Finding his place, helping others find theirs

When Maarten Pederson visited the University of Missouri, he saw more than a beautiful campus. He saw a place where he could build his future.

A strong accounting program first drew the Palatine, Illinois, native to Mizzou, but the campus itself helped seal the deal.

"I chose Mizzou for our great accounting program and because I loved the campus when I visited," Pederson said. "It felt like the perfect size and a place where I would have the chance to succeed."

Pederson transferred from Harper College, a community college near his hometown, to pursue his education at the Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business. Now a junior in the college's integrated bachelor's and master's program in accountancy, he's making the most of the opportunities that attracted him to Mizzou — and helping others do the same.

As a Summer Welcome leader in 2026, Pederson helped incoming students and their families prepare for their first semester, drawing on his own experience navigating a new campus.

"As a transfer student, I knew what it was like to be new to campus, so it was incredibly rewarding to help incoming students and their families get ready for their first semester," he said.

Now, he's taking that commitment a step further as a newly hired Trulaske ambassador. In the role, Pederson looks forward to introducing prospective students to the college and serving as a resource for them and their families as they explore their own futures at Mizzou.

Pederson has also embraced opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, including a Trulaske Study Abroad trip to New York City, where he visited businesses and gained a firsthand look at the professional world.

"Getting to see businesses up close in one of the biggest cities in the world was an experience I'll take with me into my career," he said.

Those experiences are already paying off. Pederson recently accepted an internship with Ernst & Young in Chicago, where he'll have an opportunity to apply the skills he's developing at Mizzou.

Set to graduate in December 2028, Pederson is looking forward to the next chapter. But he's equally grateful for the decision that brought him to Columbia.

"Transferring to Mizzou has been one of the best decisions I have ever made," he said.