December graduate Jack Pope shares leadership lessons learned at Trulaske

Jack Pope is one of many students who will be graduating from the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business in December. Pope, who will be receiving both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accountancy, will return to his hometown of St. Louis to begin a career as an audit associate with KPMG. We spoke with Pope about the travel and leadership opportunities provided through Trulaske that proved to be transformative experiences.

Why did you choose Mizzou? 

Pope: I chose Mizzou because my oldest brother Alec went to Mizzou and was a student in the Trulaske College of Business. One weekend I came to visit my brother and got to go to a football game with him. Seeing the environment of Mizzou and watching Mizzou in their first season in the SEC created my dream of coming to Mizzou at the age of 9.

Did anyone at Trulaske shape your time here?

Pope: I think the person who played a big role in my college experience is Kate Elmore [recruitment coordinator at Trulaske]. When I was a sophomore, I realized I was behind my peers because I did not get involved my freshman year. I started joining organizations like Alpha Kappa Psi, Association of Accounting Students, and Camp Trulaske. But I knew that joining organizations was not enough, I needed leadership positions to obtain leadership experience. Kate Elmore was the person who gave me my first real leadership experience. She picked me as a sophomore to be a Tri-Director with Jack Kish and Garrett Frey. The experience was unbelievable as we led 60 counselors and over 200 campers through a camp the weekend before the fall semester started. This allowed me to see who I was as a leader and take this experience and utilize it for other leadership positions I would acquire throughout my tenure at Mizzou. Kate also made me an ambassador of the Trulaske College of Business, which allowed me to share with prospective students how Mizzou can change your life. I love to call Kate my school mom because she has served that role ever since I met her. She is always the person I can go to when I need advice. I have learned from her to not stress out so much about the little things and enjoy the pure moments college offers. 

Were there any particular Trulaske classes that made a significant impact on you?

Pope: I think the class that made the biggest impression on me is my Fraud Examination graduate accounting course with Dr. Bartley. The concepts we learn each week relate to something tangible in the real world and we have heard from amazing guest speakers with experience with massive fraud scandals. I have taken four total classes with Dr. Bartley, and I believe she is arguably the best professor in the Trulaske College of Business. No matter the day, she always has a smile on her face and is upbeat about what she is teaching. She always makes sure that we are doing okay and always requests feedback about how she can be the best professor for us. 

What kind of obstacles did you face in college?

Pope: In high school, I was not your above-and-beyond student who did the best in school or got involved. When I came to the Trulaske College of Business, I realized how important grades and involvement were. I pushed myself to do well in school my freshman year and I was successful. I then reached out to my cousin Lucy, who graduated from the Trulaske College of Business and was a member of the Cornell Leadership Program. She recommended I apply for it and wrote me a letter of recommendation. Mary Beth Marrs and Stacy Rohr took a chance on me and let me into the program even though I did not have the high ACT scores or large involvement in high school. They saw something in me that I had not seen in myself just yet. My admittance into this prestigious program showed me that I have the ability to be a top student and gave me the confidence to join other organizations. 

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

Pope: Through the Cornell Leadership Program, I was selected to attend various trips to unique places like New York City, Denver, Chicago, St. Louis, Panama, and Germany. These opportunities allowed me to explore different parts of the world and gain various experiences in a variety of industries. What I learned through these trips is making connections is what separates people from being the best of the best. The ability to network and taking over a room is what makes you a great leader. 

Mizzou’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business prepares students for success as global citizens, business leaders, scholars, innovators and entrepreneurs by providing access to transformative technologies, offering experience-centered learning opportunities and fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.