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CBA Faculty, Staff and Students Recognized for Spirit of Service

A UNL College of Business Administration professor, a staff member and several students were recognized at the UNL Center for Civic Engagement Celebration of Service on April 12 in the Nebraska Union. The Spirit of Service awards recognize the efforts of students, student organizations, faculty, staff and community partners in areas of community engagement.
 
Jean Riley-Schultz, assistant professor of practice in accountancy, was honored with the 2013 Faculty Award for her service-learning trip to Poland last summer to teach English as a second language and host a sports camp with young children.
Jean Riley Schultz

Jean Riley Schultz (left) with nominator Ann Chalupa

 
“Spending a few weeks in a foreign country where I was unable to speak or understand the language taught me empathy for our international students and their struggle to grasp American accounting,” Riley-Schultz said.
 
CBA School of Accountancy Office Assistant Ann Chalupa nominated Riley-Schultz.
 
“Jean bubbles with enthusiasm, and is willing to give of herself and her talent at all times,” Chalupa said. “Her experience not only established a bond between Nebraska and Poland, but she will also be able to relate this experience in assisting our students who may have to overcome some language barriers.”
 
Mary Fischer, office associate in marketing, was a finalist for the 2013 Kim A Hobson Staff Award for her assistance in planning and executing the interdisciplinary conference on human trafficking over the past four years at UNL.
 
Dr. A. Dwayne Ball, interim chair and associate professor of marketing, nominated Fischer.
 
“Because of Mary, the conference has had better publicity, more interesting events and people invited, and an overall higher level of enthusiasm,” Dr. Ball said.
 
Also at the celebration, 27 CBA students were recognized for their service with IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA). The program, which is coordinated by the UNL Center for Civic Engagement, offers free tax preparation assistance to the UNL community. Among them was Erica Lam, a MPA graduate student from Olathe, Kan., who was honored for her four years of service with VITA.
 
Kyla McGregor

Kyla McGregor receives award

“My favorite aspect about volunteering with VITA is we have a direct and immediate impact with individuals and families. Generally within 15 to 30 minutes they know exactly how much of a refund or payment they have,” said Lam.
 
Kyla McGregor, a UNL VITA site coordinator and MPA graduate student from Gibbon, Neb., believes this opportunity is a great service activity for those who enjoy taxes.
 
“It is important to have income tax assistance on campus to provide our students the opportunity to help other students and low income community members with tax preparation,” said McGregor. “Student volunteers work on communication skills and learn about tax law, which is a particularly great experience for accounting students.”
 
CBA students interested in helping with future VITA campaigns can contact the Center for Civic Engagement by either visiting 222 Nebraska Union, calling 402-472-6150 or emailing service-learning@unl.edu.
Published: April 22, 2013