Two Alcorn State University School of Business professors were invited to the AltFinance 2025 Workshop at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, which took place September 5–6, 2025.
Dr. LaTuesday Guy, assistant professor and director of the Business Administration Program, and Dr. Tawfiq Abu-Raqabeh, associate professor of accounting, were selected from 50 finance-focused academics from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The event gathered industry experts to discuss current trends and the future of finance.
“We are committed to excellence and innovation in business education, and our participation in this highly acclaimed forum reflects that commitment,” said Dr. Antwon Woods, dean of the School of Business. “It is this dedication that has positioned us as leaders in the development of a diverse and inclusive financial landscape.”
The Faculty Forum provided exposure and networking opportunities for the HBCU faculty members. On the first day, attendees participated in collaborative professional development sessions.
“These conversations gave me new perspectives on both the academic and professional side of finance, sparking new ideas that I hope to carry forward in my work,” Abu-Raqabeh said. “The diversity of thought and collaboration was inspiring and reinforced the value of engaging with people who share similar interests yet approach them from different angles.”
The professors were able to sharpen their skills on various topics, including peer-to-peer lending, crowdfunding, blockchain, and the role of artificial intelligence in the financial sector.
“I found the AI discussions particularly engaging as they highlighted the benefits like greater efficiency and challenges such as potential biases and job displacement,” Abu-Raqabeh said. “Hearing these balanced perspectives gave me a deeper appreciation of how technology is transforming finance and education.”
In addition to the conference, faculty members also observed classes that discussed real estate, financial statement analysis, bankruptcy, and credit scores applied in real-world contexts.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” Guy said. “I found the information and the environment to be helpful and inspiring for the continued development of courses within our School of Business.”
This conference strengthened the connections, experience, and understanding of the attendees, supporting Alcorn’s efforts to integrate alternative finance and technological innovation into its curriculum.
