Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business was selected for the 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

The award was given to 28 programs across the country who support and encourage students from underrepresented groups to enter the field of business. The College’s successful implementation of the Concurrent Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program with Grambling State University will be featured in the April 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine.

“We are honored to be recognized by Insight Into Diversity magazine for our collaborative work to diversify and grow the regional accounting workforce,” said Dr. Chris Martin, Dean of the College of Business. “Grambling and Deloitte have been tremendous partners in this work, and this national award is further proof of the impact of this program on the individual students, the field of accounting, and our state.”

Inspiring Programs in Business Award winners were selected based on efforts to inspire a new generation of young people to consider careers in business through mentoring, teaching, research, and successful programs and initiatives.

“We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in business,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

In October of 2020, Louisiana Tech entered into a memorandum of understanding with Grambling to provide accounting undergraduates accelerated entry into Louisiana Tech’s MAcc program.

“When I first read about the program, I had doubts,” said Geormar Owens, a 2023 Tech grad. “Taking undergraduate and graduate courses together was a huge undertaking, and I was on track to graduate magna cum laude with my bachelor’s degree. I was hesitant to take on graduate level courses while completing a full load of undergraduate courses in my final semester. Completing the program was a huge personal achievement! My networking connections expanded, and I would not be employed with Deloitte had it not been for my success in this program.”

Because financial aid packages do not transfer between institutions in Louisiana, GSU students entering Tech’s concurrent program are required to self-fund their coursework at Louisiana Tech. In order to lift the financial burden for these students, Tech’s College of Business provides scholarships and graduate assistantships which are funded through gifts from alumni, including a $250,000 lead gift from Deloitte.

While in the program, participants receive mentoring from accounting faculty members and have opportunities to participate in exclusive professional development events with Deloitte. 

“The successful implementation of the Concurrent Master of Accountancy (MAcc) program between our institutions exemplifies excellence in fostering pathways for Grambling and Louisiana Tech students,” said Dr. Derrick Warren, Dean of the College of Business at Grambling State. “By inspiring a new generation of young minds to explore accounting careers, you’ve not only transformed lives but also contributed to the future success of our global society. We are grateful to Dean Chris Martin of Louisiana Tech’s College of Business, Deloitte, and other key stakeholders for their partnership and support of this innovative academic initiative. We look forward to continued collaboration and shared success in shaping the next generation of business leaders.”

For more information about the 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Award and Insight Into Diversity magazine, visit insightintodiversity.com.