YEP Alumni Update With Andrew McComb

Andrew McComb, YEP Alumni, DeKalb County Community Foundation

YEP Alumni – Where are they now?

Through the Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) program, we have the opportunity to meet and interact with a number of high-school students. As they move on to the next phase in life, our hope is pass on a new understanding of philanthropy and the role of nonprofits in each community.

So who are the YEP alumni and where are they today? Are they making an impact for the betterment of their community? Let’s find out!

Meet Andrew McComb

Who are you and where did you go to school?
(AM) My name is Andrew McComb, and I went to Sycamore High School, graduating class of 2015.

How many years were you in YEP?
(AM) I was in YEP for two years, and served as Outreach Chair my second year.

Where are you now and what are you up to?
(AM) Currently, I am at Northern Illinois University majoring in Operations Management and Information Systems and minoring in Business Analytics. I plan to go into Technology Consulting and am involved in several professional organizations around campus.

What’s a recent accomplishment you are proud of?
(AM) I recently did a solo backpacking trip through part of South America, where I traveled through Panama, Colombia, and Peru and climbed Machu Picchu. My favorite part was conversing with locals and meeting friends in hostels from all over the world.

How did YEP shape what you are doing now?
(AM) YEP taught me the role of the nonprofit sector, and the value of endowment giving. It helped to form my civic aspirations upon entering the “real world” which includes to sit on the board of a nonprofit in the community, as well as to set up a community fund to honor a mentor’s legacy.

What were some of your greatest takeaways from YEP?
(AM) My greatest take away was how essential the role of community foundations are in terms of facilitating giving. They can magnify the charitable efforts of a community many times over by providing structure and implementing nonprofit sector best practices.

How are you currently (or plan to in the near future) giving of your time, talent, and treasure?
(AM) Currently, I volunteer through NIU Honor’s program and the Barsema College of business, and am in the process of joining the Knights of Columbus at St. Mary’s Sycamore.

If you could pass on any knowledge or advice to current YEP members, what would that be?
(AM) My advice to current members would be to set charitable and volunteering goals as well as academic and professional ones. It’s easy to get swept into the chaos of high school, and having a plan helps to keep your civic goals on track.

Learn more about Youth Engaged in Philanthropy or follow us on Instagram.