Dr. Madeline Trimble has been named the first COB director of engagement and societal impact at Illinois State University. As a first-generation college student from Central Illinois, Trimble has paved her path by completing her undergraduate studies at Eastern Illinois University followed by a doctoral degree in accounting and capital markets at the University of Mannheim in Germany.
The role of COB director of engagement and societal impact is crucial in defining the College of Business’s contribution to important stakeholders such as students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the Bloomington-Normal community at large. The role aims to answer the question of what the societal impact of the College of Business currently is and what it can be in the future. Trimble’s strengths are being a strategic thinker and problem solver, and she wants to use that mindset to continue to enhance the engagement and societal impact of an already high-achieving College of Business.
It is no secret that Trimble has a deep passion for learning and student success. Since her time in her undergraduate program, she worked alongside her professors in their research, inspiring her to complete her own. Since 2016, Trimble has worked at Illinois State, where she has become an associate professor and is currently director of graduate accounting education.
Her list of accomplishments includes being named the SLAB Advisor of the Year for the Accounting and Financial Women’s Alliance at Illinois State and being named 2023 Outstanding Educator by the Illinois CPA Society. This is a prestigious, state-level award honoring extraordinary teaching, research, and service in accounting higher education. Additionally, she played a critical role in getting the Master of Science in accountancy program STEM designated, a feat that should have long-lasting impact.
As Trimble embarks on this new journey, she hopes to help make the College of Business better than she found it.
“We don’t want to be on the curve, we want to be ahead of the curve,” Trimble said.
With that, she aims to help the College of Business promote its efforts through detailed documentation and continued innovation. Additionally, she hopes to foster increased student engagement and ensure students feel ownership and pride in the place where they are receiving their education.
With Trimble’s vision, passion, and continued commitment to excellence, she is eager to promote and enhance the college’s societal impact and to continue to build an empowering College of Business at Illinois State University.
