Great professors don’t just teach the material — they make you want to learn it.
For Accountancy Professor Meghann Abell Cefaratti, that ability to spark curiosity, connect with students and make an impact beyond the classroom has earned her another well-deserved title.
Cefaratti — who serves as Deloitte Foundation Professor of Accountancy, director of certifications and licensure, and director of internal audit education partnership for NIU — received a 2026 Outstanding Educator Award from the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS). The ICPAs recognizes educators who have made continuous and outstanding contributions to accounting education, have demonstrated excellence in teaching and have provided service to the profession. Cefaratti has prioritized linking her classroom to the profession to support students’ abilities to have an immediate positive impact in their careers.
“To receive recognition for what I love to do is incredibly meaningful,” Cefaratti said. “I honestly teared up when I was told I had received the award. The Illinois CPA Society is passionate about helping our students as they join the accounting profession, so to be recognized by them is validation of our efforts at NIU to provide the very best education to our students.”
Cefaratti noted that her accountancy colleagues Jim Young, Don Tidrick and Natalie Churyk have been previously recognized by ICPAS, and being held in a similar regard for her contributions to accounting education has been an incredible experience.
Each day in her classes, Cefaratti aims to encourage resiliency in our students.
“Our students are amazing and will inevitably push our profession forward as they mature in their careers,” she said. “I hope to help them understand that it is OK to try something and not be successful at first. That does not mean that you are not meant to go for it; keep pushing forward! Your professors at NIU believe in you.”
Behind her teaching, Cefaratti is certain about her team’s core values and the college’s mission.
“The NIU College of Business and our accountancy team have always recognized the value of encouraging academic diversity of thought,” she said.
Cefaratti is grateful to Dean Joan Philips-Hernandez for appreciating the many areas of accounting and for each wave and smile in her classroom while she is teaching.
“Everyday moments like that demonstrate her commitment to encouraging us to be at our best in the classroom,” she said.
She also credits Brad Cripe, Department of Accountancy and Finance’s interim chair.
“He’s always supportive of innovative pedagogical approaches. Because of his commitment to providing our students with the very best education, my students and I have been able to pursue goals in education that are firsts in the profession,” Cefaratti said.
For instance, last fall, NIU’s accountancy program was the only university in the nation to lead its students through two sections of the Certified Internal Auditor exam from the Institute of Internal Auditors.
“I can have a positive impact on my students because of the fantastic support that Brad provides to me. NIU is a team!” she said, adding that the best part of receiving this award has been being able to share the news with her family.
“I have had amazing support from my parents, John Abell and Barbara Wineland, throughout my entire academic career starting with preschool,” Cefaratti said, adding that her parents always modelled hard work and emphasized making the most of opportunities afforded by education. “And, my little girls, Annie and Clara, have provided more smiles, giggles and moments of joy than I can count. I love getting to include them in my work life, and they understand that mommy loves being a teacher.”
