Supporting ACAP-Ohio opens business world for minority students: inspiring Ohio's minority high school students to pursue careers in accounting and business is what the Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio) is all about.

• Position: Members only

For 12 years, The Ohio Society of CPAs and the Ohio chapters of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) have partnered to bring this program to Ohio's minority youth as a way to positively impact students' lives through career exploration and mentoring.

"Most students know what doctors and attorneys do," said Karen Lasley, president of the Columbus chapter of NABA. "Most of them don't, however, know what CPAs do. This program exposes them to the field of accounting in a way they can identify with."

The Program

Each summer, ACAP-Ohio welcomes 40-45 of the best and brightest minority high school students in Ohio to participate in the nationally recognized residency program. Hosted at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, ACAP-Ohio students experience college life and learn first-hand about exciting career opportunities in accounting. Minority role models serve as speakers, mentors and workshop facilitators and give students the opportunity to see through their eyes into the world of accounting and business.

"Because of the valuable lessons I learned at ACAP-Ohio, I now know that accounting is definitely the career for me," said Taylor Rhodes, ACAP-Ohio 2006 participant. Rhodes is now completing her freshman year at the University of New Haven as an accounting major.

The Students

Admission to ACAP-Ohio is competitive. Students are selected based on their grade point average, a written essay and letters of recommendation. Last summer's class had a combined average GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale.

"Each year, I am amazed at the caliber of students who come to be part of the ACAP-Ohio program," said Clarke Price, president and CEO of The Ohio Society of CPAs. "The ACAP program attracts students who are bright, inquisitive, enthusiastic and incredibly committed to learning more about the CPA profession."

Your Support

This summer's program will be held June 24-28. Students selected to participate attend the program free of charge. Sponsorship support from firms and corporations has been an integral part of the program's success.

"Without a doubt, this program would not be possible without the sponsor support we receive from members of The Ohio Society and NABA," Lasley said. "Many of our students would not have the means to attend if they had to pay," she added. "We rely on the support of CPA firms as well as many corporations, such as Chase and Honda, to help make this opportunity a reality for students."

Various levels of...