CHICAGO, June 12, 2019 – The Illinois CPA Society recently honored Bridgette E. Mahan, CPA, MBA, Instructor and Co-Chair of Business Department, Harold Washington College, with its 2019 Outstanding Educator Award. Mahan was recognized for significant contributions to accounting education in Illinois through leadership, teaching excellence and active involvement in the accounting profession.

She received the award on Tuesday, June 4 at the Illinois CPA Society’s annual Leadership Recognition and Awards Dinner in Chicago.

Prior to becoming an instructor, Mahan worked in public accounting and in the banking industry. During her 15-year career as an internal banking auditor, she led her department’s college recruitment efforts and met with students. She said that experience enabled her to see the correlation between academics and applying skills for future success in the workplace.

“My teaching philosophy is based on the belief that all meaningful teaching must be linked to application,” said Mahan. “I encourage my students to realize their classroom experience is a joint venture between us, with each of us having a stake and a share in the eventual outcome.”

Mahan received her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She later earned an MBA from Rutgers University Graduate School of Management in Newark, N.J.