Root Earns Paul College's Excellence in Teaching Award

Don't ever tell Kelly Root that accounting is dull.

Among the many lessons Root, a lecturer in accounting, imparts to her students, dispelling the misconception that accounting is just a desk job with little social interaction is one of the most important.

"It's not boring," Root says. "I was a certified public accountant for 13 years, working as an auditor and doing some tax work. I saw everything from small businesses to large corporations, and the things you encounter can be surprising - like fraud cases, which always pique students' interest."

Root's enthusiasm for the industry makes challenging subjects relatable to students, and it recently earned her the UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics 2024 Excellence in Teaching Award at UNH's Faculty Excellence Awards.

"I was a student at UNH, so it's especially rewarding to come back and teach and then be recognized for it," she says.

Finding Her Confidence

Throughout her career as a CPA, Root remained an active alum at UNH. When her career reached a crossroads, she received a call from her former professor and mentor, Bill Knowles, who informed her about an open lecturer position.

"I was thrilled by the thought," she recalls. "I had reached a point in my career as a CPA where I wasn't interested in becoming a partner. I had a young family, and it just wasn't something that would fit with that."

Root admits it took time to find her footing as a teacher. Initially, she struggled with misconceptions about the profession, particularly the idea that she needed to adopt a serious persona.

As Root embraced her enthusiasm and found her footing as a teacher, her confidence grew, allowing her to forge deeper connections with her students.

Recognizing the value of real-world experience, Root also strengthened her classes by actively inviting finance and accounting professionals to share their workplace insights, bridging the gap between academic learning and current professional practice.

"Kelly not only imparts knowledge but also builds an inclusive and supportive learning community with her students, which is highlighted by many students in their anonymous written comments from the student teaching evaluations," wrote Emily Xu, professor of accounting and finance and department chair, in nominating Root for the teaching award. "She instills confidence and a love for learning that extends far beyond their time in her classroom."

Going the Extra Mile

Root takes pride in shaping student experiences outside the classroom. She started the UNH chapter of the accounting honors society Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) in 2020, a year after joining UNH.

"I think a lot of accounting students tend to be similar in that they are probably a little bit more introverted, and it can be challenging to make connections outside of class," Root says. "I saw Beta Alpha Psi as a way to have students meet each other and become more engaged outside of the classroom."

Additionally, Root oversees the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which allows students to make an impact by providing free tax preparation services for underprivileged individuals and families in the Seacoast regions, and spearheads the Accounting Buzz events, inviting professionals to campus to showcase job opportunities.

For Root, the most rewarding aspect of her work in and out of the classroom is the connections she forms with her students. She hopes to continue building those connections while helping students discover a potential love for accounting.

"I have students that still call me and stay in touch," she says. "That part is so special to me that I have impacted their lives. I can't even believe that I get to do that."

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