Mentorship that goes the distance. In the Jenkins MAC program, every student is paired with a faculty mentor — someone who knows your goals, and how to help you get there.
Built-in Support, From Day One
Not all graduate accounting programs offer the same level of student support. The Jenkins MAC Mentorship Program is a structured, program-wide commitment — not an optional add-on.
One-to-One
Every student receives a dedicated faculty mentor.
On-campus and Online
Students in the Jenkins MAC on-campus and online programs receive mentors.
Personalized
Mentors customize their approach based on your goals, challenges, and career interests.
Every student receives a dedicated faculty mentor. Whether you’re on campus in Raleigh or completing the MAC online, that support integrated into the program.
Your mentor is one of our Jenkins MAC faculty members — an experienced accounting professional committed to your success. They’ll help you manage the demands of the program, think through career questions, and connect you with people who can offer valuable perspective.
“Our program has built a reputation of having approachable faculty who really care about their students. The mentorship program is another way to build on that strength in a way that I don’t believe you will find in other programs.”
Bonnie Hancock
Professor of Practice NC State Poole College of Management
Mentorship That Fits Your Needs
There’s no single way to engage with your mentor — and that’s by design. Jenkins MAC mentorship is responsive to individual student needs.
What Mentorship Looks Like
Individual Guidance
Meet with your mentor to work through the questions that matter most to you — academic challenges, career direction, or simply navigating what comes next.
Group Gatherings
Mentorship in the Jenkins MAC often extends beyond one-on-one meetings. Some faculty gather their students together over a meal or a networking reception to build connections across the group.
Alumni and Professional Connections
Through their own professional networks, faculty mentors can open doors to conversations with MAC alumni and industry professionals who support and extend the program’s career development resources.
“We were all family — and that’s probably the thing that stands out the most. Having that support system and knowing how much they cared about me as a person was definitely my favorite part of the program.”
Ericka Gales Earnest
MAC ’23 Financial Controls and Compliance Analyst, Cisco
Mentor Circles
The Jenkins MAC program also brings together small groups of students with industry professionals for deeper career conversations.
“We talked about everything from deciding between audit and tax, and the impact of AI on the industry, to why I chose to stay in public accounting for 18 years and counting. What I found most valuable about the experience is what the students taught me… Mentoring isn’t just about passing down knowledge; it’s about staying connected to the future of our profession.” — Lauren Darr, Partner, Johnson Lambert LLP
Is the mentorship program available to both on-campus and online Jenkins MAC students?
Yes. Every Jenkins MAC student — regardless of whether they are enrolled in the on-campus or online program — has a faculty mentor. Online students participate fully in the mentorship experience, including group gatherings. Faculty mentors make a particular effort to create opportunities for online students to connect with their on-campus peers, including in-person events when possible.
How often do students meet with their faculty mentor?
The program is flexible and student directed: you decide how often to engage with your mentor. Some students connect with their mentor multiple times per semester; others reach out around key moments like internship recruiting, CPA exam preparation, or job offer decisions. Your mentor is available to you throughout your time in the program — the frequency and format of those conversations is up to you.
Can I switch my assigned faculty mentor?
Yes. While every student receives a faculty mentor upon entering the program, students can switch to a different mentor if they find a better fit. Some students also choose to build relationships with multiple MAC faculty members to gain a broader range of perspectives and expand their professional connections.
What do students typically discuss with their faculty mentor?
Conversations vary widely depending on where a student is in the program and what they need most. Common topics include managing the academic demands of the MAC program, preparing for CPA exam sections, evaluating job offers, navigating the choice between public accounting and industry roles, and connecting with alumni or professionals in a specific field. Mentors bring their own professional expertise and networks to every conversation, which allows them to offer specific and current guidance.
What is the difference between the assigned faculty mentor and Mentor Circles?
Every Jenkins MAC student receives a mentor as a core part of the program. Mentor Circles are a separate, optional experience that brings small groups of students together with faculty and industry professionals — including MAC alumni — for additional career exploration and networking. Mentor Circles complement the assigned mentorship relationship rather than replace it. Students interested in participating can contact the program directly.
How is the Jenkins MAC Mentorship Program different from mentorship programs at other accounting graduate programs?
The Jenkins MAC Mentorship Program pairs every enrolled MAC student with a dedicated faculty mentor. This is distinct from pre-admission mentorship pipelines offered at some peer institutions, which are designed for undergraduates still exploring whether to pursue a graduate accounting degree. At NC State Poole College, mentorship is a built-in commitment to every student from day one and is offered to both on-campus and online students.
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Share Your Experience. Shape Someone’s Future.
“I like to invite former MAC mentees to come and network with the current MAC students. This gives current students an opportunity to grow their professional networks in an informal setting.”
— Nathan Goldman, professor of accounting
Get Involved
The Jenkins MAC mentorship program grows stronger with every professional who gives their time. Are you a MAC alum or accounting professional interested in getting involved? Contact Scott Showalter at dsshowal@ncsu.edu.
