Accounting
AICPA Foundation Awards $400,000 in Accounting Doctoral Scholarships
The fellowship program provides each student with $12,000, which is renewable for up to an additional four years, contingent upon students maintaining eligibility.
Oct. 05, 2023
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) Foundation has granted fellowships to 25 minority doctoral students as part of the AICPA Fellowship for Minority Doctoral Students. This initiative aims to enhance racial and ethnic diversity and inclusivity among accounting educators in colleges and universities.
“Diversity in the accounting profession is not just about representing different faces and backgrounds; it’s about embracing a multitude of perspectives and experiences,” says Mike Decker, Vice President of CPA Examination and Pipeline at AICPA & CIMA. “In a profession that deals with complex financial matters and decision-making, diversity acts as a catalyst for innovation and better decision-making. It ensures that the numbers tell a more inclusive and accurate story, strengthening the financial foundation of organizations and society as a whole.”
The fellowship program provides each student with $12,000, which is renewable for up to an additional four years, contingent upon students maintaining eligibility.
Decker added, “The AICPA is committed to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive accounting profession. Embracing a growing community of CPAs in our classrooms is a pivotal step towards nurturing diversity, and we eagerly anticipate witnessing the remarkable journey of these scholars as they advance through their doctoral programs. Their dedication will not only enrich their own careers but also empower them to shape the next generation of CPAs.”
The 2023–24 Minority Doctoral Fellowship recipients and the universities they are attending are as follows:
- Allison A. Carter, Texas Tech University
- Angelica G. Castro Cardenas, University of Texas at El Paso
- Asabé A. Danpollo, Cornell University
- Christiana Antwi-Obimpeh, University of Texas at San Antonio
- David Stroud, Texas A&M University
- Devon P. Jefferson, Virginia Commonwealth University
- DMyrian Frederick, Virginia Tech
- Isaac L. Yamoah, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Isabel Maria Ford, University of Florida
- Jae Yeon Pyo, Carnegie Mellon University
- Jeremy Richardson, Texas Tech University
- Jessica Thornton, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Jewel O. Evans, The University of Chicago
- Jose N. Arguello , University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- Jovan Johnson, University of Georgia
- Lynn Davis, University of Georgia
- Mary A. Adenle, The University of Texas at Austin
- Mary Ahonsi, Texas Tech University
- Moniquca Chappell, Florida State University
- Paige Harrell, Emory University
- Roberto Gonzales, The University of Texas at Arlington
- Timothy E. Messenger, University of Oregon
- Triza Nganga, The University of Texas at Arlington
- Vanessa Vandamas, Florida International University
- Vernan O. Rivera, University of Connecticut
The Foundation also awarded $120,000 to 10 CPAs pursuing their accounting Ph.D. through the William (Bill) Ezzell Scholarship program and the Accounting Doctoral Scholars (ADS) program. Both programs aim to increase the number of experienced CPAs in academia who can inspire students in the classroom.
The 2023–24 William (Bill) Ezzell Scholarship recipients and the universities they are attending are as follows:
- Brian Forsberg, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
- Carolyn Previti, Drexel University
- Erik Elfrink, University of Georgia
- Joshua Shoulders, University of South Carolina
- Lin Ma, University of California, Irvine
- Nathan Herrmann, The University of Texas at Austin
- Paul Richardson, Pennsylvania State University
- Sabrina Summers, Virginia Tech
The 2023 Accounting Doctoral Scholars (ADS) program recipients and the universities they are attending are as follows:
- Bailey Thompson, The University of Kansas
- Jovan Johnson, University of Georgia
The AICPA Foundation, established in 1922, is dedicated to advancing the science of accountancy and accounting education. Over the past century, the Foundation has consistently supported the next generation of CPAs through accounting education and outreach, scholarships and fellowships, and initiatives promoting diversity and inclusion.
The AICPA Foundation’s scholarship program offers educational funding for accounting students at all stages, from high school seniors to CPAs pursuing their Ph.D.