From Stamford, Connecticut, Maya Manders reflects on her Temple journey ahead of her May 2025 graduation. (Photo courtesy of Maya Manders)
Name: Maya Manders
Major: Accounting and finance (dual-major)
Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut
“Just a few years ago, I would never even consider doing an interview like this,” Manders says over Zoom.
“I used to be very shy and introverted but especially through extracurriculars and class experiences, Temple has helped me gain a newfound personal belief and confidence in myself—which I think is very cool.
“It’s something I will always be thankful for.”
If you ask her, the one word Manders uses to sum up her time at Temple is “growth.” When you examine her four-year journey, both personally and professionally with the school, you understand why.
First drawn to the Fox School for its strong academics, various study abroad opportunities, rich extracurricular activities and its city location, the Stamford, Connecticut, native has filled her Temple tenure with immense success.
In addition to navigating a full-course load as a finance and accounting double-major, Manders developed her leadership capabilities through her heavy involvement within Temple’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter, an honors business fraternity for accounting, finance and information systems students.
“From exploring a new city every weekend to adapting to different cultures, my time abroad helped me grow my own senses of independence, open-mindedness and cultural awareness.”
After serving as its director of member reporting in her junior year, she has spent her senior year as its president, an experience, she explains, that has aided in her growth of confidence.
“Being in the president role is one of the best things that could have happened for me because it encouraged me to grow so much, both personally and professionally,” Manders says.
“Through taking on more responsibility, including public speaking and detailed planning, you start to build and hone in your leadership skills and abilities.”
Her own development extended beyond campus, too. She completed a study abroad semester at Temple Rome in spring 2023.
“That experience was amazing,” Manders says. “During my time abroad, not only was I immersed in the Italian culture, but I visited 12 other countries, including Amsterdam, Prague and Lisbon, which were my favorites.
“From exploring a new city every weekend to adapting to different cultures, my time abroad helped me grow my own senses of independence, open-mindedness and cultural awareness.”
Manders will begin her role as an audit and assurance assistant at Deloitte beyond graduation. (Photo courtesy of Maya Manders)
Caption: Manders will begin her role as an audit and assurance assistant at Deloitte beyond graduation. (Photo courtesy of Maya Manders)
Once she graduates, she will begin her role as an audit and assurance assistant at Deloitte, where she interned in the summers prior to her junior and senior years.
As she prepares to enter her new role, she hopes future Owls will find the same benefits, particularly in growth, that she did.
“I would encourage people to come here because of all the opportunities this community can offer to you,” Manders says. “Temple doesn’t put you in a box, they give you the chance to see what branches and offerings work best for you.
“I’ve found the people, including my classmates and professors, to be so kind and encouraging—they show they really care about you.”