Student Spotlight: CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholars (Part 2)

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 $13 million to advance career opportunities in communities across the nation.

Scholarship America was thrilled to partner with CLA Foundation in 2025 to administer the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship—75 $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, who are working toward amazing futures as undergraduate and graduate students.

Last week, we introduced you to three undergraduate recipients of the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship. Today, we’re excited to introduce two students who are pursuing their graduate degrees with support from the Foundation: Prince Kwesi Essu, who is pursuing his MBA in accounting at Georgia State University, and Kevin Crown, Jr., a recent graduate of the University of New Mexico who will be pursuing his MS in business analytics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln this fall.

CLA Opportunity Scholar: Prince Kwesi Essu, Georgia State University

Prince Kwesi Essu, a native of Ghana, discovered the CLA Opportunity Scholarship via a LinkedIn post. The Georgia State University student says he applied because, “I saw it as a chance to be a part of a community that empowers aspiring accounting professionals from diverse backgrounds. I was drawn to the foundation’s mission to support students who are committed to giving back, which aligns closely with my own goals of mentorship and service.” We spoke with Prince to learn more about how early interests determined his career path, paying it forward, and the power of persistence.

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

Prince Kwesi Essu (PKE): From a very young age, I was captivated by the mechanics of money and how businesses were treating and using the money they got. This early curiosity evolved during high school when I began studying business, leading to my admiration of accounting as the universal language of business. Over time, my interest deepened into a professional pursuit, with each educational step confirming that accounting is not only a critical discipline but also the perfect blend of logic, analysis, and real-world impact.

SA: What does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship mean for you, and how will it help you in your educational journey?

PKE: The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship holds a strong personal and professional significance for me. It represents the belief of an organization in my potential and a commitment to easing the financial burdens associated with advanced studies. It means peace of mind and a renewed sense of purpose. It allows me to focus more deeply on my coursework and professional development without the added stress of financial strain. I can participate in more case competitions, research conferences, and volunteer activities, all of which enrich my learning and help me become a more well-rounded accounting professional.

SA: What is your dream for your future, upon graduation and beyond? How does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship help you pursue those dreams?

PKE: My dream is to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and work in audit or advisory services. I am especially interested in leveraging technology, such as data analytics and AI, to enhance audit quality and risk management. In the long term, I hope to return to academia to teach and mentor future accounting professionals. The CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship plays a vital role in this journey. It reduces my financial burden, allowing me to focus more intensely on my CPA exam preparation and academic pursuits.

With this support, I can take full advantage of educational opportunities, build a strong foundation for licensure, and work toward my ultimate goal of bridging the gap between theory and practice in the accounting profession. I am deeply grateful for the support of the CLA Foundation. Their investment in students like me creates ripples of impact that extend beyond the classroom. I look forward to one day paying it forward by mentoring, teaching, and helping others achieve their dreams, just as they have helped me pursue mine.

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

PKE: I would tell my younger self to stay curious and keep learning. Every small effort builds toward a bigger dream. Trust that curiosity and persistence will pave the way to success and never be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Transitioning from Ghana to the U.S. for graduate studies came with cultural, academic, and financial challenges. Balancing school with work responsibilities, adapting to a new environment, and navigating a different educational system tested my resilience. However, these experiences have strengthened my adaptability and perseverance.

CLA Opportunity Scholar: Kevin Crown, Jr., University of Nebraska-Lincoln

When Kevin Crown, Jr. finished his bachelor’s degree, he knew he wanted to continue working toward his CPA. But, as he says, “Master’s programs can pose unique challenges for students with middle-class parents who have typically planned for undergraduate funding.” We spoke with Kevin about his love of accounting and data, the challenge of affording graduate education, and the impact of scholarships on student experience.

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

Kevin Crown, Jr. (KC): My inspiration for pursuing accounting began in childhood, surrounded by my mother’s career in the field. During my undergraduate studies, I became fascinated by accounting as the fundamental language of business, realizing the deep interconnections across all business disciplines. This led me to explore beyond traditional accounting, finding business analytics to be the perfect intersection for my interests. I believe analytics and information technology are becoming critical roles in every industry, including accounting, due to emerging technologies. My goal is to build a solid career foundation by combining a strong accounting background and CPA with advanced analytics expertise.

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

KC: I learned about the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship through my university. I decided to apply for several compelling reasons: first, CLA Albuquerque holds an exceptional reputation as one of the premier CPA firms in the region. Second, after attending several of CLA’s events in Albuquerque, I was consistently impressed by the firm’s genuine passion for fostering student education and support. And finally, I have friends currently interning or in full-time positions at CLA who consistently praise the firm’s culture and the excellent mentorship they receive.

SA: What does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship mean for you, and how will it help you in your educational journey?

KC: This scholarship is transformative for my educational journey. [D]espite being blessed with supportive parents and previous scholarships, affording my master’s and CPA studies still presented a significant hurdle. This scholarship has directly enabled me to live in the city where my university is located, eliminating a long commute and the need to take on a job solely for financial reasons. This invaluable financial relief provides me with crucial extra time, allowing me to engage more deeply in clubs and organizations without sacrificing study time or sleep. This scholarship is, quite simply, a huge blessing.

SA: What is your dream for your future, upon graduation and beyond? How does the CLA Foundation Opportunity Scholarship help you pursue those dreams?

KC: Upon graduation, I plan to begin my career in audit at a Big Four firm, which I believe will open doors to various opportunities in public accounting and industry. My path could lead to a partner track at a firm, or I aspire to eventually reach for the stars as a Chief Financial Officer  in industry. Regardless of my specific career trajectory, I am deeply committed to giving back. I hope to achieve a position where I can make a meaningful difference, potentially by teaching at a university and establishing scholarships for students, having seen firsthand their profound impact.

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

KC: I would tell my younger self to actively seek out and prioritize finding strong mentors. Their guidance, unique insights, and willingness to share hard-earned experiences can profoundly shape your path, helping you to navigate challenges and seize opportunities with greater clarity and confidence. They truly make all the difference.

Our thanks to the CLA Foundation for sponsoring this content.