Students Attend National Association of Black Accountants Conference
November 03, 2015
JONESBORO – Three students represented Arkansas State University recently at the 36th
annual National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) Southern Region Student Conference
in Atlanta.
Those attending include Rukiya Johnson, a senior accounting major from St. Louis;
Trish Chibuwe, a senior accounting major from Harare, Zimbabwe; and Jamishela Williams
of Starkville, Miss. Chibuwe serves as the president of the A-State student chapter
of NABA, while Johnson is the vice president. Williams is a master of accountancy
(MAcc) student and member of the organization. Dr. Tina Quinn, professor of accounting,
accompanied the students.
“It was a rewarding experience for the students as they had the opportunity to network
with other students, faculty and business professionals from all across the south,”
said Dr. Russ Jones, department chair of accounting and computer and information technology.
“The students kept very busy at the conference with various activities including workshops,
a career expo and other informative sessions.”
The Southern region’s conference includes participants from Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, and provides a wealth of
leadership, career and networking opportunities for NABA’s student membership. “Leveraging
Strengths to Lead a Global Economy” was the subject of this year’s conference.
Numerous businesses and educational institutions participated in a career expo and
conducted interviews throughout the conference. Additionally, students had the opportunity
to attend an on-site resume review and interview preparation session. Personnel from
certified public accountant agencies discussed practices and plans to pass the CPA
exam.
The purpose of NABA is to address the professional needs of its members and to build
leaders who shape the future of the accounting and finance profession with an unfaltering
commitment to inspire the same in their successors.