Karla Rivas’ journey to a career in accounting began with encouragement, opportunity, and a willingness to take the next step toward her future. Today, the December 2023 Accounting alumna is using the knowledge and experience she gained at Athens State in her role as Finance and Operations Director for the Arts Council for Monterey County in Central California.
Originally from California, Rivas moved to Alabama after high school in search of greater financial stability and educational opportunity. While attending Calhoun Community College, she first learned about Athens State during a visit from Accounting faculty member, Dr. Diann Hammon.
“The first time I heard about Athens State, I was a student at Calhoun in an accounting class,” Rivas said. “I remember Dr. Hammon coming to my class and sharing a brief overview of her career while inviting students to apply to Athens State. She was very genuine, and my professor at the time was also very encouraging. That really gave me the confidence to think, ‘Okay, maybe there’s more beyond community college.’”
That encouragement, paired with scholarship opportunities and a welcoming admissions process, made Athens State stand out among other universities Rivas considered.
The onboarding process at Athens State was the best it could be,” she said. “The admissions team reached out to help me apply and even waived my application fee. They were so kind, and that immediately set the tone for me because applying to universities can feel intimidating. The onboarding process alone told me everything I needed to know about Athens State.
For Rivas, Athens State’s personalized support continued long after enrollment. As an online student, she remained actively involved through campus organizations, networking opportunities, and faculty mentorship that helped her feel connected, despite the distance.
“Dr. Wehlburg sat down with me, looked me in the eyes, and asked about my life, goals, and future,” Rivas said. “I felt truly seen as an Athens State student.”
Throughout her time in the Accounting program, Rivas said faculty members consistently connected classroom concepts to real-world applications, helping students understand how their coursework would translate directly into their careers.
“Professor Emily Corzine, for example, would explain how concepts are applied in actual tax accounting work,” she said. “It gave us insight into what it’s really like to work as an accountant, and that was incredibly motivating.”
Athens State’s emphasis on career readiness also provided Rivas with hands-on opportunities that strengthened her professional experience before graduation. Through networking events hosted by the University, she secured internships with the State of Alabama, conducting sales tax audits, and with Warren Averett during tax season.
“The ‘Meet the Firms’ events hosted by the College of Business were especially impactful because they connected us directly with employers and showed us the possibilities our degrees could lead to,” she said. “I don’t think I would have had those opportunities without Athens State.”
Today, working in nonprofit finance, Rivas says she still relies on lessons learned during her accounting coursework at Athens State.
“So many of the tasks I do every day were things we covered in class,” she said. “I still catch myself thinking, ‘Oh, I remember learning this.’ One thing that especially stayed with me was the emphasis on ethics in accounting. Those conversations prepared me to make thoughtful decisions in my career today.”
Although she never expected to find herself working in the nonprofit sector, Rivas said she has found meaningful work that combines her passion for helping others with the practical skills she developed through her education.
“Overall, Athens State gave me the confidence and tools to begin a successful career,” she said.
Even after graduation, Rivas remains closely connected to the University and is now considering returning to Athens State to pursue a master’s degree. Reflecting on her experience, she says the relationships, mentorship, and career preparation she received made a lasting impact on both her professional and personal life.
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