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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu

WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (February 23, 2024) — ������Ƶ Community College has become the first community college in Massachusetts to establish a local chapter of the , a nonprofit members association dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for Black business leaders in the fields of accounting, finance, and entrepreneurship. NABA, Inc. focuses on advancing individuals and careers by providing education, resources, and meaningful connections to professionals and student members.

“We are thrilled to launch the NABA chapter at ������Ƶ, furthering our commitment to foster diversity and inclusion in the fields of accounting and finance,” said ������Ƶ President David Podell. “Under Professor Niemi’s leadership, students are affiliating with a national organization that will support and guide them with their professional careers and beyond, to not only enrich our business community, but our community as a whole.”

NABA, Inc. aims to create a supportive community for Black professionals, offering opportunities for growth and success. The ������Ƶ chapter is led by faculty advisor and Associate Professor of Business Tom Niemi, and boasts 23 student members. Through the ������Ƶ NABA chapter, members will engage and participate in meetings, networking opportunities, and off-campus events that will provide additional experience and knowledge in the financial industry.

“Our chapter will serve as a catalyst for empowerment — providing our members with tools and connections essential for success in their academic and professional journeys,” said Professor Niemi. “By launching this chapter of the NABA, students will benefit now and throughout their careers, as well as paying it forward through mentorship and community involvement.”

In the fall of 2023, Professor Niemi, alongside ������Ƶ Accounting Professor Johanna Benavides and 13 ������Ƶ students with a keen interest in accounting, attended the NABA regional conference in Washington D.C. The conference featured presentations by accounting industry leaders and offered attendees opportunities to participate in workshops, hear panel discussions on career advancement strategies, and network with accounting professionals. This invaluable experience, thanks in part to support from the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Central Massachusetts and MetroWest, provided students with insights into the world of accounting and finance.

Waltham, MA, resident Nilton Garcia a ������Ƶ business administration graduate who recently transferred to Bentley University, attended the conference and shared his thoughts: “The NABA regional conference was a transformative experience. It not only broadened my understanding of the industry, but also connected me with professionals who shared their inspirational stories. I am grateful for the opportunities the ������Ƶ NABA chapter provides for students. I look forward to someday mentoring others and sharing the insights and knowledge that NABA has given me.”

������Ƶ Community College is committed to nurturing an inclusive environment and providing resources that empower students to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits. The launch of our NABA chapter aligns with this commitment, and the College looks forward to the positive impact it will have on the lives and careers of its students.

“As an African American woman, I don’t see a lot of other women in powerful positions, and I’m happy to be helping to change that for my children and for others,” said ������Ƶ business and accounting student and the president of the ������Ƶ NABA chapter, Tahirah Asbury of Waltham, MA. “NABA is a welcome opportunity I didn’t know that I needed but it has given me direction in life and with my studies. In a short amount of time, I have learned so much from others in the organization and I look forward to paving the way for more students at ������Ƶ to experience the inspirational opportunities that are available through this partnership.”

������Ƶ Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. ������Ƶ students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. ������Ƶ’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, ������Ƶ has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.