The ACFE Foundation awarded $85,000 in scholarships to 23 students who have demonstrated excellence in accounting, finance, business administration or criminal justice. The 2026–2027 Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship recipients are pursuing careers in fraud examination and other similar anti-fraud professions and will receive a one-year ACFE membership.
“The Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Program is one of the most meaningful initiatives that the ACFE Foundation undertakes each year,” says John Warren, J.D., CFE, the CEO of the ACFE and member of the ACFE Foundation Board of Directors. “Since the program was founded, we’ve given out more than $1 million to aspiring fraud examiners from around the world.”
The scholarship program was established in 1992 to provide students with opportunities to advance their education and pursue fraud-related career paths. It was renamed in 1998 to honor ACFE members Larry Jennings, CFE, and Tracy Ritchie, CFE, who were among five Union Texas Petroleum Inc. employees fatally wounded during terrorist attacks in Karachi, Pakistan, on November 14, 1997. The program supports future fraud fighters through donations from ACFE members.
“Because of the generosity of ACFE members who invest in the next generation, the ACFE Foundation has awarded scholarships to more than 700 deserving students since the program’s founding,” ACFE Foundation Chair Eric Miles, CFE, CPA/CFF, CIA, tells Fraud Magazine. “These scholarships inspire and empower young professionals to pursue careers in the fight against fraud and help shape the future of the anti-fraud profession.”
To be eligible for a scholarship, students must declare a major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, criminal justice or a similar fraud-related discipline. The scholarship application period for the 2027–2028 academic year opens September 1, 2026. This year, the scholarship committee reviewed 158 applications and scored them based on essay questions, recommendation letters and initiatives.
“Our scholarship committee and the ACFE Foundation board review applications from some incredibly bright and accomplished students to identify our Ritchie-Jennings winners,” says Warren. “When I see the qualifications of our scholarship winners, I feel great about the future of our profession. We couldn’t be prouder of the impact the program has had in terms of supporting the next wave of Certified Fraud Examiners.”
Here are the recipients of the 2026–2027 Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship.
The ACFE Foundation awarded $85,000 in scholarships to 23 students who have demonstrated excellence in accounting, finance, business administration or criminal justice.
Britten Ratcliff, University of New Mexico – $10,000 (United States)
Ratcliff is pursuing a dual bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. As an intern for the financial crimes unit at the New Mexico Department of Justice, he worked on a variety of cases involving check fraud, embezzlement and cash skimming. Ratcliff is an active student member of the ACFE and serves as president of the Beta Alpha Psi chapter, an honors organization for students who excel in financial studies. He was also appointed to the New Mexico Public Accountancy Board to advise the governor and state legislature on complaints regarding fraud, negligence and ethics violations.
Jessica Spikes, Notre Dame de Namur University – $10,000 (United States)
Spikes works as a program coordinator at the Bay Area Rapid Transit Office of the Inspector General in San Francisco, where she supports audits and investigations through research, interviews, documentation, evidence analysis and investigative triage. She earned the Certified Inspector General Auditor credential and plans to earn a master’s degree in business administration, with a focus on business analytics or artificial intelligence, to strengthen her capabilities in fraud detection, risk assessment and organizational accountability. She hopes to pursue a long-term career in fraud prevention, detection and investigation in public-sector organizations.
Chiamaka Femi-Adeyinka, Sam Houston State University – $7,500 (United States)
Femi-Adeyinka is pursuing a Ph.D. in digital and cyber forensic science. Her interest in cyberfraud began early in her career when she encountered a case in which an individual lost their life savings to an online investment fraud scheme. Femi-Adeyinka has presented her research on pig butchering schemes and AI-driven fraud at conferences and other speaking engagements. She was selected to present her research on innovations in crime scene forensics at the TEDxSHSU 2025 event. Femi-Adeyinka is a member of Women in Cybersecurity, and she mentors women through the ITU Women in Cyber Mentorship and Women4Cyber Mentorship programs. Her goal is to become a cyber forensic examiner specializing in fraud investigations across digital platforms.
Ty Lewis, Brigham Young University – $7,500 (United States)
Lewis is pursuing a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. His long-term career goal is to earn a Ph.D. and become a professor specializing in forensic accounting. Lewis plans to research how AI can be used to commit and detect fraud and how machine learning can identify patterns in financial data that traditional audits might miss. He also wants to study the new risks that AI-driven fraud creates for businesses and develop frameworks that help the anti-fraud profession adapt to new technology. He’s involved in numerous organizations helping others, and he teaches English as a Second Language to immigrants.
Natalie Chu, Simon Fraser University – $5,000 (Canada)
Chu studied accounting and management information systems and is pursuing a Ph.D. in criminology. Her research focuses on financial fraud, cybercrime and AI safety, including the development of agent-based models and AI systems to improve fraud prevention and detection. Chu has presented her work to law enforcement and regulatory audiences, and she’s received awards and recognition for her research on technology and financial systems. She’s committed to advancing modern approaches to fraud prevention.
Allison Steger, Saint Louis University – $5,000 (United States)
Steger is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in accounting, focusing on forensic accounting and fraud examination. Her interest in fraud prevention was shaped by the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on her family, which motivated her to understand financial misconduct and promote accountability. She’s completed coursework in financial reporting, taxes and forensic accounting, and she plans to pursue the CFE credential. Steger interned with RubinBrown’s assurance team, where she supported financial statement analysis and tested journal entries for fraud indicators. She serves as a student Appeals Board member and as vice president of finance for Delta Sigma Pi.
Esme Stilwaney, University of South Africa – $5,000 (South Africa)
Stilwaney currently works as a fraud investigator in the financial sector and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminology and psychology. She helps identify suspicious activity, analyzes fraud trends and supports loss prevention within her organization. Stilwaney completed a Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice and Forensic Investigations, and participates in ongoing fraud-related training and professional development activities. She’s worked on complex investigations and intends to pursue the CFE credential to support advancement within the anti-fraud field. She’s also been involved in workplace-based fraud awareness initiatives.
David Witham, Boston College – $5,000 (United States)
Witham is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration. He’s a member of the International Association of Financial Crimes Investigators and holds a leadership position with the Graduate Management Association at Boston College. He’s also a member of the Marketing Club, Consulting Club and Net Impact Club. After graduation, Witham plans to return to the Thornton Police Department in Colorado, where he previously worked as a financial crimes detective before resigning to pursue his master’s degree. His desire to pursue a career in law enforcement was solidified during the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, which he saw firsthand as a competitor in the event. Witham is a Certified Anti-money Laundering Specialist and Certified Financial Crimes Investigator, and he plans to earn the CFE credential.
Benjamin Akinlabi, University of North Carolina at Greensboro – $2,000 (United States)
Akinlabi is pursuing a master’s degree in information technology (IT) and management, with a concentration in cybersecurity and AI, and works to ensure accountability and strengthen technological application controls against social engineering, identity theft and deepfake risks. Akinlabi attends a cyber academy internship program, where he conducts risk and security assessments for small organizations. He received the SONA Award for Contribution to the Business Continuity Plan from Standard Bank Group and was selected to support operations and work closely with the IT team and other financial institutions to resolve cases and promote fraud awareness. Akinlabi earned the CFE credential and won the Beyond Excellence Award from Stanbic IBTC Bank.
Kyra Armes, Southern New Hampshire University – $2,000 (United States)
Armes is currently pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. She earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and majored in forensic accounting and fraud examination. Her coursework focused on fraud detection, data analytics and investigative techniques. In her auditing internships, she evaluated internal controls, assessed financial risks and identified irregularities in financial records. Her interest in fraud prevention was further reinforced through coursework on major fraud schemes and a real-world experience in identifying employee theft in her workplace. Armes plans to obtain the CFE, CPA/CFF and CIA credentials and build a career in forensic accounting and fraud examination.
Rudolf Avagyan, West Virginia University – $2,000 (United States)
Avagyan is a master’s degree student in forensic and fraud examination accounting and analytics. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance and worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs Office of Labor Equity, where he audited government records and detected violations of misconduct. He also worked for the IRS as an internal revenue agent and audited complex filings, performed Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)-to-tax reconciliations and applied Benford’s Law to his investigations. His employers nicknamed him “Audit Ace” due to improvements he made in billing practices that created cost savings. Avagyan is an active member of the ACFE and is preparing to take the CFE Exam.
Anna Brunner, University of Chicago – $2,000 (United States)
Brunner is earning a master’s degree in business administration and currently works as a policy analyst with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, where she conducts performance evaluations of federal programs, including assessing risks related to fraud, waste and abuse. Her experience in public-sector oversight has shaped her interest in anti-fraud work and strengthened her commitment to improving government accountability. Brunner plans to pursue the CFE credential and continue her career in the public sector, applying her skills to combat fraud and improve program integrity.
Brooklin Cattoor, Utah Tech University – $2,000 (United States)
Cattoor is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting and has a long-term career goal to work in fraud examination or forensic accounting with a U.S. federal law enforcement agency. She plans to obtain the CFE and CPA credentials to expand her skillset in fraud prevention, detection and enforcement.
Madison Goble, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga – $2,000 (United States)
Goble is currently working toward a bachelor’s degree in accounting and intends to complete a master’s degree. She’s an active member of the Institute of Management Accountants and Future Business Leaders of America, and she plans to pursue both the CFE and CPA credentials. She aspires to become a forensic accountant specializing in fraud detection and financial investigations. Goble interned at Unum and has held numerous volunteer student leadership positions.
Cole Huth, Millersville University of Pennsylvania – $2,000 (United States)
Through his coursework as a bachelor’s degree student in accounting, Huth’s completed high-profile case analysis, including an analysis of the intricate details of the crimes committed by the management staff of Enron and by Jordan Belfort. Huth volunteers with youth at a camp and helps distribute food at a social services center. He completed a research paper on investigating potential fraud in collegiate sports stemming from NCAA violations and questionable collegiate administration activities.
Md Shazid Islam, Southern Utah University – $2,000 (Bangladesh)
Islam is pursuing a master’s degree in cybersecurity and works for a multinational company where he’s handled sensitive data and assisted with internal security measures to prevent fraud, misbehavior and legal infractions. This role inspired him to continue his studies in cybersecurity. Islam is a graduate assistant at Southern Utah University and a member of the ACFE, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Phi Kappa Phi honor society. Islam’s career goal is to work as a cybersecurity and fraud risk specialist, focusing on preventing, detecting and investigating fraud in digital environments.
Ebrima Jammeh, University of Illinois Springfield – $2,000 (Gambia)
Jammeh earned a master’s degree in accounting and is pursuing a Ph.D. in public administration, with a focus on financial oversight, accountability and public-sector governance. He’s worked as an accountant and analyzed audited financial statements as a doctoral fellow at the Illinois Board of Higher Education, where he developed expertise in financial reporting, internal controls and compliance. He’s obtained a certificate in forensic accounting and is committed to pursuing a career to enforce ethical conduct and fraud prevention in the public sector.
Anna Rubino, Elon University – $2,000 (United States)
Rubino is working toward a bachelor’s degree in accounting with a minor in criminal justice. Her academic research and exposure to financial misconduct cases solidified her interest in forensic accounting and fraud prevention, which reinforced her commitment to addressing white-collar crime. She’s completed coursework in accounting systems, audit- and fraud-related topics, and she’s conducted research on fraud risks in mergers and acquisitions and emerging technologies. Through audit and tax internships, she developed skills in internal controls, reconciliations and financial documentation review. She’s also actively involved on campus as a student athlete and leader. Rubino plans to pursue the CFE and CPA credentials and aspires to a career in forensic accounting or consulting.
Shojin Samson, Marquette University – $2,000 (India)
Samson is an international student from India and is pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice data analytics. His academic work focuses on applying data analytics, geographic information systems and programming tools, such as Python, to the study of financial crime, money laundering and organized criminal networks. Samson aspires to a career as an intelligence analyst specializing in financial crime, with plans to begin in state-level investigative roles before pursuing opportunities in the U.S. government. He’s participated in research projects and community-based fraud awareness sessions, where he provided guidance to vulnerable populations on recognizing scam and phishing activity.
Nishtha Sathi, Athens State University – $2,000 (United States)
Sathi is working toward a master’s degree in accounting, as well as earning the CFE and CPA credentials. Her goal is to apply these skills in forensic accounting roles that uncover fraud, strengthen safeguards and uphold ethical financial practices. Sathi is an active member of her university’s Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Student Chapter. At the 2025 IMA Student Leadership Conference, she volunteered as a moderator for the session “From Numbers to Narratives: Unlocking the Power of Data Analytics,” to facilitate audience engagement and introduce the speaker. She wrote about her experience and encouraged her peers to participate in future conferences in the Fall 2025 Accounting Club Newsletter. Sathi’s long-term career goal is to become a CPA with a meaningful role in protecting organizations and the public from financial misconduct.
Paige Speer, University of North Carolina – $2,000 (United States)
Speer is pursuing a master’s degree in accounting. She works as a police officer and provides in-depth investigative assistance to detectives. Her desire to pursue a career in the anti-fraud field stems from her fascination with the ways people launder money and the complex operations that often fund or conceal criminal activity. She entered law enforcement to be part of criminal investigations, and her interest deepened after working on several cases. Her long-term career goal is to work in a government-focused role dedicated to fraud detection and prevention, specifically in anti-money laundering, digital forensics or fraud examination.
Sierra Strong, University of Utah – $2,000 (United States)
Strong is currently earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and serving as a teaching assistant in introductory accounting courses. She’s also completing a minor in psychology and participates in technical training programs that provide experience with SQL, Python and data analysis. Her goal is to become a forensic accountant specializing in fraud and bankruptcy investigations. Strong plans to pursue a master’s degree in accounting and obtain the CFE and CPA credentials.
Reagan Travis, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – $2,000 (United States)
Travis is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in forensic accounting and fraud examination. She’s also president of the ACFE Collegiate Chapter at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University–Prescott. Her interest in fraud began after she took a white-collar crime course and studied real-world cases involving Ponzi schemes, money laundering, academic fraud, embezzlement and insurance fraud. She won first place at the state level in Foundations of Finance and second place at the state level in Foundations of Accounting in academic competitions through the Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate Chapter at her university. Travis wants to become a fraud examiner specializing in healthcare-related fraud.
Anna Brahce, CFE, is the assistant editor of Fraud Magazine. Contact her at abrahce@ACFE.com.
