25 Under 25 Honoree Samuel Vacca

Samuel Vacca’s academic accomplishments aren’t defined solely by classroom performance. A member of the Pinnacle Scholars program, he’s grown his skills and gained new experiences through study abroad programs and summer research projects.

Using his Pinnacle stipends to fund two international experiences, Vacca completed an intensive Spanish language program at the Universitat Internacional Menéndez Pelayo in Barcelona and a two-week immersion program at the Universidad de Piura in Lima, Peru, where he studied the political, economic and social realities of Latin America. A third international experience in Amsterdam through the Global Management Seminar course also helped to broaden his horizons. He also used his research stipend to apply his research skills supporting Professor Wellerstein’s “Oregon Road 83” video game project to step out of his field of studies to diversify his skillset.

Back on campus, Vacca is a quantitative finance major concentrating in data analytics, maintaining a 3.94 GPA and consistently appearing on the Dean's List each semester. As Secretary and Accreditation Chair of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Rho Omega Chapter, he manages compliance with both Stevens and national organizational standards through regular meetings with university staff, a role that has sharpened his organizational and stakeholder-management skills, complementing his technical studies. He also gives back directly to the program that has supported him. As a Student Ambassador for the quantitative finance program and a Pinnacle Scholar Peer Advisor, he guides incoming freshmen through the transition from high school to college, offering practical support and an honest perspective he knows firsthand can make all the difference.

Professionally, Vacca completed a Supply Chain internship at NRS Inc. and will apply his data analytics background this summer as a Tolling Technology & Data Analytics Intern within the Tunnels, Bridges, and Terminals department at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.