Elli Richardson still remembers the moment she decided Nebraska was the place for her. As a high school senior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, she visited countless schools until something clicked when she visited the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
"From the rainy day in August 2019 when I stepped on campus for my visit, I knew there was something special here. I felt welcomed from the moment I arrived, and I could see a potential for academic and personal growth," Richardson said.
Richardson prepares to cross the stage to receive her Master of Professional Accountancy (MPA) degree on Dec. 20, marking her second graduation from Nebraska in just two years.
“For me, there truly is no place like Nebraska,” Richardson said. "Continuing my MPA at Nebraska was a natural choice because of the incredible foundation built while an undergraduate student. The College of Business faculty, resources and supportive environment exceeded my expectations, and I knew staying here would provide the best opportunities to refine my skills and prepare me for the CPA exam."
She also found purpose by giving back to the community that welcomed her with open arms. As president of Beta Alpha Psi, an international honor society for accounting and finance students, she led her peers in professional development and service projects. The chapter was recognized by the international organization as a superior chapter.
"The chapter far exceeded the baseline requirements of Beta Alpha Psi and has excelled in the areas of academics, professionalism and leadership," said Deb Cosgrove, the Beta Alpha Psi chapter's advisor, and professor of practice in accountancy.
Richardson also guided prospective students through the same pivotal decision-making process she once faced by becoming a College of Business Ambassador as an undergraduate student for the college's Enrollment Management team. Promoted to an intern in the office, she currently serves as a graduate assistant while earning her MPA and honing her skills in teamwork, adaptability and goal-oriented planning.
“Helping high schoolers envision their own futures here deepened my passion for Nebraska,” Richardson said. “It reminded me of the incredible support system I’ve had and the importance of paying that forward. I'm so thankful to Kendra Ritchie, director of enrollment management, for everything she has done to support me throughout my time at Nebraska.”
Ritchie noted the myth about accountants being reserved and selecting that career path so they could spend most of their time with spreadsheets.
"Elli has debunked this assumption countless times while providing prospective students and their families with a thorough and personalized experience," Ritchie said. "There is absolutely no way the college would have this record-breaking freshmen class (909 first-year students) without Elli's exceptional interpersonal and customer service skills and her ability to adapt to any and all situations."
Richardson also utilized the College of Business Career Center to find two internships that prepared her for a career in audit and assurance.
“Chris Timm, director of the Business Career Center, has been a guiding light throughout my journey to finding the right fit for me. I always loved going into her office whether to work through my resume or just get life advice,” Richardson said.
Interning for RSM in the summer of 2022, she also served as an intern at KPMG the following summer. While working with a large private client in Omaha, Nebraska, she gained exposure to audit committee meetings and financial discussions between the firm and its partners.
“This opened my eyes to see how audits provide assurance to the client but also a strategic partnership on how their financials operate,” Richardson said.
It also helped her find her first job as an audit associate at KPMG in Omaha. She looks forward to applying the skills and values she honed at Nebraska.
“One of the key takeaways I’ll bring to my position at KPMG is the ability to connect with people and understand their unique needs. In recruitment, just as in professional services, fostering trust and creating a supportive environment is critical to success," Richardson said. "Additionally, my experiences at Nebraska taught me how to manage multiple priorities and approach challenges with a solution-focused mindset—skills that will be invaluable as I navigate client engagements and contribute to KPMG’s collaborative culture."
With her accounting position starting in the fall, Richardson plans to continue to work on the Enrollment Management team recruiting future Huskers this spring and summer.
"The best thing about being a Husker is the sense of pride and community that connects us all, no matter where life takes us,” Richardson said. “When you see someone with a Nebraska logo, you know they’re in your corner. This university and its people are indeed something special, and I cannot wait to continue to share that. Go Big Red forever and always!”
