Bringing decades of in-field accounting, auditing, and tax experience, and a wealth of compassion to the classroom, Hoa Burrows embodies the American Dream that so many Miami Dade College students seek to attain – and does everything in her power to help them become productive citizens.
Burrows, and MDC alumna, is a testament to the powerful combination of education, perseverance and excellence. An international student at the University of Miami in 1975, she turned to MDC as an affordable lifeline to continue her studies while mastering English. After earning her associate degree, she transferred back to UM where she completed her bachelor’s degree in 1979, and later her master’s degree. She worked as an accountant and tax auditor in the private and public realms for more 20 years, obtaining her Certified Public Accountant license in 1998. Shortly after that, she opened a private practice, joined MDC as adjunct faculty, and became a full-time faculty member in 2008.
“Ms. Burrows is completely dedicated to her students, whom she assists in the classroom and outside the classroom, during her office hours and after hours, staying with the students until they understand the concepts,” said Julio Borges, a senior assistant professor at MDC.
As Kendall Campus’ lead coordinator for the Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, Burrows applies her time, talent and treasure to helping students gain valuable on-the-job training and customer service experience they can put on their resumes while providing the community of low-income taxpayers with free and quality tax preparation services.
Burrows’ student volunteers have put in more than 13,700 hours over the past decade, according to MDC Service-Learning Department records.
Through proactive and aggressive recruitment strategies, Burrows has successfully increased enrollment in tax courses. She nurtures students interested in pursuing accounting and tax careers and gladly acts as a liaison who is able to network with local firms when they reach out to her for new hires.
“That’s the hardest part for students – to study hard but not know how to make that connection and land jobs,” said Burrows. “That’s my passion, to do that for every student.”