Three Southern Miss Students Awarded National PCAOB Scholarships

Wed, 09/02/2026 - 09:43am | By: Michela Guidali-Sexton

Three students in the School of Accountancy at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) have been awarded the prestigious Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholarship, a national honor that recognizes promising future auditors and supports the next generation of accounting professionals.

Students Deamy Alvarado, Johnnie Bines and Mariya Jaufré were each awarded a $15,000 scholarship that will help support their degree completion. This is the first time that three students from Southern Miss have been recognized in the same year.

“Deamy, Johnnie and Mariya have demonstrated their dedication to become successful accounting professionals through their academics and their campus involvement,” said Dr. Blaise Sonnier, director of the School of Accountancy. “The PCAOB reviews applicants from across the country, therefore having three of our own selected in the same year speaks loudly about the caliber of our accounting students. Our faculty are proud of them and glad they will have some financial breathing room to focus on finishing strong.”

Alvarado (Hattiesburg, Miss.), is a first-generation student pursuing a Master of Professional Accountancy after recently graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in accounting and a minor in marketing at Southern Miss.

Alvarado is highly involved on campus as the president of Beta Gamma Sigma, and as the director of chapter information systems for the Student Center for the Public Trust. She also serves as a graduate assistant in the College of Business and Economic Development, where she supports Business Career Services and the Office of Student Success.

“Being named a PCAOB Scholar has given me greater confidence in my ability to succeed in accounting,” said Alvarado. “Receiving this recognition reassured me that the hard work I have invested in my education and professional development is helping me build a strong foundation for my future career.”

Alvarado went on to share that all of her accounting professors played a key role in her development and success at Southern Miss. Her long-term goal is to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and build a career in auditing.

Bines, (New Hebron, Miss.), who is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in accounting and serves as a proud member of Beta Alpha Psi, shared how one particular accounting professor helped him better understand the industry.

“Dr. [Matthew] Sargent played an important role in my success so far by showing me a different perspective on the industry as a whole,” said Bines. “Unlike other courses, which ask ‘what?’ and ‘how?’, his course addressed why we do what we do as accountants and how this impacts our decision making as a whole.”

Jaufré, (Poplarville, Miss.), who plans to graduate with her bachelor’s degree this December, shared how transferring to Southern Miss changed her career trajectory.

“When I transferred to Southern Miss, I was unsure if I wanted to continue the path I was on or venture out,” said Jaufré. “I decided to take ACC 200 as an elective and everything changed. Dr. [Nell] Adkins was a phenomenal professor, and I realized accounting was something I could see myself doing as a career.”

Serving as president of the Student Center for the Public Trust and Beta Alpha Psi’s reporting secretary, Jaufré has learned valuable leadership skills, built relationships with peers and faculty, and networked at regional events. Jaufré plans to begin her career in public accounting and specialize in auditing, before moving into fraud and forensic accounting.

“Having three Southern Miss students selected as PCAOB Scholars in the same year is an extraordinary accomplishment and a tremendous point of pride for our college,” said Dr. J. Bret Becton, dean of the College of Business and Economic Development. “Deamy, Johnnie and Mariya exemplify the talent, determination, and professionalism we strive to develop in our students. Their recognition on a national level also speaks to the outstanding work of our accounting faculty who challenge, mentor and prepare students to succeed in the profession. I am incredibly proud of these students and excited to see where their careers take them.”

About the PCAOB Scholars Program
Since 2011, the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) has administered a scholarship program for undergraduate and graduate accounting students enrolled in accredited U.S. colleges and universities. The PCAOB Scholars Program is mandated by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and is funded through monetary penalties collected as part of PCAOB enforcement actions. The PCAOB Scholars Program seeks to benefit students who are likely to become auditors and to make a difference to students who might otherwise choose a different career path.

About the College of Business and Economic Development 
The College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi prepares students for success through applied learning, leadership development and nationally recognized academic programs. The AACSB-accredited college offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, including an MBA program that has been consistently ranked among leading programs by U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. Experiential learning is central to the college’s approach. Students gain real-world experience through client-based projects, internships, and employer engagement, supported by industry partners and an active alumni network. Located in Scianna Hall, the college provides access to specialized resources including the Center for Entrepreneurship, App Development Lab, Finance Lab, and Professional Sales Lab, where students develop in-demand skills through hands-on application and national competition.