Six graduate students gain hands-on experience and global insight at the IIA Global Student Conference
May 1, 2026
From April 19–21, 2026, six graduate students from MSU Denver’s Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc) program stepped onto the global stage at the IIA Global Student Conference. Accompanied by Risk Assurance and Advisory professor Jo Erven, the group joined more than 160 students and 50 educators representing 86 universities across 19 countries, highlighting just how global the internal audit profession has become.
Thanks to the generous support of the Institute of Internal Auditors Denver Chapter, students Dawn Borg, Chelsea Rodriguez, Suzy Victoria Manoka, Joshua Greene, Alex Valeruz, and Zev Cohen were able to attend and fully engage in the experience.
Throughout the conference, students participated in sessions designed to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Topics ranged from launching a career in internal audit to understanding how auditors influence decision-making and navigate risk in complex organizations. Sessions hosted by major employers like and offered students a direct look into career pathways and day-to-day life in the field.
A standout component of the conference was the Internal Audit Case Study Competition. Working in teams, students analyzed a business scenario, identified key risks and controls, and developed a full internal audit approach with recommendations. Competing against 25 teams from around the world, MSU Denver students delivered an impressive performance, with teams including Chelsea Rodriguez and Suzy Victoria Manoka earning 4th and 5th place finishes.
Beyond student participation, MSU Denver was also represented on the global stage through faculty leadership. Professor Erven presented in the educator sessions, sharing insights on the university’s innovative approach to experiential learning. Her presentation highlighted MSU Denver’s unique model, where graduate students serve as the university’s internal audit function, gaining hands-on experience by conducting real assurance and advisory engagements.
“I really enjoyed this conference, it was great for networking and learning about practitioner’s experience within internal auditing. Listening to the experts and on my off time, I visited the separate professional tables including Gliem and Becker to understand more about the exams that I look to complete. The presentation was a good experience in what our future careers would look like. While I was in the Disneyworld Resort, some friends and I took advantage after the conference to partake, giving me a great experience and time away from the internal auditing mindset. Overall, this trip was amazing! I connected with a lot of people and had a once in a lifetime experience.” Zev Cohen
“I’m very glad I attended the IIA GSC 2026 as it helped me network not just with other students, but many professionals in the IIA community. The case project was a great experience to gain more time presenting in a professional environment with a team filled with new people. It helped me learn from other students that came from across the US and globe as we worked together on the project in a competitive format that added some pressure in a good way. Each IIA led presentation I went to had an interesting topic and everyone who presented had a unique perspective and an easy to follow slideshow with a great Q and A sessions at the end. Having the conference in Orlando was a great way to spend the time in a fun environment making the entire experience one that I won’t forget!” Alex Valeruz
“This conference was very valuable to me because it combines career development, networking, and hands-on experience in a very focused field (internal audit). I found direct career advantages. It’s not just informational. I think it helped me move towards the profession. I received exposure to real employers and industry leaders. That’s useful because I’m trying to break into internal audit or a related business field. I received real-world skill building. The interactive case study competition stands out. Instead of just listening to talks, I actually practiced solving problems similar to what professional’s face. This kind of experience I feel is stronger than classroom learning alone. I most importantly enjoyed the strong networking opportunities. Meeting 400+ professionals, educators, and students from around the world has opened some doors. I think that at I least acquired some mentors. I received exposure to industry trends. I got insights into where internal audit is heading with technology, regulations, and evolving roles. This is helping me make smarter decisions about courses, certifications, and career paths.I received confidence and leadership development. Between presenting, networking, and participating in activities, I built soft skills like communication and leadership, which are often just as important as technical knowledge. I found the conference was held in a high-quality setting and organization. Being held at Disney’s Yacht Club Convention Center I found it was a well-resourced, professionally run event. Large conferences in venues like this tend to have smoother logistics and more polished programming from my experiences. I enjoyed the mix of practical experience, industry exposure, and networking in internal audit. It’s especially useful for students like me still figuring out my career path and want a clearer entry into the profession.” Joshua Greene
“The Institute of Internal Auditors GSC26 conference was an incredibly rewarding experience. It gave me the opportunity not only to learn more about a career in internal audit through the insights shared by the different professional panelists, but also to connect with professionals in the field and begin building a meaningful network. When I first started studying accounting, my goal was always to pursue a career in internal audit. However, over time, I lost sight of that path and became uncertain about what I truly wanted to do. Taking the Governance and Risk Assurance class, along with having the opportunity to attend the conference, reminded me why I started this journey in the first place and helped me refocus on my original goals. Having the conference at Walt Disney World Resort was truly the icing on the cake. It felt special to experience a place that had been a childhood dream of mine while also reconnecting with my professional aspirations and redefining the direction of my career.” Suzy Victoria Manoka
“I was honored to participate in the 2026 Institute of Internal Auditor’s Global Student Conference, and deeply enjoyed connecting with my classmates, teammates, and fellow attendees from across the globe. I was excited to hear lived stories from professionals across the industry, connect with like-minded people excited to engage in all things internal audit, and absorb as much as I could from the experience. Everyone I met was encouraging and joyfully offered advice to finding success; I was utterly impressed with the entire experience: the energy and passion that the speakers brought to the lectures, the amazing cohesion of the IIA event staff, the engaging student collective, the relaxing accommodations at Disney Caribbean Beach Resort, and the amazing architecture, design and staff inside the Disney Yacht Club Conference Center. I want to thank the Denver Chapter of the IIA, and Professor Jo for making this experience possible, it was inspiring and amazing, and would love to do it again if given the chance!” Dawn Borg
The conference experience not only strengthened students’ technical skills but also expanded their professional networks and perspective on the field. Engaging with peers and professionals from around the world reinforced the impact and reach of internal audit and positioned these students for success as they move forward in their careers.
As MSU Denver continues to prioritize applied learning and industry connection, opportunities like this ensure students are not just learning about their future careers, but actively stepping into them.
Support comes from MSU Denver’s College of Business, offering flexible programs with real‑world projects and support. Committed to empowering graduates to lead, solve, and inspire.
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