Skip to main content

Lori Simonsen Honored with Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Award

Lori Simonsen, a Lecturer in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s School of Accounting, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Award.

  • published: 2026/06/01
  • contact: Melissa Lindell Kozak - Sr. Director of Communications & Marketing - UNO CBA
  • email: melissalindell@unomaha.edu
Professional headshot of a smiling woman with shoulder-length wavy blonde hair, wearing a black blazer over a light-colored blouse and a small necklace. She is facing the camera against a plain gray background.

Lori Simonsen, a Lecturer in the University of Nebraska at Omaha’s School of Accounting, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Award. The honoree is selected by Beta Alpha Psi students in recognition of commitment to excellence in accounting education and student engagement.

Lori is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Nebraska. She is a member of the Nebraska Society of Certified Public Accountants and serves on the Education Advisory Committee of the Nebraska Board of Public Accountancy. Lori has over a decade of experience in public accounting, primarily in taxation. She earned her Master of Accounting from UNO and currently teaches courses in tax, financial, and managerial accounting. She teaches in both the undergraduate, BSBA program, and the Master of Accounting program.

Through her teaching, Lori emphasizes experiential learning and real-world application of accounting principles and tax law. She developed the Accounting Internship Experiential Learning Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) course, which was piloted during the Spring 2026 semester. Lori is also a certified volunteer for VITA.

“I am incredibly honored to receive this recognition, especially because it comes from the students,” Lori said. “Building meaningful connections with students and supporting them as they pursue their goals is the most rewarding part of teaching for me.”

“Returning to college after a long break was intimidating, and I carried a lot of uncertainty with me walking back into a classroom. But from the moment I stepped into Mrs. Simonsen’s basic tax class on my very first day, that fear was replaced with confidence and excitement. In that moment, I knew I had made the right decision to attend UNO. Mrs. Simonsen’s genuine passion for tax and deep love for the accounting profession were contagious, and they completely changed the trajectory of my career. She helped me see what was possible and inspired me to pursue a future as a tax professional. More than an outstanding teacher, she has been a constant mentor and advocate for her students, always believing in us even when we may not yet believe in ourselves. These are only a few of the many reasons why she so truly deserves the Outstanding Faculty Award,” said Russ Butler, former president for Gamma Kappa Chapter of Beta Alpha Psi.

“We are proud to recognize Lori with this award. She sets a high standard for teaching excellence and is deeply committed to preparing students for successful careers in accounting,” said Dr. Xiaoyan Cheng, faculty advisor for Beta Alpha Psi.

The School of Accounting praised Lori’s impact beyond the classroom.

“Lori leads by example,” said Dr. Roopa Venkatesh, CMA, Director of the School of Accounting. “She sets a high standard for performance and quality, encouraging both students and faculty to pursue innovative approaches that enhance learning and career readiness.”

The Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate excellence in teaching, dedication to student success, and meaningful contributions to the accounting profession.