Bloch 
student Xiaomei (Grazia) Xiong is working on her degree in Accounting, an area she terms “the Language of Business.”
“On top of my existing three language skills of English, Italian and Mandarin Chinese, my Master’s degree in Accounting will help me to achieve my long list of personal and professional objectives,” she said, “including teaching and doing Accounting related research, but more importantly, to empower me to add value and to make a broader impact on the people and community around me.”
From November 2012 to May 2013, shortly after coming to the U.S. Grazia volunteered with the International Institute of New England, working with refugees from all over the world in Lowell, Mass.
“With the knowledge and lessons I learned out of my own agonizing experiences navigating the United States as an international student, I was able to organize receptions and orientations for newly arrived refugees from Burma, Iraq and Somalia,” she said. “My duties included social welfare applications, resources research, career development assistance and various problem-solving of case-related issues ranging from teaching them how to use an electric stove to how to send their children to school.”
Grazia said she learned many valuable and powerful lessons from her volunteer experience and still keeps in contact with some of those refugees. She started her master’s degree in accounting in Fall 2013.
“UMKC attracted me in a variety of ways. First of all, it is the quality of education,” she said. “Secondly, it is the affordability. With numerous scholarship opportunities and on campus employment, UMKC puts much less financial burden on their students and their families. Last but not least, it is the urban core location. The UMKC campus is surrounded by business centers, enterprises and SMB employers, museums, galleries, and vibrant city life. These entities provide great opportunities for the students for internships and employment following graduation, in addition to cultural activities for students.”
While maintaining a high GPA, Grazia has also been involved with several organizations during her time at UMKC, including the International Student Ambassador program, Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity, Edward A. Smith Urban Leadership Program, the UM System Graduate Student Leadership Development Program, the Kansas City Chinese Association, and the HALO Foundation.
“The various scholarships and awards I received from UMKC and the Bloch School have made this journey very rewarding and exciting,” she said. “I especially enjoyed the interaction with faculty and staff, the friendships built with my peers from all over the globe and here in Kansas City, and the beautiful campus, awesome library and Swinney Recreation Center.”
Grazia plans to graduate in December, then pursue a Ph.D. in Accounting.
“UMKC is an educational institution that all faculty, staff, students, and alumni can be proud to represent,” she said. “I am very thankful to all of these people for the support and opportunities provided to me both directly and indirectly.”