A screenshot of the virtual ceremony shows PVAMU’s new ABA certificate holders: Franterric Powell ’20, Ashley Salinas and Caleb Broach; members of the Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society and faculty advisor Audria Ford; Effie Dennison, executive vice president and director of Community Development and Corporate Responsibility for Texas Capital Bank; JJ Ponce, J.D., senior vice president for community development for Texas Capital Bank; Eric Hensley, senior director of Compliance eLearning for American Bankers Association; M. Moosa Khan, Ph.D., head of PVAMU’s Department of Accounting, Finance and MIS; Assistant Professor of Economics Erick Kitenge, Ph.D.; COB Advisor Orlando Garcia; and COB Assistant Dean Kimberly Gordon.
PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (May 26, 2021) – Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) senior finance major Caleb Broach wants to retire at a young age. “I desire to have over 100 doors creating monthly cash flow for me,” he said. “Being financially free means that I’m able to be time-free and not on someone else’s time. I’ll be able to spend my time doing what I’m called to do. I think the model of working hard and making a lot of money but never having time to enjoy the fruits of your labor is very unappealing to me.”
Broach is taking the next step towards turning his dream turn into reality. He, along with PVAMU BBA alumnus Franterric Powell ’20 and accounting and finance major Ashley Salinas cemented their places in history as the first to receive certificates from the American Banking Association (ABA) through a new program with PVAMU’s College of Business (COB). COB finance instructor Audria Ford presided over a virtual ceremony to recognize the participants.
“I share with students daily, ‘Knowledge is Power.’ Education is the key to a better life,” Ford said. “The ABA certification allows students to enhance their level of knowledge and provide them with options in life for their career path.”
Students can earn an ABA certificate by enrolling in three approved courses offered through the COB’s Department of Accounting, Finance and Management Information Systems (MIS). Two courses are required for accounting and finance majors; a third course in the sequence is commercial lending, a new elective course for finance majors. Department Head M. Moosa Khan, Ph.D., worked with faculty and members with the ABA and industry partner Texas Capital Bank to offer the commercial lending course to students. Ford, who has more than a decade of experience in the financial services industry, served as the course’s instructor.
“With this certification, students can work in the banking industry, enhance their resume and become a competitive force in the market,” Ford said. “Industries are seeking students that are going above and beyond in their academic studies to obtain degrees and certifications.”
“The opportunity to have this unique program at PVAMU was introduced a few years ago by Effie Dennison, executive vice president and director of Community Development and Corporate Responsibility for Texas Capital Bank,” said COB Assistant Dean Kimberly Gordon. “Effie served as the champion for this program, citing the dearth of minorities in the field of banking and emphasizing the need for more minorities to be engaged.”
Last spring, PVAMU became the first and only Historically Black College/University (HBCU) to offer the ABA program. Dean and Professor of Economics Munir Quddus, Ph.D., believes these types of industry partnerships and opportunities for business students are vital to increasing student engagement. He looks forward to having more of these options available to students.
“These types of external certifications help students validate their competency in a unique field, gives them a competitive edge when seeking career opportunities and instills a sense of confidence,” Quddus said. “Coursework toward the ABA certificate provides the information and helps students build the skills necessary for career advancement and provide practical, tailored knowledge specific to a job role in the bank.”
The concept appeals to Broach, who said obtaining this new certification makes him a better-equipped investor. In echoing his professor, he said, “’Because knowledge is power.’ This certification helps students to develop a full-scope view of the effects of their economic decisions. As a result, I will be able to make better decisions as a business owner and even a consumer. ”
Classmate and fellow certificate holder Ashley Salinas agrees and encourages others to participate in the program.
“I think that my classmates should take part in the ABA Program [at PVAMU] because you can never tell what the future holds,” she said. “The more skills or certifications that you obtain—the broader your skillset becomes.”
Students interested in the ABA certificate program offered through the College of Business should contact Ms. Audria Ford at anford@pvamu.edu or view the program options available through the Department of Accounting, Finance and MIS and the American Banking Association.
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