2003-2004 Student Ambassadors: kicking off another year

Catalyst (Dublin, Ohio), Sept-Oct, 2003

Six accounting students from five of Ohio's major universities were selected as The Ohio Society's 2003-2004 on-campus ambassadors. The students will begin their tenures with a seminar at The Ohio Society of CPAs office in Dublin in September. The program is made possible through member contributions to the Society's Educational Foundation.

2003-2004 Student Ambassadors

* Jeff Hausman, Miami University

* Andrea Lehman, Ohio University *

* Mike Easterday, Ohio University *

* Brett Gerig, University of Toledo

* Jessica Mitcheltree, Youngstown State University

* Greg Lewanski, Case Western Reserve University **

* Two students share the ambassadorship at Ohio University.

** Greg is returning for a second year as a student ambassador.

The On-Campus Ambassador Program was created in 2001 to promote the CPA profession to college students who haven't declared accounting as their major. Thousands of students have been exposed to the benefits of a career in the accounting profession since the program's introduction and more are expected this year. The ambassador program is based on the premise that a peer-to-peer counseling program in which accounting majors talk with other students throughout the academic year is the best way to expose students to the opportunities that accompany a career as a CPA.

The ambassadors, accompanied by their faculty advisors, will experience a day-long orientation at the Society office with Lee Wunschel, chair of The Ohio Society's Educational Foundation Board of Trustees, and Society President Clarke Price. The ambassadors will discuss the key issues facing the accounting profession. They will also learn skills that will help them promote the various opportunities a career in accounting can provide and enable them to share that information to their fellow students.

Upon returning to campus, the ambassadors will participate in various activities to promote the accounting profession and dispel misperceptions and negative stereotypes. They will make classroom presentations and visit the dormitories trying to interest undecided and non-accounting business majors in pursuing a career in accounting. In addition, the ambassadors will keep regular office hours for those students who wish to "drop-in" with questions. Because every university is different, each ambassador will create unique ways of maximizing his or her reach on campus. The organization of the program will be flexible, allowing the ambassadors to mold it specifically to the needs of their campuses. The individual adaptations for each campus will ensure that the activities stay fresh and dramatically increase the number of accounting majors at each school.

Jeff Hausman

A senior at Miami University, Hausman is majoring in accounting with minors in management information systems and finance. He is involved with several campus groups and programs including:

* Beta Alpha Psi.

* International Business Fraternity of Delta Sigma Pi--vice president of professional activities.

* The Buck Rogers Leadership Program--steering committee member.

Both Ernst & Young and Deloitte & Touche discovered Jeff's talent when he took part in their respective summer programs. He is also a scholarship recipient from The Ohio Society. When asked about being an ambassador, he said, "I am excited to have an opportunity to make a positive impact on the accounting profession and hope to add to the success of the ambassador program."

Andrea Lehman

Lehman is a junior at Ohio University majoring in accounting. She dedicates her time to numerous groups and activities both on and off-campus, such as:

* Omicron Delta Kappa, national leadership fraternity.

* Ohio University's Accounting Club.

* 0hio Business Fellows.

Her drive to succeed has earned her several scholarships as well, including Ohio University's Adler-Cutler Scholarship.

She serves on the executive board of the Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority as the vice president of finance. Before her election to the executive board, Lehman also served as a member of the recruitment committee.

Community involvement is also very important to Lehman. She enjoys teaching handbells to children at the Rural Chapel United Methodist Church. She dedicates time to Interfaith Refugee Services of Ohio, a group that helps the homeless by giving them food and temporary shelter until more promising arrangements can be made.

Michael Easterday

Easterday is a junior at Ohio University majoring in both accounting and finance with a minor in English literature. He received both the Love Family Scholarship (2002) and the Robert E Bishop Scholarship (2003) from the Ohio University School of Accounting. His hands-on experience includes:

* Working in the Ohio University internal audit office, as well as the vice president of finance's office at the university.

* Commissioned as a notary public by the state of Ohio.

* Interning this summer with the State of Ohio Auditor's Office in Canton, Ohio.

Easterday's outgoing spirit has translated into leadership roles in several extracurricular activities. He swing dances his nights away as a member of the Ohio University Jitterbug Club, where he not only instructs, but also serves as the advertising committee chair. He is also a member of Beta Alpha Psi and the university's accounting honorary organization. When asked about being an ambassador, he said, "1 am eager to add what I can to the success of the program."