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Ph.D. Students in Residence
Xi Ai
Xi is a fourth-year doctoral student with research interests in auditing, international accounting, and mergers and acquisitions. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Arkansas in 2014. Prior to starting the doctoral program, Xi worked in the International Accounting Division of Tyson Foods’ global headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas. Her duties included overseeing financial reporting and implementing SOX, SAP, and cost accounting systems in Tyson’s foreign locations. Xi is a licensed CPA in the state of Arkansas and is a licensed CMA. Email: xai2@vols.utk.edu
Jason Ashby
Jason is a fourth-year doctoral student with research interests in financial reporting, voluntary disclosure, business combinations, and fair value accounting. His teaching interests are financial accounting and managerial accounting. Jason earned his bachelor’s degree, double majoring in accounting and economics, and his master’s degree in accounting from Brigham Young University in April 2017. Prior to starting the doctoral program, Jason taught a principles of accounting course at Brigham Young University and interned at Squire & Company PC in their advisory division. Jason also taught intermediate financial accounting while in the doctoral program. Email: jashby@vols.utk.edu
Jack Badger
Jack is a first-year doctoral student with research interests in financial reporting and tax. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi in 2016. Jack is a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina. Prior to entering the Ph.D program, Jack worked as a valuation consultant at DHG and as a tax associate at PwC. Email: jbadger1@vols.utk.edu
Jason Bangert
Jason is a second-year doctoral student with research interests in financial reporting and corporate governance. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Truman State University in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Jason is a member of the American Accounting Association and a licensed CPA in the state of Missouri. Prior to entering the Ph.D. program, he was a Tax Associate at PwC in St. Louis, Missouri. Email: jbangert@vols.utk.edu
Laurie Ereddia
Laurie is a second-year doctoral student with research interests in auditing, financial reporting, and corporate governance. Laurie earned her bachelor’s and master’s of accounting degrees at Kennesaw State University. She is an Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program (ADSP) Scholar. Prior to entering the Ph.D. program, Laurie worked as an Audit Associate at Grant Thornton in Atlanta, GA and as a Controller for a small business. She also taught introductory accounting at Kennesaw State University. Laurie is a member of the American Accounting Association and is a licensed CPA in the State of Georgia. Email: lereddia@vols.utk.edu
Kory Maag
Kory is a first-year doctoral student with research interests in financial reporting and corporate governance. Kory earned his bachelor of business administration, accounting as well as a masters of financial management from Texas A&M University in 2020. In addition, Kory taught an entry level business class to freshmen during the Fall semesters of 2016, 2017, and 2019. While at Texas A&M, Kory completed internships in internal audit and store operations at Academy Sports + Outdoors in Katy, TX, as well as an assurance internship at EY in Charlotte, NC. Email: kmaag@vols.utk.edu
Stefan Slavov
Stefan is a third-year doctoral student with research interests in auditing, corporate governance, and disclosure. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky in 2014 and his master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame in 2015. He is an Accounting Doctoral Scholars Program (ADSP) Scholar, a member of the American Accounting Association, and is a licensed CPA in the state of Kentucky. Prior to entering the Ph.D. program, Stefan was an Audit Senior with Deloitte in Cincinnati, OH. He has experience auditing both public and private companies, primarily in the life sciences and manufacturing industries. He enjoys spending time with friends and family, soccer, Kentucky basketball, food, culture, and exploring nature in East Tennessee. Email: sslavov@vols.utk.edu
Danielle Stanley
Danielle is a third-year doctoral student with research interests in taxation, financial reporting, and corporate governance. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from East Carolina University in 2012 and 2014, respectively. Prior to starting the doctoral program, Danielle worked as a Tax Senior Associate with Dixon Hughes Goodman. She is a licensed CPA in the state of North Carolina. Email: dstanl10@vols.utk.edu