Student Spotlight: 2026 CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholars (Part 1)

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen LLP), one of the leading professional service firms in the United States, exists to create opportunities for its clients, its people, and its communities through industry-focused wealth advisory, digital, audit, tax, consulting, and outsourcing services. The CLA Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization, founded in 2015 and funded solely by donations from CLA family members. Since its inception, the CLA Foundation has granted more than $16.5 million to advance career opportunities in communities across the nation.

Scholarship America was thrilled to partner with CLA Foundation beginning in 2025 to administer the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship—$15,000 scholarships for America’s future leaders in finance, accounting, business and other emerging areas of study in professional services. Over the coming weeks, we’ll spotlight several of those scholarship recipients for 2026, who are working toward amazing futures as undergraduate and graduate students.  

Today, we’re excited to introduce three scholars in computer science and related fields.  

CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholar: Anjolaoluwa Odomo  

Anjolaoluwa studies computer science at Fisk University, with an expected graduation date of May 2028. Originally from Nashville, Anjolaoluwa spoke to Scholarship America about the power of data and the road to self-confidence. 

Scholarship America: What inspired you to select your course of study? 

Anjolaoluwa Odomo: Growing up, inspiration was all around me. I watched it all: the people I love strive to create businesses that create value. 

The thing that tied them together, though, was what I called “the guess.” They all faced uncertainty and isolation while making business decisions on instinct alone. I later realized that the biggest companies don’t guess. They know. They follow the data. Meanwhile, people building from scratch are flying blind. This is what inspired me to choose computer science, a field that allows me to close this gap, and make sure that small business owners have something better than a guess to hold onto. 

SA: How did you learn about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship, and why did you decide to apply? 

AO: I learned about this program through Scholarship America, and I originally wasn’t going to apply because I wasn’t sure I fit all the criteria, but I took a chance and decided to apply because the CLA Foundation’s values and beliefs aligned with mine. And so I put my best foot forward, and it’s turned out to be a decision I don’t regret! 

Before this journey, I didn’t see myself as someone who belonged in rooms full of researchers or engineers. That shifted gradually and scholarships like these have made the experience much more bearable. 

SA: What does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship mean for you? 

AO: This scholarship covers my entire bill for the next academic year, and although I truly cannot express in words what this means to me, I will try. It [means] one less barrier standing between me and the work I’m called to do. I know what it means to be invested in, because I know what it means not to be. This scholarship [will] help me show up fully, continuing to support the communities that raised me, and pass the torch to the younger generation as well. 

SA: What is your dream for your future? 

AO: My dream is simply an equitable world. A world where your zip code, socioeconomic status, or yearly income doesn’t affect your ability to access opportunities for growth.  

Whether I’m doing that through business analysis, computer science, or any other field, the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship has given me a vote of confidence, a renewed belief that my dreams and aspirations matter and are possible, and that, I do not take it for granted. 

SA: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

AO: If I could tell my younger self anything, I would first of all tell her to breathe. I would tell her that it all adds up, and that God works everything out. 

CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholar: Jason Mascarenhas 

Jason is entering his final year of studies in accountancy and data science at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Hailing from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, Jason spoke to Scholarship America about making financial services available to more people and the importance of asking for help. 

SA: What inspired you to select your course of study? 

Jason Mascarenhas: My interest in Accountancy and Data Science grew from seeing how financial decisions can profoundly impact people’s lives. When my family faced significant financial challenges while caring for my grandfather after he developed dementia, I saw firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate complex financial systems during a time of crisis. 

I wanted to understand not only how financial information is created and analyzed, but also how technology can make financial services more accessible and effective. Studying both Accountancy and Data Science has allowed me to develop technical skills while exploring how analytics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies can improve decision-making. Through internships across accounting, business, and technology, I’ve become even more excited about using these disciplines together to help organizations and communities solve meaningful problems. 

SA: How did you learn about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship, and why did you decide to apply? 

JM: I learned about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship through Scholarship America while searching for scholarships that support students pursuing careers in accounting and business. 

I decided to apply because I was inspired by the Foundation’s commitment to investing in future professionals while recognizing leadership, service, work experience, and financial need. As someone who has worked throughout college to help fund my education, I appreciated that the scholarship values students who are actively building both their professional skills and their communities. CLA’s emphasis on innovation, client service, and creating opportunities through business closely aligns with the kind of career I hope to build. 

SA: What does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship mean for you? 

JM: Receiving the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship is an incredible honor. Beyond easing the financial burden of college, it provides me with the opportunity to dedicate more time to my education, leadership roles, and professional development instead of focusing as heavily on earning income to cover expenses. 

The scholarship allows me to continue pursuing meaningful experiences that complement my coursework, including research, internships, mentorship opportunities, and service projects. It also gives me greater flexibility to invest in experiences that prepare me for a career where I can make a positive impact through accounting, technology, and business. Knowing that the Foundation believes in my potential is both motivating and deeply encouraging. 

SA: What is your dream for your future? 

JM: After graduation, I hope to build a career at the intersection of accounting, business, and technology, where I can help organizations solve complex challenges through data-driven decision-making and innovative financial solutions. I plan to pursue my CPA while continuing to develop expertise in analytics and emerging technologies that are transforming the profession. 

Long term, I hope to use those skills to expand access to ethical financial services, improve financial literacy, and create opportunities for underserved communities. I believe business has the power to drive meaningful social impact when paired with integrity, innovation, and a commitment to service. 

SA: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

JM: I would tell my younger self not to be afraid of asking for help or pursuing opportunities that seem out of reach. 

Some of the most meaningful experiences I’ve had—including internships, leadership roles, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities—began because I was willing to step outside my comfort zone and simply apply or start a conversation. Growth rarely comes from feeling completely prepared, and I’ve learned that taking the first step often opens doors you never imagined were possible. 

CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholar: Simbarashe Zvidzwa 

Simbarashe will graduate from The College of Saint Scholastica with a degree in computer science in the spring of 2027. A native of Duluth, MN, Simbarashe spoke to Scholarship America about problem solving at scale and balancing competing demands on his time. 

SA: What inspired you to select your course of study? 

Simbarashe Zvidzwa: I have always enjoyed solving problems and using technology to improve people’s lives. Computer Science gives me the opportunity to build innovative solutions that make a meaningful impact. 

SA: How did you learn about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship, and why did you decide to apply? 

SZ: I learned about the scholarship through my university’s scholarship opportunities. I applied because it aligned with my academic goals and would help reduce financial barriers while I pursue my degree. 

SA: What does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship mean for you? 

SZ: This scholarship eases my financial burden, allowing me to focus more on my studies, internships, and leadership opportunities rather than worrying about educational expenses. It brings me one step closer to achieving my goals. 

I am incredibly grateful to the CLA Foundation and Scholarship America for investing in students like me. Their support motivates me to continue working hard and give back to my community in the future. 

SA: What is your dream for your future? 

SZ: My goal is to build a career in technology where I can develop innovative software solutions that solve real-world problems. This scholarship helps me stay focused on gaining the knowledge and experience needed to make that vision a reality. 

SA: If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be? 

SZ: Believe in yourself, stay resilient, and never be afraid to ask for help. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow. 

Our thanks to the CLA Foundation for sponsoring this content.