FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas, sponsored nine students to attend the National Association of Black Accountants Annual Central Region Student Conference on October 1-3 in Itasca, Illinois. Students networked with industry professionals and attended workshops and sessions, some receiving scholarships and even job offers.

Based on scholastic merit, the following nine Walton students were selected to attend the conference: Ebone Allen, Kelsie Brown, Thea Winston, Tatiana Polydore, KaLene Simpson, Eric Mays, Cameron Boyland, Guy Smith and Cordell Griffin. Three of the students received company-sponsored scholarships ranging from $1,000-$3,000 which were awarded during the conference.

"This conference gives our students an opportunity to meet potential employers, learn more about business professions and network with like-minded students," said Barbara Lofton, director, Diversity and Inclusion. "I am proud that these students served as ambassadors of Walton College, the University of Arkansas and our state."

"I'm truly blessed to have had the opportunity to not only be in attendance at the NABA regional conference, but also to receive a $2,000 scholarship from John Deere," said Polydore, a junior majoring in finance. "I networked and found two mentors that can help guide me through my career decisions, and made new friends along the way."

Students were able to network or interview with 3M, Allstate Insurance Company, Becker, Caterpillar, Cargill, Crowe Horwath, Deloitte, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, Deere & Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., KPMG, McGladrey, Plante Moran, PNC Financial Services Group, PwC, Progressive Insurance, RubinBrown, Sherwin-Williams Co., Target Corp. and Wells Fargo.

About Office of Diversity and Inclusion: The Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the Sam M. Walton College of Business was developed in 1994 to support, advocate and assist the college in developing strategies for diversity. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is committed to increasing students' awareness and value of diversity and to bringing diverse faculty, professionals and students together as they pursue challenges and opportunities.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.