Hundreds of business-minded students benefited from residential summer camps on the Fort Worth campus to influence their futures.
August 19, 2022
Specialized summer programs provide high school students with an opportunity to participate in college life. At the TCU Neeley School of Business, students are exposed to career options within a top-tier education setting and a potentially life-changing experience. This summer, four Neeley bridge programs introduced hundreds of high school students to the TCU campus, faculty, college students and professionals through specialized business programs.
Each program focused on a particular area of business, including accounting, finance, business technology and the newest program - analytics.
Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP)
Neeley’s Accounting Career Awareness Program (ACAP) has provided high school students with a TCU experience for the past three years, but was only able to introduce the in-person format this summer. In a weeklong program from July 10-15, high school students (9th through 12th grade) stayed on campus and explored careers in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship and business-related fields. They were introduced to college-level workshops lead by business professionals and faculty as well as fun teambuilding activities. Students benefited from valuable networking opportunities with leaders from top global and national organizations.
In partnership with the NABA, Inc., ACAP hosted 32 students at no cost to the students or their families. The tuition-free program is possible due to the generosity of the Neeley Board of Advisors and the TCU Neeley Accounting Department. At the conclusion of the week, $20,000 in college scholarships were awarded to the high school seniors to continue their education. The following video highlights candid feedback from the students that participated in the program:
High School Investor Challenge
The TCU High School Investor Challenge, which is operated by TCU Neeley’s Luther King Capital Management Center for Financial Studies, has a national reputation and hosts students from across the country. To participate, students must be entering their senior year of high school.
This established program provides a six-day camp during the summer in which students take on-campus courses in portfolio management and securities analysis, also known as stock selection. Each student manages a virtual portfolio and delivers periodic stock reports between July and March to security analysts for review and critique.
In April, the 71 students who participated in the two summer bridge programs will be invited back to TCU for a celebration banquet and to present their portfolios.
Analytics Academy
Students from more than 30 high schools across the nation had the opportunity to dive into the world of data at TCU Neeley’s first Analytics Academy this summer. The one-week residential program provided hands-on experience to hone their skills in data analytics and market research.
In a world where data is everywhere and frequently influences decision-making, these high school students received training in identifying data, collecting data and analyzing the information data provides. Students learned from highly regarded professors in TCU’s nationally ranked business school. The subjects ranged from block chain, bitcoin and artificial intelligence to machine learning and more.
In addition to the knowledge they gained, students were also able to socialize with students who have a similar interest in analytics. To learn more about the student perspective on the Neeley Analytics Academy, see the video here:
Business Technology Camp
The TCU Supply Chain Business TECH Camp introduces high school students to multiple ways business technology drives innovation in the global supply chain. Companies regularly leverage technology to improve efficiency and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
The Business TECH camp provided students with a first-hand look at business technology through company tours with the Supply Chain’s industry partners. Students have access to renowned thought leaders and gain real-world insight from supply chain experts.
Each year, one camp participant who chooses to major in Supply Chain for their undergraduate degree receives a scholarship to support their continuing education. This year’s honoree was presented with a $10,000 scholarship.
