Congratulations to Alyssa Kane, BS’21, as she was named one of 24 graduating IUPUI students who received the 2021 William M. Plater Civic Engagement Medallion.
For the last four years, Alyssa has taken part in community development at home and abroad through weekly volunteering in the Fountain Square neighborhood and a summer volunteer trip to East India. In her senior year, she started IUPUI’s first Innovation Club to encourage her peers to use their degrees to help the Indianapolis community.
We asked Alyssa just a few questions about her commitment to the community, as well as her time at the Kelley School of Business at IUPUI:
The William M. Plater Civic Engagement recognition honors IUPUI students who have excelled in their commitment to the community through activities like service learning, volunteerism, community or social issue advocacy, community work-study and political engagement. Can you tell us a bit about your involvement throughout your time at IUPUI, and why it’s important to you?
While I’ve been at IUPUI, I’ve been encouraged by my education in Finance and Philanthropic Studies to care for populations who experience financial injustice and hardship. I’ve served with incredible people in remote villages in India, gotten to know brilliant students in low-income neighborhoods, and advocated for homeless young adults in the Brookside neighborhood. I see these passions as an opportunity to use my skills and background in finance to love my community well. Profit isn’t just about the corner office– it’s about thriving neighborhoods.
What does it mean to you to receive this school wide recognition?
I’m honored to be selected as the Kelley recipient for this award. I’ve been challenged and encouraged by so many of my classmates as they have invested in Indianapolis and served diligently. I’m grateful to represent so many civically-minded Kelley students.
Do you have a Kelley moment you’d like to share?
I think the culmination of my Kelley education was best displayed in the work I’ve done at 91 Place this semester. 91 Place is a nonprofit that houses homeless youth on the near east side of Indianapolis. I’ve been able to use instruction from Professor Lisa Ketner’s strategy class, my experience in I-Core, and my minor in Philanthropic Studies to really support this nonprofit. It was so fulfilling to feel confident in my role while applying my education in a real-world setting.
What are your plans after graduation from the Kelley School, and how has your time here at IUPUI and at the Kelley School prepared you for what’s next?
After graduation I will begin work at Ultimate Kronos Group as a Project Manager. I will also be a fellow for the next two years in the Orr Fellowship. I will get to work with eighty other young professionals in Indianapolis on entrepreneurial ideas, while strengthening my skills in business leadership. My time at IUPUI and the Kelley School of Business has prepared me to work hard, think creatively, and challenge the status quo. I have a such a firm foundation for growth as a young professional.
Do you have any advice for current Kelley students?
One piece of advice is to get to know your faculty! I can’t explain how impactful my Kelley professors have been on my experience at IUPUI. They have been my biggest cheerleaders, mentors, and coaches. Yes, sometimes they ask you to read a lot, but they really are great people.
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