Under the direction of Clinical Associate Professor Phebe Davis-Culler, the School of Accountancy and the College of Business hosted the first National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) at Clemson. With the help of Helen Diamond-Steele, the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging, and in collaboration with NABA, minority high school students participated in the ACAP from July 21 through July 26.
The program selected 30 attendees to stay on Clemson’s campus for the week to learn about careers in the field of accounting. While ACAP is a national program, Clemson’s camp was the only program in South Carolina. The interest in the camp exceeded the original planned capacity with almost 60 applicants for the 30 available spots.
With financial support from the accounting advisory board, firm and individual sponsors/donors, the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business and the School of Accountancy, the camp was offered free of charge to the students. The program was an opportunity to contribute to building a pipeline of future accountants as well as market Clemson’s accounting program to the next generation. Davis-Culler also saw this as an excellent opportunity to debunk the negative stereotypes associated with accountants and accounting as a career option.
During the program, students participated in workshops, learning sessions and a capstone group project. Accounting faculty volunteers Lecturer Paul Bonney, Lecturer Craig Hawkins, Assistant Professor Erin Hawkins and advisory board member Angie Pulley assisted with the program by leading topical sessions.
For Davis-Culler, this summer’s program was the fulfillment of a dream she has held for the department since starting at Clemson in 2017. This summer’s program was a great success and an honor to watch come to fruition.
