AICPA presents 2019 ‘Medal of Inspiration’

The American Institute of CPAs has awarded Indira Karimova, an undergraduate student at the University of Texas at Tyler, Beta Alpha Psi’s Medal of Inspiration Award. The award was presented Friday at the Beta Alpha Psi Annual Meeting in Chicago.

The annual award, sponsored by the AICPA, is given to a Beta Alpha Psi student member who has achieved success in the face of notable hardships. The award includes a $5,000 cash stipend.

Born in Kyrgyzstan, Karimova was arranged to marry her second cousin when she was 19 years old. Shortly after her wedding, pregnant with her first child, Karimova and her husband moved to the United States. Karimova learned English and obtained her GED before separating from her husband. As a single mother of two, she finished her college prep classes and Christian Women job courses and graduated magna cum laude from Tyler Junior College.

“Indira Karimova has shown true perseverance and determination throughout her life,” said Yvonne Hinson, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants academic in residence, per a statement. “Working diligently in the face of adversity to make a better life for herself and her children. Her story and the stories of others before her are the reason the Medal of Inspiration Award exists. The AICPA is proud to sponsor this award and wishes Indira much success on her path to complete her education and become a CPA.”

Karimova graduated from the University of Texas at Tyler this past spring with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She will soon pursue her master’s degree in accounting with the hope of earning the CPA license. She was previously featured on her university’s President’s List, was a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and received the American Association of University Women Scholarship, President Transfer Scholarship and the East Texas Trio Alliance Scholarship, among other awards.

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