Elijah Shouse

Finance Major

When Elijah Shouse strides across Indiana State University’s campus, he carries with him more than just textbooks and academic ambitions. He brings a commitment to his hometown Terre Haute community, along with a deep desire to make an impact in the world of finance. As a first-year finance major, Shouse’s journey at Indiana State is already shaping his personal and professional aspirations.

“Indiana State is already putting me in leadership roles. I’m getting to meet so many people. I can tell people on campus want me to succeed, and I feel like my voice is being heard,” he says.

The Sycamore didn’t waste any time before getting involved in campus organizations including Indiana State’s Black Student Alliance, NAACP, Brotherhood of Successful Scholars, and the Scott College of Business Networks Professional Development Program. These groups allow Shouse to build connections that extend far beyond the classroom. And they provide an essential network of peers, mentors, and professionals who guide Shouse as he moves toward his career goals.

“We’re all here for a degree, but we’re also creating powerful relationships that matter. I’m meeting business professionals who I might work with after I graduate,” he explains.

Shouse’s academic journey is complemented by his achievements as a President’s Scholar and a member of Indiana State’s Honors College – an immersive academic unit offering unique learning experiences with smaller class sizes, individualized and group research projects, and experiential learning opportunities. Shouse appreciates that the Honors College encourages students to become involved on campus and in the Terre Haute community.

He is particularly fond of his Honors class, Rise of Gen-Z, which explores the interplay between different generations. He says, “The class makes you think differently. It challenges you to think outside the box, and that’s something I really value.”

Shouse credits his coursework for helping him refine skills that were first introduced to him in high school. He comments, “A lot of what I’m learning here [at Indiana State] amplifies what I learned in high school, but the professors really push me to go further. They’re preparing me to be in professional settings – setting me up to succeed in the real world.”

His business classes have been particularly impactful, providing practical knowledge about topics such as investing, budgeting, and networking. “I’m learning how to make the right connections and use them to grow professionally,” he says. “In business, it isn’t always what you know but who you know.”

Looking ahead, Shouse has clear goals. After graduation, he plans to become a financial advisor – a role that will allow him to empower lower-income families with the financial knowledge they need to build stability. “I want to help families understand how to manage their finances and become more financially literate,” he explains.

But beneath Shouse’s academic drive and career ambitions lies another equally powerful passion: music. The COVID-19 pandemic sparked his interest in music production and engineering, providing him with a creative outlet. He honed his skills by playing music for his family’s church, and today he produces hip-hop, R&B, and rap music under the name Esheezy. His tracks are available on YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. Shouse credits his father, also a musician, for instilling within him a deep love for music.

“Everyone has a way to express themselves. For me, that’s music. I keep practicing so I’m at a professional level,” Shouse says.

Far from seeing music and business as separate worlds, Shouse believes they intersect in meaningful ways. As a teenager, he gained hands-on learning experience in media production as an intern at Terre Haute’s WTHI-TV, where he operated cameras, controlled graphics, and handled audio. The internship allowed him to develop technical skills that he believes are transferable to many areas of his life, including his music production.

But Shouse’s journey didn’t stop there. In high school, he launched his own clothing brand, Product of Passion, as part of the Vigo County CEO program. The brand name came from one of his songs, and the name quickly became a reflection of his personal philosophy. “I thought, ‘Wow, passion. I’m a product of passion, so I can’t relate to hate in the world. I’m a product of passion.’ I made that into a brand,” Shouse explains.

His products, which include shirts, shorts, hats, phone cases, and coffee mugs, are sold at student markets and online. Through this venture, Shouse has gained invaluable lessons in leadership, marketing, and business management.

As Shouse moves forward in his college career at Indiana State, he is intent on continuing to refine his skills, both inside and outside the classroom. He’s determined to build his leadership abilities, continue producing music, and prepare for a future where he can help others. And at Indiana State, he feels he is in the perfect place to do all of that.

“Indiana State is giving me the tools I need to succeed. I have a better chance to do more with my studies and career,” he reflects. “I’m making connections, building relationships, and gaining experience that will matter later on. I know I’m on the right path.”

With his heart in music and his mind set on a career in finance, Shouse’s journey is just beginning. He’s going ALL IN, and he’s ready to make his mark, one step—and one musical note—at a time.