Michelle Kusaila of Central Connecticut State University Honored with CTCPA’s ‘Educator of Excellence’ Award

The Educators of Excellence Award (the “Eddy”) honors the critical role accounting educators play in nurturing accounting students and CPA candidates. At this year’s Recognition Reception, we honored Accounting Professor Michelle Kusaila of Central Connecticut State University.

Here is an excerpt from her winning nomination:

[Professor Michelle] mentors with patience, clarity, and genuine care, helping students understand complex material while also guiding them toward their academic and career goals.

She makes accounting feel meaningful by connecting lessons to real‑world ethics, professional growth, and long‑term success. Her encouragement, availability, and willingness to help, whether through extra support, career advice, or simple motivation, have made a real difference in students’ confidence and direction.

Michelle holds a Ph.D. from Walden University, an M.S. in Accounting from the University of Hartford, and a B.S. in Accounting from UCONN. She began her career in public accounting with a focus in audit and is a Connecticut CPA and Certified Fraud Examiner. She teaches auditing, technology, and fraud to graduate and undergraduate students.