McPratters Monthly
September 2009
Suites on Pratt Peer Mentor Staff
McPratters Monthly
Welcome to the Suites on Pratt!
McPratters Staff:
Amanda C.–Peer Mentor
Amanda E.-Peer Mentor
Nina-HCA
Cola-HCA
Welcome to Suites on Pratt a business living and learning community that has
been nicknamed “McPratt” for the inclusion of McCarthy Hall and University
Towers in the area. This year we are dedicated to making your experience great
through fun programs and helpful programs to guide you throughout the year.
Never hesitate to ask or talk to any one of the McPratters staff if you are ever in
need of help or guidance.
Mark-CA
Andy-CA
What is a living and learning community?
Julie-CA
Natasha-CA
Suites on Pratt
Anthony-CA
According to IUP a living learning community is a place where students can learn beyond the classroom. Here in the Suites on Pratt we
help foster a relationship between the professors in the business college
and you! By living in this community you can better connect with people of similar majors while participating in programs and other things
directly aimed towards business topics. Many of the staff members
have a major directly in the College of Business, or are tied to it in
some way shape or form. Even if you aren’t in the Business College,
you can always participate and broaden your horizons. Who knows,
maybe you will like it so much you’ll find your future career here!
Rachel--CA
Eric-CA
Debra-CA
Dan-CA
Sarah-CA
Laura-ARD
Val-RD
Inside this issue:
Meet Amanda C.
2
Meet Amanda E.
3
Business Facts
4
Quotes
4
Career Highlight
4
Organizations
4
What is the difference between a Peer Mentor and a CA?
Many people ask us what is the
difference between a CA and a
Peer Mentor. Well, the first difference between a CA and a Peer
Mentor is that CAs live on your
floor or within your building.
Peer Mentors often don’t. They
can live in another building on
campus or even sometimes off
campus. The second difference
is that Peer Mentors deal with
the Academic side to college.
CAs often plan socials and
other fun events but Peer Mentors help get you tutoring, help
you schedule classes, and serve
as liaisons to the Business college to just name a few. A
third difference is that CAs
help all the students who live
on their floor or in their build-
ing. Peer Mentors are there to
help the new and transfer students make a smoother transition into the community of
IUP.
McPratters Monthly
Meet Amanda Cowan!
Hello all! I’m Amanda Cowan, of the of the two Peer Mentors for the Suites on Pratt, although I
currently reside in the Sutton Suites. To differentiate me from the other Peer Mentor, also
named Amanda, you can feel free to call me by my last name.
Amanda C.
I’m currently a Sophomore here at IUP, originally from Cranberry Township, where I have lived
for the most of my life. I’m an Accounting major, and I absolutely love it! Someday I hope to
work for the government in DC as a Forensic Accountant. I’m always willing to tutor those
who need it in Accounting, I completely understand that it can sometimes be tough to grasp. In
addition to tutoring I’m also always willing to give advice on which professors or classes to take
not just within Accounting but within the whole Business college, and sometimes even in other
departments for your liberal studies.
A little more about me I’m a HUGE Steelers fan. I watch every game and I’m not afraid to get
loud! I love to read pretty much anything I can get my hands on, as well as write different things. In addition to my future as a Forensic Accountant I would love to be a published author. When you see me outside of the Suites on Pratt I’ll often be hanging with
my friends having fun! I’m often in the group that is running around campus in a batman mask or taking goofy pictures in the Oak Grove.
While I’m not working as a Peer Mentor, I’m an active member of the Student Accounting Association, as well as I’m the Treasurer of the Residence Hall Association (RHA).
I also work in the Admissions Office as a general office workers and tour guide. Ever lost or
not know where something is? Ask me and I’ll be able to tell you where it is.
If you ever need help with anything don’t hesitate to ask me. I’m always friendly and I don’t
bite, well except Cleveland Browns fans :-P...just kidding.
--Amanda C.
Page 2
McPratters Monthly
Meet Amanda Emricko!
Hi! My name is Amanda Emricko and I am the other Peer Mentor for Suites on Pratt.
I am currently a Junior here at IUP. I am from Sarver PA which is a little town thirty minutes
North of Pittsburgh. Which means I am a big penguins fan. I am a Fashion Merchandising major with a concentration in marketing and I recently decided to minor in Journalism. After I
graduate I would like to move to Manhattan and become a buyer for a major department store,
work for a fashion magazine or be a fashion event planner.
A few fun facts about me: I am a very outgoing and friendly person so anytime you see me
here in Pratt or around campus feel free to stop and talk to me. I love to read… a lot. I love the
color pink! I love puppies and can’t wait to have my own someday. I can’t wait to move to
Manhattan and start working in the fashion industry.
While I am not working as a Peer Mentor, I am an member of the Fashion Association. I also
love hanging out with my friends. I also try to go to the gym as much as possible.
I hope that you are enjoying your first few weeks here. Hope to see you soon!
-Amanda
Page 3
Amanda E.
Suites on Pratt Peer Mentor Staff
Business Quotes
“A business that makes nothing but money is
a poor business.”
-Henry Ford
As a small business person, you have no
greater leverage than the truth.”
-John Greenleaf Whittier
What is a Forensic Accountant?
In her “Meet Amanda Cowan” Amanda mentioned that she wanted to be a Forensic
Accountant . Many people ask her what a Forensic Accountant is and does. Forensic
Accountants are auditors with special certifications who investigate companies or
people who have been accused of crimes. Once they gather their evidence, they testify
in court against the defendants. They are often are called in on cases of fraud and
other white collar crimes. They are even sometimes employed to investigate the parties
in divorces to make sure neither partner is hiding anything.
Forensic Accountants are often retained by lawyers, police, and government agencies
such as the Department of Justice, the FBI, the CIA, and the IRS. A background in
criminal justice is helpful, such as a Criminology, and often helps to have a Certified
Fraud Examiner (CFE) which is like a CPA only designed more towards finding fraud.
Some Forensic Accountants even have law degrees.
Interesting Facts
Only 8% of affluent Americans inherited their wealth.
Small Businesses provide 60%-80% of the net new jobs
annually.
Resources
(Harrison Group and Worth Taylor Harrison 3/06)
(SBA, “Small Business by the Numbers” 2004)
Business College Clubs/Organizations
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
Association for MIS (AMIS)
Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization
Finance Association
Graduate Business Student Association (GBSA)
International Business Association (IBA)
Management Association/Delta Epsilon Chi
Phi Beta Lambda (PBL)
Phi Gamma Nu (PGN)
Pi Omega Pi (POP)
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
Student Accounting Association (SAA)
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE)
Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP)
Student Marketing Association (SMA)
Student Technology Association (STA)
Eberly College of Business and Informational Technology