UCO Accounting Student Melissa Long Receives a $10,000 PCAOB Scholarship

University of Central Oklahoma senior accounting major Melissa Long was a recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholars Program. The award benefits exceptional accounting students who are likely to become auditors.

Long, an Oklahoma City native and mother of three completed her first year of studies at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) before taking a break to be a stay-at-home mom, supporting her husband of 26 years in both his military and professional career. Almost twenty-five years later, Long was presented with the opportunity to finish her degree.

After earning her associate’s degree in business at OCCC, she transferred to UCO to pursue her bachelor’s degree in accounting.

“It was very overwhelming returning to college after such a long time,” Long said. “I am so appreciative of the professors who have helped me gain confidence and encouraged me along the way.”

Long was nominated by Bambi Hora, J.D., chairperson and professor of accounting in the UCO College of Business.

“Melissa has shown herself to be an excellent student in all of the accounting classes she has undertaken,” Hora said. “She came highly recommended by each faculty member who she has encountered to be considered for this scholarship.”

“She has not only performed well in the classroom but also has positively influenced the other students in her classes. Her attitude and willingness to go out of her way for others, especially during this pandemic, show that she will be a tremendous asset to the accounting profession.”

Long is a member of the newly formed UCO College of Business Student Advocacy Board and has worked for Thomas Baste, AAA Insurance Agency as a customer service representative for close to three years. She will graduate from UCO with a bachelor of science degree in accounting in summer 2022.

“It is such an honor to be nominated for the PCAOB scholarship by the professors in the accounting department,” Long said. “This amazing opportunity allows me to focus on my studies without having to worry about the financial burden of achieving my goals.”

“I have sacrificed many hours away from my family to study, so it is very rewarding to be recognized for these efforts in such an amazing way.”

The PCAOB Scholars Program awards funds to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in accounting degree programs at certain accredited U.S. colleges and universities. It has awarded over $16.2 million in scholarships to 1,623 students from 474 different institutions from 2011-2021.

The PCAOB is a nonprofit corporation established by Congress to oversee the audits of public companies in order to protect investors and further the public interest in the preparation of informative, accurate and independent audit reports. The PCAOB also oversees the audits of brokers and dealers, including compliance reports filed pursuant to federal securities laws.

For more information about the PCAOB Scholars Program, visit https://www.pcaobus.org/about/scholars-program.