When Gerald Schiele arrived at Missouri State University in August 2020, he could not have imagined how the university would shape him or how he would impact those around him.

What began as a practical choice soon became a defining chapter in his academic and personal development.

“These years taught me that leadership starts with heart and the courage to keep showing up,” said Schiele, who will graduate with his master’s degree this December.

Finding the right fit

A Master of Accountancy student, Schiele grew up in the Kansas City, Missouri, area. His mother’s steady guidance taught him to stay focused, work hard and believe in the power of education to change lives.

He started at Missouri State as a finance major, aiming to become a financial advisor. But after shadowing professionals and completing an internship, he knew the field was not for him.

A high school teacher introduced him to a partner at a Big Four accounting firm, leading to an accounting internship. That experience changed his trajectory.

“It clicked. I saw a path where I could grow, contribute and build a long-term career,” said Schiele, who earned his BS in Accounting in May 2024.

Growing into leadership

As a Bear, Schiele stepped into leadership roles across campus. These include community service chair for the Association of Black Collegians; director of diversity equity and inclusion and public relations director for Beta Alpha Psi; and chief financial officer of the Student Government Association.

Each role offered a lesson: collaborating with people from different backgrounds, organizing complex schedules and staying accountable to the groups he served.

“I wanted to give others the same experience I received,” Schiele said. “If no one steps up, organizations fade. I didn’t want that to happen.”

His academic success and commitment to the university’s public affairs mission earned him one of the 2024-25 Citizen Scholar Award. This is the highest award available to Missouri State students.
He also received the Joseph Daniel Delp Award from the College of Business, an honor he considers one of his proudest achievements. This award is given to a graduating senior from the college who has shown outstanding achievement, performance, leadership and perseverance.

Striking a balance

Schiele’s college experience was packed with academics, leadership, internships, mentoring and scholarship commitments. Balancing it all took more than time management — it required intention.

He depended on his Outlook calendar, tracked assignments in a spreadsheet and followed one principle his mother instilled early on: school comes first. That foundation fueled his academic and professional growth.

According to Schiele, the accounting program gave him the structure and real-world expectations he will carry into the workplace. It taught him everything from meeting deadlines to upholding high standards of performance.

His internships strengthened those lessons. Over the past few years, Schiele has served in several tax roles, gaining experience at firms in Springfield and Kansas City. He saw firsthand how technical knowledge applies in practice. Those experiences helped him build confidence, sharpen his skills and confirm that tax was the right path for his future.

“I gained more than technical knowledge; I learned how to be a professional,” he said.

Looking ahead with gratitude

After graduation, Schiele will return to Kansas City to begin his career in the tax department at Forvis Mazars. He carries with him the lessons, mentors and memories that shaped his Missouri State journey.

Eager to see current and future students thrive, he shared this advice: “Go Bears! Get involved, stay focused and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Your professors are here to support you.”

Find out more about the School of Accountancy