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Sally-Anne McDonnell
“Like many Americans whose lives were impacted by the events of 9/11, my experience propelled me toward a career direction of service with a federal oversight agency.”
- Alumni of: 2008 Graduate Scholarship Program
- Hometown: Maryville, TN
- Community College: Broward Community College
- Four-year College or University: University of Florida
- Graduate School: University of Florida
- Academic/Career Pursuits: Business, Government, Forensic Accountant to Track Terrorist Money, Fundraising for Alzheimer's Association, Volunteers at a Battered Women's Shelter; Leads Supplemental Institute Program
- Other Interests: Honor Society, Leadership Development, Literature, Performing Arts / Theatre, Student Government, Tutoring / Mentoring, Volunteer Work
Biography
PROFILE: Sally-Anne McDonnell has worked since she was nine years old to help support her family. In her family and her church, women were not educated beyond high school, did not speak up, and if they voted, were ostracized. She had her first inkling about how narrow this life was when she worked as a paralegal as an adult. After this realization, Sally-Anne embarked on the path to becoming a self-actualized woman.
On 9/11, Sally-Anne was a tourist visiting New York City and witnessed the terrorist attack first-hand. This experience influenced her decision to pursue a career that would impact her country and global security. “I had to do something to make a difference.” She read that the FBI was looking for forensic accountants and as a first step, returned to school. Sally-Anne received the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship in 2006, which allowed her to complete a four-year degree from University of Florida after graduating from Broward Community College.
INSPIRATION: The 9/11 attacks in New York City inspired Sally-Anne to work in global and national security.
ASPIRATION: Sally-Anne aspires to become a forensic accountant. “My ultimate goal is to detect and track terrorist-related financial activities through the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Sally-Anne is a volunteer member of the Accounting Council. She is founder and president of the Learning Community Club.
ACCOLADES: Sally-Anne is a Stellar Honors student and a member of the All-Florida Academic Team.
INTERESTING FACT: Sally-Anne is a certified medical transcriber and has opened her own transcription service.
Other Scholars Like Sally-Anne
Heather Morrison
Undergraduate Transfer Scholar
Northern Arizona University
Christopher Richardson
Graduate Scholar
Duke University
Sa'ed Atshan
Graduate Scholar
Harvard University
William Allen
Graduate Scholar
University of Oxford