Trista Sanders focuses on the music. She waits for her cue, jumps into the air, and then dances across the studio floor in the Huey P. Long Fieldhouse. Her eyes stare intently at the other performers, and she enjoys the opportunity to dance. But this accounting senior’s seemingly carefree attitude and the star tattoos on her shoulder should not fool anyone. This woman means business – literally. Sanders academic drive has helped her achieve the highest student score worldwide on the International Internal Auditor Exam – the certification exam for internal auditing. The LSU Center for Internal Auditing was developed more than 20 years ago to serve as the pilot school for the Institute of Internal Auditors. Sanders is the University’s 16th student in the past 20 years to have the highest student score on the exam. William Lane, interim dean of the E.J. Ourso College of Business, said the program is integral to the business college’s success. “[LSUCIA] really has been the gateway by which we’ve gained a national reputation,” he said. The exam is divided into four parts, and the examinee can choose how many of those four sections they want to complete. Sanders said she studied for all four parts of the internal audit exam. LSUCIA Director Glenn Sumners told her she should study for approximately 150 hours for the exam. The internal audit program involves three semesters of study and prepares students for the CIA exam. For Sanders, finding the time to study was difficult in the midst of searching for a job. She was traveling to Chicago, San Francisco and New York City while still finding the time to study for the approaching test date. “I was studying, but it was on the plane, and it was in my car,” Sanders said. Sanders said she did not think she had the time to really study for the exam and said when she finished the test, she was not sure she even passed all four parts. Sanders said she originally had little interest in internal auditing. “I had this limited view of what internal auditing was,” she said. Her father told her to enroll in the LSUCIA because it would lead to more opportunities, Sanders said. “‘Whether you want to do it or not, Trista. It opens the doors for you,'” her father told her. While her father’s words were encouraging, Sanders said it was her grandfather’s past in education that helped foster an interest in learning and the need for education. “He was a school teacher,” she said. “So we’d get to put together lesson plans when I was 7 years old, and I thought it was fun.” Lane said Sanders’ achievement echoes the business college’s quality of students. “It’s highly important for recruiting purposes,” Lane said. Molly Buchmann, dance director of the theatre department, said Sanders versatility and abilities are important for someone in a business field. “She’s a very creative, diverse person,” Buchmann said. “She’s strong on both ends of the spectrum.” Lydia Lafleur, LSUCIA assistant director, said the program’s students are dedicated and committed to the vision. “We gave [Sanders] the tools, and she just really ran with it,” Lafleur said. Sanders said her strong work ethic kept her on track. “I like to be busy,” Sanders said. “I stay very active. I don’t realize it, but whenever I’m not [active] I feel like I’m doing nothing, and nothing’s getting accomplished.” Christy Hedlund, psychology sophomore, attends a dance class with Sanders this semester but said she has known Sanders for the past two years. She said she respects that her friend still dances while staying so busy. “It’s important to have that thing that keeps you in your own and keeps you sane,” Hedlund said. Dance not only became an interest for Sanders but also a minor after her boyfriend convinced her to enroll in a dance class at the University. She said she will continue to dance after she moves to San Francisco to work for Ernst & Young – one of the Big Four audit firms. “The reason I decided to go was because they offered flex[ible] time,” Sanders said. Ernst & Young offered her the opportunity to pursue dancing as an interest and will allow her to fit it into her work schedule. “I absolutely intend to continue dancing,” Sanders said. Sanders will be honored at the Institute for Internal Auditor’s International Conference this summer. To her surprise, the conference will be held in San Francisco this year. “I start with my job on October 1, so I’m not moving there until September,” she said. “This trip happens at the beginning of July, so it’s actually perfect timing to do some looking around.”
—-Contact Sean Griffin [email protected]