Trulaske student follows a love of accountancy from ‘The Lou’ to Mizzou
As a student at Edwardsville High School, just outside St. Louis in nearby Edwardsville, Illinois, Holly Williams discovered a love of accountancy. Williams followed that love to the University of Missouri’s Robert J. Trulaske, Sr. College of Business, where she’s helped other students discover that same passion by working as a teaching assistant in the School of Accountancy.
As she prepares to graduate with a master’s in accountancy and a minor in economics, Williams is reflecting on a college career that enabled her to learn, grow and develop … while helping others to do the same.
Why did you choose Mizzou?
Williams: After I visited the campus and Cornell Hall for the first time, I knew that this place could easily become my home away from home. I love that the campus is a botanical garden, and Cornell Hall felt so open and welcoming. After learning about the five-year master’s program and being accepted into the Cornell Leadership Program, I realized how many opportunities, experiences, and memories I could create at Mizzou.
What person at Trulaske played an instrumental role in your college experience and what lessons did you learn from that person?
Williams: It is difficult to name just one person because so many faculty and staff members have helped me get to where I am today. One mentor who has had a particularly meaningful impact on me is Dr. Mary Beth Marrs, the director of the Cornell Leadership Program. She consistently encouraged me to step outside of my comfort zone and challenged me to grow. She has been a role model for me as I continue shaping myself into a businesswoman and leader. To me, she truly represents the definition of a servant leader.
What business class at Trulaske made the biggest impression on you and why?
Williams: For me, it would have to be Accounting 3326, which is commonly referred to as Financial I. This class is one of the first major courses in the accounting program, and it is exciting because it is when you really begin to feel like an accounting major working toward your future career. I also genuinely enjoyed the material. Eventually, I became a teaching assistant for this class and for its subsequent course, Financial II. That role has been incredibly rewarding because I enjoy helping students recognize their strengths and work through challenges.
You really received a global education through Trulaske. Tell us more about that.
Williams: As a sophomore, I participated in the Cornell Leadership Program’s international trip to Panama, where we met with several organizations — including a coffee producer — and volunteered with a local Indigenous community. That trip sparked my passion for travel, as it was my first time leaving the country. It inspired me to study abroad the following year in Europe, where we visited international companies and explored global business perspectives. Later, those experiences led me to become a study abroad student manager, where I had the opportunity to return on the program and help other students learn, grow, and develop their own passion for travel.
How does the Study Abroad program benefit students’ professional growth?
Williams: Trulaske’s winter programs, in particular, provide these opportunities by connecting students with several companies in each country we visit. Through these experiences, students gain insight into prominent industries and business practices that may differ from those in the Midwest. Many students have even leveraged these connections into internship opportunities abroad. For example, a student from the 2026 Europe Winter Program will be returning to Frankfurt, Germany, this summer for an internship. It is inspiring to see the meaningful impact this experience has on students, both personally and professionally.
And how does the program support their personal growth?
Williams: Study abroad gives students the opportunity to step outside of their comfort zones, experience new cultures, and take on challenges that foster personal growth. Learning to navigate unfamiliar cities helps students build independence, while communicating across language barriers and engaging with different perspectives encourages adaptability and open-mindedness. I have seen students walk into their first study abroad meeting feeling timid, nervous, and unsure, and return from their trip with greater confidence and new perspectives on life. This transformation not only changes how they carry themselves but also strengthens their ability to communicate the leadership skills and meaningful lessons they gained from their experience. Saying that I am grateful is not sufficient to describe how fortunate I am to have been a student manager and be able to witness students go through the same perspective shift that I had as a student on a study abroad program.
What are your favorite Mizzou memories?
Williams: It is hard to choose specific favorites, because the moments that stand out the most are often the small ones — running into friends in Cornell Hall or walking to class with my roommates, who are also fellow business students. Those moments remind you how special it is to attend a university with such a beautiful campus and supportive community. Some of the bigger milestones are also memorable, such as being recognized as part of Mizzou ‘39, finishing my final Trulaske Leadership Conference, traveling to Germany for my last CLP trip, and completing my final term as a study abroad student manager. One particularly meaningful moment was at the end of my final program when the students surprised us with ‘I Love Amsterdam’ shirts signed by everyone on the trip.
Looking back on your college career, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learned?
Williams: One of the biggest lessons I have learned is how important relationships and mentorship really are. Some of the most meaningful parts of my time at Mizzou came from the people who took the time to support, challenge, and encourage me along the way. Places like Cornell Hall make it easy to build those connections if you are willing to lean into them. Looking back, I truly would not be where I am today without the mentors, friends, and professors who believed in me and pushed me to grow. Those experiences also showed me how important it is to do the same for others whenever you can. I also learned that imposter syndrome is more common than people think. Trying new things can feel intimidating, but stepping outside of your comfort zone is usually where the most growth happens.
What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
Williams: I would encourage them to remember something I call ‘20 Seconds of Courage.’ In the movie ‘We Bought a Zoo’ Matt Damon explains that all you need to do when you are confronting something scary or new is to try to have 20 seconds of courage to get yourself over that initial trepidation. After those 20 seconds, you will figure it out and have a better idea how to proceed. If that 20 seconds doesn’t go well, you can say that you went out of your comfort zone and tried something new. If it does go well, you could have created a new opportunity that opens so many doors for you.
What’s next for you?
Williams: I am currently working toward taking the exams for my CPA license, and I hope to have that finished before I start at Deloitte in the St. Louis office’s audit practice.
What will you miss most about your time here?
Williams: I will miss all the small moments I discussed earlier. Mizzou, Cornell, and Columbia truly feel like home. When you walk across campus, you feel like you are part of something bigger, and that feeling is especially strong on game days. I have made so many meaningful memories and connections here, and I am incredibly grateful to carry them with me into the next chapter of my life.
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.