VITA Program: Coordinated by the United Way of the Piedmont, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program at the JCBE consists of approximately 30 students from a variety of concentrations who have been trained and certified by the IRS to prepare income tax documents for income-qualified residents of Spartanburg County. Since VITA’s first tax season at the JCBE in 2013, students have returned well over $1 million in refunds to the community and have achieved an IRS site visit rating of “excellent” consecutively. Students interested in participating can contact Mr. Michael Wooten.
The Bridges Investment Society: Business students with an interest in finance meet weekly throughout the major semesters to make securities selections, gaining real-world experience in portfolio management, security and risk analysis, and the logistics of portfolio management. With guidance from a faculty member and advisory committee, students make buy and sell decisions for the student-led investment fund named for Jesse Bridges, the Founder of Security Finance and Mr. George Dean Johnson, Jr.’s mentor. Started with an initial gift of $100,000, through open discussions, research, and teamwork, students have produced impressive investment gains over the last eight years. Students interested in participating can contact Mr. McCrady Gwinn.
Student Marketing Association: Students in SMA participate in monthly meetings. Industry professionals serve as guest lecturers and meetings often consist of tutorials and useful marketing tools and programs to create more dynamic and visually appealing presentations.
Accounting and Economics /Finance Club (AEF): Students in the AEF Club come together to network with and learn from industry professionals. A spin-off from the JCBE’s original accounting club, this group offers a more inclusive student organization for those interested in financial services opportunities and professional engagement with organizations such as the area chapter of the Institute of Managerial Accountants.
University Business Society: The UBS strives to provide valuable networking opportunities to business students. While the organization needs a permanent faculty advisor who is committed to helping the group be successful, the student leadership of UBS is dedicated and professional and has plans for getting underrepresented populations of students engaged in quality programming and networking activities. One of their most successful ongoing projects involves fundraising by selling JCBE graduation stoles.
The Dean’s Student Advisory Board: Comprised of leaders from the business student organizations and others representing groups such as non-traditional students, student veterans, and Student Government Association members, the Dean’s Student Advisory Board meets regularly to provide valuable counsel to the dean and to discuss current issues that impact the JCBE student experience.
Beta Alpha Psi: BAP is the international honors organization for students in accounting, finance, and information systems at colleges and universities with AACSB accreditation. The Xi Alpha chapter at the JCBE underscores BAP’s reputation for instilling the principles of excellence, achievement, and service in tomorrow’s financial information leaders. In addition to recognizing outstanding academic achievement, Beta Alpha Psi promotes the study and professional practice related to these disciplines, promotes opportunities for self-development, and provides outstanding networking opportunities that lead to internships at “Big Four” firms as well as highly respected regional and local firms. Additionally, Xi Alpha chapter members of Beta Alpha Psi have impressive graduate program acceptance rates for those seeking their Masters in Professional Accountancy.
Beta Gamma Sigma: The USC Upstate Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma international honor society inducts new members, our top junior and seniors, each fall and spring semester. The induction event includes a dinner for members and their guests at Spartanburg’s distinguished Piedmont Club. The mission of BGS is “to encourage and honor academic achievement in the study of business, to foster personal and professional excellence, to advance the values of the Society, and to serve its lifelong members.” USC Upstate’s Chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma proudly sends two of its members to the Global Leadership Summit annually.
