Celebrating 30 Years of MAC

On Thursday, Nov. 7, a crowd of more than 325 guests gathered at Talley Student Union to celebrate 30 years of the NC State Jenkins Master of Accounting (MAC) Program. The celebration welcomed faculty, staff, alumni and friends for an evening of conversation, camaraderie and reflection on three decades of accounting excellence, innovation and community. 

The event was attended by more than 200 Jenkins MAC alumni representing every class – including the first graduating class of 1995 – and featured remarks from program and Poole College of Management leadership, a distinguished awards presentation, and a very special appearance from Mr. and Ms. Wuf.

“Celebrating 30 years is a significant milestone for the Jenkins MAC Program,” said Scott Showalter, director of the Jenkins MAC program. “The journey has been marked by numerous challenges, yet the program has leveraged these obstacles to become a nationally recognized MAC program. This is no small achievement when compared with other MAC programs around the country.”

A Storied History

As Poole College of Management’s first graduate program, the Jenkins MAC program launched in 1994 – just two years after the college was established. Since then, the program has grown and evolved to meet the changing demands of the accounting field, and today, is ranked the No. 3 Best Online Master of Accounting Program by University HQ (2024) and the No. 14 Best Master of Accounting Program by College Choice (2023) – reflecting its strong reputation and continued excellence among employers and industry leaders.

The evening opened with welcome remarks from Showalter and Dr. Peter Harries, dean of The Graduate School, who shared his perspective on working closely with the Jenkins MAC program over the past decade. He noted that during that time, he has been continually impressed by how the program has evolved, its dedication to student success, the faculty and staff’s commitment to student excellence, and, of course, the students themselves. 

“One thing that impresses me about the program is that it’s always moving forward to make the experience and training students get as valuable as possible. From launching the innovative bridge program to developing a synchronous online program, Jenkins MAC has made the field more accessible to students across North Carolina,” Harries said. “It’s an outstanding program and I look forward to the innovation and progress that it will continue to make in the years ahead.” 

Following Harries’ remarks, Dr. Frank Buckless, Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Dean of the Poole College of Management, was welcomed to the podium to share his thoughts about what the Jenkins MAC program means to Poole College of Management. 

From the beginning, the program has been a leader in the profession, committed to creating experiences for students that lead to unparalleled employment outcomes. With strong industry connections, the program listens to what’s happening in the accounting field, giving our students the very best opportunities, Buckless said. “What’s great, and what I’m so proud of, is that this program has lived the ‘Think and Do’ mission of the university and is a leader for everyone. I’m so proud to say that I was here when it all started.” 

Leading the Pack

The celebration continued with an awards presentation, recognizing individuals with the Distinguished MAC Alumni and Friend of the MAC Program awards for making a significant impact on the success of the Jenkins MAC program with their time, talent and resources.

Showalter returned to the podium to present John Broadfoot, director at TJT, with the Friend of the MAC Program award – an annual award recognizing a non-alum who has made outstanding contributions to the MAC program. 

Broadfoot has more than 20 years of experience in public accounting, primarily working for North Carolina-based firm TJT. He earned his undergraduate degree in education and master’s degree in accounting at UNC Chapel Hill and is a currently licensed North Carolina CPA.

Over the years, he has supported Poole College of Management through his work on the MAC Advisory Board and presenting at Beta Alpha Psi and Accounting Society events through his recruiting responsibilities at TJT. He has participated in student mock interviews and coordinated TJT sponsorships of various accounting fundraising endeavors, and is an advocate for the MAC Fellowship Program, scholarships and internships. But, according to Broadfoot, the highlight of his career has been hiring hundreds of NC State accounting students into full-time jobs and internships at TJT – many of whom were in attendance as he accepted his award.

“I’m so honored that this institution would even consider a fella that bleeds light blue as a friend of the program,” said Broadfoot. “And for me, the word ‘friend’ in this award carries a particular weight. Friendship implies a level of trust and signifies a relationship. It is my privilege to be a friend of not only the program, but more importantly, all the people associated with the MAC program.”

Before exiting the stage, he challenged the audience to carve out their own opportunities for involvement and step up in a meaningful way. “How are you giving back to an institution that has set you up for a successful professional career? My suggestion is to figure out where your passions lie and then step up into a role where your impact will be most personally satisfying.”

As the awards presentation continued, Sharon Bryson, former CEO of the North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA), took the stage to announce Jamelia Livingston ’09 as the 2024 Distinguished MAC Alumni of the Year. When presenting the award, Bryson shared a personal story about her journey with Livingston, noting that there was no one more deserving of the award.

“The last official ‘ask’ I made before my retirement was that Jamelia serve on the board of the NCACPA. In fact, in all my years of asking people to serve on our board, no one impressed me more. She wanted to think about her response and ensure that the board’s goals aligned with her own goals. She approaches everything she engages in with purpose and passion – she’s a strong role model for all of us in that way.”

Livingston is an assurance partner at EY with more than 14 years of industry experience. She holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from North Carolina A&T State University and a master of science in accounting from NC State. Beyond her client work, Livingston currently serves as the executive sponsor for internal EY initiatives, where she focuses on supporting employees through networking, mentoring, career development and community involvement.

She has been actively engaged with the Jenkins MAC program for a number of years, primarily focusing on MAC orientation and engaging with students through the recruiting process. Each year, during MAC orientation, Livingston establishes a foundation for students focused on the importance of DEI – demonstrating how diversity of thought leads to more innovative and better outcomes for many companies’ greatest challenges.

As she accepted her award, Livingston shared her experiences with the MAC program, noting that this award is a reminder that giving back isn’t just about financial contributions – it’s about dedicating time, sharing knowledge and making a lasting impact on the next generation. “I am honored to receive this award and this opportunity brings everything full circle for me. The education and network I received from this program have been invaluable, and now, I’m able to pay it forward. Being a part of this program was not only an investment in my career but in myself, and I’m grateful for the chance to give back in a meaningful way.”

A Lasting Legacy

The evening concluded with a surprise presentation recognizing one of the most influential figures in Jenkins MAC program history, Dr. Kathy Krawczyk, who will retire in 2025.

Krawcyzk joined NC State in 1992 as an assistant professor, and became the director of the Jenkins MAC program in 2004. As the second and longest-serving director in the program’s history, she has played a pivotal role in shaping its success and growth over the years. Under her extraordinary leadership, the program introduced a new curriculum, launched a formal orientation program, and established three specialized concentrations – allowing students to tailor their education based on their career goals.

In 2018, Krawcyzk stepped down as program director to become the head of the accounting department. Her decades-long commitment to building and enhancing the MAC program can be seen today, in record enrollment numbers and national recognition as a leader in accounting education.

“Kathy has been the biggest supporter of the program, and I can’t imagine how hard it would be to walk away from something you love so much and be so gracious – but she is. She never hesitates to ask, ‘How can I help you,’” Showalter said. “To honor this one-of-a-kind person, we have established the Dr. Kathy Krawcyzk Leader of the MAC Pack Scholarship, a recognition that will have a lasting impact on the students in our program and ensure future generations’ access to education.”

To create an endowed scholarship at NC State, a $50,000 fundraising goal must be met. The Dr. Kathy Krawcyzk Leader of the MAC Pack Scholarship was made possible through generous contributions from 20 different companies and firms – including many alumni who work at those organizations – and the MAC staff, which brought the total contributions to more than $90,000. Krawcyzk’s endowed scholarship is a testament to the impact she’s made on the Jenkins MAC Program over the years. 

As Krawcyzk took the stage to a standing ovation, she expressed her deep gratitude, noting that there is nothing more important to her than scholarship and the availability of funding for Jenkins MAC students to pursue their education – today and in the future.

“I’ve grown up with the MAC Program and will always be the MAC historian, chief caretaker, cheerleader and champion of our MAC alumni,” Krawcyzk said. “I love being a part of this program and watching our alumni grow and succeed in their careers. I’ve grown a lot too, and tested myself, pushed boundaries, and I’m proud of the changes that have taken place and the role I’ve played in the program’s growth over the years.”

As Showalter closed out the evening, he expressed his excitement for what the next 30 years will bring for the Jenkins MAC Program. 

“Building on the success that got us to where we are today, we will continue to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of the accounting profession. These are truly energizing times, and we are looking forward to how we will be able to shape the future of the Jenkins MAC Program.”

This post was originally published in Poole College of Management News.