Trina Pollan has nearly 500 kids – at least, that’s how she sees it. Three are her sons by birth; the rest come via her work as the Adkerson School of Accountancy’s Academic Coordinator. In her, accounting students find someone who offers wise counsel in setting paths toward their career goals while also sharing in their joys and sorrows.

“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she says. “I love being a part of their lives, in playing a role in the direction these kids go. I love seeing their success stories, and I love helping when there’s not a success.”

The 1995 BBA alumna worked in advising for the College of Business from 1998 to 2001, then took some time away to rear her own three sons (one is currently an MSU accounting sophomore). In 2019, she returned to Mississippi State, where she was quickly recruited from another position by ASAC to advise undergraduate accounting students. Last year, she was asked to take the graduate students under her wing as well – a rarity that speaks to her effectiveness.

Her role covers a lot of territory. Pollan touches base with each student at least once a semester, processes all their academic paperwork and clears seniors for graduation. She speaks with prospective students — freshmen, transfers and major changers — and she hosts the ASAP (Accelerating Students into the Accounting Profession) Camp for rising high school seniors. Pollan represents the School to parents and new students at summer orientation sessions. She also serves as advisor for the Accounting and Finance Student Society.

Her latest project is a one-hour course for accounting freshmen, to begin in the fall of 2024. Part of the course will touch on tools for success such as study skills, time management and note taking, as well as the “helping aspects” of campus – like tutoring services, the library, the writing center, the health center and counseling services. Another portion will focus on the curriculum, advising, internships and students’ responsibilities in these areas. Finally, it will cover careers in accounting, in which students will meet faculty, hear from alumni practitioners and learn briefly about the CPA Exam. Since the first three-hour accounting course isn’t until the sophomore year, an introductory accounting lesson will be included as well.

“It’s vital that we get this information to our freshmen at that point in their curriculum,” Pollan states, noting it will not only help them thrive from the outset but also provide perspective, as intern recruiting is starting earlier than ever.

When not on duty, Pollan has found time to pursue a master’s degree in Workforce Education Leadership, to be completed in May. In her off time, she reads, enjoys MSU soccer and football games and loves going to musicals with her mom.

Whatever she undertakes, Pollan invests in wholeheartedly. Mississippi State accounting students and their profession are all the better for it.