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“I really enjoy traveling with organizations to help others and meet new people,” says Alicia, an active member of the Manna Project at UNCW. The Manna Project works to serve communities in need, specifically in Nicaragua and Ecuador.
This organization not only works abroad, but also assists children in the local community. So far, Alicia has contributed to the project by providing yoga mats for a Woman’s Center in Nicaragua, helping compile music for fundraising events and gathering school supplies for inner-city schools.
“Giving back to the community is very important to me, and the Manna Project has really provided me an amazing opportunity to reach out to others and make a difference,” she says.
Her experience serving the community has helped Alicia mold the goals for her future. Following graduation, she plans to continue her service work by teaching in Jacksonville, Fla., for Teach for America, a two-year program that works with inner-city schools to close the achievement gap among students. Alicia feels that the work this program does is essential so that every child in America can have an equal opportunity to a promising education.
With her compassion and dedication, Alicia hopes to eventually work in education as an administrative staff member. “I hope to find a job that is meaningful to others and allows me to make a difference,” she says.
Not only is Alicia a strong contributor to the community, she is a top-notch student. She received the BB&T Accounting Scholarship and is also the vice president of the UNCW chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, an honorary accounting fraternity.
Interning and traveling abroad while at UNCW has given Alicia valuable experience and lifelong memories. Her junior year, she interned in a year-long program with an internal audit team at Pharmaceutical Product Development, Inc. in Wilmington. “Working at PPD was a great place to gain real-world practice; they are a good company with an excellent corporate culture,” Alicia says.
One of the best experiences of Alicia’s life was when she traveled abroad to Ubeda, Spain with UNCW in the summer of 2007. “I would recommend every student study abroad during their college experience; I gained years’ worth of knowledge on that trip,” she says.
She says that much of her success would not be possible without the help of the faculty and staff at UNCW. Alicia credits Dr. Susan Ivancevich as a major influence in all aspects of her life. “She has inspired me not only to achieve great goals in accounting, but to work for something I really believe in. I owe her my deepest of gratitude for many of my accomplishments at UNCW,” Alicia says. She also mentions Lesley Wright and David Ward for their steady advice and support.
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