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One word sums up Krystel Ramos: honors.

Krystel Ramos

For Krystel Ramos (BACC ’07), currently a student in the College of Business Administration’s Master of Accounting (MACC) program, the tributes keep coming.

The former president of the Florida International University Accounting Association (FIU-AA) and now its consulting officer received two student awards at the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting’s (ALPFA) 2007 convention. Students affiliate with ALPFA through their membership in FIU-AA, and the college has the largest ALPFA student chapter in the country. 

ALPFA honors Ramos for her contributions.

The organization named Ramos “South Region Student of the Year” and “ALPFA National Student of the Year,” with the national award especially meaningful to her.

“It was amazing to gain national recognition, especially when there are so many other deserving candidates,” she said.

As the recipient of the national award, she had the privilege of speaking at the gala. She reflected on the journey that began at her first ALPFA Miami event in 2006 and acknowledged those who mentored and urged her on, including Zameer Upadhya (BACC ’02), founder of the university’s chapter of ALPFA in 2001 and current president of the ALPFA Miami Chapter.

FIU Accounting Association members enjoying one of many student sessions attended during the convention		Fall, 2007 FIU Accounting Association executive board, from left to right: Krystel Ramos, Catalina Zorrilla, Katherine Leal, Yanicel Caceres, Carlos Canasi, Ligia Espinoza, Gilbert Perera, and Damian Penichet

Creating the ALPFA Honor Society hallmarks her ALPFA service.

One particularly rewarding accomplishment relates to her success in creating the ALPFA Honor Society on campus, a concept that may spread across the country.

“ALPFA has many student programs, but none are honors-focused,” Ramos said. “The honor society currently exists on an experimental basis at the university. If it succeeds, ALPFA may launch it nationally.”

Speaking about it at the conference, she said, “The establishment of the ALPFA Honor Society has been the staple of my presidency, as it added further distinction to the ALPFA brand and celebrates Hispanic excellence in the academic world.”

FIU Accounting Association at 2007 ALPFA National Convention in Orlando, FL		FIU Accounting Association at welcome reception at the ALPFA convention

Scholarships constitute another form of honor.

Ramos began graduate school this fall.

“Graduate school is expensive,” she said, “but there is nothing better to invest in than your education.”

However, her capture of three scholarships—a College of Business Administration scholarship for $4,000, a $2,000 scholarship from the college’s Growth and Excellence Fund, and a $250 scholarship from the Business Alumni Association—has eased the financial pinch while confirming her exceptional ability and potential.

Learn more.

ALPFA Honor Society: http://www.fiu.edu/~actassoc/FIU%20AA%20Website/ALPFA%20Honor%20Society.html.

College of Business Administration scholarships:
http://business.fiu.edu/landon/scholarships.cfm.