Dr. Valerie C Simmons

Dr. Valerie Simmons graduated with a Ph.D. in Business Administration (Accounting concentration) from Kennesaw State University in 2022, where she was named the 2022 Outstanding Ph.D. Student. Before receiving her Ph.D., Dr. Simmons was an accounting instructor at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) for many years. During her time at USM, Dr. Simmons received the Business Advisory Council Research Award in the spring of 2024, the Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Service Award in 2019, the Joseph A. Greene Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018, the Business Advisory Council Service Award in 2014, and the Business Advisory Council Teaching Award in 2011. Dr. Simmons’ primary research interests include corporate governance, current issues in accounting education, and the effects of individual behavioral characteristics on corporate outcomes. Dr. Simmons is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and has previous experience as a CPA in public accounting and as a controller for a private family business.