Sikich Announces 2025 James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship Recipients

CHICAGO – June 30, 2025 – Sikich, a Chicago-based leading global technology-enabled professional services company, announced today its 2025 James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship recipients: Tejaswini Joshi, Gabriel Lebowa and Rahel Shibeshi. 

In partnership with the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), Sikich established the James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship in 2019 to honor the company’s founder, Jim Sikich. As the cost of higher education rises, Sikich is devoted to providing financial assistance to promising accounting students of all backgrounds and to fostering the education and dreams of those who have demonstrated leadership and devotion to their field.  

“Education and leadership development are paramount to ensuring the future of the professional services industry,” said Sikich Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Christopher Geier. “The talent, perseverance and determination for success of these three rising stars reinforce our belief and commitment to supporting the next generation of leaders.” 

The 2025-2026 academic year scholarship recipients are individuals with a proven determination to pursue a career in accounting and demonstrated leadership qualities: 

• Tejaswini Joshi will enter her senior year at North Central College this fall, majoring in accounting and preparing to begin her full-time career after graduation. She has completed multiple accounting internships, served as vice president of North Central’s Student Accounting Society and worked part time while maintaining strong academic performance. Her long-term goals include earning her CPA and specializing in climate change assurance. 

• Gabriel Lebowa is starting his senior year at the University of Illinois, where he is majoring in accounting with a minor in technology and management. A first-generation student and the son of immigrants, Gabriel has navigated his academic and career path with independence and resilience, breaking new ground in his family. He serves as treasurer of his music fraternity and is most interested in tax, where he hopes to build a long-term career. 

• Rahel Shibeshi is an incoming senior at Augustana College pursuing a double major in accounting and data analytics. She supports herself financially and has worked several on-campus jobs to fund her education. She is drawn to the problem-solving and client-focused nature of consulting and looks forward to exploring areas like financial reporting and risk management as she begins her accounting career. 

In addition to the James A. Sikich Visionary Scholarship, Sikich supports the advancement of the next generation of leaders in professional services through the company’s established internship program, Sikich Scholars. Click here to learn more about Sikich career opportunities. 

About Sikich  

Sikich is a Chicago-based global company specializing in technology-enabled professional services. With approximately 2,000 employees, Sikich draws on a diverse portfolio of technology solutions to deliver transformative digital strategies. From corporations and not-for-profits to state and local governments and federal agencies, Sikich clients utilize a broad spectrum of services and products to help them improve performance and achieve long-term, strategic goals.  
 

Sikich practices in an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Professional Code of Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. Sikich CPA LLC is a licensed CPA firm that provides audit and attest services to its clients, and Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries provide tax and business advisory services to its clients. Sikich CPA LLC has a contractual arrangement with Sikich LLC under which Sikich LLC supports Sikich CPA LLC’s performance of its professional services. Sikich LLC and its subsidiaries are not licensed CPA firms. 

“Sikich” is the brand name under which Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC provide professional services. The entities under the Sikich brand are independently owned and are not liable for the services provided by any other entity providing services under the Sikich brand. The use of the terms “our company”, “we” and “us” and other similar terms denote the alternative practice structure of Sikich CPA LLC and Sikich LLC.   

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