When Maia Zeilman (‘29 entrepreneurship and finance major and insight selling minor) welcomed high school students to the University of Dayton School of Business Administration’s Female Aspiring Business Scholars (FABS) Summer Camp this summer, she saw a little of herself in each of them.
Just two years earlier, as a rising high school senior, she had arrived at the same camp questioning whether she belonged in business. This summer she returned as a camp leader, mentoring young students through the same experience that helped launch her own journey.
That full-circle moment reflects the lasting impact of FABS, a donor-supported summer program that introduces high school students to business through hands-on learning, faculty mentorship and leadership development.
Finding Confidence as a High School Camper
"I remember my first day of FABS. I was so nervous," said Zeilman. "I actually called my dad crying because I thought, 'I can't do this.'"
As the camp progressed, those doubts began to fade.
While exploring different business disciplines, Zeilman discovered an unexpected interest in finance. Encouragement from faculty, including associate professor of economics Nancy Haskell, helped her recognize strengths she hadn't seen in herself.
"For the first time, I thought, 'Maybe I can do hard things,'” she said.
The experience also helped her picture herself at Dayton.
"I knew I wanted to go to UD while I was at FABS," Zeilman said. "It stopped feeling like this big, scary place and started feeling like somewhere that could become home."
That confidence continued to grow during her first year in the School of Business Administration.
A First Year Full of Firsts
With encouragement from faculty and advisors, Zeilman joined professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, became a sales associate with FlyBy in Flyer Enterprises, studied economics in Amsterdam through an integrated study abroad program, earned a role as a Dean's Ambassador and won the Flyer Pitch Elevator Round during her first semester.
"I was very hesitant to compete in Flyer Pitch because I was only a freshman and the only time I'd pitched anything was at FABS," she said. "But I did it anyway, and I ended up winning."
Giving Back as a Camp Leader
Returning as a FABS camp leader gave her the opportunity to invest in students who reminded her of herself.
"FABS was probably the most influential experience I've had," Zeilman said. "It helped me grow in confidence and skills, and I wanted other students to feel what I felt."
One camper she connected with especially stood out.
After watching Zeilman demonstrate how to do a business pitch, the camper repeatedly asked how Zeilman remembered everything and managed her nerves. Zeilman encouraged her to focus less on memorizing every word and more on believing in her ideas.
By the end of FABS, the camper confidently delivered her end-of-camp presentation without relying on note cards.
"She absolutely killed it," Zeilman said. "Watching her realize, 'Wow, I actually did it,' was probably my favorite moment as a camp leader."
Discovering the Leader Within
The FABS Camp Leader experience reminded Zeilman how much she had grown in just two years.
"When I was a camper, I compared myself to everyone else," she said. "Now I've realized everyone has different strengths. You really can't compare yourself."
That lesson continues to shape her leadership style and reflects what she believes makes the University of Dayton different.
"Our community is different because everyone genuinely wants to help you succeed," she said. "Even in competitive situations, people are still cheering you on."
A Lasting Impact
Thanks to the generosity of alumni and donors, FABS gives students an early introduction to business while building the confidence to lead, take risks and discover what's possible.
As she reflected on her own experience, Zeilman offered this advice to the next generation of campers:
"I would tell my high school self to take it all in," she said. "I hope this year's campers leave knowing how amazing UD is and how many people here are rooting for them."
