UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Accounting Professor Earns State ‘Outstanding Educator’ Award

October 27, 2016

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
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Willis

Dr. Veronda Willis, associate professor of accounting at The University of Texas at Tyler, is a 2016 recipient of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants' Outstanding Accounting Educator Award, Dr. James Lumpkin, College of Business and Technology dean, announced.

The statewide award honors Texans who have demonstrated excellence in teaching and who have distinguished themselves through active service to the accounting profession. Judging criteria includes instructional innovation, student motivation, the pursuit of learning opportunities for students, involvement in student and professional accounting organizations; and research accomplishments and publications.

"This award is another recognition of the outstanding faculty in the College of Business and Technology and how we are building distinction as one of the best business schools in the region and even the state," Lumpkin said.

Since joining UT Tyler in 2009, Willis' engaging and enthusiastic style of teaching has helped countless students excel in the accounting program. Her goal within the classroom is to inspire, challenge and instill a sense of passion into a future generation of accountants.

"I cannot overestimate Dr. Willis' contributions to the education of our students," said Dr. Roger Lirely, department chair. "She is both a teacher and a mentor to her students, and many of them credit her for playing a major role in their academic and career successes."

Willis' previous experience in public accounting adds a unique insight and practical aspect to her instruction. She incorporates projects that familiarize students with annual reports, modern technology and current events that affect accounting business procedures. As the former faculty adviser for Beta Alpha Psi, Willis helped UT Tyler students achieve state and regional recognition.

Her other accolades include the 2010 and 2011 UT Tyler Alpha Chi Outstanding College of Business Faculty Member Awards and 2016 Southwest American Accounting Association Outstanding Educator Award.

Willis currently serves on the TSCPA Board of Directors. In addition, she is vice president of the East Texas chapter and chairman of the chapter's Continuing Professional Education committee.

Willis will be recognized at a ceremony held in conjunction with the annual TSCPA Accounting Education Conference Oct. 28 – 29 in Dallas.

She holds a master's degree in professional accounting from UT Austin and a Ph.D. in accounting from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

TSCPA is a nonprofit, voluntary, professional organization representing Texas CPAs. The society has 20 local chapters statewide and has more than 28,000 members – one of the largest in-state memberships of any state CPA society in the United States. TSCPA is committed to serving the public interest with programs that advance the highest standards of ethics and practice within the CPA profession. For more information, visit tscpa.org.

One of the 14 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of almost 10,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.