Initiative Aims to Increase Diverse Representation in Community Development Finance and Accounting
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- National public accounting and consulting firm Novogradac selected 14 students from 13 schools to comprise the fourth class of its Building Opportunities program, an initiative designed to introduce accounting and real estate finance students to a career focused on community development.
Building Opportunities provides professional networking, mentoring and educational resources to selected students to acquaint them with career paths in community development finance and accounting. Participants are connected with Novogradac's experienced employees as well as industry-leading publications, trainings and conferences to provide insight into affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable energy.
"I am pleased to congratulate this year's Building Opportunities class and welcome them as they consider careers in affordable housing, community development, historic preservation and renewable energy.," said Michael Novogradac, CPA, the organization's managing partner. "Novogradac is committed to engaging with the student community to increase diverse representation in community development finance and accounting. This year, 35% of Building Opportunities participants identify as female and 85% identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color."
In the program's fourth year, Novogradac received more than 60 applications from students attending more than 35 schools. The students selected to participate this year include accounting and real estate majors.
"Novogradac looks forward to working with this year's Building Opportunities class to explore their options for curating career paths that create meaningful social outcomes," said Amy Hook, Novogradac's chief social impact officer.
To be eligible, students must be full-time undergraduate (juniors or seniors) or graduate students studying accounting, economics, business, finance or real estate with a minimum grade point average of 3.5. Selection is based on academic performance, quality of leadership positions and skills shown, commitment to community service and an essay that shows an understanding of pursuing a career based on purpose and a commitment to community development finance or accounting.
The 2024 Building Opportunities selections are:
- Brittney Hopkins, Montclair State University
- Aubreyna Archer, Brooklyn College
- Sahari Vasquez, University of Massachusetts Boston
- Nicholas Khan, Rutgers Business School
- Kira Lyons, Southern New Hampshire University
- Rahat Mahmud, Brooklyn College
- David Luo, San Francisco State University
- Vicent Mitimingi, University of Maryland, College Park
- Ahmad Abdallah, The University of Texas at Arlington
- Chris Cruz, University of North Texas
- Keven Guo, Baruch College
- Roberto Garza, The University of Texas at Austin
- Rowena Fulo Oracion, Miami Dade College
- Julian Carr, University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
About Novogradac
Novogradac, which has been in business for more than 35 years, has grown to more than 750 employees and partners with offices in more than 25 cities. Tax, audit and consulting specialty practice areas for Novogradac include affordable housing, community development, historic rehabilitation and renewable energy. For more about Novogradac's focus on social impact, click here.
Media Contact
Alex Ruiz, Novogradac & Company LLP, 925-949-4300, [email protected], www.novoco.com
SOURCE Novogradac & Company LLP; Novogradac & Company LLP
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