JOHN MCQUILKIN, an associate professor of accounting at Roger Williams University, recently received the 2023 Delta Sigma Pi Chapter Advisor of the Year Award. The award is presented annually to one collegiate chapter adviser who has excelled in service to both the chapter and the fraternity. In addition to Delta Sigma Pi, McQuilkin has served as the faculty adviser for other business-related clubs, as well as Beta Alpha Psi, the international organization for financial information students and professionals.
What does receiving this award mean to you? Receiving the award was a totally surprising and unexpected honor, as I have only been involved with Roger Williams University Delta Sigma Pi’s Nu Sigma Chapter as an adviser for less than two years. I don’t like to be in the spotlight; that’s not why I do what I do. I love being an accounting professor who has the opportunity and honor to interact with students. Prior to teaching, I worked as a lawyer, CPA [certified public accountant] and executive. It wasn’t until I started teaching that I found my “why.” Working with students … [and helping them] find their “why” has been incredibly satisfying.
In what ways do you help connect students with various industries? I am very fortunate after a decadeslong career in the business world to give back and share my industry expertise with my students, as well as connect them with internships and networking opportunities. My goal for all my students is for them to discover their gifts and passions and then take risks, work hard and persevere to reach their goals. A lot of them lack confidence; my job, which I love, is to encourage and mentor them. In addition to taking a professional interest in my students in the classroom, I also really care about them as individuals.
Which industries have students found careers in with your assistance? I regularly see more than 50% of my accounting majors in four years go to work at one of the big four firms: KPMG LLP, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and Ernst & Young LP. Delta Sig members consist of all the business majors – finance, marketing, management, international studies and accounting. When working with students in these academic disciplines, the basic principle I utilize is the same: help them determine their gifts and passion and go for it.
What other ways do you mentor students on campus? Besides Delta Sig, I am also the adviser to Beta Alpha Psi, an accounting honorary society, the Accounting Club, the Investment Club, and in the past, the Christian Student Fellowship. To facilitate what I do, I spend a lot of time in my office at Roger Williams – I’m usually in at 8 a.m. and leave well after 5 p.m. five days a week, and sometimes on the weekend. My intent is to be available for my students. When students come in, we not only go over material they don’t understand but sometimes we discuss personal issues and life goals. I care about my students like my own children, and I am extremely proud of them.
