News - October 26, 2022
Grace College Student Selected to Attend 2022 AICPA Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop
Grace College junior accounting student of Spring Lake, Michigan, Ben Zelenka, was awarded an all-expense paid scholarship to attend the 2022 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
The three-day conference ran concurrently with the Accounting Pipeline Diversity Symposium and included panels and speakers who presented on diversity and inclusion, personal branding, finding a mentor, CPA exam changes and other topics relevant to the accounting profession.
“Seeing all the CEOs and partners that looked like me at distinguished companies was inspiring and motivating because that is where I want to be one day,” said Zelenka. “I want to own my own successful company or be a partner at a firm where I feel like I can make an impact. I’m grateful for the opportunity I had to be challenged in my thinking as well as inspired to become a leader wherever I go.”
The conference hosted speakers ranging from CEOs and owners to young professionals at companies like KPMG, EY and PwC. While there, Zelenka was able to network with representatives of these companies as well as peers from across the nation.
Zelenka applied for the scholarship at the recommendation of Grace College professor of accounting, Dr. Roger Stichter. Zelenka submitted his application unsure of what to expect.
“I was shocked to find out I had been awarded the scholarship because the AICPA is a big deal nationally,” said Zelenka.
Looking back now, Zelenka is so glad he did.
“This conference was a great experience for me to learn more about the accounting profession and learn the art of networking,” said Zelenka. “The biggest takeaway for me was that I should keep dreaming big and take the actions required to make my dreams a reality. Nothing is too out of reach.”
Zelenka, who will graduate with both his bachelor’s degree in accounting and an MBA through Grace’s accelerated degree program, hopes to become a real estate investor, and he’s already taking steps to reach that end.
This past summer, Zelenka interned at an accounting firm, Crowe LLP in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Because of the internship experience, the company offered him a full-time role there as a real estate and construction tax services staff, which he will assume after graduation in May of 2024.Zelenka connected with the company through Grace’s annual accounting fair, which welcomes dozens of accounting employers to campus to interview prospective interns and future accountants.
“We’ve been hosting the accounting fair for 14 years now – not only for Grace College students but also students from surrounding schools,” said Stichter. “We repeatedly see outcomes such as Ben’s, where a connection made at the fair leads to top-notch internships and full-time job offers.”
To learn more about the accounting program at Grace, named a top college in Indiana for ‘First-Time, Small Program’ CPA Pass Rates.
Photo attached: Grace College junior accounting student of Spring Lake, Michigan, Ben Zelenka was awarded an all-expense paid scholarship to attend the 2022 American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Accounting Scholars Leadership Workshop in Litchfield Park, Arizona.
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