Thanks to the support of an accounting leader, a new program at Fisher College of Business is providing students with opportunities to grow and succeed in the fields of Accounting and Management Information Systems (AMIS).

Project THRIVE is a comprehensive program designed to create a community of minority and underrepresented Accounting and MIS students that is equipped to succeed at Fisher and beyond. The initiative, which combines classroom curriculum with co-curricular opportunities, is funded in part by PwC. The accounting firm provided $2,500 scholarships to 13 underrepresented minority accounting students.

“PwC’s support and generosity is helping Fisher connect with talented young students who may not have considered a career in accounting,” said Dr. Cynthia W. Turner, senior lecturer and THRIVE coordinator. “This program is opening doors of opportunity and has the potential to make an incredible impact on accounting education here at Fisher as well as the practice of accounting.”

Project THRIVE (Transcend fear; Harvest the power of knowledge; Raise the standard; Invest time wisely; Value others; Embrace excellence) builds on Fisher’s world-class accounting curriculum to provide students with a holistic accounting and MIS education experience. Among the key facets of Project THRIVE:

• Students complete AMIS 1000, an accounting survey class
• Participants receive mentorship and advising from AMIS alumni
• Participants put their business, accounting and technical skills to work on a minimum to two community outreach projects

Additionally, Project THRIVE students will have access to an accounting library and tutoring services in conjunction with Fisher’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion Student Services, as well as opportunities to apply for scholarships.

Project THRIVE builds on Fisher’s foundation of creating opportunities and connections for underrepresented minorities to discover their passions in business. Thirteen of the 17 THRIVE students were introduced to accounting education at Fisher through the college’s Accounting Careers Awareness Program (ACAP-Ohio).

ACAP-Ohio, which enters its 23^rd year in 2017, is a weeklong event that provides minority high school students the opportunity to explore career options in accounting and business. In all, 842 high school students have participated in the program.