We are proud to see Lucy Parker '27 named the 2026 recipient of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholarship, a prestigious award recognizing outstanding accounting students who demonstrate academic excellence, strong ethical standards, and a commitment to the auditing profession.
Parker will receive a $15,000 scholarship for the 2026–2027 academic year, providing support as she completes her undergraduate studies and prepares graduate coursework through the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Accelerated Master's Pathway.
When she learned she had been selected, the news came as a surprise.
"I thought Professor Lowensohn was calling me in to talk about my schedule," Parker said. "Then she told me I had been selected. I couldn't stop beaming."
For Parker, the scholarship represents far more than financial support.
"As someone paying for my education on my own, it felt like a weight lifting off my shoulders in real time," she said. "It means I don't have to work a full-time job on top of school or stress over finding loans. I can spend more time focusing on my classes, extracurriculars, and preparing for my future."
An accounting major with a minor in sports management and a BSAD theme in sustainable business, Parker has earned a 3.86 GPA while appearing on the Dean's List every semester. She has also received both the First Year and Second Year Student of Distinction awards.
Drawn to accounting through her love of analytical problem-solving, Parker credits Grossman's BSAD curriculum with helping her explore multiple disciplines before choosing her concentration.
"I wasn't fully decided on accounting when I came to UVM," she said. "The BSAD structure gave me exposure to marketing, data analytics, finance, and accounting, which helped me build a well-rounded perspective and ultimately confirmed the path that was right for me."
Her academic achievements have been matched by a growing portfolio of professional experiences. Parker completed an Audit and Assurance Internship with Gallagher, Flynn & Company, a Tax Internship with the Vermont Department of Taxes, and a stint as a call-in teller at Community Bank.
Those experiences helped clarify her professional goals.
"It's been a bit like touring colleges," Parker said. "Each experience showed me what I do and don't want in a career. When I graduate, I won't be searching for just 'an accounting job.' I'll have a much clearer vision of where my place is."
At Gallagher, Flynn & Company, she gained firsthand exposure to public accounting and auditing.
"You can only learn so much in a classroom," she said. "Seeing an actual audit take place bridged what felt like a scary gap between coursework and knowing what to do with those skills after college."
Parker is now pursuing the Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Accelerated Master's Pathway, positioning herself to complete the 150 credit hours required for CPA licensure and prepare for the CPA exam shortly after graduation.
"It gives me the opportunity to challenge myself with graduate-level coursework while preparing for the CPA exam," she said. "This scholarship lets me focus on the education itself—not on how to pay for it."
Looking ahead, Parker hopes to build a career centered on trust, integrity, and meaningful client relationships.
"In a world where it can sometimes feel like everyone is trying to sell something, I want to be someone clients can genuinely trust," she said. "I want to be the person in the room who's there for the right reasons and helping protect the integrity of the numbers because it matters."
Established under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the PCAOB Scholars Program provides merit-based scholarships to accounting students who have demonstrated high academic achievement and a commitment to careers that serve investors and the public interest. From 2011-2025, the Scholars Program has awarded nearly $43 million to 3,603 recipients.
Suzanne Lowensohn, Director of the Grossman School of Business Master of Accountancy (MAcc) Program and Associate Professor, shared, "The PCAOB Scholars Program provides an incredible scholarship opportunity for one of our Accelerated Master's Pathway students each year. UVM is honored to be one of the 389 select institutions allowed to submit a nomination."
Parker is pursuing her graduate education through UVM's Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP), an innovative program that allows qualified undergraduate students to begin working toward a master's degree while completing their bachelor's degree. Through AMP, students can count up to nine credits toward both degrees, reducing both the time and cost required to earn an advanced credential. For accounting students, the pathway offers an efficient route to completing the educational requirements needed for CPA licensure while gaining access to graduate-level coursework and professional preparation.
Parker continues a strong tradition of excellence among Grossman School of Business students. Previous PCAOB Scholarship recipients include:
2019: Catherine Redmond
2020: Hayley Ehrlich
2021: Lucille George
2022: Jacob Curtis
2023: Molly Feeney
2024: William Mitchell
2025: Jordan Kimball
Reflecting on her journey so far, Parker credits the support of her family, faculty, advisors, and peers for helping her succeed.
"Grossman opened doors I didn't know existed, challenged me to become the best version of myself, and supported me through the good, the bad, and everything in between."
Her selection as a PCAOB Scholar reflects both her accomplishments and the continued strength of accounting education at the Grossman School of Business at UVM.
About UVM's Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP)
With UVM's Accelerated Master's Pathway (AMP), undergraduate students can begin working toward a master's degree while completing their bachelor's degree, saving both time and money. Qualified students may enroll in up to nine graduate credits that count toward both degrees, allowing them to earn a master's degree in as little as one additional year after completing their undergraduate studies.
Learn more: https://www.uvm.edu/graduate/accelerated-masters-pathway
