The University of Arizona’s Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy Receives Grant from the Deloitte Foundation to Launch the First Generation Together Initiative
The Deloitte Foundation has made a commitment of more than $170,000 to help the University of Arizona Eller College of Management develop and implement the First Generation Together initiative in the Dhaliwal Reidy School of Accountancy's Introduction to Financial Accounting class. The First Generation Together initiative will provide opportunities for guest speakers, including Deloitte* professionals, to share information and knowledge about the professional services industry, specifically accounting, with an aim toward helping students build awareness and develop skills to be successful in this critical field of work. The First Generation Together initiative plans to reach up to 300 students in the Eller College of Management per year.
“Our ongoing commitment to student success was greatly enhanced through the Deloitte Foundation funding for the initiative,” says Shyam Sunder, director of the Dhaliwal-Reidy School of Accountancy and Lou Myers Professor of Accounting in the Eller College of Management. “We are excited to translate this funding into an enriched student experience in our Introduction to Financial Accounting class and continued enthusiasm as these students pursue their degree at the Eller College.”
The First Generation Together initiative will include five small class offerings so students can build a close-knit community and personal relationships with faculty and peers, and weekly lab sessions taught by a dedicated teaching assistant to provide students applied practice of the concepts taught in the class and heighten the sense of community for first-generation students. Some class days will be reserved for field trips and guest speakers to bring class topics to life and provide exposure to business topics that many first-generation students might not otherwise have.
"I am excited to see the Deloitte Foundation's grant aimed at helping to support first generation and racially and ethnically diverse accounting students come to life at the University of Arizona," says Amy Patel, partner, Deloitte Tax LLP and West Region Tax Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader. "Our professionals look forward to connecting with the students and supporting them as they chart their path toward a career in the accounting profession."
“The Deloitte Foundation, which is dedicated to accelerating innovation and equity in education, is thrilled to support the University of Arizona’s work to help diversify the CPA profession,” says Erin Scanlon, Deloitte Foundation president. “We are proud to provide funding to help first-generation students as they aspire to build skills towards potential careers in accounting.”
About the University of Arizona Eller College of Management
Home to 5,800 undergraduate and 750 graduate students, the University of Arizona Eller College of Management is a comprehensive business school with a global reputation for innovative research, rigorous curriculum, a distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship and social responsibility. The College’s mission is to support and develop a community of scholar and learners whose knowledge, integrity and entrepreneurial spirit will transform business and society.
About the Deloitte Foundation
The Deloitte Foundation, founded in 1928, is a not-for-profit organization that supports education in the U.S. through a variety of initiatives that help develop the next generation of diverse business leaders, and their influencers, and promote excellence in teaching, research and curriculum innovation. The Foundation sponsors an array of national programs relevant to a variety of professional services, benefiting high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and educators. Learn more about the Deloitte Foundation.
* Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of our legal structure.