From First Suit to First Job: ACAP at TCU Neeley Sparks Life-Changing Journeys for High School Students

Celebrating five years at Texas Christian University (TCU), the Accelerated Career Awareness Program continues to transform lives—offering students from diverse backgrounds a powerful introduction to college, careers in business, and the confidence to lead.

July 18, 2025

By Victoria Ruiz Sandoval

Each summer, the Neeley School of Business buildings buzz with energy as high school students are welcomed to explore college life and careers in business. For some, their weeklong experience on campus becomes a turning point – sparking ambition, fueling dreams, and opening doors to new opportunities.

Now in its fifth year offering on-campus programs at the TCU Neeley School of Business, the Accelerated Career Awareness Program (ACAP) has empowered high school students from diverse backgrounds to pursue college and careers in accounting, finance, entrepreneurship and related fields.

As a teenager, Trevon Thomas said he had no opinion on college and no idea of what was to come after high school until ACAP opened new doors for him.

“In my junior year of high school, one of my teachers told us to attend a meeting—I didn’t know it was for the top 10% of students in the school,” Thomas said. “That day, I found out I was ranked number six in my class. They told us it was time to start thinking about college and began recommending different programs. That’s when I first heard about ACAP.

“Before ACAP, I had never worn a suit,” Thomas said. “My dad and I went out to buy my first one. I even had to learn how to tie a tie and bought my first pair of dress shoes. It was also the first time I’d ever been away from home for that long. It was the first time I stepped foot on a college campus and the first time I met executives, CEOs, accountants – real business people.”

In 2015, Thomas attended the ACAP summer program at Southern Methodist University (SMU), a decision he credits as life changing. “I give a lot to God, of course, but to the ACAP program as well,” he said.

The impact of that experience stayed with him, and when he later chose to attend Texas Christian University (TCU), he was determined to bring the program to campus. Through Thomas’s advocacy and the support of Neeley faculty and leadership, ACAP officially launched at TCU in 2020.

Today, Thomas works as a new construction manager at Oncor Electric Delivery and continues to give back to the program that helped shape his journey. Every summer, he takes personal time off from work to return to TCU’s ACAP as a lead counselor, mentoring the next generation of students. His story has come full circle, and his commitment to ACAP is a testament to its lasting impact.

Hosted in partnership with NABA Inc., ACAP brings together approximately 80 students from more than 60 high schools to experience college life firsthand. Thanks to the generous support of corporate partners, students are able to participate at no cost. Among them was KMPG, which served as this year’s Gold Sponsor.

“Our support of ACAP is about more than sponsorship - it’s about showing up with purpose,” KPMG, a regular supporter of TCU’s ACAP program shared. “By creating early exposure, fostering access, and building long-term pathways and networks, we’re helping students thrive in their education and future careers. KPMG is proud to serve as the Gold Sponsor in 11 ACAP markets this year, and we remain committed to investing in the next generation of leaders.

“We are especially proud of our engagement with the TCU ACAP program given our long-standing relationship with the accounting department, the faculty, and its students.”

Throughout the week, students stayed in campus residence halls, participated in interactive workshops, collaborated in group projects or case study initiatives, heard from industry leaders, visited corporate partner sites, and presented their final projects in full business attire.

Ann Tasby, special advisor to the dean for connection culture in Neeley and an accounting faculty member, credits the volunteers, industry partners, alumni, faculty, and staff for the immense support in elevating the program each year.

“The lasting impact of the Accelerated Career Awareness Program is powerfully reflected in the number of alumni who return year after year—many of whom are now thriving in college or advancing in careers across accounting, finance, and business,” said Tasby.

“Their continued engagement speaks volumes about the program’s ability to not only inspire students early on, but also to build a strong, supportive pipeline of emerging leaders committed to giving back and uplifting the next generation.”

In 2020, Oyinda Ademola attended ACAP at TCU as a high school student. She later chose to enroll in TCU, where she majored in finance at the Neeley School of Business and graduated at 20 years old.

Today, she works at JPMorganChase as a global finance and business management analyst and continues to uplift others by returning to ACAP.

“’Lifting as we climb’—a slogan I learned during ACAP—has profoundly shaped how I approach life today,” Ademola said. “It reminds me that I don’t need to have everything figured out before I can support others. I can mentor others through seasons I’ve already navigated, even as I continue growing myself.”

This year, she returned with JPMorganChase to tell her story at a financial fluency session for current ACAP students.

ACAP continues to grow, in numbers, and in the lives it transforms. It serves as more than a summer program. It’s a launchpad for students to see possibilities for their future. From first steps onto a college campus, to alumni like Thomas and Ademola returning as mentors and presenters, the program has become an empowering force for change.

With the continued support from alumni, faculty, and industry partners, the program will continue opening doors and inspiring the next generation of business leaders for years to come.

For more information on ACAP, click here.