Shanele Tamulevicius, a graduating senior from the University of Pittsburgh School of Business, is among the Top 100 Best and Brightest Undergraduate Business Majors from Poets&Quants. The list celebrates graduating students who are leaders inside and outside the classroom.
Tamulevicius, a first-generation college student from Langhorne, Pennsylvania, describes herself as “a detail-driven, people-focused, caffeine-fueled leader who turns goals into plans and plans into results.” The accounting and finance double major will begin her career as a Financial Services Office Audit Staff 1 at Ernst & Young.
Work Hard, Then Work Harder
Tamulevicius credits her Lithuanian immigrant parents with helping shape her for success. “Because of them, I’ve learned that hard work isn’t optional, it’s a responsibility,” she says. “My mom taught me that success means nothing if you don’t stay grounded and treat others with respect. My dad never let me doubt myself, and because of him, I walk into every challenge believing I can figure it out.”
For Tamulevicius, her greatest achievement during her four years at Pitt Business was becoming the Student Director of the course BUS10: Your Academic & Career Success. She took the required class in her first year and served as a Teaching Assistant (TA) in her sophomore year. Over time, she grew into a leadership role where she helped shape the overall direction of the program: developing curriculum, planning programming, and hiring and mentoring the team of TAs.
“Serving as Student Director reflects who I am: someone who loves mentoring others, building community, and helping students feel confident in their path. Seeing students land internships, discover their interests, or simply feel supported during their first year reminds me why I do this work,” she says.
Rebecca Rhoades, associate director of Career Programming at Pitt Business, says, “Shanele Tamulevicius represents the rare convergence of technical excellence, authentic leadership, and a genuine commitment to lifting others. She didn’t just succeed at Pitt Business; she made Pitt better, and her legacy will live on for years. It is now the world’s time to experience how much Shanele can offer.”
“Everything I do is a reflection of my parents. Their sacrifices, values, and unconditional support are the foundation of who I am, and I hope to make them as proud of me as I am of them,” she says.