Student Spotlight: 2026 CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholars (Part 3)

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 planning careers as accountants.  

CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholar: Vinuta Ramakrishnan 

Vinuta is embarking on a degree in accounting and accounting information systems with a concentration in finance at Rutgers University. She spoke with Scholarship America about how her volunteer work informed her goals. 

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

Vinuta Ramakrishnan: Critical thinking has always been a passion for me, so I am drawn to accounting because it blends logic, communication, and real-world business impact. Throughout high school, I served as a volunteer tax intern, assisting lower-income and elderly individuals with their tax returns. Through this experience, I not only learned how to use accounting information systems and prepare more complex tax returns, but I also saw how accounting has evolved into a field deeply intertwined with technology and artificial intelligence. More importantly, I realized how uneven access to financial literacy can be. I quickly learned how easy it is to take tax-related knowledge for granted—and how empowering it can be when people receive the guidance they need. That experience inspired me to pursue accounting so I can use my skills to help individuals and make a meaningful impact in my community. 

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

VR: I signed up for the CLA Foundation emails to get their article and blog updates, and right around the time I started hearing back from colleges, I found the scholarship application in my email! I really appreciated how the CLA Foundation was financially supporting future leaders, specifically in the accounting/business field. 

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

VR: I am extremely grateful to have received the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship. As an incoming freshman, this [will] allow me to focus more on my GPA, as I can take on a heavier course load and enroll in advanced classes that align with my career goals. This [will] allow me to really make the most of my college experience. It [will] also help me build connections with fellow CLA Scholars, and engage more with the CLA Foundation, the work that they do, and the organization as a whole. Additionally, I [will] also be able to channel my energy more on my passion of violin and be able to do music on the side–something I would not be able to do with a tighter financial restraint. 

SA: What is your dream for your future? 

VR: Once I graduate with my Accounting & Accounting Information Systems degree, I hope to join an accounting firm working as either an auditor, tax accountant, or another role that suits my interests! I will also work to achieve my CPA license, hoping to then guide organizations toward smarter, more ethical and efficient financial decisions, prioritizing character, morals, and good business practices as an accountant. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship not only allows me to focus on getting my degree, but also encourages me to give back once I “make it big”! Organizations and programs such as these are so inspiring to a rising college student like myself, and I truly cannot wait to be an inspiration and the reason someone else gets to study with no financial stress. 

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

VR: Stay positive, and always have a positive mindset. Thinking positively really is a lifestyle, and always seeing the good in things makes you feel so much happier. The power of manifestation is real, and if you have true faith in yourself and the resilience to keep working hard, anything is possible. 

CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholar: Jonathan Pedroza 

Jonathan is a transfer student at Lewis University, majoring in accounting. He spoke to Scholarship America about honoring the work his family poured into him throughout his life. 

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

Jonathan Pedroza: I chose to study accounting because I have seen how hard my family has worked to create better opportunities for me. Growing up, I learned that financial stability can make a huge difference in a family’s life. I wanted to choose a career that would allow me to build a secure future, give back to my family, and make their sacrifices worth it. Accounting also stood out to me because I enjoy problem-solving and understanding how money impacts people and businesses. Becoming a CPA would be a personal accomplishment, but it would also represent how far my family and I have come. 

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

JP: I learned about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship through a friend who sent me the application. I decided to apply because I am surrounded by motivated and driven individuals who constantly push one another to pursue new opportunities and accomplish our goals. Their encouragement inspired me to take a chance and apply for a scholarship that could support me as I continue working toward becoming a CPA. 

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

JP: One of the biggest obstacles I have overcome while pursuing my degree has been balancing school with the need to financially support myself. At one point, I worked multiple jobs at the same time, including graveyard shifts at a warehouse after my night classes and other jobs during the day. There were days when I went from work to class and then directly to another shift, leaving very little time to sleep, study, or take care of myself. 

Receiving the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship [means] so much to me because it [will] help pay for the remainder of my college education. Instead of having to work multiple jobs to support myself while attending school, I [will] be able to focus more of my time and energy on finishing my senior year strong. 

This scholarship [will] also give me the opportunity to fully dedicate myself to my accounting courses and begin preparing for the CPA exam. I [will] have more time to participate in campus activities, connect with accounting professionals, and take advantage of opportunities that will help me grow personally and professionally. Most importantly, it [will] relieve a major financial burden and allow me to focus on becoming the best student and future accounting professional I can be. This support [will] not only help me complete my degree but also bring me one step closer to becoming a CPA and creating a more secure future for myself and my family. 

SA: What is your dream for your future? 

JP: My dream after graduation is to become a CPA, build a successful career in accounting, and show others what is possible. I want people from backgrounds like mine to see that even if the journey is not always easy, they can still graduate, reach their goals, and create a better future for themselves and their families. 

I also want my impact to be bigger than just my own career. Organizations like HACE, ALPFA, and VITA have helped me grow, connect with others, and understand how important it is to give back. After graduation, I want to continue supporting these organizations, mentoring students, and helping people who may not have access to the same resources or guidance. 

The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship [will] help me by taking away some of the financial stress I currently carry. Instead of having to focus so much on working multiple jobs, I [will] be able to put more energy into finishing my degree, starting my CPA journey, and continuing to serve my community. This scholarship [will] not only help me reach my own goals, but it would also help me continue helping others reach theirs. 

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

J: If I could give my younger self one piece of advice, I would tell myself not to underestimate what I am capable of just because my path looks different from someone else’s. Starting at a community college sometimes made me feel like I was behind or did not have the same opportunities as other students. Over time, I learned that coming from a nontraditional background does not make you any less capable of succeeding. 

I would tell myself to stop comparing my journey to others, trust the process, and continue aiming higher than what feels comfortable. A quote I have always believed in is, “Reach for the stars; never settle for the moon.” I would remind my younger self that where you begin does not determine how far you can go. 

CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholar: Ava Christiana 

Ava studies accounting at Babson College. Originally from Phoenix, she spoke to Scholarship America about her early experiences with CLA and how she hopes to transform the accounting industry. 

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

AC: I was an intern with CLA going into my senior year of high school! The firm solidified accounting was something I could see myself in long-term. 

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

AC: I learned about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship through connections I had with fellow CLA high school interns. I decided to apply because I knew I could use the money for good — to continue my education so I could focus on my financial literacy program and other initiatives to give back. 

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

AC: I was raised in a single parent, low-income household which not only means financial struggles, but also a negative mindset around money and what I could be capable of. In the past, the anxiety surrounding money has led me to overwork myself and miss out on certain opportunities.  

This scholarship means I can focus more on giving back to others. My faith is a huge part of who I am and has driven me to teach others financial literacy. This scholarship allows me to serve others while not having to worry about paying for school. 

SA: What is your dream for your future? 

AC: My dream is to make the accounting industry more philanthropic. I plan on giving back wherever I can. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship helps me pursue my dreams by giving me the financial means to support myself and my financial literacy initiative to build the skills I need for my future. 

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

AC: I would say to find value in things outside of academic and career success. Spend more time with family and friends, explore what you like, and try new things! 

Our thanks to the CLA Foundation for sponsoring this content.