UA News

Aleksey Chernobelskiy arrived in the U.S. about 10 years ago unable to speak English and following a family dream to excel academically and professionally.

Aleksey Chernobelskiy's family left their native Russia 10 years ago in pursuit of better access to education. 

Chernobelskiy recalled arriving in Tucson speaking no English, but he and his brother were dedicated to his parents' desire that they strive to achieve academically.

"The move was made for several reasons, but mainly my parents wanted my brother and me to experience the American Dream," said Moscow-born Chernobelskiy, a University of Arizona senior and Honors College student majoring in finance, accounting, economics and mathematics. 

"In Russia, college is not for everyone," Chernobelskiy said, noting that unless one has the financial means, attending college often is out of reach.

Chernobelskiy began learning English through books his teachers assigned him and, since then, he has found many more opportunities in the U.S. 

Today, Chernobelskiy, who conducts research and does day trading, attends the UA full time along with his older brother, Roman Chernobelskiy, who is studying computer science and mathematics.

Aleksey Chernobelskiy recently returned from Harvard University, where he completed the institution's highly-competitive Summer Venture in Management Program. 

He was the first UA student in the program's history to complete the program, a week of management training for rising university seniors.

"I just worked hard and wanted to see where it would take me," he said, adding that he has already begun taking doctorate-level courses, though he has yet to earn his undergraduate degree. 

Chernobelskiy hopes to publish his thesis, a project that involves investigating the market reaction to the required expensing of employee stock options. Long-term, he intends to work in business but also has a strong desire to become a professor.

But after graduating in May 2012, he will pursue graduate studies, and Harvard Business School is his first choice.

"My main goal is to be doing something that impacts peoples' lives," he said. "How I am going to achieve that? I am not sure, but there are several routes I can take. I want to change the world."