Student Center for the Public Trust

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville became the third university with a chapter in the Student Center for the Public Trust (Student CPT) with a lively kick-off meeting on October 27, joining Lipscomb University as the second school in Tennessee to boast a student chapter.

“We’re really excited to work with the University of Tennessee to establish our second Student CPT chapter in the state of Tennessee,” said Alfonzo Alexander, incoming President and CEO of the Center for the Public Trust (CPT). “We see tremendous potential with the University of Tennessee chapter because of its strong reputation with its business school, in particular the
accounting leadership that the university has.”

One of the many benefits to belonging to a chapter of the Student CPT is getting a hearty introduction to the business world through learning about the experiences of some of its most well respected denizens. Alexander, who is also the Chief Relationship Officer of the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA), gave an inspiring talk at the meeting on keys to success in the business world. He also offered great advice to those in attendance about leadership success and which companies to target during job searches.

As Chief Relationship Officer of NASBA, Alexander oversees several important departments, including Human Resources, Communications, Marketing, and Information and Research. NASBA has routinely been voted by its employees as one of the best places to work in Nashville, Tenn.

Alexander is the perfect example of the caliber of meaningful and inspiring speakers the SCPT is able to provide for chapter meetings.

Amy Walters, Manager of Programs for the CPT, spoke about some of the other benefits of the Student CPT during the chapter’s meeting, including leadership development, networking opportunities and community service – things that will benefit students both during school and after graduation.

The Student CPT will also hold a Student Leadership Conference in Philadelphia, PA in June 2012. It will occur alongside the NASBA Eastern Regional Meeting.

“The Student Leadership Conference is a tremendous opportunity for students to mingle and network with fellow students and professionals attending NASBA’s Eastern Regional Meeting,” said Walters. Twenty-one college students, including UT-Knoxville Chapter President Peyton Sweeney, attended the inaugural Student Leadership Conference last year in Point Clear, AL. Attendance is expected to double in 2012.

If those benefits weren’t enough, members of the UT-Knoxville chapter also have a shot at winning some money. The Student CPT is gearing up for its second Ethics in Action Student Video Competition. It’s a chance for students to flex their creative muscles to demonstrate how they see, interpret and portray ethics and ethical issues of today. Selected videos have a chance of
winning cash prizes, with $1,000 going to first place.

Student CPT chapters focus on educating and engaging future business leaders on ethics, accountability and integrity. The chapters are interdisciplinary, student-run organizations committed to understanding, addressing and promoting ethics.