A Golden Key to Success

Mawufemor Jay Biekro

Golden Key International Honor Society recognizes the top 15 percent of juniors and seniors in all undergraduate disciplines. This academic year, two EOP students are members of this prestigious honors organization and hold leadership positions in the CSULB chapter. Finance majors Mawufemor Jay Biekro is the chapter’s executive vice president and Carol Acevedo is the vice president of finance. They have made many memorable contributions to the organization, while gaining valuable experience and opportunities.
Both Biekro and Acevedo maintain outstanding grade point averages. Each are motivated to obtain finance degrees to help others. Biekro, a transfer student and native of Ghana, is inspired by an uncle who is currently chief financial officer of Barclays Bank of Ghana. He says, “My long-term personal objective is to assist individuals and families from developing countries who are not as fortunate to have the opportunities we have here in the U.S. I believe I can make a difference in someone’s life.”

Biekro joined Golden Key because of its numerous opportunities, such as networking, scholarships, internships, leadership positions, community involvement and recognition. During 2005-06, he held the role of vice president of fundraising and was awarded the Golden Key chapter scholarship for his outstanding contributions to the organization. In his current role as executive vice president, he coordinates activities and campus awareness campaigns, such as the annual membership drive. During Biekro’s attendance at the 2006 Golden Key international conference, the CSULB chapter received the Outstanding Chapter Award for 2005-06. “This allowed me to meet students from Golden Key chapters around the world, including Australia, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa and many other countries,” he said. In addition to his Golden Key role, Biekro holds positions in the Financial Management Association and Black Business Students Association. He also is a member of Beta Gamma Signma Business Honors Society, Mentoring Business Program and the Swanson Leadership Academy. Off campus, he works part time for Bank of America.

Similar to Biekro, Acevedo wants to help others by impacting a local community through a business that will offer free financial consulting to those who otherwise could not afford it. “If I can help people manage their personal finances, then I can make a difference,” she says. As Golden Key’s vice president of finance, Acevedo manages financial transactions, assists with preparing a budget, balances the accounts and reports a financial summary to the Golden Key headquarters. This experience has developed abilities that she can transfer into her career. “I’ve learned to build leadership skills, collaboration skills, goal setting skills and teamwork skills,” she explains. Acevedo is also a member of the Swanson Leadership Academy and works for the Space and Missile Center.
Acevedo and Biekro both highly recommend the world-recognized Golden Key International Honor Society to all eligible EOP students. “Golden Key provides students with an opportunity to become part of a team with a common vision and goals that allow them to translate their academic success into services beyond themselves,” says Acevedo. Biekro adds, “I discovered that involvement in extracurricular activities, in conjunction with outstanding academic work, provides the best college experience and rewarding career opportunities in the future.”

– Hillina Jarso is a counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program.


In this Issue : Spring 2007 A Golden Key to Success Letter from the Director EOP Welcome Week EOP Access & Retention Wanted: EOP Peer Advisors Student Spotlights In Touch With Our Past EOP Graduate Recognition Day Financial Aid Services Counseling Appointments Meet Our Senior Academic Peer Advisors Alumni & Friends Destinations EOP Program Donate to EOP Division of Student Services This Week @ The Beach Make a Submission to the EOP Newsletter	A Golden Key to Success Mawufemor Jay Biekro Golden Key International Honor Society recognizes the top 15 percent of juniors and seniors in all undergraduate disciplines. This academic year, two EOP students are members of this prestigious honors organization and hold leadership positions in the CSULB chapter. Finance majors Mawufemor Jay Biekro is the chapter’s executive vice president and Carol Acevedo is the vice president of finance. They have made many memorable contributions to the organization, while gaining valuable experience and opportunities. Both Biekro and Acevedo maintain outstanding grade point averages. Each are motivated to obtain finance degrees to help others. Biekro, a transfer student and native of Ghana, is inspired by an uncle who is currently chief financial officer of Barclays Bank of Ghana. He says, “My long-term personal objective is to assist individuals and families from developing countries who are not as fortunate to have the opportunities we have here in the U.S. I believe I can make a difference in someone’s life.” Biekro joined Golden Key because of its numerous opportunities, such as networking, scholarships, internships, leadership positions, community involvement and recognition. During 2005-06, he held the role of vice president of fundraising and was awarded the Golden Key chapter scholarship for his outstanding contributions to the organization. In his current role as executive vice president, he coordinates activities and campus awareness campaigns, such as the annual membership drive. During Biekro’s attendance at the 2006 Golden Key international conference, the CSULB chapter received the Outstanding Chapter Award for 2005-06. “This allowed me to meet students from Golden Key chapters around the world, including Australia, Canada, Malaysia, South Africa and many other countries,” he said. In addition to his Golden Key role, Biekro holds positions in the Financial Management Association and Black Business Students Association. He also is a member of Beta Gamma Signma Business Honors Society, Mentoring Business Program and the Swanson Leadership Academy. Off campus, he works part time for Bank of America. Similar to Biekro, Acevedo wants to help others by impacting a local community through a business that will offer free financial consulting to those who otherwise could not afford it. “If I can help people manage their personal finances, then I can make a difference,” she says. As Golden Key’s vice president of finance, Acevedo manages financial transactions, assists with preparing a budget, balances the accounts and reports a financial summary to the Golden Key headquarters. This experience has developed abilities that she can transfer into her career. “I’ve learned to build leadership skills, collaboration skills, goal setting skills and teamwork skills,” she explains. Acevedo is also a member of the Swanson Leadership Academy and works for the Space and Missile Center. Acevedo and Biekro both highly recommend the world-recognized Golden Key International Honor Society to all eligible EOP students. “Golden Key provides students with an opportunity to become part of a team with a common vision and goals that allow them to translate their academic success into services beyond themselves,” says Acevedo. Biekro adds, “I discovered that involvement in extracurricular activities, in conjunction with outstanding academic work, provides the best college experience and rewarding career opportunities in the future.” – Hillina Jarso is a counselor for the Educational Opportunity Program.