6 minute read
A Big Picture Approach
Photo by Beth Wynn
By Kirsten Shaw
When you talk with Khylar Cain, you get the impression this is her approach to more than her studies. The Eupora, MS, senior comes across as a thoughtful and reflective person – quiet not out of shyness but from a desire to listen and understand before taking action.
Certainly her academic efforts have benefited from this interest in knowing how things work and fit together in the big picture. Cain is an accounting major with a minor in African American Studies.
“I’m interested in the total business realm,” she says. “I feel like accounting is one of the more stable careers. I like to be knowledgeable, and things are constantly evolving, so it will be a career where I can continue to learn as I go.”
She continues, “African American studies is almost more about personal enrichment for me, but I do think it will help me build interpersonal relationships and help in the office space when I’m in diverse environments.”
The foundations of her career are being built at Mississippi State, and Cain is appreciative of the faculty who have started her down the path.
“Mrs. [Angela] Pannell taught both of my Principles of Accounting classes,” notes Cain. “They were my first accounting courses, and they gave me confidence. The way she presented the material was really accessible, and she was always willing to help if there was something I didn’t understand at first.”
“It has been a joy to watch Khylar grow as a student,” responds Pannell, Instructor of Accountancy. “Khylar was always prepared for every class, in part because she read the material before class and was willing to ask questions when she did not understand a concept. In class I always say, ‘There are no bad questions in accounting.’ When students of Khylar’s ability ask questions, it helps others feel more confident to ask their own questions.”
In helping her peers, Cain goes beyond setting an example.
“It was always evident that Khylar put in the necessary time for homework and study,” Pannell continues. “This allowed her to assist classmates who struggled to understand various concepts. I have also watched Khylar tutoring as a member of Beta Alpha Psi. She has the ability to help those following behind her grasp basic accounting concepts. I imagine that Khylar will always reach back to those who follow behind her and lend them a helping hand to move forward.”
Cain’s academic accomplishments, determination, ethics and leadership are some of the factors that led to her selection as a 2020 PCAOB Scholar. Each year, the congressionally-appointed Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) awards $10,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students, funded from monetary penalties assessed in the course of the Board’s oversight of the audits of public companies, brokers and dealers.
Nominated by Dr. Shawn Mauldin, Director of the Adkerson School of Accountancy, Cain is one of 234 recipients this year among thousands of accounting students nationwide. The scholarship can be a game changer for a student, at the same time drawing attention to the quality of his or her school’s program.
“Khylar is an exceptional student and worthy of this scholarship,” states Mauldin, who nominates a student each year. “In many cases, the PCAOB scholarship allows the student to complete his or her undergraduate or graduate degree without taking on more debt. The School benefits because we’re more likely to be able to keep some very smart and talented students at Mississippi State University.”
Choosing Mississippi State in the first place was an easy decision for Cain – a family tradition of sorts. Her dad is an alumnus, and her brother Khalil – now a junior high teacher in Kosciusko, MS – was an MSU education major when she enrolled.
“Khalil was extremely helpful in the transition process,” recalls Cain. “I went to a really small high school. It’s a big change to go from a graduating class of 55 to having 100 students in your first class!”
That experience, coupled with her compassion and natural inclination to help others, have led her to reach out to potential students through the College of Business Ambassadors (COBA) program and the University’s SPARK program. As an Ambassador, she helps recruit freshmen and transfer students.
“We write them postcards and e-mails, answer their questions, show them around McCool and generally just be transparent with them about our experiences,” she says.
Cain and her fellow Ambassadors work with Kelsey Waters, COB Assistant Director of Recruiting and Events. The COBA team consists of 40 or fewer business students selected to represent the College based on qualities like integrity, leadership, enthusiasm and love of MSU.
“Khylar is one of the most intentional students I have worked with in my 10 years of recruiting experience,” comments Waters. “She is very logical, and that makes her a great accounting student, but it also makes her a wonderful student leader. The way she looks at the whole picture, she is able to really meet students where they are and offer guidance.”
Cain enjoys the work, and she enjoys the people involved.
“As College of Business Ambassadors, we helped with Academic Insight last year,” she shares regarding an event that introduces potential students and their families to the College of Business. “There was a great turnout. It was the first time all the Ambassadors got to bond outside class. We held doors and greeted parents and students and answered questions…. It doesn’t sound exciting, but we had a great time together. And I had the same questions [as the visitors] when I was in their shoes, so it felt good to answer those questions and reassure them.”
She has also helped rising high school seniors plan their futures through MSU’s SPARK – Students Paving a Road to Knowledge – program. This summer leadership conference invites underrepresented rising high school seniors to campus, introducing them to various avenues available after high school and equipping them to choose a path and prepare for it. In 2019, Cain was a crew leader for a group of 16 participants. She was chosen as Codirector of Logistics for this year, when the event was postponed and held as a virtual webinar series throughout the fall.
“Some of our 2019 participants enrolled at Mississippi State and have started this fall,” she notes. “For them to know people before they come here is comforting.”
Cain (second from left) was a SPARK crew leader in 2019; here, she is shown with (from left) peers Chelsi Floyd, Kayla Williams and Sydney Wicks.
Photo courtesy of Khylar Cain
It is no surprise that Cain, whose name consistently appears on the President’s List, brings her talents to other campus organizations like accounting honor society Beta Alpha Psi and University Women in Business. She is active in the Holmes Cultural Diversity Center’s I.D.E.A.L. Woman Program (Intelligent, Dignified, Elegant, Ambitious Leaders) and was its 2019-2019 Member of the Year. In this leadership organization, members hear from guest speakers, host events and perform community service like helping the United Way with Thanksgiving donations and working in the Starkville High School concession stand during games so parents are free to watch their kids. Cain also works with Dresses of Hope MSU, collecting donated prom dresses and distributing them to high school students.
Cain was named I.D.E.A.L. Woman Member of the Year for 2018-2019.
Photo courtesy of Khylar Cain
On track to graduate this spring, Cain plans to enroll in the Adkerson School’s MPA program, then take the CPA Exam and begin her career in Mississippi.
“Mississippi State as a whole, and especially the College of Business and the accounting program, stays on top of technology and techniques that are being used in the marketplace,” she observes. “They prepare us for the future, whether we’re going to grad school or straight into careers.”
Well-equipped with her education, Khylar Cain will succeed because of who she is – a smart, kind, focused big-picture thinker.
“Khylar listens, absorbs and genuinely cares about the people she interacts with,” says Kelsey Waters. “Given her grace and sincerity, I think Khylar will be one of our most impactful alumni. She is going to make great change in whatever community she touches.”
