NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. – For Rafael Ramos, growing up in Altus, Oklahoma, meant learning the value of hard work in his family’s restaurants. This December, he earns his second degree from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Accountancy, as he prepares to launch his career with Ernst & Young.
“Accounting isn’t just about numbers – it’s about understanding their meaning and making a difference for businesses,” said Ramos, who also earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from OU in 2023.
Ramos discovered his passion for auditing in a class taught by OU faculty members Kevan Jensen, Ph.D., and Devin Williams, Ph.D., whose enthusiasm for auditing sparked a deeper interest. Faculty support, including mentorship from Joe Dulin, director of the Master of Accountancy Program at OU, helped Ramos secure internships at top firms, including Ernst & Young in Oklahoma City where he will begin working as an associate after graduation.
Growing up, Ramos gained firsthand experience in business by working at his family’s restaurants, Araceli’s Restaurant and The Plaza Mexican Restaurant. He managed daily finances, oversaw inventory, coordinated with vendors and supervised more than 50 employees. “What I have learned at OU and through my internships will help me give back to my family’s businesses,” he said.
Balancing school, internships, leadership roles and a new marriage was challenging. Ramos married Jordan Guerrero Ramos, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a 4.0 grade-point average from OU last year. As Beta Upsilon Chi’s treasurer, Ramos managed a $200,000 budget and 175 members, gaining experience in financial oversight and team collaboration. He also has served as a graduate teaching assistant to assistant professor of accounting Meng Li, Ph.D., helping in courses like Intermediate II Accounting, Planning and Operations Management, and Managerial Economics.
“Prioritization and organization were key,” Ramos said. “My time at OU prepared me to adapt and succeed in any challenge.”
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
The University of Oklahoma has received a transformative gift from Jon and Shannon McCartney, which will name the McCartney Family Tunnel of Champions, the McCartney Family Gate of the Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium and the McCartney Family Grand Lecture Hall in the Michael F. Price College of Business. The gift will also support the Inspiring Champions and the Athletic Director’s Discretionary Fund, in addition to establishing the McCartney DFW Career Trek program at Price College.
The University of Oklahoma today celebrated the opening of a new air traffic control tower at the OU Max Westheimer Airport. Standing 106 feet tall, more than double the current 52-foot facility, the new tower will modernize air traffic control operations and improve safety for pilots and students operating in the airspace.
Do I buy groceries or pay the electric bill? Should I pawn some of my belongings to afford my prescription? My child is sick, so I will have to miss work to take care of him. Those are just a few of the difficult choices that OU-Tulsa health professional students confronted during the Community Access to Resources Experience. The role-playing activity challenged students to navigate the financial, family and other pressures that can affect a person’s health and ability to follow medical advice. Held annually during the SCM Institute orientation week, the experience is designed to generate understanding and build empathy.
