Fairfield Dolan Senior Named Among Poets & Quants’ Best & Brightest of 2026

Brandon Ciarlo ’26 earned national recognition as one of the top 100 undergraduate business students of the year.

Now in its 11^th year, Poets & Quants’ list of Best and Brightest Business Majors honors 100 seniors from colleges and universities across the country. To compile the list, Poets & Quants—a leading digital media outlet covering business schools and management education—invited a select group of institutions to nominate students, encouraging consideration of areas such as academic excellence and extracurricular leadership. The list of this year’s honorees features extraordinary business students who have left a lasting impact on their programs and communities.

“I was really honored that people within Fairfield believed in me and saw my potential,” said Brandon Ciarlo of his nomination and appointment to the 2026 list. “Being part of this group of students felt incredibly rewarding.”

A Foundation for Success

A senior in the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, Ciarlo is preparing to graduate this May with dual degrees in finance and accounting. Throughout his time at Fairfield, he has approached his college experience with curiosity, discipline, and a strong commitment to community—propelling both his academic success and his personal and professional growth.

According to Ciarlo, the people are what make the Fairfield experience meaningful. “Dolan and Fairfield shaped me through the professors and students around me,” he said. “Everyone pushes you to be your best self, and that creates a recipe for success.”

Ciarlo credits faculty mentorship and Fairfield’s campus-wide culture of encouragement as a major influence on his journey and development, particularly the guidance of Kara Hunter, PhD, associate professor of accounting, and Francis Reed ’86, visiting instructor of finance.

Dr. Hunter encouraged Ciarlo to explore new interests and to expand his academic path by pursuing a second major in accounting. Reed, himself a 1986 business school alumnus, taught Ciarlo’s “Seminar in Finance” course and stood out for his dedication to student success and his willingness to connect students with professional opportunities.

Leading with Purpose

Beyond the classroom, Ciarlo has been actively involved in campus leadership and service work. As president of Fairfield’s Student Managed Investment Fund, he led a team of more than 40 students who actively manage a portion of the University’s endowment. He also served as an officer of Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society.

Through Campus Ministry, he led Kairos retreats and performed as a music ministry guitarist. He also volunteered annually with Special Olympics through The Dream Ride, one of the region’s largest fundraising initiatives dedicated to promoting inclusion and providing opportunities for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Ciarlo’s engagement across the University has deepened his understanding of the importance of community. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that technical skills matter, but relationships and character matter more,” he said.

In 2025, Ciarlo was named one of Fairfield Dolan’s 30 Under 30, yet another recognition of his academic achievement, societal impact, and professional development.

Advice and What’s Next

When asked what advice he would offer other students, Ciarlo said he would encourage them to embrace vulnerability and take advantage of every opportunity at Fairfield and beyond. “Put yourself out there,” he said. “Say yes to opportunities and focus on building relationships.”

Following Commencement, Ciarlo plans to further his learning through Vanguard’s Corporate Finance Program. Eager to begin his finance career, he hopes to build on the strong foundation he has developed at Fairfield and carry forward the skills, learning, and relationships he has cultivated along the way.

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