Students Presented Research Projects in Semester-Long Initiative

Toyota representatives visited Alabama A&M University Wednesday to announce winning teams and present scholarships to students participating in the inaugural Toyota Leadership Academy.

The semester-long project, developed in partnership with Dr. Qian Ruby Shen’s Finance Professional Development II class (FIN 102), and Dr. Felicia Farrar’s Accounting Professional Development II class (ACC 304), challenged students to analyze whether consumers should purchase new or used vehicles in a range of social and economic scenarios. Teams examined vehicle condition, market pricing, interest rates and financing options before offering data-driven recommendations. AAMU’s Career Development Services (CDS) collaborated with Toyota to facilitate this program.

The assignment required students to apply financial literacy concepts, assess risk, compare cost structures and defend their final decisions with sound economic reasoning. As part of the academy, participants also submitted essays on their personal and professional growth. Students explained how the experience deepened their understanding of Toyota’s 10 Core Values and how those principles shaped their teamwork, communication and decision-making.

Three teams were selected as group project winners, with each member receiving $518 in book vouchers for financial aid support.

Scholarship essay winners earned $5,000 for the top two submissions, and the remaining winners received $2,000 each. The $5,000 recipients were Augustin Marquez, a junior finance major from Planes Av Gaona, Argentina, and Eric Wilson, a senior accounting major from Phenix City, Alabama.

The following students each received $2,000: Skilar Perry, a freshman accounting major from Bessemer, Alabama; Khamorie Harrison, a sophomore accounting major from Blue Springs, Missouri; and Tyler Newman, a sophomore finance major from Kennedale, Texas.

“The Toyota Leadership Academy Project was a great experience,” said Autumn Peoples, a sophomore finance major from Spring Hill, Tennessee, and a member of a winning project team. “I not only learned a great deal about Toyota as a company, but also gained a deeper understanding of their core values and how deeply those principles are embedded into their culture and leadership approach.”

Toyota representatives encouraged students throughout the project and praised them for their engagement and analytical work. “Our partnership with Alabama A&M reflects our belief that leadership is built through real-world learning,” said Darryn Hyman with the Toyota Leadership Academy. “The students demonstrated exceptional curiosity, discipline and commitment, and we are excited to support their continued growth.”

Faculty expressed enthusiasm for sustaining the collaboration. “We hope this partnership continues to expand, giving even more students access to hands-on experiences that strengthen their financial literacy, critical-thinking skills and professional readiness,” said Shen. “Seeing our students apply classroom concepts to real-world scenarios – with industry experts guiding them – was invaluable,” added Farrar.

(Photo L-R) Joseph White, human resources, local Toyota plant; LaTonya Mumpfield, director of human resources, local Toyota plant; Angel Lee, AAMU CDS interim director; Brittney Degraffenried-Lee, career counselor, AAMU College of Business and Public Affairs; Tyler Newman; Augustin Marquez; Eric Wilson; Khamorie Harrison; Darryn Hyman, Toyota Leadership Academy; Justin Smith, Toyota Eastern Regional Sales Manager