Tessa is from Bucks County, Pennsylvania which is roughly 45 minutes from Philadelphia. She learned about IUP when a high school guidance counselor mentioned that a representative for IUP was coming for instant decision day.
She planned a trip to visit the campus and loved the campus. The best part of her tour was when she got to see the Eberly College of Business. The second that she walked into the doors and appreciated the professional environment that it offered. What she appreciated most about the campus was that there were tons of students everywhere in the Eberly Atrium, the dining halls, and the quad. She encountered many friendly people and what made it feel like this could be her future home….and now four and a half years later, she is still here.
Tessa has held multiple on-campus jobs while at IUP, helping to offset the cost of her education. She worked three years as the secretary for the student run newspaper The Penn, greeting clients and creating the layout for each issue. She was also a Peer Mentor for the University College where she assisted new students in the transition from high school to college. Currently, she is a graduate assistant at the Eberly College of Business helping faculty with research and related projects.
Tessa was also quite involved in the Eberly community as an undergraduate student. She was a member of the Student Accounting Association (SAA) and the professional organization Phi Gamma Nu. She also held a leadership position serving as the treasurer of the International Business Association (IBA). When asked about these organizations she responds with “I really appreciated the chance to get to know my peers in the business school. Being a member of student organizations is so important for students as they learn more about their discipline, have the opportunity to meet with alumni and business professionals, and work on organization and team-building skills.”
During her undergrad days, you would most likely find Tessa enjoying a hot meal served by the Eberly Café (especially the meatloaf) and studying for her classes. Tessa graduated in May 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She was accepted into the early admission graduate program in the fall of her senior year at IUP. In the spring of 2021, she will be graduating with her Master of Business Administration and have 150 college credits.
Outside of school, Tessa enjoys spending her time outdoors. Whether it is hiking at Yellow Creek State Park or just taking a stroll around the beautiful town of Indiana, she is out getting some fresh air. She also enjoys shopping. Leave it to Tessa to find the best deals with her newfound love of couponing. She is learning to cook at home a lot more considering the amount of food deals that she gets.
Upon graduation Tessa will use everything that she learned from Eberly and IUP and hopes to start her career off in public accounting and obtain her CPA.
ABOUT #EBERLYAMAZINGSTUDENTS
The #EberlyAmazingStudents series features students who are involved in a variety of extra-curricular activities. Associate Dean Cyndy Strittmatter is overseeing the project. “We are proud of our students who balance their academics with extracurricular activities and recognize the commitment that it takes to excel at all levels. We look forward to sharing their accomplishments with the IUP community and beyond!”