Accounting Honor Society Hailed for Women's Empowerment Efforts

Mu Omega, Stonehill College’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, has been recognized for organizing a panel discussion to help combat gender bias in the workplace.

by the Office of Communications and Media Relations
November 15, 2022
From left to right: James Pentikis ’22, Serena St. Sauveur ’22 and Professor of Business Administration Solange Lopes.

Mu Omega, Stonehill College’s chapter of the Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) honor society for accounting students, recently finished in third place during the organization’s Inclusive Leadership Competition in Orlando, Florida. 

The event, held this summer, was sponsored by international accounting firm Ernst & Young. BAP chapters were challenged to execute campus programming intended to help develop leaders who leverage diverse perspectives to think, act and learn inclusively. 

“Congratulations to Mu Omega. I am delighted that our students’ outstanding efforts to create programming that inspires inclusivity and innovation have been recognized by Beta Alpha Psi,” said Sam Beldona, dean of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business.

For its entry in the competition, Mu Omega hosted a panel entitled “WE Lead: Women Empowerment in Leadership.” To help attendees acquire tools to advocate for others, the speakers covered topics like discrimination faced by professional women, the pandemic’s impact on working mothers and combatting unconscious biases.  

From left to right: Serena St. Sauveur ’22, Kim Daniels, Lauren Jackson, Professor Solange Lopes, Professor Suzanne Edinger, Jessica Sacchetti, Emily Foley ’22 and Michelle Spriggs.

Held on campus last spring, the discussion was moderated by Solange Lopes, professor business administration. Panelists included Kim Daniels, senior vice president of corporate tax at Fidelity Investments; Suzanne Edinger, professor of business administration; Lauren Jackson, managing director at Deloitte; Jessica Sacchetti, president at 20-20 Services; and Michelle Spriggs, managing director CBIZ & MHM.   

This program came together thanks to the efforts of former Mu Omega President James Pentikis ’22, as well as Emily Foley ’22 and Serena St. Sauveur ’22, who co-chaired the steering committee that organized the event. 

“It was important to our chapter to welcome female leaders from the industry to campus and provide them with a platform to share some barriers in their own advancement,” Foley said. “Their stories and advice gave everyone a better perspective on how we can individually assist in empowering women.”

BAP was founded in 1919. The organization encourages success in the business information field by promoting the study and practice of accounting, providing members personal development and service opportunities, and creating a sense of community among scholars. BAP is also dedicated to encouraging ethical behavior in business.

The honor society currently boasts 300 chapters. Membership is open to students attending colleges and universities accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Scholars must maintain a grade point average of 3.50 or higher in their accounting courses, as well as an overall average of 3.25. Prior to admission, students must complete at least 40 hours of professional development and community service over two semesters. 

Mu Omega, which was recently granted superior status by BAP in recognition of its commitment to scholastic and professional excellence, currently consists of 21 scholars. Madisen Hill ’23 serves as the current student president of the chapter. Alex Yen, associate professor of business administration, is Mu Omega’s lead faculty advisor. Michael Mullen, associate professor of finance, serves as co-advisor.

“Mu Omega’s recent success epitomizes the strength of Stonehill College’s accounting program,” Yen said. “Dedicated to helping students soar to new heights both on and off campus, our chapter is a training ground for the best and brightest in our field. We are proud of all that our students have accomplished. We’re excited to see what they achieve next in their efforts to further realize our program’s mission.”

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