Alana Kelley: A leader who turned service into a calling
Alana Kelley, graduating with a degree in accountancy and a minor in chemistry, is ready to be a tax professional, putting heart and soul into classroom learning and practicing the profession for the benefit of community.
Kelley volunteered for Oregon State University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in a record=setting year, helping to boost the program into a powerhouse of community service, student engagement and statewide visibility.
Kelley didn’t just participate in VITA. She helped lead it.
As one faculty member put it, “Alana stands out for her commitment to putting her knowledge and time toward OSU’s VITA program — not only as a contributing member, but as a true leader.”
Kelley’s work this year helped generate more than 2,500 tax appointments and sparked interest from over 400 students eager to get involved.
One of the defining moments of Kelley’s OSU journey came when she was selected as VITA’s marketing director. It was a role she hadn’t expected — and one she initially felt unprepared for.
“I didn’t have any marketing experience, but my boss saw my potential to lead our team, which was a huge honor,” she said.
That leap of faith paid off. Kelley co‑directed VITA’s marketing efforts with creativity and strategy, developing communications, building outreach plans and representing the program at key events. Her work helped VITA reach more clients than ever before — and helped more students discover the joy of service.
Kelley’s leadership extended far beyond campus awareness. She became a public face for both VITA and the College of Business’s accounting program, appearing in Fortune magazine and The Oregonian. Her ability to speak clearly about the importance of tax assistance, financial literacy and community service made her a natural ambassador.
Her faculty mentor noted, “Alana manages to do all of this while completing her education and enhancing the reputation of our program and OSU.”
For Kelley, VITA wasn’t just an extracurricular — it was the heart of her college experience.
“OSU VITA made a huge difference in my college experience! I met so many amazing students who shared the same goal of giving back to the community,” she said. “We completed 2,500 tax returns this year!”
Her enthusiasm, paired with her leadership, helped create a culture of teamwork and purpose. In the final months of the tax season, she expanded her role even further, helping coordinate schedules and recommending appointment times to ensure VITA could meet its commitments to clients and grant partners.
Her work helped hundreds of families receive free, high‑quality tax preparation — and helped OSU students gain hands‑on experience in accounting, client service, and community engagement.
After graduation, Kelley is heading to Denver, where she will begin her career as an audit associate at KPMG, while plans to pursue her CPA. Her experience with VITA — from client interactions to leadership responsibilities — has prepared her for the fast‑paced, people‑centered world of public accounting. Congratulations, Alana Kelley, and thank you for your service.
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