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Student leadership: Malaika Stewart '22, accounting, is president of USI's Accounting and Professional Services Club. Get to know Malaika and get her take on college life and her vision for APS Club.

Malaika in front of statueWhat makes USI and the Romain College of Business special to you?
I’ve had such great interactions with faculty and students, I also really like the architecture of the building itself.

What are some of your favorite classes at Romain College and why?
I’m loving my accounting ethics class so far. I’ve always been fascinated by more philosophical topics, and their applications to the business world.

Are you active in any other student organizations at USI?
I’ve recently joined the Bullet Journal Babble club! I think it’s a creative way to keep track of all the assignments and events I juggle with a splash of doodles to try it together.

Why did you choose your current major and minor?
I’ve always heard that accounting is the heart of business. Given how much businesses influence our lives, I wanted to really get a feel for what makes the businesses around us work.

What has surprised you about college?
How freeing it is. In grade-school it seemed like every hour of everyday was decided for me. I like that I have more flexibility with the times and days I have classes.

What school project are you most proud of and why?
I gave a presentation in Spanish about a few social issues that were ongoing in Honduras. It was nerve-wracking, but speaking in a second language in front of an entire class made me realize how much I had learned and how far I had come in the language.

What are some of your favorite spots on campus and why?
The basement student lounge in the business building. It has the coziest vibe, and its vending machines have the best energy drinks.

What advice do you have for incoming freshmen? What do you wish someone had told you?
I would encourage every freshman to set up a great calendar/agenda system. Don’t just depend on remembering when everything will be due, give yourself something to reference. A second thing, that I wish someone told me, would be to get out of your shell. I was overwhelmed when I first started, and too shy to be super involved in clubs. But, having on-campus support is invaluable, and that starts with being social.

Malaika in sunglassesDo you have a strategy for staying focused when the demands of school, work, etc. seem overwhelming?
I’m a big fan of checklists, specifically priority lists. I write down everything I have coming up, and I organize them into level of priority and imminency. I feel like fear of the unknown is the most common fear. By writing down a plan/priority, I have a direction to move towards, and it doesn’t feel so overwhelming anymore.

As your organization’s president, what are some things you hope to achieve?
I hope to bring a positive space with plenty of resources for accounting majors and those interested in the major.

What made you decide to pursue being an officer of your organization?
I wanted to be more active at USI, and I wanted to be more connected with those with the same major.

Tell us more about your student organization and why USI students should get involved with it!
APS enrolls its members in a student IMA chapter, which allows them to receive magazines relating to current finance and accounting issues. It also hosts conferences and networking events that can help students who wish to work in the field of accounting.

Further, we team up with Beta Alpha Psi often, which ensures we’re able to host bigger and better events for anyone who wants to attend.

If you knew you wouldn’t fail, what thing would you do?
I would travel the world! I’ve always wanted to visit Spain, and being able to travel there would allow me to use the Spanish I’ve been learning.

Published September 28, 2021