Ava Nagy (Class of 2026, MAcc 3+1 combined degree program) has been selected as a PCAOB Scholar for 2023-2024 academic year. The $10,000 scholarship is awarded to students enrolled in selected nominating institutions who demonstrate aptitude and interest in accounting and auditing, as well as high ethical standards.
Ava was raised in Fairfield, Connecticut, which she calls home. Her family includes her parents and brother, with whom she enjoys a close relationship, and their dog named Bean. Ava shared, “Coming to Miami was a big decision for me, as I was initially reluctant to go far from them. However, I knew the opportunities at Farmer were unparalleled, and the people here really do make me feel at home!”
A large influence on Ava’s decision to pursue a path in business was her dad, whom she watched as he pursued different careers in the corporate world and in entrepreneurship. “I always looked up to how he used his vision to drive change and lead a meaningful life,” she expressed. Both parents work remotely for the same company, she shared. “For years, I’ve loved to listen in on their work calls and ask them about business. My parents joke that I’ve basically already received my MBA from how much I’ve been able to learn just based on observing! They’re always so open to teaching me, and that’s been a huge driver of my curiosity in business.”
In preparation for college, Ava toured business schools around the country and was struck by how special the Farmer School of Business was. “Being fully immersed in client work and all things business as a first-year student has been incredibly rewarding,” she said.
She quickly embraced accounting as a major after taking her first accounting courses. “I quickly realized the value of studying it. Having a grasp of how business really functions makes you the ultimate resource in any type of work you choose to do. I was drawn to the flexibility and abundance of opportunities offered by having hard skills in accountancy and in business analytics [her minor].”
Ava has launched herself into several campus activities in her first year at Miami: as a member of Women in Business, a Farmer School of Business Ambassador, an Undergraduate Associate Teaching Assistant for ESP 103, and working at the Armstrong Student Center. “My favorite part of all those things is being able to develop relationships with faculty and students. I love giving back to the community that’s already done so much for me. I view campus involvement as the backbone of my academics. There is so much to be said about learning from others and having fun while doing it. My mentors and friends raise the bar for me academically and push me to higher standards. That mindset has helped me establish priorities and balance.”