Student Ambassadors

Undergraduate Major: Health Science
Undergraduate School: Stony Brook University
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

What are some of your hobbies?
Reading, cooking, and traveling

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
I enjoyed how involved the program is. It can be difficult as remote students to feel a part of the campus experience. What gave me a lot of confidence in the program was that there was someone who could answer my questions and/or they were willing to find the answers and follow-up with me.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
I have learned that time management is absolutely vital to success; as well, I have learned more about how money moves in business and how it plays a major role in decision making.

Undergraduate Major: Social Work
Undergraduate School: Central Michigan University
Hometown: Winchester, VA
Accounting Concentrations: Audit

What are some of your hobbies? Being a mom, needle arts, gardening, being outdoors, and reading.

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
Program and institutional reputation, and needing specific classes for CPA eligibility.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
The UNC MAC courses offer important case work and skills needed in professional capacities – experiences I did not have earning my MBA at another institution.

Undergraduate Major: History
Undergraduate School: Valdosta State University
Hometown: Alma, GA
Accounting Concentrations: Financial Analysis Reporting

What are some of your hobbies?
Hiking (particularly, the Appalachian Trail), working out, basketball, and leisurely reading

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
I chose the UNC MAC program for its reputation, focus beyond technical skills (i.e., leadership), and active learning approach to the online environment.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
During the January term, I took an MBA elective on strategic economics. The class taught me to consider behavioral interactions with firms/individuals (reason backwards from a competitor’s anticipated response). This class, MBA 775, is one of the accounting-plus options to enhance students’ business acumen.

Undergraduate Major: Finance
Undergraduate School: Penn State University
Hometown: Chesapeake, VA
Accounting Concentrations: Tax

What are some of your hobbies?
Fitness, family, and sewing

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
The reputation of Kenan-Flagler Business School and the MAC program

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
The applicability of all my classes on my daily life. I am able to apply accounting concepts, professional communication skills, spreadsheet skills, data analytics skills and programs, to name a few, that helps me in my personal life and understanding. So what we learn in this program not only applies to our professional goals, but also our personal goals.

Undergraduate Major: Psychology
Undergraduate School: Wake Forest University
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Accounting Concentrations: No concentration

What are some of your hobbies?
Reading, wine tasting, and traveling

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
I chose UNC MAC for the convenience of the online format, the ability to complete the program part-time, and the reputation of UNC.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
While you wouldn’t necessarily think I would use accounting skills during my job as a preschool teacher, I surprisingly have! When the director of the preschool resigned, I was asked to step in to help with tuition billing and several other financial/bookkeeping tasks until they hired her replacement.

Undergraduate Major: Exercise and Sports Science
Undergraduate School: UNC Chapel Hill
Hometown: Siler City, NC
Accounting Concentrations: Audit

What are some of your hobbies?
Swing dancing, salsa dancing, Olympic-style weightlifting, reading, and hiking

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
During my search I was interested in finding both a flexible and rigorous program that had the flexibility for a working professional, with a proven record of matching graduates with full-time employment. The UNC MAC program checked all of those boxes.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
Two of the most practical classes I’ve had were my professional communication and spreadsheets class. In my professional communication class I learned practical techniques to communicate in a business environment that I was able to apply to my own workplace immediately. The advanced spreadsheets modeling class gave me a solid framework in which to build upon for my future coursework. I was also able to apply the knowledge I gained immediately to streamline some of my own work processes as well as for personal use.

Undergraduate Major: Philosophy and Psychology
Undergraduate School: Rutgers University
Hometown: Sicklerville, NJ
Accounting Concentration: Audit and Financial Analysis and Reporting

Hobbies
Running, spending time with my pet bunnies, movies, and reading

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
My background was not in accounting (or any business field whatsoever). Kenan Flagler’s MAC program will prepare you regardless of your background for this field. It is also a top school and highly regarded, even for those from a business/accounting background.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
I loved learning about the reporting rules and regulations in general. Journalizing transactions and learning when they should be recognized are my favorite topics we have learned about. The advanced spreadsheet class was also super helpful for accounting but also for everyday use. I learned so many tricks and shortcuts to use in excel.

Undergraduate Major: Communication Studies
Undergraduate School: UNC Charlotte
Hometown: Winston-Salem, NC
Accounting Concentration: Audit

Hobbies
Art, travel, health and fitness

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
I chose the MAC program because of the emphasis on teamwork as well as its openness to those with non-accounting backgrounds.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
At orientation I was able to learn more about myself which allowed me to become a better student, co-worker, and friend to those around me.

Undergraduate Major: International Affairs
Undergraduate School: George Washington University
Hometown: Houston, TX
Accounting Concentrations: Audit

What are some of your hobbies?
Running, photography, urbanism/cities/public transit

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
It’s a well-regarded program, and I liked that it was designed in part for people switching careers – other MAC programs assumed you had prior accounting credits or experience.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
I’m new to accounting. I pay a lot more attention now to economic/business news and I think I have a better grasp of financial statements! I was also already very proficient in Excel but I’ve learned a lot of new stuff in my spreadsheets class this term.

Undergraduate Major: Accounting
Undergraduate School: University of Pretoria
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Accounting Concentrations: Financial Analysis and Reporting

What are some of your hobbies?
Running and golf

Why did you choose the MAC Program at UNC?
The online format.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
Professional communication – how to improve professional communication skills, especially writing skills.

Undergraduate Major: Business Administration
Undergraduate School: High Point University
Hometown: Elkin, NC
Accounting Concentration: Financial Analysis and Reporting & Tax

Hobbies
Golf, fly fishing, spending time with family

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
The reputation of Kenan-Flagler Business School and family history with the University.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
I’m still new to the program but I have already begun having more detailed conversations with our CFO about how we account for various aspects of our business.

Undergraduate Major: Management and Society
Undergraduate School: UNC Chapel Hill
Hometown: Rutherfordton, NC
Accounting Concentration: Undeclared

Hobbies
Yoga, hiking, going to concerts

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
I knew that a UNC program would be able to deliver quality online instruction because I experienced it during COVID-19 in undergrad!

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
The Excel Class taught me the ins and outs of conditional formatting, and I was able to apply this to a project for work and it really impressed my boss.

Undergraduate Major: Music Therapy
Undergraduate School: Augsburg College
Hometown: Plymouth, MN
Accounting Concentration: Tax

Hobbies
Origami, painting, games, animals, TV and movies, music

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
UNC’s reputation was outstanding. I had moved to North Carolina and could get in-state tuition.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
Excel skills from Travis translate to all parts of life. Federal Income tax directly applies to my contract work and my personal life.

Undergraduate Major: Political Science
Undergraduate School: University of Southern California
Hometown: Woodland, CA
Accounting Concentration: Financial Analysis and Reporting

Hobbies
College football, scuba diving, family

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
I chose UNC for its reputation

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
So far the excel and statistics has been the most helpful.

Undergraduate Major: Finance
Undergraduate School: James Madison University
Hometown: Broofield, CO
Accounting Concentration: Tax

Hobbies
Running, playing with my kids, basketball

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
The online format and flexibility, network and both the school and program prestige.

Undergraduate Major: Economics/Business
Undergraduate School: University of Oregon
Hometown: San Jose, CA
Accounting Concentration: Financial Analysis and Reporting & Tax

Hobbies
Running, drums, guitar, NFL

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
Flexibility to accommodate work schedule, quality of program.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
Adjusting journal entries.

Undergraduate Major: Pre-Pharmacy
Undergraduate School: University of South Carolina
Hometown: Sparta, NC
Accounting Concentration: Financial Analysis and Reporting

Hobbies
Keeping up with my children’s hobbies! Gymnastics and swimming are my hobbies and gardening in the summer.

Why did I choose MAC at UNC?
The online program drew me in with the flexible schedule for full time employment. After learning that the online students have the same accessibility to professors as on campus, I felt like this was the program for me with online flexibility, but an on campus feel.

Tell us some things you’ve learned in the classroom that you’ve found especially interesting, or, if you’re working, how you’ve been able to apply what you’ve learned to your job.
Each week I’m able to apply things I have learned in class. Working in a financial setting with no formal financial background has limited me, but now each week I feel more ease with daily financial reporting tasks and am even able to help analyze financial statements on a limited level after just one financial reporting class.