These siblings joined the Binghamton University School of Management together. Here’s why
Students share why their family ties have given them unique advantages as they pursue business, accounting degrees
From having someone to point out which clubs to join or classes to take, siblings in the Binghamton University School of Management have benefited from sharing their experience at a top-ranked business school with someone who knows them best.
To find out more about this special bond, we asked some of these siblings to share their stories and why, to them, family ties run deep at SOM.
Emma and Grace Spoto
Emma Spoto ’24, MBA ’25, earned her undergraduate degree in accounting with a concentration in management information systems. She pursued her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. Grace Spoto ’26 is a business administration major with concentrations in finance and management information systems.
Is there an advantage to having a family member also in SOM?
Grace: YES!! Emma has amassed a wealth of knowledge and accomplished incredible things throughout her time in SOM, including serving as president of Women in Business and being a Management 111 mentor and a career assistant. She has helped me pick my classes, perfect my resume and join the best clubs. Emma transferred into SOM, and she was able to secure an internship after just one semester! I was drawn to the job opportunities and amazing resources I could access through SOM.
Emma: We can both push each other to do better and it’s nice being able to refer students to my sister for advice while also just seeing a familiar face around. I have enjoyed telling my sister things I wish I had done as a first-year student, or suggesting programs for her to get involved in. SOM is all about connections and getting involved, which has helped me achieve so much. I will remember all my advisors who helped me get internships, especially Matt Fedorchak and Olivia Pasquale from Career Services.
Brian and Brianna Petz
Brian Petz ’26 is an accounting major with a concentration in management information systems. Brianna Petz ’28 is a business administration major with concentrations in marketing and management information systems.
What has been your favorite experience at SOM, and what’s the advantage to having a family member in this school?
Brian: Having my sister in the School of Management has made my college experience even more special. It’s been amazing to share everything from favorite professors to classes. Now, when I mention a course that I’ve loved, she actually knows what I’m talking about and can see what I mean by taking that course herself!
Brianna: Having my brother here has definitely made SOM feel even more like home! It’s been so nice having someone I can always go to for advice and support.
Morgan and Zachary Kittle
Morgan Kittle is coordinator for the Transformational Leaders Program in SOM and is pursuing her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in leadership studies. Zachary Kittle ’25 is a business administration major with a concentration in finance.
How did you both end up at SOM?
Morgan: I wouldn’t say we planned it, but it wasn’t completely random, either. My brother was already a student in SOM, and my mom works in the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, so being around that environment definitely influenced me. I’ve always liked roles where I can stay organized, help people and keep things running smoothly, so when this opportunity came up to take on this role, it just made sense.
What has been your favorite experience at SOM, and what’s the advantage of having a family member in this school?
Morgan: My favorite experience so far has definitely been helping students and watching them grow over time, whether academically, professionally or just by building their confidence. It’s really rewarding to be part of that journey. Having my brother enrolled in SOM just makes it even better because I get to pass along many of the things I teach my students to him. I feel like the more people I can help, the better, and it’s cool knowing that support extends beyond just the job.
Eva and Sam Wofse
Eva Wofse ’28 is an accounting major, and her brother, Sam Wofse ’24, MS ’25, earned his undergraduate degree in accounting with a minor in Spanish. He is working toward his Master of Science in Accounting.
What drew you to SOM, and what about your sibling’s experience made you want to take a similar path?
Eva: I was drawn to SOM because of the atmosphere; everyone is eager to learn and willing to help others, creating a collaborative and supportive environment that I want to be a part of. Having two older brothers who have studied at SOM has guided me to take a similar path. They served as mentors, introducing me to new ideas and opportunities I might not have discovered on my own, and connected me to a broader network of people. Their experiences have shown me how impactful and rewarding a SOM education can be.
Sam: My dad (Fess Wofse ’91) and my older brother (Max Wofse ’23) are SOM graduates. They encouraged me to consider Binghamton during my college search because of its opportunities in terms of the student organizations, a prestigious education and countless successful alumni who care to give back to the students.
Adam and Sarah Zarember
Adam Zarember ’28 is a business administration major concentrating in management information systems. Sarah Zarember ’24, MBA ’25, earned her undergraduate degree in business administration with concentrations in leadership and consulting and marketing. She is pursuing her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in management information systems.
What about your sibling’s SOM experience made you want to take a similar path?
Adam: Binghamton’s distance from our home in New Jersey allows us to live by ourselves and explore, while still being able to go home whenever we want to. I was interested in SOM since it is ranked highly, has excellent job placement, plus affordability. It was nice that I could start with 32 AP credits and be part of an honors program here, allowing me to build connections with a small group within a relatively large school. I heard how highly Sarah talked about SOM, and I saw the opportunities and all that she had been able to accomplish in her first few years. I knew I would have a great experience here and set myself up nicely for the future.
What’s the advantage of having a family member also in SOM?
Sarah: It’s been amazing, especially as an out-of-state student, to have a piece of home here at my second home! When I left for college in the middle of the pandemic, Adam and I had just started to get much closer than we ever had been growing up. It’s been awesome to watch his first year and have one of my best friends to spend time with. SOM allowed me to excel in the classroom while pursuing my passions, from music to entrepreneurship. I am leaving next semester with an incredible network of brilliant graduates entering diverse and impressive fields and connections with professors and alumni that I know will last long after I leave.