Brenda Stewart Birkett, Ph.D., CPA
Former Dean of the College of Business and Professor of Accounting at McNeese State University
In addition to serving as the Dean of the College of Business and as a Professor of Accounting at McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Dr. Birkett's extensive academic experience also includes service as the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at Southern University, Dean of the College of Business at Southern University, and Director and Professor of the School of Accounting at Southern University. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Birkett was a general accountant for Wester Publishing Company and an internal auditor for the IRS.
Dr. Birkett is a member of a number of professional organizations, including: Louisiana Statewide Council of Chief Academic Officers, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants, American Accounting Association, National Association of Black Accountants, Institute of Management Accountants, and Women in Management. Additionally, Dr. Birkett has been appointed as a member of the Department of Revenue Transition Team for Governor Kathleen Blanco, Chairperson of the Department of Revenue Transition Team for Governor Edwin Edwards, member of the Higher Education Transition Taskforce for Governor Mike Foster, and member of the Louisiana Department of Insurance Advisory Committee on Minority Affairs.
Dr. Birkett has a long-time commitment to community service. She currently serves as a member of the Greater Lake Charles Rotary Club, Chairperson for the Southwest Louisiana Marine Institute, and Chairperson of the Audit Committee for the Associated Marine Institutes. Throughout her career, Dr. Birkett has served with nearly 20 community service organizations.
Dr. Birkett received the Lifetime Achievement Award for Accounting Education from the Louisiana Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Brenda S. Birkett Endowment Scholarship Fund established by the Baton Rouge Chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants, the National Achievement Award in Accounting Education from the National Association of Black Accountants, and was named Teacher of the Year in the College of Business at McNeese State University. She received her Bacherlor's Degree in Business from Southern University, a Master's in Business Administration from Atlanta University, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from Louisiana State University.
