Alpha Kappa Psi chapter founder connects community with businesses

By: Max Reed

When Joseph Quan sees a need, he fills it. When asked what an exemplary UAH College of Business student is, he said it is someone who not only, “gets good grades, but is able to apply what they have learned in extracurricular activities, impacting not just their school, but the community as a whole.”

And Quan walks the walk. Quan also saw a need for a “hub for students to connect with other students, the school, and businesses in a formal and fun way.” Enter Alpha Kappa Psi, Quan founded the UAH chapter of the business fraternity, which he now serves as chapter president. His term has included creating an internship program, which has already placed two students, one in biotech and the other in agriculture tech startups. He has also facilitated 10 different guest speakers, who range from various departments at UAH, as well as executives from the biotech, finance, and engineering industries. 

One of the ways he is applying what he has learned in his studies is as a research assistant. He and his professor collaborated on a supply chain handbook on product deletion.

Another contribution of Quan’s has been coordinating several large community and business events. One was a tour of the UAH College of Business for 30 students from underprivileged communities. “This taught my club members how to be their best professional selves.” 

He also coordinated a mentorship program with members of the business community, and secured a venue at the U.S. Space + Rocket Center. Guests included the mayor of Dothan, Alabama, and several members of the venture capital firm where Quan worked, and members of the Alabama Department of Commerce. 

Quan says, “while I have always identified needs in my community and done my best to meet those needs, none of these would have been possible without the College of Business.”

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