Kerri-Ann Sanderson was awarded a $10,000 scholarship from the KPMG Foundation—for the third consecutive year.
Sanderson, who has been a Georgia State doctoral student since 2010, said a friend told her about the scholarship, so she applied in 2010 and has won ever since.
To qualify for the KPMG Foundation scholarship, applicants must be African-American, Hispanic-American or Native American. Additionally, applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and must be enrolled in an accredited doctoral program.
As part of the application, Sanderson said she had to provide a personal statement.
She explained how she plans to contribute to both the educational system and accounting field by pursuing a career as a professor.
“I’ve always wanted to lecture in accounting,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson spent over 10 years as a certified public accountant before starting a Ph.D. program.
“It was important to get experience in the industry, and then come back and share my love of accounting with students,” Sanderson said.
The KMPG Foundation has awarded over 300 African-American, Hispanic-American and Native American doctoral students since starting the scholarship in 1994.
The goal of the foundation is to increase minority students and professors in business schools as a way to diversify the workforce and prepare students for careers in business or education.
“It is important for students to see diverse professorship, because it helps them envision and achieve their goals,” Sanderson said.
According to a statement from the foundation 74 minority doctoral students with the KMPG scholarship are enrolled in accounting programs, and like Sanderson, have goals of teaching.
According to the foundation, the Ph.D. Project in association with KMPG “attacks the root cause of minority under-representation in corporate jobs,” and “diversifying the faculty attracts more minorities to study business.”
Scholarship winners like Kerri-Ann Sanderson, receive $10,000, and are able to renew for up to five years as long as they demonstrate progress toward their degree.
KPMG Foundation President Bernard J. Milano said of Kerri-Ann Sanderson, “Like all our scholarship recipients, she is key to our country’s future and we look forward to following her success after graduation.”
Sanderson renewed her scholarship in early Nov. for the 2012-13 academic year, which marks the third consecutive year she has received the KPMG scholarship.
“I feel very fortunate and look forward to giving back to organization,” Sanderson said.
When it comes to spending the money, Sanderson said the scholarship will be used to pay tuition and other fees associated with earning her Ph.D. at Georgia State.
Sanderson is also applying for research grants.
“My area of interest is in auditor judgments and decision making, so auditors can improve and become more efficient,” Sanderson said.
The doctoral accounting program at Georgia State lasts approximately five years, and Sanderson said she expects to graduate in spring 2014.
Aside from pursing a Ph.D., Sanderson holds a B.S. in Accounting from Barry University and a Masters in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
