WMU student receives competitive $10,000 accountancy scholarship

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Alexis Hess, a student at Western Michigan University's Haworth College of Business, recently received a competitive $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board for the 2021-22 academic year. The merit-based scholarship is intended to encourage accounting students to pursue careers in audit.

Hess graduated with honors in May 2021 and plans to graduate with her Master of Science in Accountancy degree from WMU next year. She will take the certified public accountant exam prior to graduation and has accepted a position as an auditor at Rehmann.

"WMU Haworth provided numerous opportunities for me to get involved and grow in both my personal and professional life," says Hess. "I have gained leadership experience, improved my communication skills, and expanded my network."

Her time at WMU was spent immersing herself in both the University and the surrounding community. Her activities include:

• Serving as a Fall Welcome ambassador and student alumni ambassador.
• Serving as president of the Accounting Club.
• Membership in the Business Association of Mentors and Student Leadership Advisory Board.
• Working as a graduate assistant in the Department of Accountancy.
• Competing on Western's women's lacrosse team.
• Volunteering with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo.
• Participating in the Internal Revenue Service's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, including serving rural villages in Alaska.

"This generous scholarship has given me the chance to continue my education and is helping me take the next steps toward achieving my goals of graduating with my M.S.A. and becoming a CPA," Hess says.

About the award

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 provides that funds generated from the collection of PCAOB monetary penalties must be used to fund a merit scholarship program for students in accredited accounting degree programs. The PCAOB Scholars Program identifies students eligible to become a PCAOB Scholar and awards funds through the students' educational institutions. Visit the PCAOB Scholars Program for more information about the award.

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