Rhytham Arora
Hometown: Delhi, India
Undergraduate institution: University of Delhi, India
Undergraduate major: Finance and Accounting
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: Commerce Association and Finance & Investment Club
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: Accounting advisory, assurance and corporate accounting
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
While I was working in public accounting, I understood the importance of data analytics in audit. So when I saw that UVA’s M.S. in Accounting Program offers a blend of accounting with data analytics, I knew I had to go for it.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
I am looking forward to making connections with my fellow classmates and professors in the program. I have realized that as much as it’s important to have sound technical knowledge about accounting, it is equally important to know the people around you and the team you work with to strive towards mutual success.
What’s your “walk-up” or hype song?
“Eye of the Tiger,” by Survivor
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Paris. It’s the City of Lights and I made a pact with my best friend to visit this place together so I would love to honor it.
- Malta. I first saw this place on a TV show and fell in love with it.
- Fairbanks, AK. I want to see the magical Northern Lights.
Leigh Belcher
Hometown: Winchester, VA
Undergraduate institution: University of Virginia
Undergraduate major: Economics and Media Studies (Finance and Policy concentrations)
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: University Dance Club, Mahogany Dance Troupe, Kappa Alpha Theta, Phi Eta Sigma, Order of Omega, Women in Business
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: I’m highly interested in marketing and the qualitative side of business communication, specifically, how language can affect decision making.
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
The ability to improve upon both technical and soft skills related to accounting
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
Having the opportunity to network and build relationships every day with both peers and professors
What are your hobbies?
Dancing, playing the guitar
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
Hawaii, Morocco, and Greece, because they each have such unique cultures and histories that are really fascinating.
Hannah Capestany
Hometown: South Riding, VA
Undergraduate institution: East Carolina University
Undergraduate major: Accounting
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: I was involved in the Delta Zeta sorority, Beta Alpha Psi Honor Society, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity, and Women’s Club Lacrosse Team at East Carolina University.
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: Audit, data analytics, and accounting policy
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
I was intrigued by how prestigious UVA’s MSA program is. There were so many benefits for me to apply to UVA’s program, and I was excited to attend another university. Also, once I applied to the program, the recruitment outreach from UVA sealed the deal for me.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
I am most looking forward to the connections that I will make with the students and professors in the program! I am excited to learn more about the accounting industry to transfer these skills to my real-world experience and know this program will help with my future goals.
What are your hobbies?
My hobbies include playing sports, hanging out with friends and family, skiing, painting, traveling, and playing with my dog!
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- London, England. I want to go to London because I am fascinated with its history.
- Venice, Italy. I want to go to Venice because I studied abroad in Italy and could not go to Venice, and I want to ride in a gondola.
- Paris, France. I want to visit Paris because I learned French in high school and would love to experience France’s culture.
Meena Chickery
Hometown: Queens, NY
Undergraduate institution: SUNY Stony Brook University
Undergraduate major: Business Management
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: Marketing, recording of financial statements
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
The success rate of MSA graduates from UVA and the personal professor/student relationships
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
Gaining more accounting knowledge and experience and taking advantage of the networking practice
What are your hobbies?
Traveling, trying new foods/restaurants, driving, binge watching Netflix shows, spending time with family
Olivia D’Andrea
Hometown: Milford, CT
Undergraduate institution: Clemson University
Undergraduate major: Accounting
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: Beta Alpha Psi, Italian Professional Society
M.S. in Accounting track: Tax Consulting
Academic interests: Finance, tax research
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
The size of program at McIntire–I wanted to be able to create strong business connections with professors and my peers.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
I am looking forward to collaborating with my peers, because I believe I can learn a lot from them and that we can help each other to perform our best and to our strengths in this program.
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Marlborough District, New Zealand
- Cairo, Egypt
- Bali, Indonesia
I chose these three locations because of their rich histories and cultures. One can learn a lot about communicating with others through traveling and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone by experiencing and respecting different cultures.
If you could go on a cross-country road trip with a famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Katharine Hepburn, because I think she would have incredible stories to tell about the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” and I think she could read a map well if we ever got lost.
Nick Fiouris
Hometown: Blythewood, SC
Undergraduate institution: University of South Carolina
Undergraduate major: Accounting
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: Gamecock Ultimate Frisbee Club team, Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity
M.S. in Accounting track: Tax Consulting
Academic interests: Investing, tax planning for small businesses, branding
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
The reputation of the University and the location being a college town
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
Learning technical tax skills and meeting new people
What are your hobbies?
Drawing, skateboarding, video games with friends from home, chess
If you could go on a cross-country road trip with a famous person, living or dead, who would it be and why?
Definitely Guy Fieri. We would eat and drink everywhere, and he seems really fun to be around.
Paige Frey
Hometown: Long Island, NY
Undergraduate institution: University of South Carolina
Undergraduate major: Accounting
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: Dance Marathon, Phi Mu, Beta Alpha Psi, Women in Business
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: Accounting, finance, real estate, financial services
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
The alumni opportunities, the great reputation of the faculty, and speaking with a current MSA student
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
Getting close with my classmates and staying connected after we graduate
What are your hobbies?
I love fashion and staying up with the new trends. I have always loved fashion; it is a passion my family and I share.
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Cape Town, South Africa, because I think it would a unique experience and place to visit.
- Santorini, Greece, because I was supposed to go there when I was studying abroad before COVID.
- Naples, Italy, to visit family I have there.
Sharon Harris
Hometown: Wilmington, NC
Undergraduate institution: NC State University
Undergraduate major: Accounting & Business Administration
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority, University Scholars Program, Business Analytics Honors Program, Women in Business, Poole College of Management Peer Leaders
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: Audit and assurance, financial analysis, forensic accounting, data analytics, human resources
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
Highly ranked Financial Reporting and Assurance Track, forensic accounting course, high CPA pass rate, high employment rate, small program size
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
Networking and developing deeper connections with professors. Learning not only the technical side of accounting, but also the professional and collaborative side–working in groups and with people of different strengths
What are your hobbies?
Watching and playing basketball, going hiking, hanging out with friends, traveling
Name three places on your bucket list to travel to and why.
- Greece, because it looks stunning and because Mamma Mia was filmed there, of course.
- Ireland, for the culture and beautiful landscapes.
- Berlin, because it is the only major city in Germany I did not get to visit while studying abroad there.
Kiersten Snyder
Hometown: Waterbury, CT
Undergraduate institution: Southern Connecticut State University
Undergraduate major: Accounting
Clubs and organizations during undergrad: SCSU Accounting Society, Delta Mu Delta, CTCPA
M.S. in Accounting track: Financial Reporting and Assurance
Academic interests: Audit and sustainability
What appealed to you about the M.S. in Accounting Program?
The MSA program appealed to me because of the emphasis placed on developing and fostering professional skills through teamwork and replicating workplace scenarios.
What are you looking forward to most in the M.S. in Accounting Program and why?
I look forward to strengthening hard and soft skills that will be transferable to any professional setting.
What are your hobbies?
In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, hiking, and crafting. Some of the crafts I like include crochet, macramé, and embroidery.
What’s your “walk-up” or hype song?
“Gold Dust Woman,” by Fleetwood Mac
