Feb 16, 2012 - Claremont, Calif. -

Jaclyn Olmos-Silverman ’13 and Grant Ukropina ’13 have been named 2012-2013 Robert Day Scholars for the economics and finance program at Claremont McKenna College.

The two engineering majors are part of the fifth group to enter the CMC program, which provides students with the foundational skills needed for leadership roles in business, finance, government and nonprofit organizations. Robert Day Scholars may elect to pursue either a specific undergraduate program to achieve competency in finance, accounting and leadership psychology, or a new Master of Finance degree, or both.


Olmos-Silverman, a Harvey Mudd College President’s Scholar, plans to pursue a career in engineering, business and finance, or a combination of those fields. She has served as treasurer of HMC’s student chapter of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and conducted fuel cells research in the engineering department's Energy and Nanomaterials Lab. Last summer, Olmos-Silverman worked as a research intern at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.

She hopes the Scholars program will help her to hone her leadership ability, while merging her interests in engineering and technology with those in economics and business. “Both are needed for any innovation,” she said. “I also want to grow through interactions with alumni, industry professionals, and the students, faculty and staff from the other Claremont Colleges.”

Ukropina, who is a member of the new HMC entrepreneur club, EntrepreMudders, wants to one day launch his own manufacturing business. He’s served as shop proctor in the student machine shop and is now building an automated Nerf turret just for fun.

“I want to start my own business some day, and the Robert Day Scholars program will help me to network and learn from successful business leaders and entrepreneurs,” he said. After graduation, Ukropina plans to work in the manufacturing industry to better understand it before creating his own enterprise.

Robert Day Scholars participate in a program of co-curricular activities—including internship opportunities, networking trips and workshops—designed to provide a strong ethical foundation and to broaden their skills in areas such as leadership and communications. The undergraduate curriculum includes two semesters of coursework in accounting, financial economics and leadership/organizational behavior. 



Undergraduate students at any of The Claremont Colleges, can apply as a junior to become scholars in their senior year. Chosen scholars are students who demonstrate leadership potential, exceptional academic performance, and personal qualities such as independent thinking, analytical skills and strong ethics.