ASU grad advocates for access and sustainability

Editor’s note: This is part of a series of profiles for spring 2019 commencement.

Noel von Mizener has always been passionate about sharing her love for education with others.

Majoring in supply chain management and business law with a certificate in applied business data analytics, von Mizener kept busy during her time at Arizona State University doing what she could to help K–12 students and make a sustainable difference.

Von Mizener started working with Access ASU on its campus visits team before the start of her junior year and was drawn to the team’s commitment to preparing Arizona students for success after high school and opening up access to higher education.

“Campus visits specifically felt like the perfect team for me because it enabled me to interact with thousands of students and help support the mission of creating an environment where education is accessible for everyone regardless of your socio-economic background. Through campus visits I was able to work with and hopefully inspire Arizona K–12 students to pursue their passions, so they can make a difference too, which I know they will.”

Along with education, von Mizener was a leader in Undergraduate Student Government at ASU’s West campus and Well Devils West. She was involved with Honors Devils, Business Ambassadors, A New Leaf and the Supply Chain Management Association, and she was also very interested in sustainability.

“Sustainability has always been something I have been passionate about, and ASU has enabled me to pursue this further.”

With the opportunities she found at ASU, von Mizener was able to do everything she could to try and create a more sustainable world.

“I was able to research through my Barrett thesis on sustainability in supply management,” she said. “I concluded that corporations have a responsibility to their consumers, the planet, society and the economy to pursue sustainable solutions through the use of the most powerful digital technologies.”

As she prepares to graduate, von Mizener talked with ASU Now about what she learned at ASU over the past four years, what advice she can give to those still in school and what the future holds for her.

Question: What was your “aha” moment, when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

Answer: My “aha” moment came much later in my college experience. I always knew I was meant to study business. My whole life my mom owned her own business out of our house, and watching her grow that business inspired me to want to be a powerful businesswoman like her.

Also, growing up, my dad always had the best legal mind I had ever seen. His love and passion for the subject amazed me. So I chose business law.

However, when I took my first supply chain course, I knew supply chain was what I was meant to do. Supply chain connects everything in this world: people, the planet, animals, everything. This field enables me to make a global impact while challenging myself to become the best version of myself. Supply chain has shown me how I can better serve my community and the environment more responsibly and effectively.

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: Something I learned at ASU is how important it is to build a support system and a network. I came into college thinking I could do everything on my own, but I quickly realized surrounding myself with strong, like-minded people would help me in bettering myself and my community.

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: I was born and raised here in Arizona, and I have always loved Arizona, so that was a big factor in why I chose Arizona to stay close to my family. Also, my older brother, Oliver, went to ASU for his undergrad three years before I started at ASU, and he has always been a big inspiration to me, so I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

When I first visited ASU, it was clear that community and diversity was central to the culture here, which I absolutely loved. Also, I was fortunate enough to receive the Obama Scholarship to attend ASU, which just amplified the feeling that coming here was meant to be.

Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?

A: This is such a hard question for me to answer, as I have met so many professors at ASU who changed my life in small but significant ways, even though they probably don’t know that they did.

However, during my sophomore year, I took ACC 231 with Professor Donald Frost. I truly struggled in that class, because it was different from anything I had learned before, and it did not come naturally for me, making me question whether or not I should even be in business.

Professor Frost believed in me, encouraged me and listened to me. As I look back, I realize he taught me that listening and showing empathy is one of the greatest forms of kindness. He always pushed me to my greatest potential, and I will always be thankful for that.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: My best piece of advice for students still in school comes from one of my favorite quotes: “Have courage and be kind.”

Life, school and every obstacle you encounter may be trying, but through passion and perseverance you will pull through.

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: My favorite spot on campus is Dean’s Patio at W. P. Carey. I have some of my favorite memories from Dean’s Patio. It has always been a great place to work, hang out with friends and be a part of the business community at ASU.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I am fortunate to be able to say that I have accepted an offer with my dream company. I will be working at Deloitte, a consulting firm, as a solutions analyst in their Enterprise Operations Department in Gilbert in their brand-new U.S. Delivery Center.

I am also planning to go back to school to continue my education in supply-chain management and sustainability.

Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?

A: I would invest it in sustainability research and development to tackle issues such as climate change and human rights around the world.

Written by Sun Devil Storyteller Austin Davis, EOSS Marketing