2026 Leadership in Accounting Education Section Midyear Meeting

Registration 
Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt
1811 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203

Registration

Table Top Exhibits: AICPA, Becker, Gleim Internet, Inc., and UWorld 

Light Breakfast (Reminder: Those staying at the Embassy Suites, Breakfast is included)

Fireside Session: Redefining the Future Accountant: Integrating Technology and Human Insight
Information Technology - 1.8 CH

Welcome: Brett Wilkinson, Kansas State University, Leadership in Accounting Education Section President 

Speaker: Dipti Gulati, Deloitte & Touche LLP

The accounting profession is at an inflection point. As AI and automation reshape everything from entry-level expectations to experienced advisory roles, the skills that differentiate tomorrow's accountants are fundamentally changing. Yet the question for academic leaders is not whether to adapt—but how quickly, and in what ways.

Join Dipti Gulati for a candid conversation about how Deloitte and the professional services industry more broadly is evolving their talent strategies in real-time. What technical and soft skills are actually differentiating new hires? How is AI changing the work itself? And critically—how do we ensure graduates bring both technological fluency and the sound judgment required to protect the integrity of capital markets?

Gulati will share what she's seeing from the front lines of professional services transformation—not just how AI is reshaping talent needs, but the emerging challenges as AI becomes more deeply embedded in accounting and audit functions. From auditing AI systems themselves to establishing robust AI governance frameworks and controls, the profession is grappling with questions that will fundamentally reshape what capabilities accountants need and what academic programs must prepare students to navigate.

1.01: Surviving and Thriving in the 150-to-120 hour Meltdown
Business Management & Organization - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Brett Wilkinson, Kansas State 

Panelists: Kirsten Cook, Texas Tech University 
Mark Evans, Wake Forest University 
Charles Russo, Towson University 
David Stott, Ohio University
Sunita White, Trinity University 

This session examines the evolving CPA licensure environment as states evaluate or move toward alternatives to the 150-hour requirement, including 120-hour pathways. Participants will analyze regulatory drivers, assess the impact on accounting talent pipelines, and explore strategies for academic institutions, employers, and state boards to protect educational quality and licensure readiness amid ongoing uncertainty. The session emphasizes actionable responses to maintain program integrity, support student success, and ensure workforce stability as the profession navigates this period of disruption.


1.02: Keeping Graduate Programs Relevant in a 120-Hour World, AI, etc.
Business Management & Organization - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Shannon Mulally, Michigan State University

Panelists: Andee Hodo, Auburn University     
Ben Lansford, Rice University
Carmelina Lalley, PwC
Greg Sommers, Southern Methodist University    

Break

2.01: Leading Together: Building Ethical, Collaborative, and High-Trust Academic Departments
Behavioral Ethics - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Steve Isberg, Towson State 

Panelists: Sandra Richtermeyer, Provost, Rutgers University
Scott Vandervelde, University of North Carolina-Charlotte
Rishma Vedd, California State University - Northridge

This session explores how accounting department leaders can foster a culture of collaboration, integrity, and shared purpose when working with deans, faculty, and professional staff. Academic units thrive when leadership is distributed and relationships are grounded in trust and transparency. Through interactive discussion and case examples, panelists will highlight practical strategies for aligning departmental goals with college and institutional priorities, communicating effectively across levels, and managing the tensions that naturally arise in academic administration. Participants will leave with actionable tools to strengthen relationships and promote a culture in which ethical and collaborative leadership can flourish.

2.02: Shaping the Next Generation: Accounting Curricula in a Changing Profession
Specialized Knowledge - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Felica Farrar, Alabama A&M University

Panelists: Joni Fisher, EY
Julie Peters, PwC    
Derek Thomas, KPMG

The accounting profession is undergoing rapid transformation driven by emerging technologies, regulatory shifts, and evolving employer expectations. This session brings together academic leaders to explore how accounting programs can adapt their curricula to ensure graduates are career-ready, data-literate, and prepared for a redefined CPA pathway. Panelists will share best practices in curriculum design, STEM designation strategies, faculty development, and engagement with employers and regulators. Participants will leave with actionable approaches for aligning their academic programs with the profession’s future needs.

Awards and Keynote Speaker
Accounting - 1.0 CH

Speaker: Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, KET Solutions, LLC

How to Start and Grow a Volunteer Individual Tax Assistance (VITA) Program
Taxes - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Michael Wade, University of Louisville 

Panelists: Jennifer Blackburn, IRS VITA
Hu Lin, DePaul University 


This session provides accounting educators, nonprofit leaders, and practitioners with a comprehensive roadmap for launching and scaling a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Participants will learn how to establish partnerships with the IRS and local institutions, recruit and train students and community volunteers, maintain compliance with IRS Publication 1084 and Form 13615 requirements, and design sustainable operating models that deliver measurable community impact. The panel will share lessons learned from existing university and community VITA programs—covering everything from technology setup and site certification to quality review, data security, funding, and student engagement strategies that connect service learning with professional skill development.

Break

Navigating Through the AACSB Review Process: Initial and Continuing
Business Management & Organization - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Steve Isberg, Towson University 

Panelist: David Stott, Ohio University 
Rishma Vedd, California State University - Northridge

This session provides an in-depth exploration of the AACSB accreditation review process from both the initial accreditation and continuous improvement perspectives. Designed for accounting department chairs, program directors, and coordinators, the session demystifies the stages of review, documentation expectations, and peer-review team interactions. Panelists—representing programs at various stages of the AACSB journey—will share strategies, lessons learned, and practical tips for maintaining compliance with evolving AACSB standards while fostering innovation and program quality.
 

5:45 pm - 6:45 pm

Reception
Embassy Suites Nashville at Vanderbilt
1811 Broadway
Nashville, TN 37203

Registration

Table Top Exhibits: AICPA, Becker, Gleim Internet, Inc., and UWorld 

Light Breakfast

Best Practices in Designing Faculty Mentoring Programs
Personnel/Human Resources - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Carolyn Callahan, University of Louisville

Panelists: 
Dereck Barr-Pulliam, University of Louisville
Hilda E. Carrillo, University of Louisville

This session provides a structured, evidence-based overview of how colleges and universities can design, implement, and sustain effective faculty mentoring programs. The session examines core components of mentoring frameworks, including mentor selection, training, workload considerations, incentives, assessment, and alignment with institutional goals. Participants will review current best practices in mentoring new, mid-career, and diverse faculty populations, explore common pitfalls, and evaluate models that support faculty development, retention, and long-term academic success.

Get Endorsed! Insider Tips from IIA and IMA
Accounting - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Lee Kersting, Northern Kentucky University

Panelists: Desiree Rivera, IIA Manager of Academic Partnerships    
Jay Thibodeau, University of Central Florida
Neil Wilner,  University of North Texas  

Get Endorsed! Insider Tips from IIA and IMA” will provide department leaders and faculty with a practical, behind-the-scenes look at earning program endorsement from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) and the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Representatives from both organizations, along with department chairs and faculty who have successfully completed the endorsement process, will walk through key steps, timelines, and documentation requirements. Panelists will highlight the strategic benefits of endorsement for students, programs, and employers and share candid advice on how to build internal support, address common challenges, and position your program for success.

Break

Teaching in the Age of Intelligence: Integrating AI and Emerging Technologies into Accounting Education
Information Technology - 1.2 CH

Moderator: Julie Persellin, Trinity University 

Panelists: Cortney Brazil, KPMG
Jennifer Cavanaugh, Grant -Thornton    
Joni Fisher, EY
Steven Isberg, Towson University 
Amy Johnson, Becker



Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and advanced analytics are redefining the accounting profession—and reshaping what and how we teach. This interactive session explores how AI-driven tools, data technologies, and automation are transforming both accounting curricula and the skills expected of graduates. Accounting department chairs, program directors, and coordinators will gain practical insights into aligning their programs with technological competencies demanded by employers, accrediting bodies, and the CPA Evolution model. Participants will discuss strategies for integrating AI applications into coursework, balancing innovation with academic integrity, and preparing students to thrive in a tech-enabled profession.