THURSDAY, APRIL
THE ACCOUNTING AND BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS
41st ANNUAL AWARDS CEREMONY
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2025
brown ballroom | bone student center
CEREMONY PROGRAM
WELCOME
Rachel Birkey Awards Committee Chairperson
OPENING COMMENTS
Ajay Samant Dean, College of Business
Joe Johnston Chairperson, Department of Accounting
DINNER
PRESENTATION OF STUDENT AWARDS
Rachel Birkey Awards Committee Chairperson
ANNUAL AWARDS
ACCOUNTING FIRM DONORS
1st ANNUAL AFNI, INC. AWARD
Quynh Bailey
Adrian Garcia
Michael Koczwara
Lucas Kozak
Andrea Rivera
43rd ANNUAL CLIFTONLARSONALLEN LLP AWARD
Mirabella Biage
19th ANNUAL COUNTRY FINANCIAL AWARD
Anthony Decker
Ethan Rubin
Abby Schniederjan
Paul Schwantz
45th ANNUAL DUNBAR, BREITWEISER & CO., LLP AWARD
Treyton Graham
19th ANNUAL ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR AWARD
Ava Carlson
24th ANNUAL FORVIS AWARD
Evan Capps
24th ANNUAL
MCK MARY ANN WEBB SCHOLARSHIP
Jacob Lundstrom
16th ANNUAL
MILLER COOPER & COMPANY AWARD
Nina Carey
Emily Hoang
26th ANNUAL
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS AWARD
Francis Annin
19th ANNUAL RSM AWARD
Michael Cassidy
Madison Fowler
Anirudh Krishnakumar
Joe McLaughlin
Olivia Mummey
4th ANNUAL
SIKICH LLP ACCOUNTING AND BIS DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Matthew Mendoza
Jade Schierer
Donesha Watson
18th ANNUAL STATE FARM AWARD
Landon Brown
Rachel Lechtenberg
Andy Nguyen
Lincoln Steidinger
Mackenzie Wand
ANNUAL AWARDS
INDIVIDUAL DONORS
• 2025
DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Olivia Acheampong
Daniel Asante
Eric Ati
Jacob Austin
Mirabella Biage
Ava Carlson
Andrew Conforti
Lexi Deluna
Emma Gregory
Grace Johnson
Malik Krech
Olivia Mummey
Mahataz Nipa
Hannah O’Brien
Ariel Pomierski
Jade Schierer
9th ANNUAL
BRADLEY BENSON MEMORIAL
ISACA-ILLINI CHAPTER BIS SCHOLARSHIP
Donesha Watson
5th ANNUAL
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS SCHOLARSHIP
Donesha Watson
13th ANNUAL
CAROLINE KERN CRAIG
ENDOWED FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Miguel Ayala
Subash Chaudhary
17th ANNUAL
DAVID CURRIE CPA SCHOLARSHIP
Olivia Acheampong
5th ANNUAL
BRAD DAWSON MEMORIAL FUND SCHOLARSHIP
Cobi Blair
9th ANNUAL
DUANE AND DIANA DEBS SCHOLARSHIP
Emily Hoang
14th ANNUAL
EOVALDI FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Madison Fowler
Morgan Jones
Kirsten Kindred
Shuolin Kong
Katie Krahn
Erin Patton
9th ANNUAL
MIKE AND KAREN ESSINGTON BIS SCHOLARSHIP
Katherine Coffman
7th ANNUAL
JACALYN FERREE
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN ACCOUNTING
Tanaya Cummings
1st ANNUAL
GARY L. FISH ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Treyton Graham
14th ANNUAL
FLESSNER FAMILY ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
HONORING DR. GERRY MCKEAN
Joseph Brune
Jeffrey Hannemann
5th ANNUAL
FOLTZ FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Cobi Blair
Kyleah Darnell
Emma Gregory
Emily Hoang
4th ANNUAL
MARY GRAFFY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Hannah O’Brien
36th ANNUAL
ACCOUNTING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
JAMES A. HALLAM SCHOLARSHIP
Sam Kahovec
8th ANNUAL
JIM & JEANETTE HALLAM
CPA CANDIDATE SCHOLARSHIP
Jacob Austin
4th ANNUAL
DOUGLAS W. HART ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Katie Krahn
3rd ANNUAL
HOWLEY FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Carter Andrews
5th ANNUAL
INDUSTRIAL ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Abby Schniederjan
11th ANNUAL
LAFRENCE FAMILY ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Olivia Acheampong
Quynh Bailey
1st ANNUAL
DEBORAH L. LINDBERG ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Brittney Oakley
8th ANNUAL
MCMULLEN FAMILY
FIRST GENERATION STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Miguel Ayala
6th ANNUAL
ERIC MICKEL SCHOLARSHIP FOR ACCOUNTING
Landon Cook
28th ANNUAL
W. MAX REXROAD SCHOLARSHIP
Cobi Blair
Landon Cook
Mackenzie Cotner
Payton Dundas
Christian Gomolchak
Jack Priller
17th ANNUAL
JAMES H. SCHLESSER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Rachel Lechtenberg
Jacob Lundstrom
Lincoln Steidinger
Mackenzie Wand
21st ANNUAL
HERBERT C. SIEG ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
Carter Andrews
Jelal Hossain
Morgan Jones
Sam Kahovec
4th ANNUAL
KELLEY AND JAMES SMITH
ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Naomi Aalsma
27th ANNUAL
NIMS ASSOCIATES BILL SPANIOL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Sean Hopkins
Darwin Salvatierra
2025
WILLIAM TOWNES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Kyleah Darnell
4th ANNUAL
VANDERMYDE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Andrew Conforti
18th ANNUAL
KATE KING WU & HORACE C. WU SCHOLARSHIP
Naomi Aalsma
Paige Bolen
Brittney Oakley
9th ANNUAL
ZARCONE FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP
Daniel Asante
Eric Ati
Mahataz Nipa
Hannah O’Brien
Ariel Pomierski
Jade Schierer
ANNUAL AWARDS PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
22nd ANNUAL
BECKER PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP
Mavis Bediaku
Adrian Nieves
Mahataz Nipa
3rd ANNUAL
DR. THOMAS SECOY CPA EXAM SCHOLARSHIP
Matthew Varland
12th ANNUAL
STEVE MICHELS CPA REVIEW COURSE SCHOLARSHIP
Amara Howell
2024
INSTITUTE OF MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTANTS
CMA PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP
Jelal Hossain
Isaac Keck
Anne Elise McCree
Oluwatosin Anthony Monehin
Nicky Nepos, Sr.
Salvatore Roti
OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARDS
•
2025
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS ALUMNI OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE
BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEMS STUDENT AWARD
Joshua Clark
Lillian Hogan
2025
MARCOTTE FAMILY OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE ACCOUNTING STUDENT AWARD
Hannah O’Brien
2025
MARCOTTE FAMILY OUTSTANDING MASTER OF PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANCY AWARD
Landon Cook
2025
MARCOTTE FAMILY OUTSTANDING MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ACCOUNTANCY AWARD
Shuolin Kong
MULTI-YEAR AWARDS
GARY AND HELEN ANETSBERGER SCHOLARSHIP
Nina Carey Ava Carlson
Adrian Garcia
WILLIAM A. FORTSCH ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Miguel Ayala
Allyson Ford
Zofia Marusarz
Colin Wasserman
SEARS ACCOUNTING SCHOLARSHIP
Steel Martin
2022 AWARD RECIPIENT STUDENT BIOGRAPHIES
NAOMI AALSMA is a senior majoring in accounting. After graduating in the spring, she will further her education and pursue her Master of Professional Accountancy degree at Illinois State University. She is aspiring for her CPA certification and plans to sit provisionally for the exam in Spring of 2026. Following graduation, Naomi has accepted a summer 2025 Assurance Intern position with RSM. Naomi serves as Student Accounting Society’s Vice President, and as Business Week’s Mentor/Mentee Program Coordinator. She is an active member in Accounting and Finance Women’s Alliance, Beta Alpha Psi, Encounter Campus Ministry, ISU’s Campus Recreation Business Intern, and Intramural Sports. She also volunteers at Eastview Christian Church in the athletic department when she can.
OLIVIA ACHEAMPONG is an accounting graduate student at Illinois State University. She is actively involved National Association of Black Accountants and serves as NABA Vice President. Olivia has finance and accounting internship experience at Panasonic Energy and is a student member of the Illinois CPA Society. She is an affiliate of ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and holds a Lean Six Sigma yellow belt certification through Panasonic Energy. She plans to take the CPA exam in 2026.
DAVID ADAMITIS is a junior and is currently enrolled in the BS/MPA professional accountancy sequence. He is an active member in Sigma Pi Fraternity and in his Boy Scout Troop 237 based out of Frankfort Illinois. He also looks forward to a Chase internship in global accountancy for the summer of 2026. He is most proud of achieving the rank of Eagle Scout in September of 2021.
HAILEY ADAMS is a senior in the BS/ MPA accounting program at Illinois State. She gained a head start on her education through a dual credit program in high school that allowed her to earn her associate degree as a senior in high school. While balancing a full-time course load, she also works in retail and has gained valuable experience through a summer internship at a tax accounting firm. Outside of work and school, she is actively involved on campus as a member of three organizations, one of which she served on the executive board. She looks forward to sitting for her CPA exam in 2026 and aims to become a forensic accountant with a federal agency.
CARTER ANDREWS is a senior majoring in professional accountancy. He plans to achieve his BS/MPA degree by the end of his fourth year in college. He works on the grounds crew at Rich Harvest Farms and Crestwicke Country Club, and he takes classes during the summer and school year. Carter returned for his internship as a for-profit audit intern with Sikich LLP this spring after receiving a returning internship offer after his time with them last spring. He looks forward to continuing his academic and professional journey as he plans to sit for the CPA or CMA exam after graduation.
FRANCIS ANNIN is a graduate international student from Ghana studying accounting. He is an active member of National Association of Black Accountants (NABA). Francis has previously volunteered as a note taker for intermediate accounting in the fall 2024 and currently volunteering as a note taker for audit course in spring 2025. He is additionally volunteering as a tax preparer for Volunteer Income Tax Assistant/Tax Counseling for the Elderly in Normal which was championed by the College of Business of the Illinois State University. He looks forward in getting internship in a public accounting firm in summer 2025 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in fall of 2025.
DANIEL ASANTE is an MSA student and a graduate assistant in the Department of Accounting. He recently became a member of Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, and an active participant at the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Daniel plans to sit provisionally for the CPA in winter or Spring of 2026.
ERIC ATI is a Master of Science in Accounting student at Illinois State University. He serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Department of Accounting and is the Social Media Chair for the National Association of Black Accountants. Previously, he worked as an Audit Associate at KPMG Ghana. Passionate about leadership and community service, he has held various executive roles, including President of the Accounting Students Association. He looks forward to leveraging his expertise in Audit and accounting technology while plans to sit for the CPA exam in spring of 2026.
JACOB AUSTIN is a junior majoring in accounting. At ISU he is an active member of German Honor Society and enjoys playing soccer at the rec center. He hopes to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in spring of 2026.
FIDELLA AWOUDI is a freshman majoring in Business Information Systems with a sequence in Business Analytics. She was named to the Dean’s List for the Fall semester and is an active member of Women in Business and the Business Analytics Society. She looks forward to furthering her involvement within the College of Business and the broader community while developing her leadership skills to become a future leader.
MIGUEL AYALA is an accounting Major in the BS/MPA program at Illinois State University. He has completed three internships at Ernst & Young (EY) and will return this summer as a Process and Controls Intern for his fourth. Miguel plans to begin sitting for the CPA exam next school year. He is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma.
QUYNH BAILEY is a senior majoring in accountancy and accounting information systems. In her family, she is a firstgeneration university student. She is also working full-time while attending university.
MAVIS BEDIAKU is a graduate student in MSA accounting. Mavis is an active member of the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), and she serves as the Treasurer for the NABA Illinois State University local chapter. She completed an internship with Crowe in the summer of 2024 and plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in the spring of 2025.
MIRABELLA BIAGE is a junior majoring in financial accounting aiming to follow the BS/MPA path. She anticipates completing the CPA exam in Spring of 2027. Mirabella is an active member of Women In Business and Girl Gains at Illinois State University. She looks forward to completing an internship with CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) in Spring of 2025.
COBI BLAIR is a graduate student in the BS/MPA Program. He currently serves as the Illinois State University Student Body President. His prior service within the Student Government Association includes two years as a Senator and chair of the Fee Board, a student panel tasked by the Dean of Students Office with allocating funds to
registered student organization’s events and programs. He was a summer intern for State Farm in 2024 and is excited to begin his full-time role with State Farm as a tax analyst. He is currently studying for the CPA Exam.
PAIGE BOLEN is a senior financial accounting major and theatre minor. They are the President and Co-Event Coordinator of Beta Alpha Psi. Paige has completed two accounting internships and looks forward to graduation, as they will begin sitting for the CPA exams shortly after.
LANDON BROWN is a senior majoring in financial accounting. He is looking forward to working in public accounting upon his completion of the BS/MPA program. Landon has completed two audit internships with KEB in Springfield, Illinois. He looks forward to starting his accounting career upon graduation and plans to sit for the CPA exam in spring of 2026.
JOSEPH BRUNE is a junior majoring in business information system - business analytics. He is an active member of Beta Gamma Sigma and Illinois State’s team in Selective’ s Insurance Agency Competition. He will intern at the Illinois Department of Insurance this summer and graduate in December 2025.
EVAN CAPPS is a senior BS/MPA
Professional Accountancy major. He is a transfer student from Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, IL, and is currently in his final semester as an undergraduate student at Illinois State University, where he is an active member of the Student Accounting Society. He looks forward to completing his second audit internship at Sikich in the summer of 2025 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in the summer of 2026.
NINA CAREY is a graduate student majoring in accounting. She is a past member of Student Accounting Society and Women in Business. Nina is currently studying for the CPA exam while in grad school and is looking forward to starting full time in tax for Miller Cooper this upcoming summer!
AVA CARLSON is a junior majoring in financial accounting. She is an active member of the Women in Business organization. She also has a 4.0 GPA. She looks forward to completing an accounting internship with Enterprise Mobility in the summer of 2025.
MICHAEL CASSIDY is a secondsemester senior majoring in accounting and will begin graduate school at Illinois State University next fall. He is an active member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, serving as Alumni Chairman, and is involved in the Order of Omega. Michael also mentors for Business Week and works in the Dean of Students Office as well as at Eastland Suites Hotel. He has an upcoming summer internship with RSM as an audit intern and has accepted a full-time offer with RSM starting in fall 2026. He plans to acquire the necessary credits and begin sitting for the CPA exam this upcoming fall.
SUBASH CHAUDHARY is a graduate student majoring in accounting (BS/MPA) program. He is an active member of Student Accounting Society. Subash also serves as the Vice President of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS) and had previously held the position of Treasury and Management Officer for Business ACUMEN. Subash plans to sit for the CPA exam starting this summer. He has also completed his Tax Internship with PwC, and he is looking forward to start his professional career as a Tax Accountant in fall of 2025 in Chicago, IL.
JOSH CLARK is a senior majoring in business information systems. He is a member of the BIS Club and currently interns as a Personal Lines Auto Underwriter at COUNTRY Financial. After graduating in May, he will be continuing with COUNTRY Financial as a full-time Underwriter.
KATHERINE COFFMAN is a senior majoring in business information systems, minoring in business analytics. She is Vice President of Women in Business and an active member in Kappa Kappa Gamma. Last summer, Kate enjoyed being a Summer Analyst intern within the JPMorganChase 2024 Commercial Banking Insight Program - Innovation Development in Chicago and looks forward to returning to the firm as a full-time analyst this upcoming fall.
ANDREW CONFORTI is a senior at Illinois State University and is enrolled in the BS/MPA program. I currently have accepted my return offer for a summer internship in June of 2025 at BDO and plan to take the CPA exam in either Winter 2025 or Spring 2026.
LANDON COOK will be graduating with his master’s this Spring 2025 semester. He transferred from Illinois Central College in the Fall of 2022. Landon has completed five internships with various companies and has signed with CliftonLarsonAllen to start full-time in June 2025. This past December, Landon successfully passed all four parts of the CPA exam.
MACKENZIE COTNER is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program. Mackenzie had an audit internship with Sikich this past summer and will begin working with them full time upon her graduation in December. Mackenzie is currently studying for the FAR section of the CPA exam, which she will sit for on February 12th, 2025.
TANAYA CUMMINGS is a junior majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society, Accounting and Finance of Women’s Alliance, National Association for Black Accountants, and the Vice President for Black Girl Code. Tanaya is currently an advanced tax preparer for the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program in the McLean County area. She is excited to be completing a tax internship with CLA in Spring of 2026 and plans to sit for the CPA in 2027.
KYLEAH DARNELL is a senior majoring in accounting. This spring, Kyleah was officially accepted into the BS/MPA graduate program at Illinois State University. Kyleah currently works as a tax intern at SKCO and looks forward to completing her financial analyst internship at State farm in summer of 2025.
ANTHONY DECKER is majoring in the professional accountancy sequence of the accountancy (BS/MPA) program. He is graduating in May of 2025 with his bachelor’s degree and plans to sit for the CPA exam after pursuing the graduate portion of his degree program. Anthony is an active member of Student Accounting Society and ISU’s Honors Program, and he works as an Accounting Tutor at the Julia Visor Center. Anthony looks forward to completing an audit internship with Plante Moran in the Summer of 2025.
LEXI DELUNA is a junior majoring in financial accounting. She is an active member of a professional business fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon, where she currently serves as project manager. She looks forward to completing an internship with State Farm in the Summer of 2025 as a Financial Operations- Accounting intern and an internship with Johnson Lambert in the Winter of 2026 as an Audit Intern. She plans on sitting for the CPA in the Spring of 2027.
PAYTON DUNDAS is a graduate accounting student in the BS/MPA program. She graduated summa cum laude with her bachelor’s degree in December of 2024. She completed a summer internship in Financial Operations at State Farm in 2024, and she currently works as a parttime intern in State Farm’s tax department. She looks forward to completing a returning summer internship at State Farm in 2025, as well sitting for the CPA exam following her graduation in December 2025.
ALLYSON FORD is a freshman majoring in Accounting (BS/MPA). She is a potential new member for the business fraternity Phi Gamma Nu and an active member of Student Accounting Society. Allyson is also a part of the Illinois State Women’s Rugby Team. She looks forward to being a summer bank teller at Blackhawk Bank and Trust to gain real-world experience.
MADISON FOWLER is a senior majoring in accounting at Illinois State University. She is going to start graduate school in summer 2025. Madison is an active member of the Student Accounting Society and currently serves as an RSM Campus Ambassador at ISU. She is excited about her upcoming internship with RSM in the summer of 2025.
ADRIAN GARCIA is a senior majoring in accounting and information systems. He served as Treasurer on the executive board of Sigma Nu – Theta Rho last year. He had an audit internship with Sikich last summer and will be returning this summer for another Audit internship. He plans on going for his Master’s in Fall 2025 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in spring of 2026.
CHRISTIAN GOMOLCHAK is a senior majoring in financial accounting. He is currently handling the accounting for HyVee and is hoping to sit for the CPA exam soon.
TREYTON GRAHAM is a junior majoring in accounting. He works as a part time teller at Better Banks. Treyton intends to continue with Better Banks after he completes his bachelors at ISU.\
EMMA GREGORY is a graduate student in the MSA program and is actively working toward completing all sections of the CPA exam. She looks forward to starting her career with Sikich upon her graduation in May.
OWEN GRIFFITHS is a senior accounting major at ISU. He plans on graduating May 2025 with his bachelor’s, then coming back to ISU for another year to receive my MPA. Owen plans on completing an internship this spring semester and over the summer with College Works Painting. He plans to sit for the CPA May 2026, once he receives his master’s degree.
JEFF HANNEMANN is a senior majoring in business information systems. He is a member of the Business Information Systems club. He will be looking for internship opportunities that are available in the summer of 2025.
EMILY HOANG is a graduate student in the MPA program. She graduated with a bachelor’s in accounting in May 2024 and is set to graduate again with her master’s in professional accountancy this May. In her undergraduate years, she worked as a math tutor at the Julia N. Visor Center, and last summer, she interned at Miller Cooper. She looks forward in continuing to help others through tax services as she begins working full-time at Miller Cooper this fall. She also plans to sit for the CPA exam this summer.
LILY HOGAN is a senior graduating with a 4.0 in Business Information Systems and will have completed her degree in only three years. This past summer, she completed her internship at Health Care Service Corporation in Chicago. During her internship, she was tasked with developing Excel spreadsheets for datadriven decision making and performance tracking. She has been involved with the Women in Business organization on campus, where she volunteered her time to advance the organization’s visibility.
SEAN HOPKINS is a senior majoring in Business Information Systems. He is an athlete in the Illinois State Track and Field Team. When Sean transferred from Eastern Illinois University, he switched his major from accounting to Business Information Systems. It was the best decision he ever made!
JELAL HOSSAIN is a master’s student in accounting, aspiring to become a CPA. He is an active member of NABA and the Bangladesh Student Association. Jelal holds an Advanced Tax Certificate from the IRS and volunteer with VITA to assist local taxpayers. I plan to sit for the CPA exam in spring 2026.
AMARA HOWELL is a master’s student in the BS/MPA program. She was a member of Student Accounting Society and has work experience with Caterpillar, CliftonLarsonAllen, and COUNTRY Financial. She plans to sit provisionally for the CPA exam in fall of 2024.
GRACE JOHNSON is a graduate student in the BS/MPA program. She previously has been a part of SAS, WIB, PGN, and the tennis club. She is working on studying for the CPA exam.
MORGAN JONES is a junior majoring in accounting with a minor in business analytics. She is an active member of the Illinois State Women’s Golf Team. She looks forward to completing an audit internship with Ernst & Young in Atlanta, Georgia the Summer of 2026 and then enroll in the ISU Master of Accountancy program.
SAM KAHOVEC is an ambitious accounting student at Illinois State University, actively involved in Alpha Kappa Psi and other professional organizations. With finance and accounting internship experience, strong leadership skills, and plans to sit for the CPA exam, he is looking forward to completing audit internships with Miller Cooper next spring and Clifton Larsen Allen in the summer of 2026.
KIRSTEN KINDRED is a graduate student in the MPA program with her B.S. in professional accountancy. While an undergraduate student, Kirsten enjoyed tutoring accounting through the Julia N. Visor Center and being Vice President of Student Accounting Society. She continues to be an integral to the Honors Program student leadership team in her role as a Graduate Assistant, where she facilitates honors events, mentor’s freshmen, recruits prospective honors students, and manages the Honors Program social media. In the summer of 2023, Kirsten completed an audit internship with FORVIS. In the summer of 2024, she completed a federal audit internship with KPMG and accepted an offer to begin working in the DC office in January 2026. Kirsten is currently sitting for the CPA.
MICHAEL KOCZWARA is currently a senior accounting major in the BS/MPA sequence. He is a full-time student and works part-time for the Illinois State University Fleet Services. He looks forward to completing a tax internship with Plante Moran this summer and plans to sit for the CPA in the spring of 2026.
SHUOLIN KONG is a graduate student majoring in accounting. She is actively involved in community service and serves as an IRS VITA volunteer tax preparer, assisting low- to moderate-income individuals with their tax returns. She is currently seeking auditing internship opportunities and plans to sit for the CPA exam in the summer of 2026. Inspired by her personal experiences, Shuolin aims to become a forensic accountant and fraud auditor.
LUCAS KOZAK is a senior majoring in accounting at Illinois State University. He is an avid sports fan who enjoys spending time with friends and family. He has accepted a full time offer with Plante Moran starting in the Fall of 2025. He plans on graduating in the Spring of 2025 and taking the CPA exam.
KATIE KRAHN is a graduate student in the MPA program. She is currently sitting for the CPA exams, as her goal is to have them all completed by the time she graduates with her master’s degree. She is looking forward to her corporate accounting internship this summer 2025 with State Farm.
MALIK KRECH is a senior in his final semester, completing a degree in accounting. As the Vice President of the Illinois State University Water Polo Team, he balances leadership and academic excellence. This year, he will begin a SALT tax internship with Plante Moran, gaining valuable experience in state and local tax. Malik plans to pursue a master’s degree in accounting while working toward CPA certification in 2026.
ANIRUDH KRISHNAKUMAR is an active graduate student at Illinois State University majoring in accounting. He had completed two tax internships with RSM and expects to attend another one during this coming fall. Anirudh plans to sit provisionally with for the CPA exam during summer 2025.
RACHEL LECHTENBERG is a transfer student from College of DuPage where she received her Associates in Art. She transferred to Illinois State University as a junior and is continuing to study accounting. She is in the BS/MPA program and is expected to graduate with her BS in May of 2026 and her MPA in May of 2027. Her plan is to start sitting for the CPA exam Summer of 2027. Rachel is also an active member of the Student Accounting Society at ISU. She is the Treasurer of the Illinois State University Women’s Rugby team. She is also currently working for Trinity Property Consultants at The Social as a leasing consultant.
ZIWEN LIAN is a junior majoring in accounting at Illinois State University. Recently transferred, she is an active new member of the Student Accounting Society and Illinois State Students in Finance. Ziwen is currently preparing to earn her CPA certification and is dedicated to advancing her academic and professional journey in the field of accounting.
JAKE LUNDSTROM is a junior majoring in accounting at Illinois State University. He is an active member of the co-ed business fraternity, Delta Sigma Pi, and a mentor for Business Week, a program that helps develop the professional skills of new students. Jake works for ISU Campus Recreation as a Business Intern and is eager to be a Foreign and Domestic Tax Intern at Illinois Tool Works in the summer of 2025. He plans to sit for the CPA exam in the fall of 2026, upon obtaining his master’s in professional accountancy.
STEEL MARTIN is a sophomore majoring in accounting. He is an active member in the professional business fraternity, Pi Sigma Epsilon, where he serves as the Vice President of Finance. He looks forward to taking the LSAT spring of 2026 and applying to law schools fall of 2027.
ZOFIA MARUSARZ is a freshman majoring in accounting. She is a committed member of the St. Jude organization and is a sister at Alpha Delta Pi where she hopes to serve as VP of Finance. She also is also a proud member of Klub Janosik and desires to join the Student Accounting Society and Women in Business Club.
ELISE MCCREE is a senior majoring in accounting. She is currently completing an internship with Caterpillar in the Product Support and Logistics Division and plans to sit for the CMA exam in the fall of 2025. She looks forward to continuing her career with Caterpillar full-time as a tax analyst starting in June.
JOE MCLAUGHLIN is a master’s student in the BS/MPA program. He currently works as the ISU Student Affairs Business Operations graduate assistant. He has interned with the Village of Schaumburg finance department and at RSM in audit. He is currently studying for the CPA and is looking forward to starting with RSM as an audit associate this fall.
MATTHEW MENDOZA is a junior majoring in accounting. He is an active member of Student Accounting Society and inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success. He will be eligible to sit for the CPA exam in spring of 2026.
MORGAN MILLER is a junior majoring in accounting information systems. She currently serves as an Operations Director for the Illinois State Fashion Show. In the spring of 2026, she hopes to intern with any business with an accounting, auditing, or tax internship. She also hopes to attain her CPA certification in the spring or fall of 2026.
OLIVIA MUMMEY is a graduate accounting student in the BS/MPA program at Illinois State University. Throughout her undergrad, she was an active member in Student Accounting Society and a professional development organization, Phi Gamma Nu. As an active member of Phi Gamma Nu throughout her grad year she has taken many leadership positions within that organization such as IBFC Chair and Wellness Chair. Olivia also received the Redbird Academic Scholarship throughout her time as an undergrad. She completed an audit internship with RSM and this past summer she has accepted a full-time audit associate position for Fall of 2025 with RSM. Olivia has begun studying for the CPA exam and will take AUD in March of this year. She plans to sit for the rest of the CPA exams within the next year.
ANDY NGUYEN is a senior majoring in accounting. He is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in accounting and hopes to finish it this upcoming May. After that, Andy plans to pursue the master’s program at ISU and sit for the CPA exam in 2026.
ADRIAN NIEVES is a fifth-year student who is going to sit for the CPA exams in the summer. Adrian has completed the VITA program and is also planning to do it again. Adrian is currently working as a substitute teacher while finishing up his degree. He is planning to gain more experience by working as an audit intern during the spring. He plans to land a full time offer once he graduates.
MAHATAZ NIPA is a graduate student working towards an MS in Accountancy at Illinois State University. She completed her MS in Economics from ISU in December 2024. She served as a Graduate Assistant in the Department of Economics and Student Research Assistant at the Katie School of
Insurance and Risk Management, where she engaged in research, data analysis, and reporting. Currently, she has been working as a graduate assistant at the Developmental Math Department at ISU. Mahataz looks forward to completing an Accounting Internship with LanzaTech in Summer 25 and plans to sit for the CPA exam in Spring 2025.
BRITTNEY OAKLEY is an accounting graduate student in the B.S./MPA program. She is the treasurer of Beta Alpha Psi and a member of Beta Gamma Sigma. Brittney is pre-professional graduate assistant for the School of Teaching and Learning, working with budget and fund accounting. She will be starting as an auditor for Ernst & Young in Indianapolis this fall. Brittney will graduate in May with her master’s in professional accountancy and plans to have her CPA exams completed by graduation.
HANNAH O’BRIEN is a junior majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society where she has served as event coordinator and been on the banquet committee. She is also an active member of Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance where she is the vice president of community involvement. Hannah also represents Becker on campus as a campus ambassador and helped launch the supplemental instructor program for the accounting department. She is currently a tax intern with CLA and will also be completing an audit internship over the summer with Miller Cooper. Hannah plans to sit for the CPA exam beginning in the Spring of 2026.
ERIN PATTON is a graduate accounting student in the BS/MPA sequence. She is looking forward to her second internship with Caterpillar in the summer of 2025. Erin plans to sit for the CPA exam in the fall of 2025.
ARIEL POMIERSKI is a junior majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Student Accounting Society, and the current secretary and marketer for Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA). She is also a current teaching assistant for HSC 206 Global Health at Illinois State. She looks forward to completing her internship with State Farm this summer 2025. She plans to graduate May 2026 and sit for the CPA exam.
JACK PRILLER is a Senior student in the BS/MPA program where he maintains an overall GPA of 4.0. He is an active member of the community in Bloomington and on campus, a club he is in is the Personal Finance Club. He has completed an internship in the private sector of accounting at Echo Global Logistics but has accepted a full-time position in the public industry. He looks forward to working at SKDO, P.C. in the summer of 2025, while also pursuing his master’s in professional accountancy. He plans to sit for the CPA exam in 2026.
ANDREA RIVERA is a senior majoring in accounting and information systems. She is in the BS/MPA program and will be continuing her education here at ISU in the Fall. She is an active member of Women in Business and Student Accounting Society. Andrea is currently a tax intern for Sikich in their Peoria office. She looks forward to completing another tax internship in the summer with Cherry Bekaert.
SAM ROTI is a junior majoring in accounting. He serves as the President of the Student Accounting Society. Sam is excited to begin his audit internship with KPMG in the winter of 2026. He is currently preparing for the CMA exam, aiming to pass in early fall next year, and also plans to pursue the CPA certification.
ETHAN RUBIN is a junior majoring in business information systems with a sequence in business analytics and a minor in economics. He is passionate about technology and business and is eager to apply his knowledge to his career. Ethan is looking forward to finding a summer opportunity and becoming more involved in clubs at ISU.
DARWIN SALVATIERRA is a senior majoring in business information systems analytics. He is an active member of Delta Sigma Pi. Last semester, he made the Dean’s List and completed his internship with OSF HealthCare. He looks forward to graduation and to pursuing a career in Data Analytics.
JADE SCHIERER is currently a junior majoring in accounting. She plans to complete the BS/MPA program here at Illinois State. She has been event coordinator for Illinois State’s chapter of Accounting & Financial Women’s alliance from Fall 2023- 2025. She plans to sit for the CPA exam upon completion of her master’s program.
ABBY SCHNIEDERJAN is a senior at Illinois State University, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Through hard work and dedication, she has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her academic career. As a member of the Student Accounting Society, Abby has developed valuable professional skills by networking with firms and attending career development events. In spring 2025, Abby will complete a tax internship with MCK CPAs & Advisors, followed by an accounting internship with ADM in summer 2025, where she looks forward to gaining hands-on experience and advancing her professional expertise. Starting in fall 2025, she will pursue a combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Professional Accountancy degree at Illinois State University, with plans to sit for the CPA exam in spring 2026.
PAUL SCHWANTZ is a junior at Illinois State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a major in business information systems and a minor in agriculture. He is passionate about exploring opportunities that align with his aspirations and talents. Although he is currently seeking his next professional challenge, this scholarship underscores his potential and commitment to success
LINCOLN STEIDINGER is a junior in the BS/MPA program at Illinois State University. He currently is a member of the ISU Young Group RSO and Round Net Club. He works as a part-time accounts payable clerk at WM Masters during this school year and had an internship this past summer at Nussbaum Transportation. He is looking forward to an internship at State Farm in their accounting division this coming summer and to sit for the CPA exam in spring 2027.
KAMIL TAIWO is a graduate student finishing his Master of Science in accounting. He looks forward to starting his job in Audit and tax with CBIZ in fall of 2025 and plans to sit for the CPA exam after graduation.
MACKENZIE WAND is a junior majoring in accounting. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi, where she serves as the Vice President of Membership. She also has an on-campus job at Career Services, where she reviews resumes, LinkedIn accounts, and cover letters for fellow ISU students. She looks forward to completing a corporate accounting internship with Caterpillar in summer of 2025 and an audit internship with Plante Moran in summer of 2026.
COLIN WASSERMAN is a freshman majoring in accounting. He is a student in the Honors Program, an active member of Student Accounting Society, and the Vice President of Membership for Future Business Leaders of America.
DONESHA WATSON, a senior majoring in Business Information Systems (BIS), will be graduating in May 2025. After transferring from Dallas, TX, she has actively engaged in Women in Business (WIB) and TRIO/SSS-Student Service Support as a first-generation college student. This summer, she secured an internship with Amazon Web Services, where she will begin her career in cloud computing postgraduation.
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Department Faculty and Staff would like to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients. We would also like to thank family and friends for their support of our programs and for sharing this special time with us.
