Three Naugatuck Valley Community College Accounting majors, Jazmin Ayala, Kerry Ervin, and McClure Whiting qualified to participate in the VITA Tax Preparation program and were certified to serve clients in tax preparation.  This community service opportunity allowed them to use their accounting skills for a good cause, while gaining valuable, practical experience.   

NVCC Professor and Chair of Management, Marketing, Finance and Economics, Coordinator of Accounting,  

Donna Marotti, commented that “these accounting students already possess an excellent foundation from within their coursework taken at NVCC.” Noting the required training to become certified VITA volunteers, she explained that the students “registered with Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS) to successfully complete further certification and training of an additional 15 to 20 hours of study through the IRS Training Link and Learn Site. Upon passing, they not only served as VITA Volunteers but also participated in FAFSA Super Saturdays sponsored through CAHS. These efforts provided significant service to our communities at large and we are very proud of our students! “   

Commenting on her participation in the program, Jazmin Ayala explained, “I enjoyed giving back to the community by volunteering and helping raise awareness of free tax preparation. The program also gave me an opportunity to apply the knowledge I have gained from attending NVCC.”  

McClure Whiting also commented on the opportunity. “It was a great opportunity to help give back to the community and a phenomenal learning experience.” 

The program was sponsored by Naugatuck Valley Community College, the United Way of Greater Waterbury, Connecticut Association for Human Services (CAHS), and the IRS.