Speaker Biographies
Dawn Anderson
Senior Instructor
University of Central Missouri
Dawn Anderson is a Senior Instructor at the University of Central Missouri. She also serves as the Program Coordinator for the undergraduate Accountancy degree. Dawn’s professional experience is in the financial statement auditing field and her teaching focuses on financial accounting and auditing.
Dawn is a licensed CPA in Missouri and enjoys staying active in the profession.
She is currently a member of the MOCPA Educational Foundation Board and the Educator Community Advisory Group. In addition, she is the Site Coordinator for UCM’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Dawn is passionate about providing quality customer service to clients and students.
Award Winning Educator Panel; Engagement Strategies for Gen Z:
Generation Z is reshaping how educators connect, inspire, and engage in today’s classrooms. This panel features four award-winning educators who have successfully adapted their teaching methods to resonate with Gen Z’s unique values, learning preferences, and technological fluency.
Join us for an interactive session where panelists will share proven strategies, innovative tools, and personal experiences for meaningful students engagement. Gain actionable ideas that you can implement immediately in your classroom to create a more engaging and impactful learning environment for Gen Z students.
Dr. Kimberly Church
Director of the School of Accountancy
Missouri State University
Kimberly Church, PhD, is the Director and FORVIS Professor of Leadership for the school of accountancy at Missouri State University. She serves on the board for the IMA Heartland Council and Kansas City IMA chapter. She is the recipient of the 2018 Jim Bulloch Award in Innovations in Management Accounting Education, the 2019 national IMA Champion, the 2020 IMA Faculty Leadership Award and the 2021 R. Lee Brummet Distinguished Service Award for Educators.
The AI Revolution in Accounting: Opportunities, Challenges, and Innovations
AI is transforming the accounting profession, offering opportunities while posing unique challenges. This session explores how integrating AI tools into the accounting classroom and research can revolutionize the way accounting is taught, practiced, and investigated. By embracing AI technologies responsibly, educators and researchers can empower students and professionals with the skills and insights needed to thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Join Dr. Church to uncover innovative applications of AI in accounting, discuss the potential challenges of adoption, and explore strategies to harness AI’s potential while maintaining the integrity and rigor of the classroom. Leave the session with ideas that can be implemented immediately.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Dr. Mark Edmonds
Associate Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Mark A. Edmonds, Ph.D., CPA, is an associate professor in the Department of Accounting and Finance at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has taught principles and advanced accounting classes in face-to-face, flipped, and online formats. Dr. Edmonds began his career providing assurance services for the internationally recognized accounting firm Ernst & Young. At the conclusion of his professional service, he obtained his Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He serves as the education adviser on the board of the Institute of Internal Auditors Birmingham Chapter. Dr. Edmonds's research focuses on alternative learning strategies and auditor decision making.
How to Recruit & Retain Accounting Majors:
Interest in the accounting degree has been declining due to evolving economic conditions, misconceptions about the profession, barriers to entry, and challenges from technological advancements. To reverse this trend, we must reframe accounting as a dynamic and versatile field with diverse career opportunities. This presentation will examine the hurdles educators face in attracting and retaining accounting majors and offer actionable strategies to address them.
We will discuss effective ways to communicate the value of an accounting degree, highlighting recent industry changes that can help make the major more appealing to students. Additionally, we’ll explore how to create a modern accounting classroom through innovative course delivery and updated content, especially in online settings where many programs have struggled. Finally, we will review data from universities that have successfully implemented these strategies, showcasing their positive impact on student engagement and enrollment.
By the end of this presentation, you will have practical tools and techniques that can be immediately applied to enhance your efforts in recruiting and retaining accounting majors.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Andrew Grow
Director of Membership & Business Development Missouri Society of CPAs
Andrew is the Director of Outreach and Business Development with the Missouri Society of CPAs. Andrew meets regularly with firms, businesses, and educational institutions throughout Missouri to speak with firm partners; corporate accounting and finance leaders; and university professors about high-profile profession issues. In addition, Andrew works with stakeholder groups such as the AICPA, NASBA, review course providers, and other accounting-centric organizations to help drive new business opportunities for members.
Prior to joining the Missouri Society Andrew worked for the AICPA, with some of the most prominent authors in the profession. He holds bachelor and master degrees in English Literature; is a graduate of Mizzou and UMSL; and holds a Certified Association Executive credential.
Alternative CPA Licensure Models: Tipping Dominos and Unintended Consequences:
All areas of the accounting ecosystem have been wrestling with talent pipeline challenges for, now, about a decade. While there are some signs of relief on the demand side, the supply side needs constant attention. A wave of state-based legislation is sweeping the country for alternate pathways for CPA licensure, in an attempt to address attracting future accounting professionals and increase CPAs.
This session will provide up-to-date legislative changes throughout the country, outline rationale/opportunities/unintended consequences, and offer a forum for interactive discussion with presenter and your peers.
Learning Objectives
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
1) Identify current-state legislative filings and proposals for alternate CPA licensure rules in all U.S. jurisdictions
2) Explain rationale, accounting school program implications, and unintended consequences of alternate licensure models
3) Advise CPA exam candidates in your jurisdiction, options and opportunities during a time of regulatory change
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Marsha Huber
Associate Professor
University of Missouri – Kansas City
Award Winning Educator Panel; Engagement Strategies for Gen Z:
Marsha Huber is an Associate Teaching Professor of Accounting at UMKC, bringing a wealth of experience from her previous role as Research Director at the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and her tenure as a full professor at Youngstown State University. Dr. Huber's research focuses on educational innovations and professional well-being, earning her multiple teaching accolades, including the prestigious Cook Prize from the American Accounting Association. She holds a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management from The Ohio State University, an M.B.A. in Accounting from Miami University (Oxford, OH), a Master of Liberal Arts in Journalism from Harvard University, a Master of Applied Positive Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a Master of Creativity and Change Leadership from Buffalo State University. A CPA by training, she founded and successfully sold a CPA firm in her earlier career.
Interdisciplinary Application of Positive Psychology, Neuroscience and Educational Theories
The session will help you understand how positive psychology, neuroscience, and education theories work together to improve teaching and learning. We will cover:
- Using positive psychology strategies to boost student motivation, resilience, and well-being.
- Learning how brain science impacts learning and how it can guide teaching practices.
- Creating teaching strategies that combine ideas from positive psychology, neuroscience, and education to enhance student engagement and learning.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Ted Krischak
Director at McGraw Hill SIMnet
Ted is currently Director, SIMnet with McGraw Hill Education, managing sales of the SIMnet platform nationally.
Ted has over 15 years experience in the Education industry, and has helped develop award winning Digital, Adaptive Learning, and Print products. Among Ted’s accomplishments are multiple Product Team Member of the Year and Top Sales Performer Awards. Connect with Ted on LinkedIn.
SIMnet, Training and LinkedIn Credentialing for Microsoft Excel and Office
SIMnet® is a leading training and assessment platform for developing students’ skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook! SIMnet allows students to credential directly to their Linkedin profile. SIMnet has served more than 2 million students and 19,000 instructors and has issued more than 1 million digital badges to validate students’ proficiency.
This session will focus on how SIMnet can help prepare Accounting students with the MS Excel skills they need while allowing them to credential directly to Linkedin.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Dr. Jose Lineros
Clinical Assistant Professor, G. Brint Ryan College of Business
University of North Texas
Dr. Lineros currently teaches AIS, ERP, IT Audit and Internal Audit at the University of North Texas. He previously taught MIS and computer science at UTD, TAMU-Commerce and Brookhaven. He holds a PhD in Higher Education: Educational Psychology, a Masters in Telecommunications from the University of Dallas, and a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at Arlington. His credentials include a CISA, CPA, CIA, CFE, CRISC, CSX and is a Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist. He has published numerous articles in journals such as the Journal of Emerging Technologies in Accounting, ISACA Journal, Community College Journal of Research and Practice, Learning and Performance Quarterly and the Global e Learning Journal. Additionally, he has lectured frequently on blockchain, mobile device security, Wi-Fi architecture vulnerabilities and their business implications. He has contributed IT Audit expertise on an ERP textbook and is the current president of ISACA (Information Systems and Control Association) North Texas. He currently serves as the DFW IIA Professor of Internal Audit.
The Future of Accounting Education: Integrating AI for the Next Generation
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the accounting profession, transforming everything from data analysis to financial decision-making. This session explores how AI can enhance accounting education by equipping students with essential skills for an evolving industry. We will discuss key AI applications, challenges in implementation, and strategies for preparing future professionals. Join us as we examine the role of AI in shaping the next generation of accountants.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Kimberly Luken
Assistant Teaching Professor
University of Missouri – Kansas City
Kim began teaching at the Henry W. Bloch School of Management at the University of
Missouri – Kansas City (UMKC) in the fall of 2023, after spending 15 years as a faculty
member at Metropolitan Community College (MCC). She primarily teaches Introduction
to Financial Accounting and coordinates UMKC’s student-run Voluntary Income Tax Assistance
(VITA) site, providing valuable experiential learning for her students.
Kim teaches both in-person and online. Her favorite part of teaching the first accounting
course is discovering students who have a natural aptitude for accounting—especially
those who had never considered it as a career. She takes pride in mentoring these
students and helping them realize their potential.
Before transitioning to education, Kim worked in public accounting, first at Deloitte
and later as a tax consultant with Ernst & Young. She maintains her CPA license in
Missouri and was recognized as the Missouri Society of CPAs 2024 Outstanding Educator.
Outside the classroom, Kim is married and the proud mom of a sports-loving 17-year-old.
She enjoys cooking, reading, and dreams of spending a week off relaxing on a beach.
Award Winning Educator Panel; Engagement Strategies for Gen Z
Generation Z is reshaping how educators connect, inspire, and engage in today’s classrooms. This panel features four award-winning educators who have successfully adapted their teaching methods to resonate with Gen Z’s unique values, learning preferences, and technological fluency.
Join us for an interactive session where panelists will share proven strategies, innovative tools, and personal experiences for meaningful students engagement. Gain actionable ideas that you can implement immediately in your classroom to create a more engaging and impactful learning environment for Gen Z students.
From Good to Outstanding: Lessons from 17 Years in the Classroom
What makes an educator truly outstanding? Award-winning accounting professor Kim Luken shares key lessons learned over 17 years, offering practical strategies to create impactful, student-centered learning experiences. From structuring courses effectively to embracing both positive and harsh student feedback, Kim provides insights to help educators refine their teaching approach.
During this session Kim will discuss how to:
- Balance course structure while adapting to student needs.
- Embrace and grow from both positive and negative feedback.
- Prioritize what students need to learn over personal teaching preferences.
- Streamline coursework to maximize student engagement.
Whether you're a new instructor or a seasoned educator, this session will provide actionable takeaways to enhance your teaching and better support student success.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.
Dr. Victoria Mondelli
Founding Director of the University of Missouri’s Teaching for Learning Center
Dr. Mondelli serves as the Founding Director of the University of Missouri’s Teaching for Learning Center. She is also an affiliated faculty member in the College of Arts and Science, and Adroit Studios in the College of Educations and Human Development. She holds a Ph.D. in early modern European history. Her training as a historian led her to prize writing across the curriculum and writing in the disciplines pedagogies. From there, she became an expert in coaching faculty and other educators to incorporate the full gamut of evidence-based and creative practices to maximize student engagement and deepen learning.
Her passion for game-based learning was ignited while at the City University of New York and led her to facilitate workshops nationally, often with her co-author, Dr. Joe Bisz. Their collaborative, highly interactive pedagogy was in need of a scholarly design method to leverage research-based principles known to improve learning. After years of research and praxis, Mondelli and Bisz released their book in 2023, The Educator’s Guide to Designing Games and Creative Active-Learning Exercises: The Allure of Play."
The Pedagogical Power of Play: Introducing the ALLURE Method for Accounting Educators
One of the greatest student learning challenges in 2025 is a lack of student engagement. Game-based learning (GBL) can help and deliver deep learning for our toughest and most tedious teaching and learning tasks. In this session, participants will be introduced to ""allure of play,"" a scholarly model for implementing play-based and game-based learning in both in-person and online courses.
Participants will:
- reflect on engagement and deep learning principles that power GBL
- understand the 6-step backward design ALLURE model for learning game design
Dr. Kerri Tassin
Associate Professor
Daisy Portenier Loucks Professorship
Missouri State University
Kerri Lynn Tassin is an associate professor in the School of Accountancy at Missouri State University where she teaches tax accounting and tax research. Prior to joining the faculty at MSU in January 2007, she practiced as a Certified Public Accountant for several years. She earned her Bachelor’s in Accountancy and her Master’s in Accountancy at Missouri State University. She also earned a Juris Doctorate and a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Tulsa. Kerri served for several years as the director of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (“VITA”) clinics and the Low Income Tax Clinic (“LITC”) in the College of Business at Missouri State University. In 2022 she won the MOCPAs Outstanding Educator of the Year Award. Kerri shares her enthusiasm for lifelong learning with her students and encourages them to achieve excellence with integrity and hard work.
Award Winning Educator Panel; Engagement Strategies for Gen Z
Generation Z is reshaping how educators connect, inspire, and engage in today’s classrooms. This panel features four award-winning educators who have successfully adapted their teaching methods to resonate with Gen Z’s unique values, learning preferences, and technological fluency.
Join us for an interactive session where panelists will share proven strategies, innovative tools, and personal experiences for meaningful students engagement. Gain actionable ideas that you can implement immediately in your classroom to create a more engaging and impactful learning environment for Gen Z students.
Nicole Young
Senior SIMnet Specialist at McGraw Hill
Nicole is currently a Senior Sales Specialist for the SIMnet platform with McGraw Hill Education, covering institutions of higher education across the United States.
Nicole has over 25 years of experience in the education industry in Sales, Marketing, Product Development, Sales Leadership, Digital Training, and Event Planning. Among Nicole's accomplishments are multiple Top Ten Awards, Product Team Member of the Year Awards, and Marketing Campaign Awards. Please connect with me on LinkeIn.
SIMnet, Training and LinkedIn Credentialing for Microsoft Excel and Office
SIMnet® is a leading training and assessment platform for developing students’ skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook! SIMnet allows students to credential directly to their Linkedin profile. SIMnet has served more than 2 million students and 19,000 instructors and has issued more than 1 million digital badges to validate students’ proficiency.
This session will focus on how SIMnet can help prepare Accounting students with the MS Excel skills they need while allowing them to credential directly to Linkedin.
You need Adobe Reader to view and print this document.