Laurie L. Swanson   Associate Professor of Accounting

Education/Experience
I have been in the field of education since 1990 and began working with Nashville State in 1996.  At NSCC, I am one of five full-time instructors in the Accounting Program.

Accounting Faculty

Left to right: Paul Koulakov, Karen Powers, Philip Lee, Laurie Swanson

The primary courses I teach include Principles of Accounting I & II, Intermediate I & II, Accounting Systems Applications and Accounting Databases. I work with on ground, online, and hybrid courses. I find that each of of these formats meets specific student needs and I enjoy each delivery method.

I have a Certified Public Accountant's license from the State of Tennessee, as well as a Master's in Business Administration and a BS with a major in Accounting from Tennessee Technological University.  In addition to teaching, I have field experience in accounting and have spent many hours working with individuals in the area of budget counseling.

Personal Interests
When not at school, I enjoy working on my home, reading, watching TV, and being with family and friends. I am currently reading Educated by Tara Westover and Written in my Own Heart's Blood, part of the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.  Some of my favorite TV shows are Instinct, NCIS and Jeopardy.   

One of my hobbies is cataloging family photos and  documents. I recently purchased a slide scanner, and over the summer I continued scanning slides from the 1960s that my dad made. It was fun to see pictures that I had never seen before!

The majority of my free time is spent with my family and friends. The joy of my life for the last seventeen years has been my niece, Caroline. I can't believe that Caroline is a senior in high school this year!  She enjoys high school and is active in Drama. Now that Caroline is older, we enjoy shopping together but occasionally we still bake cookies together just like we did when she was little. I also enjoy spending time with my best friend from McMinnville.  We've been through thick and thin together for thirty-nine years!  McMinnville is still "home" to me and I return to visit when I can.

My Teaching Philosophy
I believe that education is a cooperative process and I am an advocate of personal responsibility.  You have chosen to pursue an education and what you get out of this experience is primarily up to you.  I am here to facilitate and guide you in your pursuit of an education.  

I do not believe education is "the end."  Neither do I believe it is "the beginning."  I believe education is a process and your experience here is a stepping stone to other experiences and achievements.

I love teaching and look forward to getting to know you through my classes here at Nashville State!