More than 30 students gathered at Appalachian State University’s Hickory campus on Sept. 18 for the inaugural NCACPA Bridge Day, a professional development event designed to help aspiring accountants connect classroom learning with career opportunities, presented in coordination with the North Carolina Association of CPAs.
Students from App State, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Winston-Salem State University, and University of North Carolina at Charlotte, among other local schools, participated in a full day of networking, career preparation and hands-on problem-solving.
Emily Dooley, a member of the NCACPA Board of Directors, and Dr. Scot Justice, an NCACPA member and associate professor of accounting in the Walker College of Business, co-led the event, which they said exceeded expectations.
“We were pleased with the turnout and level of participation,” said Justice. “The students networked with accounting professionals from leading firms and organizations and gained practical insight while building those connections.”
Students participated in panel discussions, career development workshops and networking sessions led by professionals from organizations including Deloitte, PwC, Cherry Bekaert, Coefficient Giving and Martin Starnes & Associates, among others. The event was designed to help students better understand the profession while developing relationships with potential employers and mentors.
Related: View images from Bridge Day
Students also participated in an interactive workshop where they analyzed a real-world accounting scenario and developed and presented recommendations to industry facilitators.
The Walker College aims to provide experiential learning opportunities to strengthen connections between students and industry.
Related: Bank Day connects App State business students with banking leaders
“Bridge Day is a reflection of our commitment to provide meaningful opportunities to students to engage with employers and industry partners while they’re at Appalachian," said Dean Sandra Vannoy. “With business students representing a significant portion of the Hickory campus community, this event also highlights the campus’s important role in connecting academic learning with workforce needs across the region.”
Some of the attending professionals are listed below.
- Justin Allen, CPA, Manager and CFO Advisory, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
- Matthew Dellinger, Budget Analyst, City of Hickory
- Emily Dooley, CPA, Partner, James A. Lucas and Company LLP
- Kari Dunlap, Finance Director, City of Hickory
- Meredith Gay, CPA, Senior Manager, PwC
- Cameron Morrison-Mauney, CPA, CFO, David E. Looper & Company, Inc.
- Mia Snipes, Office & HR Manager, Martin Starnes & Associates PA
- Teneshia Spencer, PMP, Project Manager, EA to the CEO & Managing Partner, BRC
- Jay Stevens, CPA, Finance Operations Associate, Coefficient Giving
- Juan Vigoya, CPA, Senior Consultant, Deloitte
About business programs at App State Hickory
Business students comprise approximately half of the student population at App State Hickory, reflecting the Walker College of Business' strong presence on the campus. Through undergraduate and graduate programs, including BSBA in Accounting, Computer Information Systems, Management, Marketing, and Supply Chain Management, as well as BS in Cybersecurity, the college expands access to an App State business education while supporting workforce needs across the region. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu/hickory.
Panelists speak to students at App State Hickory's Bridge Day. Photo by Jackson Shoe
Bridge Day