Evan Dean ’25
Evan Dean plans to graduate in Spring 2025 with a degree in Accounting and a minor in Finance.
Are there any specific professors or staff members at Penn State Behrend who have significantly impacted your journey so far?
Zachary Williams has had a significant impact on my journey at Penn State Behrend. His enthusiasm for accounting, combined with his role as my academic adviser, played a key part in my decision to pursue an Accounting degree. I deeply admire his consistent support, whether assisting with scheduling or helping me navigate homework concerns. He is always available and reliable. I also appreciate how he structures his coursework around real-life scenarios we may encounter in both public and private accounting. His approach has increased my understanding of the material and prepared me for the professional challenges I will face. I can confidently say my success at Behrend would not have been possible without his guidance. I am grateful for the mentorship he provides, and he will continue to be one of my biggest role models on this campus.
Are you involved in any clubs or extracurricular activities on campus, and why did you choose to participate in these activities?
I am a Black School of Business Ambassador and involved in the Accounting Club. As a Business Ambassador, I represent the school at events, which helps me develop leadership and communication skills. In the Accounting Club, I connect with fellow students and professionals and try to assist with different events. These co-curricular activities are helping me build strong connections and learn more about the accounting field.
Alex Duguid ’23
Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of school, and how do you balance these with your academic commitments?
My favorite hobby outside of school is golf, which is a summer/fall sport. I try to do most of my school work during the weekdays so that I can golf and relax on the weekends.
Have you had the opportunity to participate in any internships or hands-on learning experiences related to your major? What are your future aspirations or goals for after graduation?
I was a tax intern at Schaffner, Knight, Minnaugh & Company in the spring of 2023, which was a great experience, and I would recommend it to anyone majoring in Accounting. This internship inspired me to seek a public accounting job, and I will start as a full-time tax associate at BDO in Pittsburgh in January. I was also an internal audit intern at PNC in the summer of 2023.
