Hello, extended Atkinson family,
Welcome to a new school year at Atkinson! The halls of Kaneko are buzzing with students, ideas—and yes, plenty of adorable bunnies—as we kick off a school year filled with new beginnings and exciting firsts.
Our entering Early Career/Career Change (EC/CC) students experienced a first of their own during the Compass Week orientation—complete with a lively treasure hunt that encouraged our newest students to explore Kaneko and forge connections that will carry them through the program and beyond.
This year also brings innovative firsts in our undergraduate offerings. Our first-ever Atkinson-taught section of College Colloquium—taken by all first-year undergrads—guides students to reflect on the skills, habits, and mindset needed to thrive, emphasizing leadership, collaboration, and self-discovery.
Meanwhile, the inaugural offering of the course Investing and the Liberal Arts—open to all undergraduates—challenges students to explore connections between investment decision-making and broad-based liberal arts education while emphasizing ethical reasoning and critical thinking. Both courses exemplify Atkinson’s commitment to preparing students to think strategically, act thoughtfully, and lead responsibly.
Our MBA for Professionals students experienced a first this summer as well, with the annual MBA-P Commencement moved to August and held in partnership with the School of Computing and Information Sciences. The joint celebration highlighted the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of today’s management challenges and gave graduates a memorable platform to mark their achievements with family, friends, and faculty.
Finally, I am thrilled to share a major milestone for Atkinson: the Master of Science in Accounting and Finance, our first specialty master’s degree. Designed to complement our generalist MBA and undergraduate programs, this new degree builds on Atkinson’s longstanding strengths in Accounting and Finance while addressing evolving regional and industry needs. It represents a bold step forward, offering flexible, high-impact learning that prepares students for leadership in a complex and rapidly changing business world.
As we begin this year of firsts and new beginnings, I am inspired by our community’s collective drive, creativity, and ambition. Alumni, thank you, as always, for your continued engagement and support. Your engagement fuels our progress, amplifies our impact, and helps guide the next generation of Atkinson leaders. Together, we ensure that Atkinson remains a place where innovation thrives, and where students — past, present, and future — are empowered to make an impact.
Best regards,
Romana Autrey, Ph.D., CPA, CMA, CFF, CFE
Dean and Associate Professor of Accounting
