They competed in the Best Practices category “Impacting Your Profession,” presenting the game show “The Major is Right,” developed by the faculty advisors and many members of the chapter.

With 10 regional winners competing in this category, UCA came out on top! Several schools and the American Institute of Public Accounting have requested the game to be used to promote accounting as a great major and a great career. Lucas Hayes, Rebecca Gaither, and Izzy Saettele were the presenters of the project that brought home the win!

Also, while in San Antonio,

• Two UCA students, Kaddie Bailey and Lakoda Caldwell, participated in Project Run With It, a case competition to solve a problem for a not-for-profit.
• Also attending from UCA are Allie Wayne and Jaxson Adams, plus faculty advisor Ashley Phillips, and regional chapter advocate Connie McKnight.
• UCA was recognized as a Gold Chapter for this past academic year. Gold is the highest recognition for professional and service activities by a chapter.
• Three chapters of Beta Alpha Psi from Arkansas (UCA, UofA, and UALR) got together for a river cruise sponsored by the Arkansas Society of CPAs.

Jane pictured with Dean Mike Casey receiving her award for College of Business Outstanding Student of the Year

Jane Nim

• Bachelor of Business Administration in Information Systems, minor in Computer Science and Interdisciplinary Studies | graduated magna cum laude May 2025
• Named 2025’s College of Business (COB) Outstanding Student of the Year, Information Systems Outstanding Student, and Business & Information Technology (BIT) Club Outstanding Member
• Served in  as an officer and traveled to compete on many winning teams at conferences, as a COB Student Ambassador, and on the Executive Board of Team Global
• Completed an internship
• Completed her : “Unveiling the Invisible: Understanding Public Awareness of Artificial Intelligence in Everyday Applications.”

Why did you choose your field of study?

I chose my major because I was inspired by my dad and my oldest sister, Denise. Growing up, I saw how passionate they were about their work in this field, and they became my role models. Their influence, combined with my own love for working with data and statistics, made this the perfect path for me.

What are your plans post-graduation?

After graduation, I hope to build a career in my field where I can apply my academic knowledge in a professional setting and contribute to meaningful work. I want to work in a company that not only cares about earning profits, but also cares about its shareholders and other ethical concerns within the community.

What is your advice for other students?

I’m deeply grateful to those who supported me throughout this experience. College isn’t easy, especially when we’re juggling full-time studies, part-time jobs, and the challenges of adulting. It’s important to work hard for what you want, but don’t forget to prioritize your emotional well-being. Remember, you’re not alone—reach out for support because we’re all on this journey together.

Jane received the President’s Medallion from President Houston Davis upon graduation

Involved at UCA:
Accounting Club President
(Outstanding Accounting Club Member 2024)
Girls Who Code Treasurer
COB Student Ambassador 2022, 2023, 2024
Beta Alpha Psi member
Business Analytics Competition 2023

Why did you choose your field of study?
I was originally a marketing major. During my sophomore fall semester, I had to take Accounting 1, and I was absolutely dreading it. Once I got into it, I found that not only is it not that bad, I really enjoyed it. Before the end of the semester, I officially changed my major. In accounting, even if the answer is hard to find at first, I feel satisfied when I can figure it out and get the right answer. It isn’t frustrating for me like homework can sometimes be.

Tell us about your internship experience.
I have had one internship in the spring, and I’m starting another this summer. Handshake – I received a message from someone at the firm wanting to tell me about their internships, and then I got to meet some of the team at . For the first internship I have completed – I felt really comfortable with this firm. I could tell that they really care about their employees, and they were patient and understanding with me as I was learning. It was a paid internship for a minimum of 25 hours a week but not to exceed 40. They also let me set my own hours and were very understanding of other school commitments.

How do you think this internship will be/has been beneficial in your career?
I learned so much more about taxes. Since I’ve never had an office job before, it has been really nice to get to see the dynamic and community of it. I’ve gotten so much experience actually working on the tax forms that I feel like I definitely have a better understanding of everything I’ve been learning in my tax classes. I definitely have a better understanding of why we do things a certain way.

What advice do you have for students who may (or may not) be considering an internship?
It is definitely a very beneficial experience if you are ready for it. I think it is important to be honest with yourself and see if you think now is the right time for you to do one because you don’t want to take away from school. An internship is really the best way to see if a certain career is right for you. My internship solidified my belief that tax is the right place for me.

Something that really helped set me apart from other candidates when applying for internships was the fact that I worked on campus for two semesters as a supplemental instruction leader. I worked for Student Success here on campus to plan activities and games to help students in Accounting 1 understand the material better. Employers really liked this because, in public accounting, it is so important to be able to explain accounting concepts and regulations to people who don’t know much about accounting. Leading supplemental instruction gave me so much experience with communication and working with others. It definitely helped me prepare for my internship.

How do you plan to use your degree?
After I graduate, I’m going to stay at UCA to get my MAcc and prepare for the CPA exams. I’m planning to stay in the central Arkansas area and work in tax at a public accounting firm.

What tips or advice would you give to new, current, or prospective business students?
Get involved! The College of Business always has fun stuff going on. Club meetings are a great way to meet fellow students and to connect with professors. Talking with faculty members is so beneficial, even if they aren’t in your department.

I 100% would recommend the UCA College of Business to anyone looking into going to school for business. Something I really like about it is that UCA as a whole is big enough that you’re always meeting new people, but the College of Business is small enough that you are able to build relationships with people in it. I think our college is the perfect size because we are big enough to bring in so many amazing opportunities for students yet still small enough that I feel like I am valued as a student. UCA was the only college I applied to. That is a decision that I will never regret because UCA has made me feel valued as as student and cared about as a person since the day I moved onto campus.

Pictured (R to L): Kaidan Zheng, Tristen Porter, and Harris Felton

UCA students traveled to Orlando, Florida during the last week of July 2022 for the Beta Alpha Psi annual meeting of all chapters.

Before the meeting started, the students enjoyed an Arkansas BAP Connection breakfast sponsored by the Arkansas Society of CPAs. During the meeting, the students networked, provided community service, attended professional development meetings, and participated in multiple competitions.

After their regional win earlier this year, the Chapter qualified to compete at the conference and brought home the INTERNATIONAL FIRST PLACE award in Best Practices in the Art of Engagement for the Resume Escape Room they hosted for students last spring. This is UCA’s 3rd international first place in Beta Alpha Psi Best Practices. Congratulations to students Harris Felton, Tristen Porter, and Kaidan Zheng for their excellent work!

Additional UCA Recognition at the Annual Meeting:

• Beta Alpha Psi recognized UCA as a superior chapter.
• Daniel Wheeler competed in Project Run With It, a real-world consulting project.
• Dean Michael Hargis received the Outstanding Dean Award.
• Dr. Connie McKnight became a Chapter Advocate for the Southwest Region.

The students also took advantage of their time in Orlando to have some fun!

Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization for financial information students and professionals with over 300 chapters internationally. The organization promotes academic excellence, professional development, and responsible practices.

To be a superior chapter, the registered student organization met the following :

In addition, the chapter accomplished:

• 1st place at Regionals for Best Practices in The Art of Engagement (Escape Room)
• 2nd place at Regionals for Best Practices in The Art of Change (changing meeting formats)
• $2375 donated to various charities (cash and items)

Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization founded in 1919 for financial information students and professionals. There are over 300 AACSB- and/or EQUIS-accredited chapters on university campuses with over 300,000 members. Beta Alpha Psi recognizes scholastic excellence, offers professional development, and encourages ethical, social, and public responsibility.

The BAP Theta Lambda chapter of 51��¥ focuses on honoring scholarship, professional development, and service to the community.  have the opportunity to meet and get to know professionals from all areas of accounting, and they learn skills needed to be successful in careers in accounting, finance, information systems, and analytics.

UCA students also earned a 2nd Place regional win for Best Practices in the Art of Change. Chapter members Claire DeBusk, Yulia Lyubchenko, and Kaidan Zheng shared how the Theta Lambda Chapter changed in the face of covid and the increased demands of members. 

Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization founded in 1919 for financial information students and professionals. There are over 300 AACSB- and/or EQUIS-accredited chapters on university campuses with over 300,000 members. Beta Alpha Psi recognizes scholastic excellence, offers professional development, and encourages ethical, social, and public responsibility.

The BAP Theta Lambda chapter of 51��¥ focuses on honoring scholarship, professional development, and service to the community.  have the opportunity to meet and get to know professionals from all areas of accounting, and they learn skills needed to be successful in careers in accounting, finance, information systems, and analytics.

Dr. Hargis was nominated by and will be presented with the award at the Annual Beta Alpha Psi meeting in Orlando in late July. In the nomination, UCA’s chapter called Dr. Hargis a “fierce advocate” for the College of Business and cited his “amazing impact” on the BAP Theta Lambda chapter. The nomination detailed his support of the chapter’s expansion as well as BAP members’ development and achievements.

In its letter notifying him of this award, the BAP National Office told Dr. Hargis, “while this year’s nominees were very competitive, you stood out based on your consistent and longstanding commitment to Beta Alpha Psi. Your selection was based on your hands-on engagement, and your significant financial and operational support to the chapter that positioned them to achieve their goals and objectives. Overall, the committee was quite impressed with your achievements considering the long history of outstanding performance of the Theta Lambda chapter.”

Beta Alpha Psi is an honor organization founded in 1919 for financial information students and professionals. There are over 300 AACSB- and/or EQUIS-accredited chapters on university campuses with over 300,000 members. Beta Alpha Psi recognizes scholastic excellence, offers professional development, and encourages ethical, social, and public responsibility.

The BAP Theta Lambda chapter of 51��¥ focuses on honoring scholarship, professional development, and service to the community. have the opportunity to meet and get to know professionals from all areas of accounting, and they learn skills needed to be successful in careers in accounting, finance, information systems, and analytics.

Discuss and practice interview questions, hear from professionals about what to do and say in an interview, and sign up for a one-on-one mock interview. (For zoom options, see faculty advisors or student officers)

Also available on Zoom: 

Learn about

• Accounting Club
• Business & Information Technology (BIT) Club
• Beta Alpha Psi (honors club for ACCT, IS, Analytics, & Finance majors)
  …and more
• Resume Tips
• Communication & Dining Etiquette
• Interview Prep with BKD, a national accounting and business advisory firm