My name is Drew DeGeorge. I am an honors major with a minor in , and I will graduate in May 2025!
I came to Kent in the fall of 2021 because I grew up close to the area and have always loved the atmosphere and downtown. I originally was an architecture student – Kent’s is fantastic, so that played a part as well. I spent a semester as an architecture major, and it was a good experience, but not the right one for me. I’ve always loved numbers and data, so accounting was a perfect next fit for me.
I felt worried about changing majors and how it would affect my college experience, but with the right resources, it all turned out exactly the way I wanted!
Throughout the past four years, my favorite part about being an accounting student is the professors and opportunities available. All the professors and staff members I’ve spoken with or been taught by have always had the student's best interest in mind. Whether it’s researching internships, helping outside classes, or just showing up to support students, they have always been helpful.
I secured an internship at the J.M. Smucker Co. with the guidance of a professor and Kent’s Meet the Accountant’s Night as a junior, and then as a senior, I helped them recruit on the other side! This past semester, two students and I represented Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ in the Intercollegiate Ethics Case Competition at Cleveland State. Over two months, we researched and presented to accounting professionals and took home 2nd place! This was an accomplishment that I will never forget!
Outside of academics, I’ve found my passion for leadership here.
I joined as a freshman and ended up being treasurer for the team over the next two years. This was a steppingstone for me to get my foot in the door of being a leader. I was able to combine my love for the sport with my organizational skills to effectively help the team budget and control finances for two years! I realized I wanted to continue my leadership journey and apply to be an RA.
This did not go completely to plan, however. My first time applying, I missed the deadline and was crushed. I felt so disappointed that I was potentially missing out on that experience all because I didn’t submit my application on time.
While this wasn’t what I had planned, I told myself I would try again next year. When the time came, I submitted the application on time. All I needed to do now was take the P.E.E.R Success Academy (PSA) course as a prerequisite for the position. The course is taught by two undergraduate student trainers and teaches students how to be effective leaders and peer mentors in life and on campus. I never expected to get anything out of the course besides a grade, so I could hopefully be a Resident Assistant, but that was not the case. While I did get the Resident Assistant position, the course made me realize I wanted to be a PSA Trainer as well and help other students grow in their leadership journey.
From that moment, the next two years of college were an unforgettable experience, and who knows what would have happened if I had not submitted my application again.
The last two years, I have been a Resident Assistant in Lake Hall and the Honors College Stopher Hall and facilitated the P.E.E.R Success Academy course twice as a trainer. The leadership opportunities at Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ are endless and I’m glad I found my place here. I’ve been able to support, educate and mentor multiple students on whatever journey they are on, and that has been the most fulfilling.
I advise all students who want to pursue leadership positions on campus to remember to not treat it as a resume booster, but as a learning opportunity for yourself to grow and help others grow as well.
After graduation, I will be going back to the J.M Smucker Co. at their corporate headquarters to work as a financial analyst. I'm excited for this next journey!
My advice to incoming freshmen is to trust the process and not take this time for granted. Go out and make connections, find a club or organization that fits your interests, and find your passion. It is okay to make mistakes or for something to not go to plan, because it’ll lead you to the right path.
Á½ÐÔÉ«ÎçÒ¹ has given me the best four years and helped me find my passions, and I hope others can too!