THINK It, SEE It, BE It Program Extended for Second Year Thanks to KPMG U.S. Foundation
Ƶ University's THINK It, SEE It, BE It program was made possible through the generosity of the KPMG U.S. Foundation.
In the program's first year, program director Lyzona Marshall, Assistant Professor of Business & Director of the Wukich Center for Entrepreneurial Opportunities, partnered with Jeanette High School principal and Ƶ alumnus Joshua Testa to recruit the initial cohort of high school students for the project. Students had the opportunity to explore options for their future and learn more about careers in accounting, finance and cybersecurity.
Professor Marshall worked with community partners, including employees of KPMG Pittsburgh and Ƶ alumni, faculty and staff, to provide workshops and mentoring at the high school throughout the spring, culminating in a two-day camp on Ƶ's campus in early summer. In the fall, students will shadow professionals in those fields.
An initial grant of $25,000 for the program from the KPMG US Foundation was followed up with a second $25,000 grant to continue the program in the 2023-24 year. A recent additional $50,000 commitment is a result of the participation of KPMG Pittsburgh employees Maria Blohm, Partner; Bob Leone, Senior Manager; and Ƶ alumnus Adam Bankovich, Senior Associate, Audit, in the spring sessions and summer camps and their belief in the work Ƶ is doing in the community.
Community partners from Pheple Federal Credit Union, Ƶ alumni Jessica Shimko, owner of Learning Leaps Tutoring; Alvin Maloy, CFO of Educated Athletes First; and entrepreneur Jayla Wright; and current Ƶ student Sarah Gilliam provided assistance throughout the program as did Ƶ faculty and staff members Roland Warfield, Renee Starek, George Carter, Heidi Schuman, Tony Krance and Melissa Alsing.
Watch video interviews with Professor Marshall, the student participants, and program partners .
