Student Center for the Public Trust

In the fall of 2011, an informational session about the Student CPT chapter benefits was held at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, now the fourth university to establish a Student CPT chapter. On November 30, the second of two visits was made to Rutgers for their highly successful inaugural membership meeting where 28 students attended.

“Rutgers University will prove to be one of our strongest chapters,” said Amy Walters, Manager of Programs for the Center for the Public Trust. “This chapter is led by a diverse group of strong student leaders representing various majors including accounting, finance and marketing.”

One of the many benefits of 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. Rutgers University meeting finished up with an engaging question and answer session about resolving conflict through collaboration as opposed to compromise.

As Chief Relationship Officer of NASBA (recognized as one of Nashville’s Best Places to Work), Alexander oversees several important departments, including Human Resources, Communications, Marketing and Information and Research. Alexander is the perfect example of the caliber of meaningful and inspiring speakers the Student CPT is able to provide for chapter meetings.

Walters also spoke about additional benefits of the Student CPT during the chapter meetings, including leadership development, networking opportunities and community service – things that will benefit students both during school and after graduation.

In June 2012, the Student CPT will also host a Student Leadership Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference 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, Rutgers Chapter President Stella Continanza, and Rutgers officers Adrian Budny and Tyrone Heggins attended the inaugural Student Leadership Conference last year in Point Clear, Alabama. In its second year, attendance at the 2012 Leadership Conference is expected to grow significantly.

If those benefits weren’t enough, students nationwide also have a shot at winning some money. The Student CPT is gearing up for its second “National Ethics in Action”  Student Video Competition. The Competition offers students a chance to flex their creative muscles, demonstrating 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 the first place submission. The Competition, sponsored by The Dean Institute for Corporate Governance and Integrity at Lipscomb University, officially launched January 17, 2012.

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.