Program & Career Highlights

Job Placement

The College of Business has teamed up with the College Diversity Network in an effort to connect our students to opportunities with employers who value diversity.

Student & Alumni Testimonials

I was born and raised in the heart of Chicago and grew up a very outgoing and active child. Always staying proactive, I ventured into a lot of different activities to show my talent. I was a part of the beta team in my early elementary school years. In high school, I joined a group called Focus that opened the door for mentoring and helping others at an early age. I was also a part of a CPS group called Harris Fellows, which helped develop pilot programs related to high school academics. As part of this group, I traveled to various schools, many of them outside of Illinois, to study student issues. Our objective was to gain a better understanding of how programs could be developed to best solve student needs.

I have frequently used my creativity to bring a lot of entrepreneurial ideas to life. I started a group called One Mic, an organization where friends, young adults, artists and older adults come to discuss their deepest and most inspirational ideas. Participants are free to express themselves both verbally and artistically.

I aspire to receive a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Chicago State University. My major is accounting. I want to become an entrepreneur so that I can take my many talents to the next level and take control of my economic future. My desire is to reach toward a higher standard and prove to myself that I have the talent and skills to realize my dreams, while also setting a positive example for those that come behind me.

Business and Administration – Accounting

Class of 2017

As a first-generation Haitian-American kid, my family and other families like ours overcame our circumstances by gaining something that cannot be taken away from us…. EDUCATION. I enrolled at Olive Harvey Community College and graduated with an Associate’s degree. From there, I enrolled at the university in my neighborhood …. The Chicago State University! Before I started at Chicago State, I created a plan that outlined how I wanted my academic career to progress. I was involved in campus activities and completed internships at the Mayor’s Office and PNC rate Bank’s corporate office, while simultaneously maintaining a 3.3+ GPA.

I had the option of going to DePaul University, but I chose Chicago State University. I chose a place where I felt welcomed and the faculty and staff were truly enthusiastic about helping me succeed. Everyone I worked with matched my drive, including Ms. Wells in the Career Development Center, Robert Hearon in the African American Male Resource Center, as well as Professor Martin, Dean Collins, Dr. Kpo and Dr. Coupet in the College of Business. Any student here can do the same for me; you just have to want it!

I am currently employed by the General Capital Corporation Company, an opportunity I learned through the College of Business’ Annual Job Fair for Accounting and Finance students. I am pleased with the decision I made to attend Chicago State University to pursue my baccalaureate degree. As a result, I’ve grown as a person and as a professional. I hope this helps any current or prospective student to understand that your neighborhood university is there for you, and can propel you to higher heights. Be strong, persistent, and courageous. Enjoy your journey, learn as much as you can, and build many relationships.

Evans Joseph

Chi-State College of Business

Product Ambassador and Supporter

CSU Graduate - Class of 2014

I began my college journey nearly a decade after completing high school in 2000. I completed most of my general education classes at Moraine Valley Community College and then decided to transfer to CSU in the fall of 2015. I delayed college to focus on my family. After I got married and had two beautiful children, college was far from my mind. My husband was in the Navy and I was managing my family’s auto repair facility in the South Shore community. I have held this position for nearly 17 years. It wasn't until my children began to get older that they asked me, "What college did you go to, mom?" Because I had no answer, I was slightly embarrassed - not because I was incapable of going to college but because it wasn't a priority for me. I had instilled the importance of education in them since preschool, yet I wasn't living up to my own standards. So I went back, and I have given it all I have from day one. That decision has led me to this very moment in my life - four months away from graduation with a 3.1 GPA and excited about attending graduate school.

My experience at CSU has not only provided me with the learning tools necessary to manage our business more effectively and efficiently, but it also has given me a sense of personal gratification and the confidence to be anything I want to be. The majority of my business acumen has come from hands-on experience. However, the legal and professional components of my skill set have been improved dramatically during the last two years.

Natalia Peralta

Business and Administration - Management

Class of 2014

My name is Stephanie Rodman and I am currently a senior pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I currently maintain a 3.73 G.P.A and I will be graduating in May 2018. As a transfer student, I have attended Chicago State University for two years, where I have been able to find opportunities that have and will continue to help me gain knowledge and advance my accounting career. As a student at CSU, I have received two significant awards. I received E.Q.U.I.P.P.’s Lela E. Wright Scholarship and was recognized by Chicago State University for outstanding academic achievement. As a College of Business student, I have been selected to participate in Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s 17th Annual Leadership Institute this October. While attending Chicago State I have been fortunate enough to work in the Office of Budget and Resource Planning where I am gaining a great deal of experience and knowledge pertaining to accounting from my colleagues. I have also been able to network with other accounting and finance professionals from whom I am also gaining great knowledge. Obtaining my Bachelor’s degree from Chicago State University is only going to open more doors of opportunity for me as I aspire to work for the Internal Revenue Service as an auditor.

Stephanie Rodman

Business and Administration - Accounting

Class of 2014

I am Alexis Sevilla. I was born and raised on the southeast side of Chicago. My dad, Manuel Sevilla, is an immigrant from Jalisco, Mexico and my mom, Margie Sevilla, was born in Chicago to immigrant parents. Throughout my education, I was always on the honor roll and received numerous awards for academic achievement. During my high school years at Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, I was captain of the girls’ soccer team, treasurer of the Spanish National Honor Society, and a member of the National Honor Society. I also engaged in a considerable about of community service. After graduating from high school with high honors, I went on to pursue my accounting degree at Northern Illinois University. During my first year of college, I was blessed with a baby boy. However, I still had dreams and goals and I never forgot that education was the key to success. Thanks to my support system, I was able to continue my education and graduate from the one and only CHICAGO STATE UNIVERSITY!! I received my degree in accounting within the time frame expected. I had the courage and determination to succeed, no matter how difficult the obstacles I had to overcome.

Alexis Sevilla

Business and Administration – Accounting

Class of 2017

I am a senior at Chicago State University majoring in accounting with hopes of completing my bachelor’s degree in fall of 2017. My educational inspirations consist of acquiring my bachelor’s degree in accounting that would aid me in pursuing a spot into a joint degree program such as a J.D. and Masters of Accountancy offered by some law schools with hopes of earning a CPA licensure.

My career vision is to one day own my own law firm that offers professional accounting and law services for companies and individuals that will help to build and expand their businesses. I spend time outside of the classroom working and volunteering. I volunteer for the Humane Society and a local food pantry.

Ashton Skillon

Business and Administration - Accounting

Class of 2017

I am currently employed with Renzenberger, Inc. where I am a professional driver. I shuttle railroad crews to and from trains in the railroad yards. I have trained numerous new employees regarding on-the-job safety procedures. I also assist the crews as they build or take apart trains in the yards.

My activities outside of class include volunteer work. I love helping others. I volunteer at Leo High School, the Academy of St. Benedict the Africans, the True Church of Holiness, and Kennedy King College’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, of which I am a member. I also feed, clothe, and help the needy.

I graduated from Kennedy King College with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts and an Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, with a specialization in accounting. My GPA was 3.50. I now attend Chicago State University where I am pursuing aBachelor of Science degree in Business and Administration. My GPA is 3.75 and I will be graduating in December 2017. At CSU, I am a Dean’s List student and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society - Lambda Rho Chapter.

Cloretha Smith

Business and Administration - Management

CSU Graduate - Summer 2017

My name is Tiffany Townsend and I am currently a senior at Chicago State University, aspiring to graduate with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, which will broaden my aptitude in numerous aspects. The curriculum is designed to prepare me for proficiency in problem-solving techniques, organizational skills and other mechanics that will help me to execute solutions. Assisting with this approach are courses such as Language & Human Behavior and Organizational Research, which gives me the opportunity to explore in-depth learning experiences while cultivating sustainable development. You can be assured; this opportunity will reinforce fundamentals that may arise in the business industry.

Moreover, I’m a mother of three-year-old twin girls and attaining a higher education is essential to improve their daily lives and to reach my personal goal. Unfortunately, my mother had to make sacrifices for the good of our family, so I surely feel it is imperative for me to be a positive force in my daughters live as well as show them the essence of hard work.

Tiffany Townsend

Business and Administration – Management

Class of 2017

I am an African immigrant from the nation of Ghana. I migrated to the United States with my immediate family in the hopes of realizing the American dream. I am a graduating accounting student at Chicago State University and I am also employed as a staff auditor at a public accounting firm. Before starting my staff auditor position, I completed two internships. The first internship was at Walmart, where I worked as a management intern. The second internship was with a steel manufacturing company, where I worked as an accounting intern for two years. As an accounting student and an ROTC Cadet at Chicago State, I was able to maintain a cumulative GPA that has landed me on Dean’s List. During my time at Chicago State, I was also awarded the Mary T. Washington Wylie scholarship by the Illinois CPA Society. I plan to take advantage of opportunities in public accounting while at the same time serving in the United States Army.

John Willams

Business and Administration – Accounting

Class of 2017