Continuing the theme of first-generation college students, Brandon Roberto, director of accounting, journeyed the postsecondary world largely on his own. Growing up, Brandon did not have the financial literacy tools he has today and took on a significant amount of debt to attend college.  Without a clear path or much guidance, he entered college undecided, eventually discovering his passion for accounting. 

Brandon recalls his first two years of undergrad at Kent State University as a period of “going through the process blind,” and taking unnecessary classes before he finally honed in on his major. “Knowing College Now and what they do, it would have been great to have that when I was a student,” he says, recognizing the value of financial aid and scholarship support that he missed out on. 

A turning point came when he joined a fraternity specializing in accounting and finance, which helped him make lifelong friends and gain professional insights, from resume building to networking. “Take the risk, get involved and meet new people,” he advises, emphasizing that these experiences can create pathways to new opportunities. 

Reflecting on his journey, Brandon’s proudest accomplishment so far is earning his CPA license, an achievement he worked tirelessly to attain. While earning his CPA license meant that he would have to complete an extra year of undergrad, going beyond the traditional four-year mark, he acknowledges that it was worth the extra “victory lap” as it led him to his role today. 

Now, Brandon aims to guide future generations in making informed financial decisions, teaching them what he wishes he had known. “It’s important to explore every resource, apply for every scholarship and seek out mentors whenever possible,” he says. As Treasurer of the Torchlight Youth Mentoring Alliance, he’s committed to building financial literacy in young people. His favorite part of working at College Now is collaborating with different departments and learning from each of his colleagues, fulfilling his mission to support students in their academic journeys.