2021 Outstanding Educator of the Year

Simmons University Professor Charlene Spiceland, PhD, CPA, CMA, was selected as the 2021 Outstanding Educator of the Year by the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA), the professional association of certified public accountants, representing over 11,000 members. Each year, the MSCPA recognizes a full-time accounting educator at a college or university who has demonstrated excellence in a classroom teaching, motivating students and inspiring educational innovation.  
 
Spiceland was selected for her excellence in teaching and motivating students, as well as her contribution to the accounting profession, active participation in the Society and her efforts in serving as a liaison between the classroom and the business world.

Since joining Simmons University as an accounting program coordinator in 2016, she has developed and taught all the accounting courses in the curriculum, served as academic advisor, championed the program in the business community, developed a successful internship program and spearheaded the establishment of a Beta Alpha Psi chapter. She takes pride in personally mentoring each of her students regarding academic, career and life decisions. 

Prior to joining the academic community, Spiceland enjoyed a successful career in industry where she held several leadership positions including CFO for a division of First Data. Since becoming a member of academe, she has received numerous university, college and departmental awards for her teaching, research, service and technological innovations in the classroom. She is a prolific author and presenter of issues dealing with accounting education.
 
Actively involved in service to the accounting profession, extensively in education-related capacities, Spiceland has served for three years on the Tennessee State Board of Accountancy and continues to be active in the National Association of State Boards of Accounting where she served on the Education Committee. She is an active member of the American Accounting Association where she served as president of the Southeast Region. She is also an active member of the MSCPA's Academic and Career Development Committee. 
   
“The MSCPA is thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this remarkable woman for her outstanding contributions to her students, her community and the accounting profession,” said Amy Pitter, president and CEO of the MSCPA.  
 
Spiceland has five children with her husband David, six grandchildren, three dogs and two birds.

About the Massachusetts Society of CPAs:   
The Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants, Inc. is the state professional association of certified public accountants, representing over 11,000 members in public accounting practice, industry and business, government and education. The Society works to develop and maintain high professional standards and offers a wide array of legislative, technical and referral services to its members.  

  
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