Approved by the Indiana Department of Education in December of 2024, the new diploma structure will take effect with the Class of 2029. Under the updated model, Indiana students must complete a diploma program that combines traditional course credits and electives, including areas of personal finance, communications and career and technical education.

 

Additionally, students will choose one of three post-graduation pathways – college, workforce or military service – and have opportunity to earn optional Readiness Seals through college-credit courses, industry credentials or work-based learning experiences.

 

“As an employer, we have always been deeply committed to helping guide young people toward meaningful career paths, especially as a member of the Indiana CPA Society’s (INCPAS) Pipeline Partner program,” said Stephanie Russell, Director of Operations for CLH. “With the implementation of these new graduation requirements, we are strengthening our commitment to our industry partners, collaboratively helping students explore opportunities in accounting and providing valuable insights into the workforce.”

 

With that commitment in mind, CLH spent the past year engaging with students and educators through a series of career-readiness events and community initiatives. In early 2025, the firm participated in several career fairs, including the Inspire Young Minds Career Fair at Barker Middle School in Michigan City and the Valparaiso High School Career Expo. In the first two quarters of the year, firm associates also delivered virtual presentations to Hobart High School students during CPA week, volunteered with the Duneland Chamber of Commerce’s 8th Grade Reality Check program to convey messages of financial responsibility, and evaluated senior projects for students at LaPorte High School.

 

In June, Emily Abuatieh, CLH’s Communications Manager, spearheaded the INCPAS Instagram takeover, where the firm assumed the reins of the organization’s social media account to show a day-in-the-life of CLH employees at work.

“This was a unique opportunity to peel back the curtain on what a career in public accounting could look like,” said Abuatieh. “It was an engaging, relatable way to showcase our team and what happens behind the scenes at CLH. If even one student could visualize themselves in a public accounting career, then the INCPAS Instagram takeover was a success.”

 

Also this year, Russell attended a career fair for Duneland High School students in grades 9-12.

Russell was joined by CLH Partner Lisa Human and Staff Accountants Matthew Flanigan and Victor Hernandez for the Find Your Inspiration Career Fair with Michigan City Area Schools. Hernandez furthered the firm’s outreach in November during the Purdue Northwest Finance & Accounting Club Presentation, where he spoke to students about accounting careers, specifically his experience as an accountant with CLH.

 

Hernandez joined Human, CLH Manager Edward Simokaitis and Senior Accountant Wyatt Stacy for a return to the Duneland Chamber’s 8th Grade Reality Check, which was moved to the fall this year to better align with career-readiness classes.

 

In October, several CLH members attended programs designed to help businesses connect more efficiently with students. Russell attended the Michigan City Chamber Luncheon, which featured insights from speaker Kristi Davis from Michigan City Area Schools about how businesses can best collaborate to support the new work-based learning requirements for high school students. Senior Accountant Ryan Dessart and Staff Accountant Colin Flanigan had an opportunity to mingle with students and chat about careers in accounting during the Purdue Northwest College of Business Accounting Mixer.

 

Abuatieh will round out CLH’s 2025 pipeline development activities on Dec. 17 during Portage Township Schools’ 8th Grade “JA Town,” a collaboration between the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce and Junior Achievement of Chicago, Northwest Indiana Division.  The event will focus on the importance of financial literacy and how one’s career choices can have a significant impact on lifestyle and financial decisions.

 

“This year has been an exciting opportunity for us to connect with Indiana students and help shape career pathways and spark interest in an incredibly rewarding industry,” said Russell. “Our 2026 outreach calendar is already filling up with additional ways we can expand these efforts and support Indiana’s next generation of professionals.”

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