2018 Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Biography: Kristin Dermenjian is a fourth-year Business Economics major. A Los Angeles native, she grew up in Glendale and attended Glendale Community College before transferring to UCLA. While at GCC, she published her own research and presented at conferences at Stanford, UC Irvine, and UC Riverside.

After transferring to UCLA, Kristin not only focused on her academic development, but also looked for ways to further her career and get involved at UCLA. During the Summer of 2018, Kristin interned in the Treasury Department at Qualcomm. There she worked alongside professionals in different departments in corporate finance and collaborated with university students from all over the world.

Her senior year, she took on the role as a Peer Learning Facilitator at Advanced Academic Placement. She facilitates 6 sessions weekly where students review concepts from their upper division Microeconomic Theory class. Additionally, she is the Public Relations Chair for UCLA’s Armenian Student Association. Kristin’s involvement in this club allows her to immerse herself in her Armenian heritage and culture, as well as connect with peers.

Future Plans: Kristin will be joining the Operational Transactions Services (OTS) team of Ernst & Young’s Transaction Advisory Services (TAS) group. She will be working alongside professionals to assist in mergers & acquisitions throughout the West Coast. After a few years of gaining experience in the consulting field, Kristin plans to continue her education through an MBA.  With the skills and knowledge acquired through her experiences at UCLA, Ernst & Young, and future graduate programs and endeavors, she hopes to become an Economics professor.

What does this scholarship mean to me?: I am honored to receive the Robert D. & Margaret A. Wark Memorial Scholarship. I would like to thank the Wark Family for their generosity in funding this scholarship and helping students like me pursue their education at UCLA. Receiving this scholarship motivates me to maintain my high GPA and complete my degree without worrying about the financial burden that comes along with higher education. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to continue contributing to the community and focus on pursuing a career in consulting. I am grateful for the Wark Family’s confidence and willingness to help me achieve my goals.