Fisher Student Chosen to Represent New York in National Competition

During the Fall Qualifier of Certiport’s 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist United States National Championship, eight St. John Fisher University students secured positions in the top 10.

The students included Adam Grover (1st place), Ethan Lowell (2nd place), Mark LoMaglio (3rd place), Emily Smalley (5th place), Milla Litzburg (6th place), Benjamin Urbaetis (7th place), Hao Wu (8th place), and Madelyn Tardugno (10th place).

All are School of Business students enrolled in Visiting Professor Raju Vulapalli’s Information Technology Management course, which requires completion of the Microsoft Office Specialist certification. To be certified, students took part in a long process throughout the semester in which they learned new skills and were tested to determine their level of ability. These skills included knowing how to use formulas for varying purposes as well as creating charts, tables, and worksheets. Additionally, students received access to tutorials and practice tests through a program known as GMetrix to further prepare them for the exam at the end of the semester.

According to Vulapalli, this certification is immensely beneficial for students because it enhances professional prospects and boosts productivity. Approximately 92-95% of students enrolled in the course completed their exam and obtained their Microsoft Office Specialist certification for Excel.

The first-place winner, Adam Grover, has been invited to represent New York state in the competition which will take place June 17-19 in Orlando, Florida. The winner of the National Championship will compete in the 2024 Microsoft Office Specialist World Championship in Anaheim, California at the end of July. An active member of campus, Grover is an accounting major and a member of both the men's soccer team and men's wrestling team.

“Top students are invited to represent their respective states at the U.S. National Championship. It requires a great deal of skill, diligence, and expertise to make it to the U.S. National Championship. To be invited to the championship is a great feat, and the credit goes to the student – their dedication, hard work, and enthusiasm,” said Vulapalli.

Vulapalli played a pivotal role in the students’ success, highlighting the importance of dedicated educators in nurturing talent and fostering accomplishments. At the Fall Qualifier, St. John Fisher University was recognized as a “Champion of Excellence” and Vulapalli was named an “Outstanding Educator” by Certiport, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to empowering students and promoting academic achievement.