The Alumni Files - Giulianna Nehme
As we continue our new series, The Alumni Files, we’re excited to feature our next alum, Giulianna Nehme.
"My name is Giulianna Nehme and I graduated from Marist College in 2024 and I miss it every day. One fun fact is that when I toured Marist as a high school senior, I spoke with Professor Brown about MPorium. That conversation played a huge role in my decision to attend Marist! I also had the honor of being the cover star for the 2024 issue of Measure Magazine.
I joined MPorium during the second semester of my junior year as a member of the Visual Merchandising team. I immediately fell in love with the creative and strategic nature of the work, which led me to reapply for my senior year. That fall, I shared the role of Visual Merchandising Student Lead with my classmate, Sydney. During my final semester, I was honored to serve as the Student Director of Visual Merchandising.
One of the most valuable lessons I learned through MPorium was the importance of teamwork. Working cross-functionally across teams fostered a creative environment where everyone’s ideas were heard and valued. These experiences not only enhanced my professional skills but also broadened my perspective in meaningful ways. Another valuable lesson from MPorium was understanding consumer behavior. Observing how customers interacted with the space taught me how to optimize traffic flow, product placement, and visual hierarchy, skills that have proven essential in my current work.
MPorium prepared me far beyond what I could have imagined for my career. Being part of an experiential learning class that mirrored real-world professional settings gave me the confidence to transition into the workforce. Tackling challenges head-on and working collaboratively to find solutions equipped me with the problem-solving skills I use daily in my current role.
I now work at Moroccanoil as a Visual Merchandising Coordinator. My experience with MPorium directly translates to my current responsibilities, which include creating planograms and designing merchandising spaces around the world. My projects range from developing planograms for retailers in North America to designing immersive 3D experiences in Milan, Italy.
While my current role differs in scope, many of the foundational lessons I learned at MPorium continue to guide me. One key takeaway was the importance of visual storytelling, using signage and displays to capture consumer attention and communicate key product messages. Just as my MPorium team and I created eye-catching visuals and strategic signage for the store, I now apply those same principles to enhance global retail environments at Moroccanoil.
Some of my favorite memories from MPorium were the renovation weekends leading up to major grand openings. The teamwork, creativity, and shared sense of accomplishment made those experiences unforgettable. I built lasting friendships with my classmates, and we still keep in touch, often reminiscing about our time at MPorium and everything we created together."
