Class of 2024 Profile: Rami Merayyan

Rami Merayyan, a Columbia, Missouri native, always knew Mizzou was the place for him—its campus and traditions were the backdrop to his childhood. His love for problem-solving and mathematics led him to the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, where he found a perfect fit in the master of accountancy program.

Throughout his time at Mizzou, Rami grew both personally and professionally, gaining invaluable leadership skills and real-world experience through internships and challenging coursework. As he looks ahead to his career, Rami is excited to study for the CPA exam and begin his journey as an auditor with EY in St. Louis.

Why did you choose Mizzou?

I grew up in Columbia, Missouri—born and raised. Mizzou's campus is a reflection of my childhood. From seeing the games in the fall to having ice cream with my family at the columns, this place is my home, and I did not want to leave.

What motivated you to pursue your field at Trulaske?

I really enjoyed mathematics and problem-solving during high school. Pursuing a degree in accountancy at the Trulaske College of Business was the perfect marriage between the two. It gives me an overwhelming sense of accomplishment whenever I am able to resolve an accounting issue. 

What person at Trulaske played an instrumental role in your college experience and what lessons did you learn from that person?

Dr. Bruce Runyan played an instrumental role in my college experience and years at Trulaske. He always made sure to incorporate life skills with personal skills, which I appreciate so much. He has also a great guy to talk to whenever you are at a crossroads in life and need some guidance. 

What business class at Trulaske made the biggest impression on you and why?

My graduate-level accounting capstone course made the biggest impression on me. The accountancy program makes sure that students understand the fundamentals extremely well, however we often miss the bigger picture. The graduate-level capstone course brings in real-world scenarios that add upon the information we learned in our fundamental classes. Doing so allows everything to come full circle, resulting in a greater level of understanding of the subject matter.

Was there an obstacle that you had to overcome while a student at Trulaske and if so, how did you overcome it?

Stress can often be present in the lives of students and slow them down. I've definitely had my fair share of stress and then some while studying. It’s important to know yourself and how stress can impact you and your ability to persevere. I overcame the stress I faced by planning out my assignments and personal life in a sustainable fashion. I would make sure I did enough throughout the day to relax while still completing my assignments by their required deadlines. 

What kind of leadership skills have you gained at the Trulaske College of Business?

Communication and flexibility are the two most important skills to leaders today. There is no ideal way of leading a group without having those two important aspects in dealing with your team. Being able to talk to your team and adjust as needed to meet deadlines is what the real world is all about, understanding that now gives you a head start. I am fortunate to have learned these skills throughout my time at the college of business and I plan to implement in my future careers.

What experience-centered learning opportunities at Trulaske have helped you the most and how will you apply them to your business career?

The experience-centered learning opportunity that helped me the most was being able to complete an internship without stopping my degree. I was able to earn credit during my time away from Columbia and learn so much from it. The three major takeaways from my internship were how to: communicate, apply what I learned in class to the real world and how to grow as an individual.

What are your favorite Mizzou memories?

The football games were always fun, albeit a rough start, but a fantastic finish. Having two seasons with thrilling wins are memories I will never forget. 4th and 17 against Florida in the 2023 season, Brady Cook’s injured game against Auburn, and the scoop and score against Oklahoma are some of my favorites if I had to name a few. I definitely will be coming back for Mizzou Homecoming games in the coming years as well as the Kansas game in the 2025 season. 

Looking back on your college career, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned?

Looking back on my college career, I learned that nothing ever goes as initially planned, and you need to be okay with that. Something as simple as working on an assignment requires both planning and adaptability to unforeseen changes or problems.  This concept also showed up in my work with the student organization I have been a part of during my time at Mizzou. No matter the amount of planning we have done when planning an event or working towards a common goal, it is important to be able to adapt to the situation at hand. 

What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?

My advice to incoming freshmen would be to just say yes to any opportunity that comes up. I was able to get so far here at Mizzou, the Trulaske College of Business and at my work by just showing up. It’s even more important to show face in the age of Zoom meetings and virtual events. If the opportunity doesn’t require more than a slight rescheduling, then go for it. The people you meet today could be the very ones that open doors for you in the future. 

What’s next for you?

After graduation, I will be studying for my CPA exam with plans to take the exam in fall of 2025. After that, I will begin working as an auditor with EY in St. Louis, Missouri.