wake-up call for what I wanted to do,” he states. “Being surrounded by such motivated people pushed me to work harder and showed me what it takes to succeed.”
Engleton-Sapon regards his time at the Owl Fund as a standout college experience, because he not only learned about finance and real estate, but also honed his leadership and mentorship skills while making valuable connections.
“The students in the Owl Fund are all really smart and have technical skills, but they’re also really personable. You have to be able to communicate with people and explain what’s going on,” he notes.
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His internships in Philadelphia and Charlotte also made a significant impact on his journey. These experiences provided him with invaluable industry insights and professional networks, expanding his learning beyond the classroom and his involvement in student organizations. Reflecting on the lessons learned from his internships and student organization involvement, Engleton-Sapon emphasizes the importance of being proactive and adaptable to change.
“You might think you know what you want to do, but until you get to meet people and talk to them about work, you may not realize whether the work is in line with what you want to do,” he says.
As he prepares to graduate and join Artemis Real Estate Partners, a private equity firm specializing in real estate, Engleton-Sapon is excited to use the skills developed at Temple to make a positive impact. He is particularly passionate about sharing financial literacy and mentoring others, especially those from similar backgrounds.
“I want to be the person I wish I had as a freshman—someone who could tell me the unspoken rules and what to be prepared for,” he says. “This is definitely a full circle moment.”