2016 Professor Harry Simons Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship for the Study of Accounting Recipient

Biography: As a global citizen, Haojia spent the first 18 years of his life living in Hunan, China. Influenced by Asian culture, he holds values such as humbleness, diligence and cordialness dear and near. Having received his higher education in Business Economics at UCLA, he incorporates efficiency, directness, openness and devotion to community services into his everyday life. In an effort to pass on these virtues and influence the community, he volunteers at the UCLA new-student-welcome events, sharing his own experience and tips and advice to incoming transfer students. He also helps low-income individuals in West Los Angeles file tax returns as a VITA volunteer. He aspires to bring these values to his future professional career, and continue to make a positive impact on the community

Future Plans: To further broaden his horizons, Haojia plans to go to South America for graduation travel. He hopes to have an educational and fun experience, learn and appreciate cultural diversity. After, he will return to California with a fresh global perspective; and start his journey to become an accounting/finance professional. Eventually, with academic knowledge and real-world experience, he hopes to become an accounting professor; and pass on an economic way of thinking.

What does the scholarship mean to me?: I am beyond thankful for the Professor Harry Simons Endowed Undergraduate Scholarship for the Study of Accounting. This scholarship relieves my financial burden. As an accounting intern at Boingo Wireless, I am grateful for my hands-on experience; I have learned much about the business process at an internet service firm. However, I wish I had more time to enjoy what UCLA has to offer. With the scholarship, I expect to spend less time at work; more time taking advantage of the resources at UCLA, on building meaningful connections with my peers and professors. The scholarship shows me hard work pays off. In the future, I will keep having a strong work ethic and give every opportunity in life my best shot.