We are thrilled to announce that Dean Lillian Mills, the esteemed leader of The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business, has been honored with the highly coveted 2023 Outstanding Accounting Educator Award from the American Accounting Association. This prestigious recognition underscores her remarkable contributions to the field of accounting and her exceptional dedication to educating future accounting professionals.

The award committee selected Mills after reviewing over 30 nomination letters from her research co-authors, peers at top academic institutions nationwide, former students from around the world, and Texas McCombs colleagues.

Mills is recognized as the most prolific and impactful tax researcher in the accounting academy, according to Steve Kachelmeier, chair of the McCombs Department of Accounting. Mills is known for her enthusiasm and passion for accounting, dedication to her students, and her uncanny ability to make complicated tax-related topics understandable and applicable. Dean Mills is a true trailblazer in the realm of accounting education.

Mills has chaired the department for four years before being named permanent dean of McCombs in 2021, becoming the first woman to hold the position. She has won numerous teaching awards throughout her career and continues to mentor McCombs doctoral candidates. Dean Mills cherishes the opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge knowledge creation and sharing alongside her esteemed colleagues, finding constant joy and inspiration in her work.

The accolade includes a monetary prize, a citation, and a unique glass art piece to be presented in August at the association’s annual meeting in Denver, sponsored by the PricewaterhouseCoopers Foundation. Mills’ work with students and faculty members inspires the McCombs community to new heights and has had a lasting impact on generations of tax scholars. Learn more about the award here.