Stephanie Hairston named coordinator of grad programs for School of Accountancy

July 9, 2020

On July 1, Stephanie Hairston, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting, became the new coordinator of graduate programs for the School of Accountancy in the Parker College of Business at Georgia Southern University. 

Hairston is responsible for the overall recruitment of students, admissions, student services and program operations for the Master of Accounting (MAcc) and the online WebMAcc graduate programs offered in the School of Accountancy. She will also work alongside the Parker College of Business Office of Graduate Programs.

“As I step into this position, I have very large shoes to fill,” said Hairston. “Going forward, I plan to continue the growth of the Masters of Accounting program at Georgia Southern. It is also my intention to continue placing our students at top accounting firms and improve CPA exam pass rates among first-time test-takers.”

Since joining the faculty in the Parker College of Business, Hairston has taught many accounting courses and assisted with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance course offered in Spring 2020. She has also served as an advisor and co-advisor to two student organizations, Beta Alpha Psi and the National Association of Black Accountants.

“Stephanie prides herself on providing both formal and informal guidance to accounting students related to their careers and progress toward their degrees,” said Tim Pearson, P.h.D, director of the School of Accountancy. “She is willing to share her own story of how she persisted through her graduate accounting studies.” 

Previously, Hairston worked for Ernst and Young in Greensboro, North Carolina, where she became a licensed CPA. Hairston earned a bachelor’s degree from Wake Forest University in 2008 and a master’s degree in 2009. In 2014, she completed a doctoral degree from the University of Memphis.

“We are fortunate to have Dr. Stephanie Hairston assume the role of Coordinator of Graduate Accounting Programs,” said Pearson.