Emanneul Mudungwe '28, Finance

Emanneul Mudungwe '28 grew up in Zimbabwe, where his academic path took a transformative turn when he earned a scholarship to attend the United World College (UWC). There, he completed a two-year program designed to prepare students for higher education while expanding their global outlook. It was at UWC that Mudungwe began to consider pursuing a four-year degree in the United States.

"I realized I would be far from home, and I wanted to find a place where I'd feel comfortable — a school that could be a home away from home," Mudungwe says. "I didn't want a large school or one located in a big city," he says. "Bucknell felt like the perfect fit. It wasn't too big, and it seemed to have a welcoming environment."

One of the most valuable parts of Mudungwe's Bucknell experience so far is the mentorship he receives from Amy Yowell '21, a senior business control specialist at Bank of America. Mudungwe and Yowell were paired together through the Freeman College of Management's Herd Mentorship program, which connects first-year Freeman College students with alumni mentors. 

"We talk twice a month, and she’s been really supportive and reassuring," he says. "She gave me advice on everything from how to schedule my classes to how to plan for my career."
 

As a JoAnn Patrick-Ezzell ’75 & Andrew Ezzell Data Science Student Fellow, Emanneul Mudungwe '28 is analyzing student engagement with Bucknell’s BisonReady app to provide insights that will help faculty enhance its effectiveness. Photo by James T. Giffen, Marketing & Communications

Though he is still settling into his first year, Mudungwe says he feels confident about majoring in finance with a goal of pursuing a career in wealth management.

"I've always been fascinated by how people make financial decisions, and I see wealth management as a way to make a meaningful impact in people's lives. For me, it's not just about helping people grow their money. It's about forming relationships with them, understanding what they want in life and guiding them through decisions that help them reach their goals."

In early 2025, Mudungwe became involved with Bucknell’s Dominguez Center for Data Science. As a JoAnn Patrick-Ezzell '75 & Andrew Ezzell Data Science Fellow, he is working on a project to analyze how students interact with Bucknell's BisonReady app. The app tracks student engagement with programs offered by the Freeman College of Management, such as career talks and networking events. As part of a three-person team, Mudungwe is analyzing data to identify areas where student engagement could be improved. 

"The project feels like we’re working for a client," Mudungwe says. "The college is our client, and our job is to analyze the data and draw conclusions. I appreciate the autonomy we have, but we also check in regularly with our adviser Professor Matt Bailey [Christian R. Lindback Chair in Business Administration; faculty fellow for the Dominguez Center for Data Science]."

Recognizing how much he's gained in just his first year, Mudungwe is excited for his future at Bucknell. "Bucknell has offered me so many opportunities," he says. "I'm learning not just facts, but how to think critically, manage my time and build relationships that will last."