Member Spotlight: Ryan Cannon, Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship Recipient

Ryan Cannon is an undergraduate student studying at the University at Albany and also a proud past recipient of the ACFE’s Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship. Ryan is pursuing a dual major in Homeland Security and Business Administration. 

How did you hear about the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship and what made you decide to apply?   

As a dual major in Homeland Security and Business Administration, I discovered the Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship while having a discussion about my career aspirations with my father, who is a CFE. I strongly believe that the scholarship is closely tied to my career objectives in both fields of study. As a recipient, I am thankful that the scholarship will assist me in becoming a valuable member of the global fraud fighting community. 

How did you become passionate about fighting fraud? 

My passion about fraud fighting is derived from the intersection of my two fields of study at the University at Albany. I am pursuing a challenging and unique dual major in both Homeland Security, Cybersecurity, and Emergency Preparedness, and Business Administration.  

Each degree at first appeared to be independent, but I grew to understand how closely they align. I am personally intrigued with the practicalities of business and the financial fraud schemes that continue to threaten many aspects of our daily lives, country and world. 

What advice do you have for students who are interested in applying for the scholarship? 

Fraud is pervasive in organizations across the world. So, I encourage all to apply, as we are all fraud fighters. Furthermore, as students, the scholarship opportunities may open your eyes to new perspectives and possibly introduce you to a new cutting-edge field of interest. 

This past June, I volunteered as an intern at the ACFE Global Fraud Conference in Nashville. I strongly recommend students, whether or not a scholarship recipient, to apply as an intern or attend the conference. The perspectives of the session presenters and networking opportunities were an eye-opening experience. It provided me with an early insight to the vastness of the fraud fighting profession and the numerous career possibilities that are open to young fraud fighters.