Nancy Hill, professor, receives a Via Sapientiae Award Sunday, June 11, 2017, during the DePaul University Driehaus College of Business commencement ceremony at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, IL. (DePaul University/Jamie Moncrief)
June marked the end of an era at DePaul as Professor Nancy Hill retired from DePaul’s School of Accountancy & Management Information Systems with over 27 years of dedicated service. At her final commencement ceremony, Hill received the Via Sapientiae Award, the highest academic award that the university can bestow upon a member of its community. This award recognized Hill’s distinctive and extraordinary contributions to the university.
“Working with accounting students was a great experience,” says Hill. “It was an honor to be recognized for enhancing our students’ understanding of the business world and helping them extend their abilities and skills.”
Hill joined DePaul’s School of Accountancy & MIS in 1990 after completing her PhD in accounting. She taught managerial accounting and information for decision making to undergraduate and graduate students, who considered her a tough but effective instructor. In 2000, she was asked to establish DePaul’s Office of Teaching, Learning and Assessment (TLA). Under Hill’s leadership, the university made major strides in assessing and improving student learning.
“My work in assessment in the school and across the university provided me many leadership opportunities,” says Hill. “I am pleased that the university-wide assessment plan developed under my leadership remains successful today and is meaningful in ensuring that students are learning material most relevant to their field of study.”
Hill’s commitment to creating a culture of assessment at DePaul extended beyond her tenure at TLA. She has continued to be an assessment ambassador, encouraging her faculty colleagues to embrace the potential of the process. For her efforts, DePaul honored Hill with the Spirit of Assessment Award in 2015. From 2006-2010, she served as associate dean for academic quality for the Driehaus College of Business, where she strengthened the assessment processes aimed at improving the quality of education. Those processes have been acknowledged by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
“During her career at DePaul, Hill always found time to encourage students and mentor junior colleagues,” says Associate Professor John Ahern, who worked with Hill. “She has been a thoughtful scholar, a trailblazing leader and a respected colleague who consistently and selflessly placed the needs of the university at the forefront.” In 2010, Hill returned to the classroom as the Ezerski Endowed Chair, the first endowed chair in the School of Accountancy & MIS.
The honor recognized her distinguished contributions to accounting education at DePaul. Her commitment to accounting and scholarship has extended beyond the campus. Through the years, Hill has maintained her Certified Management Accountant and Certified Public Accountant credentials. She also has published more than 25 articles focused on managerial accounting, accounting education, assessment, ethics and executive compensation.
“Nancy Hill served on or chaired countless departmental, college and university committees, and proved to be a valuable mentor to junior faculty during her time at DePaul,” says Ahern. “She built on her passion for teaching to help establish a culture of assessment at DePaul, improving the quality of instruction the university offers.”