Business Students Attend Deloitte MADE Leadership Summit

A group of 25 students from the College of Business Administration proudly represented LMU at the 2024 Deloitte MADE (Making Accounting Diverse and Equitable) Leadership Summit, held October 25-26 at Deloitte University in Westlake, TX. Since its origin in 2021, Deloitte's MADE commitment has focused on fueling greater racial and ethnic diversity in the accounting and tax professions.

The third annual summit brought together over 300 college students from across the country to explore the world of accounting and discover its potential as a career path. Students attended panel discussions and breakout sessions, gaining invaluable connections with industry professionals and peers. A standout moment included a fireside chat with U.S. Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles, who shared her inspiring journey and advice with attendees.

"The summit combined professional growth with unforgettable experiences, setting our students on an exciting path in the accounting field," said Yini Wang, an assistant professor of accounting who accompanied the delegation of LMU students to Texas. "As the faculty representative, I was thrilled to see our students connect with industry professionals, gain valuable insights, and participate in tailored sessions on integrating AI into the accounting classroom."

Mason Fat, a sophomore accounting and finance double major, was grateful for the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in the industry.

"From insightful workshops to thought-provoking discussions, every session offered new perspectives and actionable takeaways that I'm excited to bring into my work," he said. "Overall, this experience allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and create new relationships with students from around the nation and professionals from Deloitte."

For Amanda Chaves, a junior information systems and business analytics major from Brazil, the summit helped her understand the importance of time management, social skills, adaptation, and logical thinking. "The summit opened my eyes to new possibilities, such as starting a career in accounting and data analysis. I was able to network with accountants who work for Deloitte and understand more about the summer internship programs, especially for international students."

Several graduate students from LMU's M.S. in Accounting and M.S. in Taxation programs, who are recipients of the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program, were also at the summit.

The Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program endeavors to strengthen the pipeline of diverse talent entering the CPA profession. Students selected for this scholarship will have 100% of their tuition and fees (not including textbooks and living expenses) paid for by the Deloitte Foundation and LMU.

To learn more about the Deloitte Foundation Accounting Scholars Program, including selection/eligibility criteria, application requirements, and deadlines, please visit our website.