First-generation student Kayla Fuller wins ‘life-changing’ scholarship to continue accounting education

BOZEMAN - When Montana State University junior Kayla Fuller heard news that she won a $15,000 national accounting scholarship, allowing her to pursue a master's degree when she would have otherwise been unable to do so, two words came to mind.

"Life-changing. This scholarship is genuinely life-changing to me," said Fuller, who is majoring in accounting and marketing with a minor in finance in MSU's Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship. She is also a first-generation student, meaning she is the first person in her immediate family to pursue higher education.

Fuller, who is from Pine, Colorado, received the scholarship from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in April. The money is designated for tuition for students pursuing a future career in accounting.

Earlier in April, Fuller said she was on the phone with her mom discussing her career options, given the expense of a master's degree. If she could not afford it, Fuller planned to work full time at an accounting firm and study for the certified public accountant exam independently, but that is less ideal than a graduate program, she said. In Montana, a one-year master's program reduces the work experience hours required to sit for the exam, and it carries the benefit of institutional support and guidance from faculty.

A master's program "will allow me to put more time into studying for my CPA exam as I try to become the most knowledgeable financial professional that I can be," Fuller said.

Upon completion of her bachelor's degree, Fuller now plans to stay at MSU and apply for the Master of Professional Accountancy program, or MPAc. She said she is thrilled to remain in Bozeman and continue working with some of the same professors who have taught her already.

"Kayla displays high ethical standards, focusing on independence, acting fairly and with professional skepticism, carefully questioning assumptions and being thorough," said Angela Woodland, the accounting professor who administered the award. "She knows when to ask for guidance or a second opinion to ensure decisions are correct."

Fuller, who has always been drawn to studying business, said she became interested in accounting after taking an introductory class with assistant professor Brad Kamreth. She found the accounting field spanned areas she was interested in, and she also appreciated the job security. According to university data, MSU's MPAc program routinely boasts a 100% job placement rate for its graduates.

This summer, Fuller will intern as a credit analyst for Opportunity Bank in Bozeman. She landed the opportunity thanks to Jabs Networking Night and the Bracken Center at MSU, which prepared her for networking and interviewing, and helped hone her resume.

"I'm eternally grateful for Jabs," Fuller said. "I think the classes, professors and all the resources available have really set me up for success."

Fuller has also been an involved student outside of the business college. She is a Western Undergraduate Exchange Scholar, one of the most prestigious merit-based scholarships offered by MSU, earned a CABLE scholarship her freshman year and is a current TRIO Scholar, a designated support system for first-generation and low-income students.

Additionally, she is a regular member of Cats Catholic, is president of MSU's Backcountry Squatters chapter - a space for women and nonbinary athletes pursuing outdoor recreation activities - and works as the communications director for the university's student government, the Associated Students of MSU. Outside of school, she enjoys mountain biking, climbing, swing dancing and generally being outside. For the past three summers, she has worked as a multi-sport instructor and last summer as assistant director for a Colorado-based outdoor education company, Avid4 Adventure.

"I just feel super blessed to have this opportunity," Fuller said. "I'm so excited to be able to continue my education and hopefully contribute to the accounting world."