A Drive for Success: Whitman Accounting Student Pursues a Master’s Degree and CPA Certification While Encouraging Others

Gabrielle Stringer ‘25 was a motivated and dedicated student in both her academic and extracurricular pursuits. She obtained a master’s degree in Professional Accounting at the Whitman School of Management, while also studying for a Certified Public Accounting (CPA) license, and she was persistent in her desire to achieve success. With an unwavering commitment to her education, Stringer is well on her way to achieving an impactful career.

After graduating from Hartwick College in three years, Stringer decided to move on to her next journey, a master’s degree from the Whitman School. “I wanted to join Whitman because this program is incredibly well renowned in the business world,” says Stringer. She acknowledges Tim Findlay, assistant director of student recruitment and fellow Hartwick alum, for playing a crucial role in her decision to choose Whitman as her next chapter. “Knowing someone who knew where I was coming from made me more comfortable,” Stringer says, noting she found in Findlay a guide and mentor when transitioning into Whitman.

Among her other achievements, Stringer actively gives back to the community in and outside of the classroom. During her undergraduate years, Stringer was awarded the 2024 Best Tax Preparer through Hartwick’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, where she provided tax assistance to those in need within a short timeframe. “It was a very rewarding experience,” she adds.

At Whitman, Stringer also worked as a teaching assistant for an undergraduate accounting class, where she was able to mentor students through her accounting skills. Although she has a knack for accounting she doesn’t fail to recognize its difficulties. “I tell my students all the time that if you are on the right track, you're going to get it. It’s new and takes time,” she says.

Reflecting on her time at Whitman, Stringer says, “The Whitman School of Management strives to make sure every student succeeds. They don’t just hand out A’s but rather ensure that you truly understand and are learning the material, making their classes geared towards the working world. They want their students to do well in school as well as in the real world.”

Looking into her journey after Whitman, Stringer returned to her previous internship at Ernst & Young (EY), where she is working in the FSO tax division managing tax returns for foundations, partnerships, and S-corps in the Albany, New York, office.

By Anna Momo