Scott Barron

Seeking the Challenge

Scott Barron (UT, ’01) is no stranger to a challenge. He works full-time as the director of parish ministries for Knoxville’s Sacred Heart Cathedral and raises three young daughters with his wife, Kristin, all while completing his Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree from Haslam.

“One of the mottoes from the last school I worked at was ‘Seek the challenge, live an extraordinary life,’” Barron recalls. “I can’t do anything halfway.”

A native of Queens, New York, Barron moved to Nashville as a young adult, where he decided to attend UT after falling in love with Rocky Top.

After graduation, he moved to Virginia for a few years, where he worked in sports management and moonlighted as an EMT. At the age of 30, wanting to test his physical limits, he became a firefighter, finishing his training near the top of his class. Over time, he rose to the rank of sergeant in the fire department, developing strong leadership and decision-making skills under pressure. He took the news that it would be three years before he could drive the fire truck as another challenge. After proving himself, he was driving it within a year.

Working as a first responder deeply impacted Barron, helping him better handle stress. In comparison, the stresses of juggling MAcc coursework with other responsibilities are less intense.

“When we’re feeling stressed, I remind my classmates that no one’s life is in our hands today,” Barron says. “When you have been inside a burning house or tried to help someone having a heart attack, it puts other things in perspective.”

While he explored other industries early in his career, Barron has long been interested in economics. His father was a forensic accountant for the FBI, and Barron suspects he inherited a talent for numbers.

“I didn’t want to be like my dad, so I stepped away from it,” he says. “Now that I’m back in it, I’m wondering why I ever left.”

This interest in numbers stayed with Barron during his time as a physical education teacher and campus leader at Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, where he eventually realized he was ready for a new challenge. When his boss asked if he’d considered a master’s in accounting, Barron reached out to Robert Fuller, Haslam’s MAcc program director.

Fuller, now the head of Haslam’s Department of Accounting and Information Management and the EY Professor in Accounting, says Barron’s positive attitude and natural mentorship have made a significant impression.

“Scott takes a sincere interest in the people around him, and I notice that students walk away from talking with him feeling encouraged, confident, and a little more hopeful,” Fuller says. “He’s a reminder that success is not only measured by grades, but also by the way we care for one another.”

MAcc classmate Steven Bankston (HCB, ’07; MAcc, ’26) appreciates how Barron is consistently thoughtful and engaging, even when busy or tired.

“The next chapter of your life is only a ‘yes’ and some hard work away.”
—Scott Barron

“You’ll almost always find him chatting with a student or professor,” Bankston says. “He checks in with us to see how we’re doing and if he can be helpful. Having him in our cohort has really enhanced my experience, and I think all our classmates would agree.”

Beyond his supportive nature, Michael McCay, vice president and executive director of the UT Alumni Association, also admires Barron’s resolve.

“Kudos to him for successfully juggling a full-time job with a master’s program,” McCay says. “I think Scott can be a model for midcareer professionals who have had great careers but want to enhance their skill set or learn a new one. The opportunities are there at Haslam.”

After graduating this year, Barron plans to take his CPA exams and apply his new skills in his role at Sacred Heart. He wants to become more involved in mentoring those around him who are trying to take the next step in their careers.

His first piece of mentorship advice?

“If I can do this, anyone can. The next chapter of your life is only a ‘yes’ and some hard work away. Seek the challenge, make a difference, and live an extraordinary life.”