When Tyshawn Allison came to NIU as a transfer student in fall 2025, he was already certain about his career path but still had some doubts about whether he could accomplish his goals of earning an accountancy degree and CPA certification.
However, the benefits of being in the College of Business — where our alumni network is more than 60,000 strong, and faculty come to class with industry experience — quickly showed him he was in the right place.
“The opportunities that are offered, and even the support from staff to make sure you stay on task to reach the end goal, are the best part of being a part of the College of Business,” he said.
Last fall, Allison transferred from Wilbur Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago. After initially being unsuccessful in his applications for several scholarships and internships, Allison was chosen for the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) National Leadership Training (NLT) in Washington, D.C., which was held in February.
Designed for current and future leaders, National Leadership Training offers practical strategies, expert perspectives and CPE opportunities. Financial management professionals in government come together to share ideas, build skills and strengthen leadership across all levels of government.
“When I saw the opportunity for NLT, I knew I had to give it my all,” he said. He decided to get creative with his application. “I reached out in hopes of getting a letter of recommendation and was referred to a senior faculty leader who helped me strengthen my application. Over a Zoom meeting, I learned I could submit a combined letter of recommendation.”
Allison decided he would ask the professor who knows him best and the president of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting, finance and information systems students, to write a joint letter together.
“They wrote my letter of recommendation, and I submitted my essays and was accepted,” he said. “And so, all the doubt I had went away because I was able to get into this competitive program.”
For Allison, the most impactful part of being selected and participating in the training was the sense of belonging that came with it.
“I realized I actually belong in those rooms, not because someone ‘let me in,’ but because my work and mindset can stand next to professionals who do this at a high level every day,” he said.
Being around auditors, leaders and other scholarship students forced Allison to raise his own standards.
“I learned that leadership in this field isn’t about being the loudest or having the perfect résumé,” he said. “It’s about how you carry yourself, how you communicate and how consistent you are when nobody’s clapping.”
Allison also learned how important relationships are in government accounting.
“Your name, your reputation and how you treat people travels faster than your GPA,” he said. “And, honestly, getting recognized on stage made everything real. It wasn’t just ‘I’m studying accounting’ anymore. Instead, it felt like confirmation that the grind I’ve been on is turning into something bigger. I left D.C. with more confidence, clearer direction and a stronger sense that I’m building a career that’s about impact and service, not just a job title.”
Allison has learned firsthand that being a part of the NIU College of Business means others are rooting for you, investing in you and are willing to help you succeed.
“To me, being a Huskie means growth. It means taking where I am, making the most of it and representing NIU in a way that reflects hard work, resilience and ambition,” he said. “Through NIU, I’ve had the chance to meet people who have supported me, challenged me and helped me keep moving forward in accountancy and leadership. So being a Huskie means being part of a community that helped me grow and gave me opportunities to represent the school beyond campus.”
Learn more about the College of Business Department of Accountancy.
