Pope graduate earns bachelor’s degree from KSU in three years

Submitted information about a Pope High School graduate who recently earned a bachelor’s degree from Kennesaw State University with honors, and in only three years, and will soon be seeking a master’s in accounting:

Angie Jackson gained the foothold she wanted at Kennesaw State by keeping busy and taking advantage of opportunities during her undergraduate experience – and she did it with intense determination.

Jackson, an Honors student who officially graduates this week, earned a position as a trumpeter with the Marching Owls, studied abroad in Italy, joined two professional fraternities, and completed two internships – all while earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting in just three years.

A Zell Miller Scholarship recipient, Jackson was a trumpeter with her high school band. She said that her interest in attending Kennesaw State began when she was exposed to the University’s Marching Owls.

“Our school was undergoing construction, and KSU let us practice at their indoor band facility during our summer band camp,” said Jackson who graduated from Pope High School in Cobb County, Georgia. “When I saw the University and the Marching Owls, I knew that this was the place I wanted to be.”

While Jackson was focused on getting her degree, she also knew that she wanted to be active in campus life. She immediately auditioned for and earned a spot with the Marching Owls, and was section leader for two of her three years with the band. Her love of music also drew her to Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional women’s music fraternity, where she served as the philanthropy chair.

Zeroing in on the right major took her a little longer.

“I’m one of those people who loves all subjects, because I love to learn,” Jackson said. “While I knew I wanted to do something in business, I also knew I wanted something specific to focus on and that eventually led me to accounting.”

As an accounting major, the determined Jackson put her energy into networking opportunities. She became a member of the honors organization for accounting, finance and information systems majors, Beta Alpha Psi.  She also attended KSU Career Fairs where she quickly secured her first internship in the accounting department of WarnerMedia as one of 12 interns.

“I got a lot of great experience there learning about invoicing and vendor relationships. I even had the opportunity to conduct training for new hires on some of the systems I was familiar with, which I really enjoyed,” she said.

WarnerMedia, however, wasn’t the only company to offer an internship to Jackson, and she said that she was shocked and excited that she was able to line up two internships within one recruitment season. The second firm, Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors, extended an internship offer to Jackson a year out for the 2020 spring semester.

Professor of Information Systems Adriane Randolph is one of Jackson’s professors and said that she isn’t surprised by the student’s success. “Angie gives 100 percent to all of her vigorous commitments while maintaining top marks across her coursework. She loves to learn and goes the extra mile whenever possible, and she will undoubtedly be successful in pursuing her future goals.”

In the fall, Jackson, who earned a $10,000 scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, will make the transition to the Master of Accountancy program in the Coles College of Business. Meanwhile, her job prospects are already set for next summer as she’ll return to Moore Colson CPAs and Advisors as a business assurance staff accountant.  

“I really didn’t think there were going to be that many opportunities at KSU, but once I joined the Marching Band, I made so many friendships and connections that will last a lifetime. It opened my world to so much, and I knew that I was where I was supposed to be,” Jackson said. “I feel like I had four years of college in three years with all that I did, and I feel very fortunate to stay at KSU for my master’s degree.”

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