Accounting Scholars Development Program 2013

Accounting Scholars Development Program

2013

July 7th - 11th, 2013 - University of Denver - Denver, Colorado

2 0 1 3 A SDP A gen da July -7, 2013 - July 11, 2013 July 07, 2013 SuMo TuWe Th Fr Sa University of Denver - Denver, Colorado1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 July 13, 2013 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

August 2

July 2013

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Monday

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Tuesday

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8am - Breakfast Nelson

8 am

8am Campus Breakfas Saftey Nelson

8am Breakfast Nelson

8:45am Group Photo

9 00

9am - Bob Hickman-"Career Planning: The Road Ahead" DCB 300

Application Process DCB 300 Panel Discussion of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and transfer processes

9-10am AICPA Presentation Joy Burns 229

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10:30am - 11:30pm Financial Literacy DCB 300

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1pm Bus Departs 1:30-3:30 1:30pm Check-in Bus at Nagel Leaves for DU

Deloitte

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1-3pm Resume Workshop DCB 345

4:30pm - Team Building Activity Marcus Commons

6pm - Welcome BBQ Marcus Commons

3:30 Bus Departs

3-5pm - Career Success Panel DCB 300

4-5pm Internship Discussion Joy Burns 229

4:30pm Bus Departs

Change Clothes

Change Clothes

5:30pm - 7:30 pm Wellness Activity at Coors Fitness Center

5:30-7:30 Network 5:50-7pm Receptio Mock 6-7pm Dinner Marcus Interview Nelson Hall Common

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12pm Bus Departs

2:30-4:30pm Tour Coors Field 3:30-4:30 Orientation, DCB 140

5-6pm Explore DU's Campus, Visit Bookstore,

7pm Work on Cases 7:30pm Dinner Marcus Commons 8pm - Work on Cases

9 00

7:30-9:30pm Etiquette Dinner Joy Burns

9pm Work on Cases 9:30pm Work on Ca

10 00

Back to Nagel

Back to Nagel

10:30-11:30am Closing of ASDP Joy Burns 229 Load Buses

2pm Bus Departs

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10:30-2pm Visit Ernst & Young Offices

12pm - Lunch Marcus Commons

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9-10:30am Case Presentations Joy Burns 229

10am Bus Departs

11:30pm - Lunch Nelson

12 pm

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11-12pm Tax Specialty

8am Breakfas Nelson

Thursday

Back to Nagel

Back to Nagel

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S un d a y, Jul y 7, 2013 We l c o me a nd O rient at ion

Dr. Sharon Lassar, Program Director, welcomes scholars to the 2013 program and introduces the assistants and counselors.

Sunday, Jul y 7, 2013 Te am Buil ding Ac t ivit y K athleen Da visson, Assista nt Direc to r of the S cho o l o f Ac c ounta nc y a nd ASDP P rogram A ssista nt, lea d s a c ommunity ser vic e te am b u ild ing a c tivity p utting to gether tricycle s.

S un d a y, Jul y 7, 2013 We l come Barbeque S c h o l a r s g e t a c q u a inted w ith fir m rep resenta tives, p r o g r a m p r e senters, a nd fellow sc hola rs.

M o nday, Jul y 8 Well n e s s A c t iv it y at C oors F it ness C e nter The C oors Fitness Center, h ouse d in DU’s Ritchie Center teaches the scholars about fitness and wellness using their rock climbing wall.

Add photo of Ritchie Center here

Tue s d a y, Jul y 9 N etwor k in g Re c ept ion an d M o c k I n t e r views

Scholars participate in mock interviews with accounting professionals. While waiting to interview, they mingle with professionals at a networking reception.

Tue sday, Jul y 9 E t iq uet t e D inner

Mary Medley, President and CEO of the Colorado Society of CPAs, helps scholars learn the ins and outs of proper dinner etiquette.

We d nesday, Jul y 10 C o ors F iel d Tour

The scholars visit downtown for a behind-the-scenes tour of Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies.

We d n e sday, Jul y 10 Vis it t o Er nst and Young

The scholars escape to downtown Denver for a visit with Ernst and Young.

T h ur sday, Jul y 11 C a s e Present at ions

Groups of scholars present their findings from their intensive case study to judges from Big 4 Firms.

A S D P Spea ker s a n d Pa n e l s C are e r P l anning: The R oad A he ad Bob Hickman, former National Partner for HR and Recruiting at a Top 6 accounting firm, discusses professionalism and careers in accounting.

Tax S pe c ial ty Colette M. Gagnet, manager in the Strategic Federal Tax Serivces Group at Grant Thornton, tells scholars about the tax-specific realm of accounting.

Financ ial L ite rac y Ronald Thompkins, a practicing public accountant since 1972 and former AICPA board member, discusses how money works and how to develop the skills needed to make informed financial decisions.

A S D P Spea ker s a n d Pa n e l s T h e Applicatio n Proc e ss Speakers from across the University of Denver discuss the process of applying, getting admitted, and attending a four year university. Speakers include: Kathleen Davisson, Assistant Director, School of Accountancy Jessica Drelles, Academic and Program Advisor, Daniels College of Business Virginia Egan, Transfer Coordinator, Office of Admissions Heidi Markey, Associate Director, Financial Aid Marilyn Hughes, Financial Officer, Daniels College of Business

C ar ee r Success P a ne l Speakers from major companies and accounting firms help students understand what it takes to be successful in the field of accounting. Panelists include: Victor Amaya, ClearPath Accountants, LLC Gary Walker, Coors Brewing Andrew Sanchez, Clifton Larson Allen, LLP Deb Smith, Deloitte Kristina Johnson, KPMG Abby Loera, Ernst & Young

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Am auri D iaz - A l m onte

Amauri Diaz wa s b or n i n S a n t o Dom i n g o, Dom i n i c a n Re p u b l i c a n d c ame t o t he U. S . i n 2008. H e c u r r e n t ly a t t e n d s B r on x Co m m u n i t y Co ll ege as a b u si n e ss a d m i n i st r a t i on a n d a c c ou n t i n g m a j o r. A m a u r i has been high ly a c t i ve i n sc h ool a s a n a c c ou n t i n g t u t or, v i c e - p r e s i d e n t o f t he Ec o no mi c C lu b a n d a m e m b e r of t h e Alp h a B e t a G a m m a Ho n o r So c iet y. Upo n g r a d u a t i n g wi t h a n a ssoc i a t e ' s d e g r e e , Ama u r i p l a n s t o c o mpl et e a ba c h e lor ’s d e g r e e i n a c c ou n t i n g so h e c a n p u r s u e a c a r e e r as a CPA. On e d a y, h e p la n s t o r u n h i s own b u si n e ss so h e c a n b e t t e r c o nt ro l his fut u r e a n d h e lp p e op le i n n e e d .

Ar m ando A l vare z

Ar mando Al v ar e z wa s b or n a n d r a i se d i n S ou t h e r n C a li f o r n i a b u t i s c urrent l y at t en d i n g sc h ool a t S a n Jose C i t y C olle g e i n S a n J o s e , C A , where he has m a i n t a i n e d a 4. 0 G PA. In t h e fa ll 2013 se me s t e r, h e w i l l be ret ur ning t o S ou t h e r n C a li for n i a t o c om p le t e t h e r e m a i n d e r o f h i s c redit s, in h op e s of t r a n sfe r r i n g t o C a li for n i a S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y No r t hridge whe r e h e wi ll ob t a i n a B . S . i n Ac c ou n t a n c y. Ar m a n d o h o p e s t o , o ne day, b e c om e a C PA a n d wor k for on e of t h e B i g 4 a c c o u n t i n g fir ms. I n t he m e a n t i m e , h e c on t i n u e s t o foc u s on sc h ool a n d p l a n f o r t h e fut ure.

Wa leed A rif

Waleed Arif i s c u r r e n t ly a t t e n d i n g S ola n o C om m u n i t y Co l l e g e i n Fair field, Cali for n i a . H e p la n s t o t r a n sfe r t o a 4-ye a r c olle g e n e x t y e a r t o majo r in bu si n e ss a d m i n i st r a t i on / e c on om i c s. F r om th i s p r o g r a m , Waleed has ga i n e d su b st a n t i a l kn owle d g e a b ou t t h e fi e ld o f a c c o u n t i n g whic h will gre a t ly e n h a n c e h i s a b i li t y t o a c h i e ve h i s fu t u r e g o a l s .

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Oscar Ayal a

Osc ar Ayala i s fr om t h e n or t h e r n p a r t of C a li for n i a ’s C en t r a l Va l l e y.

H e graduat ed wi t h h on or s fr om B u t t e C olle g e wi t h a d e g r e e i n s o c i a l and behav io ral sc i e n c e . H e a lso h old s a fu ll t i m e j ob a s a d e p a r t m e n t manager at Wa l-M a r t . Osc a r r e c e n t ly swi t c h e d h i s m a j o r f r o m so c io lo gy t o bu si n e ss a d m i n i st r a t i on a ft e r r e a li z i n g t h a t t h e p o w e r t o help peo pl e c an a lso c om e i n t h e for m of b u si n e ss−b u si n e s s w i t h e t h i c s and c o mpassi on . Aft e r a p osi t i ve e xp e r i e n c e wi t h a p h e n o m e n a l ac c o unt ing in st r u c t or, h e i s n ow c on si d e r i n g t h e C PA p r o f e s s i o n .

Osc ar is plann i n g on a t t e n d i n g C h i c o S t a t e Un i ve r si t y t o w o r k o n h i s bac helo r’s de g r e e , a n d e ve n t u a lly h i s m a st e r s. Du r i n g h i s f r e e t i m e , Osc ar enjo ys p la yi n g a s we ll a s wa t c h i n g soc c e r, r o l l e r b l a d i n g , wal k ing his do g , a n d sp e n d i n g t i m e wi t h h i s fa m i ly.

Eb ony Bail e y

Ebo ny B ailey i s fr om C olor a d o S p r i n g s, C O . Up on g r a d u a t i n g f r o m P ik es P eak C om m u n i t y C olle g e , sh e p la n s t o p u r su e a b a c h e l o r ' s degree in acc ou n t i n g or fi n a n c e .

Eb on y' s p a ssi on i s p r o v i d i n g guidanc e t o you t h wh o a r e b u lli e d . An a c t i ve p a r t i c i p a nt w i t h i n P h i B et a Lamdba, Eb on y e n j oys wor ki n g wi t h n u m b e r s an d s o l v i n g c hal lenging fi n a n c i a l i ssu e s. S h e i s c u r r e n t ly t a ki n g su m m e r c l a s s e s and pl ans t o at t e n d t h e Un i ve r si t y of C olor a d o i n C olor a d o S p r i n g s .

Megan B arr

B efo re t he fall of 2012, M e g a n wa s u n su r e of h e r n e xt ca r e e r m o v e .

Aft er c o mpl et i n g h e r fi r st a c c ou n t i n g c la ss, sh e kn e w t h at p u r s u i n g a c areer in t he a c c ou n t i n g p r ofe ssi on wa s h e r b e st op t i on .

Although she enjo yed a j ob t h a t p r ovi d e d e xc i t i n g t r a ve li n g a c r oss t h e c o u n t r y, Megan dec ide d t o st op wor k. Th e n , sh e e n r olle d i n t o a n a c c o u n t i n g pro gram.

M e g a n p la n s t o t r a n sfe r t o a u n i ve r si t y o u t s i d e o f Cal ifo r nia; T he Un i ve r si t y of Te xa s a t Au st i n a n d B r i gh a m Yo u n g Univ ersit y are h e r t op c h oi c e s. M e g a n i s e xc i t e d a b ou t p u r s u i n g a c areer as a CPA so sh e c a n st a r t li vi n g t h e li fe sh e e n vi si o n s .

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s P hillicia Care y

P hil lic ia Carey li ve s j u st ou t si d e of Wa sh i n g t on , DC wh e r e s h e r e c e n t l y graduat ed from Pr i n c e G e or g e ' s C om m u n i t y C olle g e wi t h h i g h h o n o r s .

She is a v er y a c t i ve st u d e n t wh o h a s h e ld m e m b e r sh i p s w i t h P h i T h e t a Kappa, Wo me n of Wi sd om , a n d Th e H on or s Ac a d e m y. S h e h a s b e e n ac c ept ed fo r t r a n sfe r t o Am e r i c a n Un i ve r si t y a s a S o u t h e r n Management S c h ola r sh i p r e c i p i e n t wh e r e sh e p la n s t o e a r n a bac helo r's deg r e e i n a c c ou n t i n g . Ph i lli c i a ' s u lt i m a t e g oa l i s t o e a r n a mast er's degr e e i n b u si n e ss a d m i n i st r a t i on a n d t o b e co m e a C PA .

During her fre e t i m e , sh e e n j oys e n g a g i n g i n a c t i vi t i e s t h a t i n c l u d e writ ing, v ideo g r a p h y, r e a d i n g , a n d wor ki n g on c om p u te r s w i t h h e r husband.

Ro dney Castil l o

B o r n in Lo s An g e le s, C . A. , R od n e y Ab r a h a m C a st i llo n o w r e s i d e s i n H o mest ead, FL . R od n e y r e c e i ve d a n a ssoc i a t e ’s d e g r e e i n a c c o u n t i n g fro m Miami Da d e C olle g e wh e r e h e wa s t r e a su r e r of t h e s t u d e n t go v er nment . R od n e y’s p a ssi on i s h e lp i n g you t h u n de r s t a n d t h e impo r t anc e of b u si n e ss a n d fi n a n c e .

As a m e m b e r o f t h e Fu t u r e B usiness Leade r s of Am e r i c a C lu b , R od n e y wa s a b le t o c o m p e t e a n d bec o me fami li a r wi t h b a n ki n g a n d fi n a n c i a l a ssi st an c e , w h i c h generat ed an i n t e r e st i n t h e b u si n e ss fi e ld . H e a lso p la c e d s e c o n d i n a c ase c o mpet it i on c a lle d N e t wor k for Te a c h i n g En t r e p r e n e u r s h i p w h e r e he lear ned t h e i m p or t a n c e of e n t r e p r e n e u r sh i p . R od n e y h a s b e e n ac c ept ed t o t he Un i ve r si t y of De n ve r a n d t h e Un i ve r si t y of Fl o r i d a . He will pursue a b a c h e lor ’s a n d m a st e r ’s d e g r e e i n a c c ou n t i n g . R o d n e y plans t o bec o m e a C PA so h e c a n c on t i n u e t o e m p owe r h i s c o m m u n i t y.

Muha m m e d Ce e say

Muhammed is or i g i n a lly fr om Th e G a m b i a , We st Afr i c a , a n d i s t h e f i r s t in his famil y t o r e c e i ve for m a l e d u c a t i on . M u h a m m e d i s a r e c e n t graduat e fro m B r on x C om m u n i t y C olle g e wi t h a n a ssoc i a t e ’s d e g r e e i n business adm i n i st r a t i on a n d a c c ou n t i n g . As a st u d e n t , M u h a m m e d wo rk ed w it h or g a n i z a t i on s on c a m p u s su c h a s t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l St udent s c lub, Ph i Th e t a K a p p a H on or S oc i e t y-L a m b d a N u Ch a p t e r a n d Alpha B at a Ga m m a H on or S oc i e t y. H e se r ve d a s Vi c e -Pr e s i d e n t o f t h e B usiness Club . H e i s a st u d e n t m e m b e r of t h e Am e r i c an I n s t i t u t e o f Cer t ified P ubl i c Ac c ou n t i n g . M u h a m m e d h a s b e e n a c c e p t e d i n t o t h e Zic k lin Sc ho ol of B u si n e ss a t B a r u c h C olle g e wh e r e h e w i l l p u r s u e a bac helo r’s and m a st e r ’s d e g r e e i n a c c ou n t i n g . M u h a m m e d ’s d r e a m i s t o bec o me a CPA a n d wor k for a r e p u t a b le a n d p r e st i g i ous C PA f i r m s o he c an t ransfe r t h e kn owle d g e a n d e xp e r i e n c e t o h e lp o t h e r s i n h i s c o unt r y and ot h e r p a r t s of Afr i c a .

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Gera ld ine Cook

Geraldine is or i g i n a lly fr om M a n i la , Ph i li p p i n e s a n d h a s b e e n i n t h e U.S. sinc e 20 06. G e r a ld i n e i s wor ki n g on h e r a ssoc i a t e ’s d e g r e e i n business at Ohlon e C olle g e i n F r e m on t , C A. As a m e m b e r o f P h i T h e t a Kappa - B et a Ta u M u c h a p t e r, G e r a ld i n e h a s h e ld t wo offi ce r p o s i t i o n s - sec ret ar y and vi c e p r e si d e n t . S h e p la n s t o t r a n sfe r t o S a n J o s e S t a t e Univ ersit y t o g e t a b a c h e lor ' s d e g r e e i n b u si n e ss a d m i ni s t r a t i o n o r ac c o unt ing.

G e r a ld i n e i s g r a t e fu l a n d p r ou d t o b e a n a c c o u n t i n g sc ho l ar and sh e i s h i g h ly i n t e r e st e d i n le a r n i n g m or e a b o u t w h a t ac c o unt ant s do b e si d e s p r e p a r e t a xe s.

Marga rita Fine m an

Margarit a Fin e m a n wa s b or n i n S a n F r a n c i sc o, C a li for n i a , t h e t h i r d o f fiv e c hildren. S h e a t t e n d s Di a b lo Va lle y C olle g e , a c om m u n i t y c o l l e g e in P l easant Hi ll, C a li for n i a , wh e r e sh e st u d i e s e c on om i c s. M a r g a r i t a ho pes t o t ran sfe r i n t h e F a ll of 2014.

O n e d a y, wi t h t h e h e l p , enc o uragemen t , a n d su p p or t fr om h e r lovi n g fa m i ly, M a r ga r i t a h o p e s t o bec o me a t a x a t t or n e y j u st li ke h e r m ot h e r a n d u n c le . S h e l o v e s sc ho o l and lea r n i n g a b ou t b e c om i n g a C PA. M a r g a r i t a a l s o l i k e s t o t r y exo t ic fo od wi t h h e r si st e r, wa t c h m ovi e s wi t h h e r b r o t h e r s , a n d c heer o n t he S a n F r a n c i sc o G i a n t s wi t h h e r fa t h e r.

Ro ber to G al van

R o ber t is c o mp le t i n g h i s Assoc i a t e s De g r e e a t Ar a p a h oe Co m m u n i t y Co ll ege and wi ll t r a n sfe r t o t h e Un i ve r si t y of De n ve r i n t he f a l l w h e r e will pursue a d u a l m a j or i n a c c ou n t i n g a n d fi n a n c e . H e m a i n t a i n s a 3.9 GPA. R o b e r t i s a st u d e n t m e m b e r of t h e AIC PA a n d C O C PA , a member o f t he Ph i Th e t a K a p p a , S i g m a Ph i c h a p t e r a n d th e N a t i o n a l H o no r and Me r i t S c h ola r S oc i e t y. W h e n h e i s n ot i n sc h oo l o r w o r k i n g full t ime, R o be r t e n j oys c yc li n g , we i g h t t r a i n i n g , a n d j og gi n g .

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Stanice G aspard

St anic e, bo r n i n S a i n t L u c i a , n ow r e si d e s i n B r ooklyn, N . Y. A graduat e wit h a A. S . d e g r e e i n Ac c ou n t i n g fr om L a G u a r d i a Co mmunit y Colle g e , N . Y. , S t a n i c e p la n s t o a t t e n d B a r u c h C o l l e g e t o pursue a dual B B A a n d M B A i n Ac c ou n t a n c y. G r owi n g u p , S t a n i c e frequent ly saw p e op le lose a sse t s d u e t o a la c k of fi n a n c i a l l i t e r a c y.

T his experience h a s m ot i va t e d h i m t o p u r su e c a r e e r s i n a c c o u n t i n g and financ e.

S t a n i c e h a s wor ke d i n t e r n sh i p s wi t h U BS We a l t h Management a s a F i n a n c i a l Ad vi sor ’s a ssi st a n t a n d t h e A m e r i c a n St o c k Transfer a n d Tr u st i n t h e a r e a of a c c ou n t i n g a n d f i n a n c e .

St anic e is a m e m b e r of t h e Ph i Th e t a K a p p a H on or s So c i e t y a n d LaGuardia’s Hon or S t u d e n t Ad vi sor y C om m i t t e e a n d St a n i c e w a s awarded t he 2013-14 AIC PA S c h ola r sh i p for M i n or i t y A c c o u n t i n g St udent s.

Ra sheed G raham

R asheed l iv es i n C e n t e n n i a l, C olor a d o a n d r e c e n t ly g r a d u a t e d f r o m Arapaho e Com m u n i t y C olle g e wi t h a n a ssoc i a t e ’s d e g r e e i n bro adband t e c h n i c a l m a n a g e m e n t . H e a lso h old s a n Ass o c i a t e ' s o f Applied Sc ien c e i n C om p u t e r N e t wor ki n g a n d a B a c h e lor ' s o f S c i e n c e in I nfo r mat io n S e c u r i t y fr om ITT Te c h n i c a l In st i t u t e . R a sh e e d w i l l b e t ransferring to Un i ve r si t y of De n ve r t h i s fa ll a n d wi l l m a j o r i n ac c o unt ing. H i s u lt i m a t e g oa l i s t o b e c om e a C PA. H e i s a m e m b e r o f t he P hi T he t a K a p p a h on or soc i e t y a n d i s Pr e si d e n t of A r a p a h o e ' s Sigma P hi c hap t e r. H e i s a lso a c t i ve i n N a t i on a l S oc i e t y of C o l l e g i a t e Sc ho l ars and t h e N a t i on a l H on or & M e r i t S c h ola r s S oc i e ty. I n 2 0 1 3 , he was no mina t e d t o t h e 2013 All-C olor a d o Ac a d e m i c Te a m .

Es m era l da Gutie rre z

Esmeral da is c u r r e n t ly a fu ll t i m e st u d e n t a t C a ñ a d a C o l l e g e i n R edw o o d Cit y, C A. Aft e r c om p le t i n g h e r fi r st a c c ou n t i n g c o u r s e , Esmeral da c h a n g e d h e r g oa l of ob t a i n i n g a c e r t i fi c a t e i n m e d i c a l bil ling t o pur su i n g a c a r e e r i n a c c ou n t i n g .

Th e t e a c hi n g o f a n insight ful and e xp r e ssi ve fe m a le p r ofe ssor i n flu e n c e d E s m e r a l d a ’s dec isio n.

Esm e r a ld a h a s e a r n e d n u m e r ou s h on or s a t C a ñ a d a Co ll ege inc l udi n g a p osi t i on on t h e 2012 De a n ’s L i st , a n e n t r y - l e v e l B o o k k eeper Ce r t i fi c a t e a s a S u m m a C u m L a u d e st u d e n t a n d t h e 2 0 1 3 Cañada Ac c ou n t i n g S c h ola r sh i p . Esm e r a ld a n ow fe e ls p r i v i l e g e d t o hav e been sele c t e d t o t h e AS DP C la ss of 2013. S h e i s e x c i t e d a b o u t pursuing a c ar e e r a s a C PA. Esm e r a ld a i s a p r ou d m ot h e r o f a 7 - y e a r o l d girl and a wi fe of a ve r y su p p or t i ve h u sb a n d .

She enjoys spending t ime ou t d oor s, r u n n i n g , a n d d oi n g p h ysi c a l e x e r c i s e ac t iv it ies.

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Jef f Ho bbs

Jeff resides in L os An g e le s, C A wh e r e h e i s a sop h om or e a t R i o Ho n d o Co ll ege majo r i n g i n b u si n e ss m a n a g e m e n t . H e i s t h e p r e s i d e n t o f R i o H o ndo 's c hapt e r Ph i B e t a L a m b d a .

Je ff p la n s t o t r a n s f e r t o t h e Univ ersit y o f S ou t h e r n C a li for n i a so h e c a n p u r su e h i s pa s s i o n f o r a c areer in t he sp or t s i n d u st r y. In 2013, Je ff c om p e t e d a t t h e P h i Be t a Lambda Califor n i a S t a t e C on fe r e n c e a g a i n st c h a p t e r s fr o m s c h o o l s suc h as USC, UC L A, UC S a n Di e g o, a n d UC B e r ke le y a n d p l a c e d 2 n d in t he Ac c o un t i n g An a lysi s a n d De c i si on M a ki n g e ve n t a n d 1 s t i n t h e Ac c o unt ing for Pr ofe ssi on a ls e ve n t . In la t e Ju n e , h e c om p e t e d i n t h o s e t wo ev ent s at t h e Ph i B e t a L a m b d a N a t i on a l L e a d e r sh i p C o n f e r e n c e i n Anaheim, CA a g a i n st st u d e n t s fr om c h a p t e r s a c r oss t h e n at i o n . J e f f i s a passio nat e sp or t s fa n , e sp e c i a lly for h i s B r on c os!

Maris ol H obbs

Mariso l is from L os An g e le s, C a li for n i a a n d h a s c om p l e t e d h e r asso c iat e deg r e e a t R i o H on d o C olle g e wh e r e sh e wa s t h e r e c i p i e n t o f t he 2012-2013 Ac c ou n t i n g S t u d e n t of t h e Ye a r a wa r d . S h e s e r v e d a s sec ret ar y fo r Ri o H on d o' s Ph i B e t a L a m b d a c h a p t e r, wa s n o m i n a t e d f o r t he Who 's Who a wa r d a n d e a r n e d 2n d p la c e i n a c a se p r e s e n t a t i o n at t he 2013 S t a t e B u si n e ss L e a d e r sh i p C on fe r e n c e . M a r i s o l h a s b e e n ac c ept ed t o th e Un i ve r si t y of C a li for n i a -Ir vi n e a n d a ft e r c o m p l e t i n g her bac helo r' s d e g r e e , sh e p la n s t o e a r n h e r M a st e r ' s d e g r e e i n Ac c o unt ing. U lt i m a t e ly, M a r i sol' s g oa l i s t o b e c om e a C PA . S h e i s c urrent l y employe d a t Wa sa t c h C or p or a t i on wh e r e sh e m a n a g e s inv ent o r y, ac cou n t s r e c e i va b le , p r od u c t d e ve lop m e n t , i m p o r t i n g a n d purc hasing. D u r i n g h e r fr e e t i m e , sh e e n j oys wa t c h i n g t he D o d g e r s , playing t ennis , sn owb oa r d i n g a n d sp e n d i n g t i m e wi t h h e r f a m i l y.

Zaina b J anne h

Zainab Janneh wa s b or n i n S i e r r a L e on e , We st Afr i c a a n d c u r r e n t l y liv es in B rent wood , C a li for n i a . Za i n a b won a Di ve r si t y Im m i g r a n t Vi s a lo t t er y o ut o f m i lli on s of p e op le i n 2008, wh i c h a u t om a t i c a l l y m a d e her a per ma n e n t US r e si d e n t . S h e r e c e n t ly g r a d u a t e d f r o m L o s Medano s Co l le g e i n Pi t t sb u r g , C A a n d wi ll b e t r a n sfe r r i n g t o U C B erk eley H aas S c h ool of B u si n e ss. S h e wi ll p u r su e h e r b a c h e l o r ’s degree in ac cou n t i n g a n d h e r u lt i m a t e g oa l i s t o e a r n h e r CPA l i c e n s e .

I n addit io n t o e a r n i n g ou t st a n d i n g g r a d e s, Za i n a b wor ks f u l l - t i m e a t a c o nv enienc e st or e wh e r e sh e m a n a g e s t h e c a sh i e r s a nd p r e p a r e s financ ial st at e m e n t s.

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Gabriel J ohnson

Gabriel , bo r n i n M i n n e sot a , i s c u r r e n t ly li vi n g i n N or t h e r n C a l i f o r n i a .

H e at t ends So la n o C om m u n i t y C olle g e wh e r e h e i s p u r su i n g a d u a l i n degree in ec on om i c s a n d a c c ou n t i n g . H e i s c on t e m p la t i n g t r a n s f e r r i n g t o t he Univ ersi t y of C a li for n i a , B e r ke ly t h i s fa ll. H i s g oa l i s t o p u r s u e a c areer as a C PA.

Maria L e on

Maria Leo n is or i g i n a lly fr om M e xi c o, b u t i s n ow li vi n g i n Ca l i f o r n i a wit h her family. M a r i a i s a g r a d u a t e of O h lon e C om m u n i ty Co l l e g e i n Fremo nt ,CA a n d h a s b e e n a c c e p t e d a s a st u d e n t a t C S U E a s t Ba y i n H ayw ard, CA. In a d d i t i on t o b e i n g a fu ll-t i m e st u d e n t , Ma r i a w o r k e d as a t ut o r in O h lon e ' s C olle g e ' s En g li sh L e a r n i n g C e n t e r an d a t M a c y s New park Mal l. M a r i a p la n s on b e c om i n g a C PA a n d h e r d r e a m i s t o o w n her o w n a c c ou n t i n g fi r m on e d a y.

Elena M ar tine z

Elena Mar t ine z i s fr om a p i c t u r e sq u e t own a t t h e b a se of t h e S a n g r e de Crist o Mo u n t a i n s c a lle d L a s Ve g a s, N e w M e xi c o. Ye s , t h e r e ' s a Vegas in New M e xi c o! S h e i s 18 ye a r s old a n d j u st g r a d u at e d w i t h a n asso c iat e's de g r e e i n b u si n e ss fr om L u n a C om m u n i t y C olle g e . S h e i s a member o f bo t h Ph i Th e t a K a p p a a n d Ph i Et a S i g m a h on o r s o c i e t i e s .

H er plans are t o a t t e n d t h e Un i ve r si t y of De n ve r a n d d ou b l e m a j o r i n ac c o unt ing and i n t e r n a t i on a l b u si n e ss. Ele n a i s a c t i ve i n s o c c e r a n d t rac k and t his su m m e r, sh e wi ll c om p e t e i n a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l f r i e n d l y so c c er mat c h i n Ic e la n d . In h e r sp a r e t i m e , sh e wor ke d a s a r e s e a r c h assist ant at Hi g h la n d ' s Un i ve r si t y wh e r e sh e a n a lyz e d d a t a u s i n g adv anc ed st at i st i c a l sofwa r e .

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Mar y M c Coy

Mar y Ayl a Mc C oy wi ll b e e n t e r i n g h e r sop h om or e ye a r at C o m m u n i t y Co ll ege o f De n ve r. S h e p la n s t o t r a n sfe r t o e i t h e r C olor a d o U n i v e r s i t y o r t he Univ er si t y of De n ve r. In h i g h sc h ool, M a r y wa s a m e m b e r o f H er mans del F u t u r t o, a st u d e n t or g a n i z a t i on wh i c h i s s p e c i f i c a l l y designed t o o ffe r p r ofe ssi on a l a n d le a d e r sh i p d e ve lop m e n t s k i l l s t o Lat ino high sch ool st u d e n t s i n t h e De n ve r a r e a . M a r y r e m a i n s e x c i t e d abo ut pursuing a c a r e e r i n b u si n e ss a n d a c c ou n t i n g .

Luis P a tl an

Luis Ant o nio P a t la n wa s b or n a n d r a i se d i n t h e S a n F e r n a nd o Va l l e y i n t he Lo s Angele s m e t r o a r e a . H e i s of M e xi c a n d e sc e n t a nd w a s r a i s e d in a bil ingual h om e t h a t i m p r e sse d u p on h i m t h e va lu e o f e d u c a t i o n .

H e c redit s hi s h i g h sc h ool c a lc u lu s t e a c h e r wi t h a w a k e n i n g h i s ac ademic c ur i osi t y a n d h i s d e si r e t o u n d e r st a n d t h e b e a u t y a n d c o mpl exit y o f t h e wor ld t h r ou g h n u m b e r s. H e a t t e n d e d L o s A n g e l e s Missio n Co l leg e wh e r e h e e a r n e d a n a ssoc i a t e ' s d e g r e e i n a c c o u n t i n g wit h a GPA of 3. 4.

He has decided to attend California State Univ ersit y, No r t h r i d g e , wh e r e h e wi ll m a j or i n a c c ou n t i ng a n d w o r k t o w ards his g oa l of b e c om i n g a C PA. In h i s fr e e t i me , h e e n j o y s playing ro c k g u i t a r a n d t a ki n g p a r t i n a c t i vi t i e s a t h i s c h u r c h .

Adam Pe rk ins

Adam P erk ins i s a j u n i or t r a n sfe r r i n g t o B a r u c h C olle g e w h e r e h e w i l l pursue a dual d e g r e e i n fi n a n c e a n d a c c ou n t i n g . H i s g oa l i s t o h a v e a c areer as an i n ve st m e n t b a n ke r. Ad a m a t t e n d s t h e Bo r o u g h o f Manhat t an Co m m u n i t y C olle g e i n N e w Yor k a n d h a s a n ov e r a l l G PA o f 3.6 and 3.9 fo r h i s m a j or. H e wa s t h e t r e a su r e r of B M C C ' s A c c o u n t i n g Cl ub and in 2010, h e fou n d e d Th e G a t e ke e p e r s In c . , a pr i v a t e s o c i a l c lub fo r yo u n g p r ofe ssi on a ls offe r i n g soc i a l, p r ofe s s i o n a l , a n d leadership de ve lop m e n t . Ad a m h a s d on e a n i n t e r n sh i p s a t P r u d e n t i a l I nsuranc e and G old m a n S a c h s a n d h e wa s r e c e n t ly se l e c t e d f o r a fell o w ship w ith M a n a g e m e n t L e a d e r s of Tom or r ow.

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Da vid Ponc e

Dav id P o nc e wa s b or n a n d r a i se d i n S ylm a r, C a li for n i a i n L o s A n g e l e s Co unt y w here h e a t t e n d e d L os An g e le s M i ssi on C olle g e i n S y l m a r. He plans t o t ransfe r t o C a li for n i a S t a t e Un i ve r si t y, N or t h r i d g e w h e r e h e will majo r in a c c ou n t i n g . As a p a st or ' s son , c h u r c h se r v e s a c e n t r a l ro le in Dav id' s li fe a n d h e a c t i ve ly se r ve s t wo c on g r e g a t i o n s , a s m a l l H ispanic c o ng r e g a t i on i n S a n F e r n a n d o, C A c a lle d Ig le si a Be t - e l a n d As Yo u Are Chu r c h i n R e se d a , C A. W h e n h e i sn ' t wor ki n g a t S i x Fl a g s in Valenc ia, C A or se r vi n g h i s c h u r c h , h e e n j oys Dod g e r b a s e b a l l a n d t he WWE. Davi d ' s u lt i m a t e c a r e e r g oa l i s t o b e c om e a C e r t i f i e d P u b l i c Ac c o unt ant .

Diana Pre ve z

Diana Prevez is originally from Cuba and has been in the United States for 4 years. She left Cuba when she was 19 years old and traveled to Spain where she lived for 2 years. She has worked hard, not only to sustain herself, but also to be able to send money to her family in Cuba. She mentioned that like most people in Cuba, her family lives in pover ty. To ear n money, she worked many jobs... as a telephone operator in a taxi station, as a secretar y for a real state agency, and as a home care attendant for two really special senior citizens. She usually worked two jobs at a time, one full-t ime and one par t-time. After two lonely years in Spain, having no possibility to study because of her low income and lack of financial aid, she decided to come to what she describes as this "amazing countr y" with a goal to study and become a professional in the United States of America. Diana has ear ned nearly per fect grades in college and even though she works two jobs, she still makes time to volunteer at a homeless shelter. Diana stated: "The goal of helping my family, who I treasure, and also others in my community who live in less than ideal conditions is what pushes me ever y day to wake up and fight for my dreams... using my books as my weapons."

Mayra R ojas

Mayra R o jas Pe r e z wa s b or n i n M e xi c o a n d m ove d t o Wa t s o n v i l l e , Cal ifo r nia abou t t e n ye a r s a g o. W h e n sh e st a r t e d c olle ge , s h e d i d n ’t k no w what she wa n t e d t o st u d y. In n i t i a lly sh e c h ose to b e c o m e a medic al assis t a n t a n d e a r n e d a n Assoc i a t e ' s De g r e e i n M e d i c a l Assist ing.

H owe ve r, sh e d e c i d e d t h a t a c c ou n t i n g wa s w h e r e h e r passio ns l ied, so sh e r e t u r n e d t o C a b r i llo C olle g e a n d e a r n e d a s e c o n d asso c iat e’s de g r e e i n g e n e r a l b u si n e ss a n d li b e r a l a r t s. N e x t f a l l , s h e ' l l be at t ending S a n Jose S t a t e Un i ve r si t y a n d wi ll wor k t o o b t a i n a B ac helo r’s De g r e e i n B u si n e ss Ad m i n i st r a t i on wi t h a C onc e n t r a t i o n i n Ac c o unt ing. I n h e r fr e e t i m e sh e li ke s t o li st e n t o m u si c a nd s p e n d t i m e wit h her bro t h e r a n d si st e r.

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Salvador R osal e s

Sal R o sal es i s fr om S a n Jose a n d c u r r e n t ly a t t e n d s S a n J o s e C i t y Co ll ege where h e i s on e se m e st e r a wa y fr om t r a n sfe r r i n g t o a f o u r y e a r univ ersit y. He h a s d e c i d e d t o m a j or i n a c c ou n t i n g a n d i s c h o o s i n g bet w een San Jose S t a t e Un i ve r si t y a n d S a n Di e g o S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y.

When he is not a t sc h ool h e h e lp s m a n a g e G u a d a la j a r a Fl o w e r s , a fl o w er sho p o wn e d a n d op e r a t e d b y h i s fa m i ly. H i s fa m i l y ' s b u s i n e s s inspired him t o st u d y a c c ou n t i n g a s h e c a m e t o u n d e r st a n d t h e n e e d f o r effic ienc y in t h e b u si n e ss. H e i s a lso i n volve d i n h i s c om m u n i t y a n d v o lunt eers w ith t h e C e n t e r for Em p loym e n t a n d Tr a i n i n g' s I m m i g r a n t and Cit izensh i p Pr og r a m wh e r e h e h e lp s t o t e a c h a c i t i z e n s h i p c l a s s and al so helps t o p r oc e ss c i t i z e n sh i p a p p li c a t i on s a n d De f e r r e d A c t i o n fo r Chil dho o d Ar r i va ls a p p li c a t i on s. H e p la n s t o b e c om e a C PA a n d help small bu si n e sse s, li ke h i s fa m i ly' s flowe r sh op , a tt a i n s u c c e s s t hro ugh effec t i ve a c c ou n t i n g .

Ayo deji S anusi

Ayo Sanus is a h i g h sc h ool st u d e n t i n Au r or a , C olor a d o a n d i s c o nc urrent l y e n r olle d a t C om m u n i t y C olle g e of Au r or a .

He p l a n s t o at t end an NCAA Di vi si on O n e u n i ve r si t y wh e r e h e c a n t a k e p a r t i n c o mpet it iv e in t e r sc h ola st i c a t h le t i c s. Ayo i s a n a c t i ve p a r t i c i p a n t w i t h Junio r Ac hiev e m e n t US A.

Gio va nne S l ol e y

Gio v anne was b or n a n d r a i se d i n t h e r u r a l c om m u n i t y of S a n t a C r u z , Jamaic a.

T he r e , h e a t t e n d e d B la c k R i ve r H i g h S c h oo l w h e r e h e disc o v ered his p a ssi on for a c c ou n t i n g . Aft e r g r a d u a t i n g h i g h s c h o o l , he imigrat ed to t h e Un i t e d S t a t e s wh e r e h e i s c u r r e n t ly a s t u d e n t a t t h e B o ro ugh o f M a n h a t t a n C om m u n i t y C olle g e ( B M C C ) p u r s u i n g a n Asso c iat es De g r e e i n Ac c ou n t i n g . H e i s a m e m b e r of t he P h i T h e t a Kappa Ho no r soc i e t y a n d i s a lso t h e Vi c e Pr e si d e n t o f BM C C' s Ac c o unt ing Clu b . G i ova n n e p la n s t o t r a n sfe r t o B a r u ch C o l l e g e ' s Zic k lin Sc ho ol of B u si n e ss or p ossi b ly t h e Un i ve r si t y o f Fl o r i d a t o pursue an ac c ou n t i n g d e g r e e wi t h a m i n or i n b u si n e ss la w. A f t e r t h e s e ac c o mpl ishme n t s, h e p la n s t o si t for t h e C PA e xa m a n d wor k t o e a r n h i s lic ense.

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s Ed win Tope te

Edwin To pet e i s a fi r st g e n e r a t i on Am e r i c a n fr om C olor a do S p r i n g s , CO and t he fi r st fr om h i s fa m i ly t o a t t e n d c olle g e . Ed wi n a t t e n d e d P ik es P eak Co m m u n i t y C olle g e a n d p la n s t o a t t e n d t h e Un i v e r s i t y o f Co lo rado at C olor a d o S p r i n g s t h i s c om i n g fa ll. H e i s a n a c t i v e member in P hi B e t a L a m b d a a n d r e c e n t ly t ook fi r st p la c e i n Fi n a n c i a l Anal ysis and D e c i si on M a ki n g st a t e le ve l c om p e t i t i on . Edw i n ' s g o a l is t o bec o me a n e n t r e p r e n e u r a n d a b u si n e ss le a d e r i n h i s c o m m u n i t y.

Andres Toral e s

Andres To rale s-G om e z h a s li ve d i n De n ve r for m ost of h i s l i f e a n d h e lo v es his ho me t own . H e wa s se le c t e d t o t a ke p a r t i n C o l o r a d o ' s ASCENT pro g r a m ( c on c u r r e n t h i g h sc h ool a n d c olle g e e n r o l l m e n t f o r highly mo t iv at e d st u d e n t s) a n d h e h a s c om p le t e d h i s fi r s t y e a r a t t h e Co mmunit y Colle g e of Au r or a . H e i s a p a r t of Ph i Th e t a K a p p a h o n o r so c iet y and is c u r r e n t ly a n i n t e r n a t F i r st B a n k. An d r e s i s d e d i c a t e d t o ac hiev ing his g oa l of b e c om i n g a C PA a n d se r vi n g h i s c om m u n i t y.

Mea ga n Vigil

Meagan liv es i n H u n t i n g t on B e a c h , C a li for n i a . Aft e r a t t a i n i n g a n Asso c iat e’s D e g r e e i n B u si n e ss M a n a g e m e n t wi t h a n e m p h a s i s i n Ac c o unt ing from O r a n g e C oa st C olle g e , sh e p la n s on t ra n s f e r r i n g t o Denv er Univ er si t y t o a c h i e ve a B a c h e lor of S c i e n c e i n Ac co u n t i n g . He r lo ng-t er m c are e r g oa ls i n c lu d e ob t a i n i n g a M a st e r of Ac c o u n t a n c y a n d t o bec o ming a C PA so sh e c a n wor k a t a n a c c ou n t i n g fi r m . S h e h a s been inv o l v ed i n r e t a i l m a n a g e m e n t for t h e la st t wo ye a r s , a n d e n j o y s bak ing, bo xing , a n d r e a d i n g .

2 013 Ac co un t in g Sch o la r s C ha ntel Wal k e r

Chant el Walk e r c u r r e n t ly a t t e n d s Pr i n c e G e or g e ' s C om m un i t y C o l l e g e where she will b e g r a d u a t i n g i n sp r i n g 2014 wi t h h e r a s s o c i a t e s degree in busi n e ss a d m i n i st r a t i on . S h e m a i n t a i n s a 3. 87 c u m u l a t i v e GPA and is a m e m b e r of Ph i Th e t a K a p p a H on or S oc i e t y. S h e i s a l s o a n Apar t ment and Offi c e B u i ld i n g Assoc i a t i on ( AOB A) sc h ol a r, a n d h a s par t ic ipat ed in m u lt i p le t e a m b u i ld i n g c om m u n i t y se r vi c e a c t i v i t i e s w i t h t his o rganizat i on . S h e i s t h e h e a d m a n a g e r of h e r c oll e g e ' s m e n ' s bask et bal l t eam, wh i c h i s wh e r e sh e sp e n d s m ost of h e r e ve n i n g s d u r i n g t he semest er. C h a n t e l i s a n a c t i ve m e m b e r of Wom e n of Wi s d o m , w h i c h is a gro up pl e d g e d t o e n h a n c i n g t h e li ve s of fe m a le st u d e n t s a t h e r c o l lege. H er pla n i s t o t r a n sfe r t o Vi r g i n i a C om m on we a lt h U n i v e r s i t y i n Fall 2014, whe r e sh e wi ll m a j or i n sp or t s m a n a g e m e n t a n d m i n o r i n ac c o unt ing. As i d e fr om a c a d e m i c s a n d e xt r a c u r r i c u la r a ct i v i t i e s , s h e enjo ys spendin g t i m e wi t h fr i e n d s a n d fa m i ly, wr i t i n g a n d p e r f o r m i n g po et r y, and w or ki n g ou t t o i m p r ove h e r se lf m e n t a lly a n d p hy s i c a l l y.

Da vid S al gado

Dav id was rec e n t ly a d m i t t e d t o Th e C ox B u si n e ss S c h ool a t S M U , w h e r e he w il l be rec e i vi n g t h e S M U M e r i t S c h ola r sh i p t h i s c om i n g f a l l . He w i l l pursue his bac h e lor s d e g r e e i n a c c ou n t i n g a n d p la n s t o b e p a r t o f t h e graduat ing c l ass of 2015. Da vi d e a r n e d a n Assoc i a t e ’s i n S c i e n c e f r o m No r t h Lak e Colle g e t h i s p a st sp r i n g . H e g r a d u a t e d fr om G r a n d P r a i r i e H igh Sc ho o l in t h e t op 10% of h i s c la ss i n 2010. In h i g h sc h o o l , h e w a s o n t he so c c er t e a m for a ll fou r ye a r s a n d wa s c a p t a i n a n d M V P f o r h i s last t wo . H e w a s i n volve d i n t h e N a t i on a l H on or S oc i e t y, C l a s s O f f i c e r, St udent Co unc i l Offi c e r, a n d wa s a m e m b e r of t h e G r e a t Te x a s Sc ho l ars.

Ellen Qu inn

Ell en has ear ne d a n Assoc i a t e i n S c i e n c e i n B u si n e ss Adm i n i s t r a t i o n fro m Vic t o r Valle y C olle g e a n d i s c u r r e n t ly t a ki n g a fe w m o r e c l a s s e s befo re t ransfer r i n g t o a u n i ve r si t y. S h e h a s n ot ye t d e ci d e d w h i c h univ ersit y she wi ll a t t e n d , b u t sh e h a s d e c i d e d t h a t sh e w i l l m a j o r i n ac c o unt ing and wor k t o e a r n h e r C PA L i c e n se . S h e i s p a ssi o n a t e a b o u t t he env iro nmen t a n d g r e e n i n i t a t i ve s. Elle n i s we ll-r ou n d e d a n d d r i v e n t o pursue ac c ou n t i n g . In h e r fr e e t i m e , Elle n e n j oys d r a wi ng .

20 1 3 ASD P Coun s e lor s Da nika Tibbe tts

Danik a is a Co lor a d o n a t i ve a n d r e c e n t DU g r a d . S h e g r a d u a t e d i n t h e Spring o f 2013 wi t h h e r B S i n Ac c ou n t i n g a n d h e r M a s t e r s o f Ac c o unt anc y. Th i s fa ll, sh e i s wor ki n g i n t h e S c h ool of A c c o u n t a n c y whil e finishing u p h e r C PA e xa m . In Ja n u a r y, sh e wi ll be m o v i n g t o No r wal k CT t o wor k for t h e F i n a n c i a l Ac c ou n t i n g S t a n d a r ds Bo a r d a s a po st -graduat e assi st a n t .

Danik a ser v ed a s t h e h e a d c ou n se lor for t h e AS DP Pr og r a m i n 2 0 1 3 .

She desc ribes h e r r ole a s r e wa r d i n g a s sh e wa s a b le t o s e e t h e pro gressio n o f t h e p r og r a m fr om t h e p la n n i n g p h a se s t h r o u g h t o t h e indiv idual suc c e ss st or i e s of e a c h a t t e n d e e .

She enjoyed the o ppo r t unit y t o se r ve a s a r e sou r c e t h r ou g h ou t t h e c a m p , w h e t h e r i t b e pro v iding t ransp or t a t i on fr om t h e a i r p or t , la t e -n i g h t wor ki ng s n a c k s , o r insight s int o an a c c ou n t i n g i n t e r n sh i p . S h e wa s a b le t o sha r e h e r p a t h t o bec o ming a n a c c ou n t i n g m a j or a n d h e lp st u d e n t s r e a l i z e t h e o ppo r t unit ies ava i la b le t o t h e m t o h e lp wi t h t h e p u r su i t o f a 4 - y e a r ac c o unt ing de g r e e a n d p r ofe ssi on a l c a r e e r.

Da n i ka s a y s o f h e r experienc e: “I wa s i m p r e sse d wi t h t h e st u d e n t s’ le ve l of mo t i v a t i o n a n d will ingness t o wor k h a r d t h r ou g h ou t t h e c a m p , e ve n wh e n i t c a m e t i m e t o w o rk l at e in t o t h e n i g h t . Th e st u d e n t s e n h a n c e d t h e i r i n t e r v i e w i n g sk il ls and l ear ne d t h e p owe r of n e t wor ki n g ove r t h e c ou r se o f t h e w e e k – I am c o nfident t h e y wi ll u se t h e se t ools t o a c h i e ve t h e i r ac a d e m i c a n d c areer go als in t h e ve r y n e a r fu t u r e !”

C a ra Sy l ve rs

Cara, o riginally fr om H ou st on , Te xa s, t r a n sfe r r e d t o t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Denv er last year a ft e r a t t e n d i n g AS DP 2012. S h e sa ys h e r e x p e r i e n c e as a st udent wa s li fe c h a n g i n g , b u t a s a c ou n se lor t h i s y e a r w a s different . I t was r e wa r d i n g for h e r t o se e st u d e n t s g o t h r ou g h t h e s a m e experienc e t ha t sh e d i d a n d t h i s t i m e , sh e wa s a b le t o u s e w h a t s h e lear ned t o hel p m e n t or t h e c u r r e n t AS DP st u d e n t s.

T he st udent s we r e a wa r e t h a t C a r a wa s a n AS DP a lu m n a a n d o f t e n referred t o her for a d vi c e . M a n y of t h e st u d e n t s we r e i n s p i r e d b y h e r st o r y bec ause t h e y c a m e fr om si m i la r b a c kg r ou n d s. It r e a s s u r e d t h e i r c o nfidenc e bec a u se sh e wa s e vi d e n c e of t h e fa c t t h a t you c a n s u c c e e d at w hat ev er yo u p u t you r m i n d t o, r e g a r d le ss of wh e r e yo u c o m e f r o m .

Cara says, “O ve r a ll, t h i s e xp e r i e n c e wa s r e wa r d i n g a n d al l o w e d m e t o see t he pro gram fr om a d i ffe r e n t p e r sp e c t i ve . B y sh a r i n g m y e x p e r i e n c e wit h o t hers, my t h i n ki n g b e c a m e m or e c e n t e r e d on h e lp i n g t h e s t u d e n t s whic h c ul t iv at e d m y p a ssi on for d i ve r si t y. ”

20 1 3 ASD P Coun s e lor s Ryan N guye n

Ryan Nguyen i s c u r r e n t ly a st u d e n t a t M e t r op oli t a n S t a te U n i v e r s i t y where he w il l fi n i sh h i s B a c h e lor ’s De g r e e b e for e t r a n sf e r r i n g t o a Univ ersit y t o pu r su e a g r a d u a t e d e g r e e i n a c c ou n t i n g . H e w a n t s t o pursue ac c o unt i n g b e c a u se h e h a s a “ b u si n e ss-m a n li ke m i n d ” a n d ac c o unt ing is t h e la n g u a g e of b u si n e ss. H e t h ou g h t i t wa s be s t t o m a j o r in an area whe r e a c c ou n t i n g i s n e c e ssa r y a n d , a s h e c on t i n u e s o n h i s educ at io nal pa t h , h e i s fi n d i n g h i m se lf m or e a n d m or e i n l o v e w i t h t h e subjec t .

Ryan sa ys t h a t a ft e r t h e AS DP e ve n t , h e g a i n e d m o r e k no w ledge o f p u b li c a c c ou n t i n g , sa yi n g t h a t “ i t d e fi n i t e ly p e r s u a d e d me t hat publ ic a c c ou n t i n g i s t h e b e st op t i on for a n y a c c ou n t i n g m a j o r aft er o bt aining a g r a d u a t e d e g r e e . ” An d , a s t h e you n g e st i n a f a m i l y o f six and t he fi r st t o g r a d u a t e c olle g e , Rya n c e r t a i n ly p l a n s t o w o r k hard t o find su c c e ss i n h i s c a r e e r.

Vy N guye n

Vy will be fini sh i n g h e r u n d e r g r a d u a t e d e g r e e i n a c c oun t i n g a t t h e Univ ersit y o f De n ve r t h i s fa ll q u a r t e r a n d h op e s t o p u r su e h e r M a s t e r s in Ac c o unt anc y n e xt sp r i n g . S h e p la n s on c om p le t i n g a n in t e r s h i p t h i s wint er and is looki n g for wa r d t o t h e c h a n c e t o g e t st a r t e d i n p u b l i c ac c o unt ing.

Vy c i t e s h e r e xp e r i e n c e a s a c ou n se lor at A S D P a s “ abso lut el y ama z i n g , ” sa yi n g t h a t “ It wa s a ve r y r e wa r d i n g e x p e r i e n c e fo r me bec ause I wa s a b le t o g i ve b a c k t o Da n i e ls c om m u n i t y a n d t h e Sc ho o l o f Ac c o u n t a n c y. I b e li e ve t h i s p r og r a m h a s h e lp e d e n r i c h t h e liv es o f t he par t i c i p a n t s t r e m e n d ou sly b y sh owi n g t h e m h ow f u l f i l l i n g a c areer in ac c o u n t i n g c a n b e . I t h i n k e ve r yon e h a s le ft t h e p r o g r a m m o r e inspired and mot i va t e d t h a n wh e n t h e y fi r st a r r i ve d , wh e t h e r t h e y w e r e a par t ic ipant o r a c ou n se lor. ” Vy g oe s on t o sa y t h a t AS DP i s a u n i q u e pro gram, o ne s h e h op e s m or e sc h ola r s c a n b e n e fi t fr om i n t h e f u t u r e a s t hey c o nsider ca r e e r s i n a c c ou n t i n g .

Evan Rom e ro

Ev an is c urrently a S e n i or a t t h e Un i ve r si t y of De n ve r. H e w a s r e c e n t l y ac c ept ed int o th e d u a l-d e g r e e p r og r a m a n d wi ll, t h e r e for e , b e f i n i s h i n g his Mast ers o f Ac c ou n t a n c y b y Au g u st 2014. H e wi ll t h e n b e g i n a full -t ime Audit p osi t i on wi t h Er n st & You n g . Eva n sa ys h e v o l u n t e e r e d fo r ASDP bec au se h e h a s a lwa ys b e e n t r u ly d e d i c a t e d t o s e r v i n g t h e c o mmunit y and g i vi n g b a c k t o t h ose wh o a r e i n n e e d . H e f e e l s v e r y priv ileged t o ha ve b e e n a b le t o h e lp ou t wi t h AS DP a n d w o r k w i t h t h e st udent s and ho p e s on e d a y t o g i ve b a c k t o t h e c om m u n i t y th r o u g h w h a t he has experie n c e d a t DU a n d i n t h e b u si n e ss wor ld .

20 1 3 ASD P Coun s e lor s Da ni Dylan

Dani Dyl an is a d u a l-d e g r e e st u d e n t a t t h e Da n i e ls C olle g e o f Bu s i n e s s at t he Univ ersity of De n ve r. S h e i s c u r r e n t ly wor ki n g on h e r BS i n Ac c o unt ing, B S B A i n F i n a n c e , a n d M a st e r s i n Ac c ou n t i n g. S h e w i l l finish t he pro gr a m a n d g r a d u a t e wi t h h e r d e g r e e s a t t h e e n d o f t h e quar t er in summe r 2014. Da n i i s a lso i n t e r n i n g a t De loi t t e f o r t h e f a l l o f 2013 in t he A d vi sor y p r a c t i c e a n d wor ks a s a t e a c h i n g a n d g r a d u a t e assist ant in Dani e ls, wh e r e sh e e n j oys wor ki n g wi t h a ll of t h e s t u d e n t s .

I n her spare t im e , Da n i e n j oys h i ki n g , b i ki n g , wa t c h i n g TV an d p l a y i n g wit h her fo ur w on d e r fu l d og s ( wh om sh e c a lls h e r ki d s). “Be i n g a c o unsel o r fo r t he 2013 AS DP wa s ve r y fu n , ” sh e sa ys, “ I le a r n e d q u i t e a lo t fro m t he st u d e n t s a n d t h e p r og r a m . ”

Lucas M aish

Luc as graduat ed h i g h sc h ool i n Th e Wood la n d s, Te xa s b e for e m o v i n g t o Co lo rado fo r hi s u n d e r g r a d u a t e c a r e e r a t t h e Un i ve r si t y of D e n v e r. He rec ent ly gradua t e d fr om DU wi t h h i s b a c h e lor ’s d e g r e e i n a c c o u n t i n g and a mino r in e c on om i c s. In h i s fr e e t i m e , h e li ke s t o s t a y a c t i v e , preferabl y by ski i n g or p la yi n g b a ske t b a ll. H e i s c u r r e n t ly s i t t i n g f o r t he CPA exam a n d p la n s on la u n c h i n g h i s c a r e e r h e r e i n De n v e r. “T h e Ac c o unt ing Sc h ola r s De ve lop m e n t Pr og r a m , ” h e sa ys, “i s a g r e a t pro gram w it h gr e a t p e op le , a n d I a m p r ou d t o h a ve h a d t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o be a par t o f i t . ”

Mahdi B huyan

Mahdi B huyan w a s b or n a n d r a i se d i n B a n g la d e sh . H e m ov e d t o U S A in 2009 wit h hi s fa m i ly. C u r r e n t ly h e i s p u r su i n g a b a c h e lo r ’s d e g r e e in ac c o unt ing a t t h e Un i ve r si t y of De n ve r. H e a t t e n d e d i n t h e A S D P 2012 as a st ude n t & b e c a m e a p e e r c ou n se lor for t h e A S D P 2 0 1 3 .

During his free t i m e , h e li ke s m ovi e s, m u si c , t r a ve li n g & vi s i t i n g f a m i l y.

20 1 3 ASD P Coun s e lor s Da niel O ’L aughl in

Danny is a seni or g r a d u a t e a n d u n d e r g r a d u a t e a c c ou n t i ng s t u d e n t a t t he Univ ersit y of De n ve r. In F e b r u a r y, h e p a sse d t h e C M A e x a m a n d ho pes t o pass t h e C PA e xa m b y su m m e r 2014. Or i g i n a lly f r o m Ch i c o , Cal ifo r nia, he a t t e n d e d Ple a sa n t Va lle y H i g h S c h ool. Hi s h o b b i e s inc lude sk iing, b i ki n g , a n d c om p e t i n g i n t r i a t h lon s. H e c o m p l e t e d h i s first H alf I ro nm a n Di st a n c e Tr i a t h lon t h i s p a st su m m e r a n d h o p e s t o c o mpl et e a Full Ir on m a n n e xt su m m e r. Th i s wa s Da n n y’s se co n d y e a r a s a c o unsel o r fo r t h e Ac c ou n t i n g S c h ola r s De ve lop m e n t Pr ogr a m .

Steve Norris

St ev e, a Denv e r, C O n a t i ve , i s c u r r e n t ly a st u d e n t a t M e t r op o l i t a n S t a t e Univ ersit y o f De n ve r p u r su i n g h i s M a st e r s of Ac c ou n t a n c y. He i s a l s o t he fo under and p r e si d e n t of t h e AL PFA S t u d e n t C h a p t e r a t M S U D e n v e r.

T his summer he h a s a t a x i n t e r n sh i p i n t h e a c c ou n t i n g d e p a r t m e n t a t H eal t hgrades. S t e ve p r e vi ou sly a t t e n d e d C U-B ou ld e r a n d r e c e i v e d a B .A. in P o lit ic al S c i e n c e , t h e n we n t on t o se r ve a s a n O ffi c e r i n t h e U . S .

Marine Co rps. Tr a d i n g i n h i s c om b a t b oot s a n d c a m ou fla g e f o r i n c o m e st at ement s and b a la n c e sh e e t s, S t e ve p la n s t o si t for t h e CPA e x a m a s so o n as po ssible a n d h op e s t o e n j oy a lon g a n d r e wa r d i n g c a r e e r i n publ ic ac c o unti n g . S t e ve i s a sp or t s fa n a t i c a n d sp e n d s hi s f r e e t i m e c heering o n hi s fa vor i t e sp or t s t e a m s ( G o B r on c os!) H e a l s o e n j o y s playing go l f, t e n n i s, a n d Te xa s H old ‘ Em .

2013 ASDP Administrators Dr. Sharon Lassar

Sharon founded the Accounting Scholars Development Program in 2010 to attract exceptional students to a profession that will use their talents and propel their careers in various rewarding directions. She is the John J. Gilbert Endowed Professor and Director of the School of Accountancy in the Daniels College of Business at The University of Denver. Lassar has served the profession in many roles and is currently on the Pre-Certification Education Executive Committee of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and on the Board of Directors of the Colorado Society of CPAs. She earned her PhD at the University of Southern California, her Master of Taxation at Bentley University, and her Bachelor of Accounting at West Virginia University.

Kathleen Davisson

Kathleen has a BS in Accounting and Master of Accountancy from the University of Denver. She is a licensed CPA in the state of Colorado. She serves on the Careers committee of the Colorado Society of Certified Public Accountants. She has held executive positions with a computer networking firm and a computer training firm.

She teaches accounting information systems and managerial accounting. Her favorite role is that of advisor to the dual degree accounting students at the University of Denver.

Sidney Askew

As former treasurer and board member of The Carter G. Woodson Foundation (Newark, N.J.), Sidney Askew is an Associate Professor of Accounting at the Borough of Manhattan Community College (CUNY). Sidney has worked as an examiner for the Comptroller of the Currency. In private industry, he held several roles from auditor to financial analyst for many leading global financial institutions. A member of the AICPA, the ACFE, and the American Accounting Association, Sidney’s favorite role is teaching accounting and steering accounting students towards the many career opportunities in the accounting profession. Sidney is a graduate of Syracuse University and Cornell University.

Jim Andrews

Jim Andrews is an accounting professor at Ohlone College in Fremont, California.

After earning his BA in Economics from the University of Missouri and his MBA from Saint Louis University, he started a career as an auditor with Arthur Anderson & Co. He is a licensed CPA and has worked for over two decades in private industry, primarily in the computer software industry. He earned his PhD from the University of New Mexico and has been working as a professor at Ohlone for the past seven years.

Accounting Scholars Development Program 2013 Sponsors