Finding and applying to scholarships can be a frustrating process. We’re looking to change that for our current undergraduate and graduate accounting students!
In an effort to assist our students as they begin their search for scholarships for the next 2025 – 2026 academic year, we recently hosted a virtual “Scholarships: Tips & Tricks” event. Our panel brought together scholarship reviewers and student scholarship recipients, each sharing their insights when it comes to finding opportunities, asking for references, writing an application essay, and more.
Below you can view a recording of the speaker portion of this event featuring all 5 of our speakers:
Speaker Profiles
Sheri Betzer, CPA, CFE | Senior Lecturer at MSU Denver
Sheri is the Chair of our Department of Accounting Awards & Scholarships Committee. Since receiving her B.S. in Accounting from Colorado Mesa University, Sheri has become one of the foremost experts in fraud & forensic accounting. She regularly conducts continuing education courses for CPA’s and attorneys while maintaining a practice that involves litigation support, fraud investigation, & financial consulting.
Jim Murphy, MBA, CPA, CMA, CIA | Senior Lecturer at MSU Denver
Jim is a Roadrunner through and through! Jim is an alum, a prior faculty advisor for the Accounting Student Organization, and has been teaching various accounting classes for 15 years. Jim has been reviewing scholarships within MSU Denver’s Department of Accounting for years.
Lauren Koppel | Director of Scholarship & Retention, Classroom to Career Hub at MSU Denver
Lauren was a scholarship recipient and is now a scholarship reviewer. She reviews hundreds of scholarship applications every year for the last decade. She wants to help students feel confident in telling their unique stories as part of the scholarship application process.
Latrice Lewis | Administrator at RMLLWB
Latrice is a current MPAcc student and has applied to and secured many scholarships. With the support of scholarships, Latrice has been able to thrive as a single mother of two and invest in herself in ways that she never thought possible.
Joseph Rairden | Associate, Tax Controversy at Eide Bailly, LLP
Joseph is a Junior level Undergrad student of MSU Denver, President of the MSU Denver Accounting Student Organization and Recipient of the 2023 PCAOB, 2023 IMA, and 2023 CMA scholarships. Over Summer and Winter breaks, Joseph passed all 3 parts of the Special Enrolled Exam and has submitted his application for Enrollment to practice before the IRS.
This Spring ’25 term is all about growth for our Accounting Roadrunner Community, with opportunities inside and outside the classroom for our students to continue building their network and learn how to spring forward in their accounting career. Check out our next virtual event:
- Networking: How to “Meet the Firms” – 1/31, virtual, noon – 1pm MT
You can see a complete list of events for our Accounting Roadrunner Community here.