Kansas State University

Herbel Accounting CAT scholars experience Washington, DC

Submitted by Sheila Luke-Coomes

Before Thanksgiving, the Herbel Accounting Academy CAT Community Scholars from the accounting department in the College of Business visited Washington, D.C.

The visit is the experiential learning portion of the fall CAT Community course, Speak the Language, An Accounting Journey. In the CAT Community, students learn more about careers in accounting and business advisory. Other benefits of this opportunity include building early connections with other accounting students and faculty while learning about developing important personal habits that will help them be successful in college and upon graduation as the begin their professional careers.

The conclusion of the course is the D.C. experience. This year, 35 traveled to D.C. with the kick-off Friday evening, a Monument Tour by Moonlight around the city. Other visits throughout the trip included the Capitol, Holocaust Museum, Arlington National Cemetery, Tax Court, Russell Senate Building, Tax Court, Library of Congress, National Archives and several Smithsonian Institutes. While in the city, the group was also hosted by two of the Big 4 Public accounting firms, Deloitte and PwC, where we learned more about having a career in public accounting in our Nation's Capital. We concluded with a celebratory dinner where students shared their experiences being the Accounting CAT Community.

"The trip to Washington, D.C. was an amazing experience," said Lily Mailliard, freshman CAT accounting student. "I was able to see so much of what D.C. has to offer and grow closer with my peers in the CAT Community and my professors. Since the students in the CAT Community are planning on majoring in accounting and we will be seeing each other in classes for the next four years, being able to grow that close bond now is such a great opportunity." 

"The growth and connections experienced by students in the Herbel Accounting Academy CAT Community are outstanding, said Amy Hageman. "Seeing students develop from first-semester freshmen new to the college experience into confident accounting majors is a remarkable trajectory. We are very appreciative of the support that enables these opportunities."

In the second year, we are grateful for the support from Vern and Joan Herbel. Their support of the Herbel Accounting Academy makes these experiences possible for our Freshmen and Transfer Accounting CATs.

"The endowed Herbel Accounting Academy is the first of four pillars that will form our future School of Accountancy at Kansas State University, the next step in growing the reach and prestige of our Accounting program."

2022 Accounting CAT Scholars
Brody Boyer, Katie Cortez, Michaela Crow, Chloe Cure, Loralee Davis, Kacy Dinkel, Bryce Disberger, Madison Fischer, Trent Glaser, Peyten Harnett, Josh Hilfiker, Owen Macke, Lily Mailliard, Sam Matheny, Alyson McCallop, Tristan Metivier, Julianna Poe, Nicole Popelka, Chase Retter, Summer Schneider, Toben Schwarz, Evan Shell, Christopher Sternecker, Josh Tillison, Andrew Tucker, Kyler Vandorn, Tressa Wehrman, Holt Williams and Sophie Yagan.

2022 Accounting CAT alumni learning assistants:
Alice Hayes, Linnea Swalwell and Daniel Wilkinson. 

2022 Accounting CAT Faculty:
Amy Hageman, Sheila Luke-Coomes and Brett Wilkinson.