Gail Moore, JD, CPA
Gail Moore, JD, CPA, is the Associate Dean of the College of Business and Technology at Lander University, a role she has held for just over two years. She brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education, supported by a strong professional foundation as both a Certified Public Accountant and a licensed attorney in South Carolina. Prior to entering academia, she spent approximately a decade in private practice as a tax attorney, advising corporate and individual clients on complex tax, accounting, and business matters. This dual background in law and accounting continues to inform her teaching, leadership approach, and commitment to preparing students for the realities of the professional world.
She began her academic career as an adjunct professor, teaching accounting and tax courses while continuing to practice professionally. Her passion for teaching and student development led to a full-time faculty appointment as a Professor of Accounting, where she has spent the majority of her academic career. Over the past two decades, she has consistently taught courses in income tax, business law, and accounting, integrating her real-world experience to help students connect theory with practice. Approximately 10 years ago, she expanded her impact by becoming the Internship Director, a role she considers central to her mission of preparing students for career success. Through this work, she emphasizes career readiness, professional development, and experiential learning, helping students understand that internships are where they learn “how work works” and begin to translate academic knowledge into applied skills.
In her current leadership role as Associate Dean, she oversees a broad range of academic and operational responsibilities, including supporting students with academic progress, graduation requirements, and internship placements, while also managing faculty needs, course scheduling, and instructional support to ensure program quality and consistency. She is a “teaching dean,” meaning she remains actively engaged in the classroom, a responsibility she intentionally chose to retain because of her strong belief in the value of direct student interaction. She is deeply committed to teaching and views classroom engagement as essential to effective academic leadership. Her professional focus centers on building meaningful career pathways for students, strengthening experiential learning opportunities, and ensuring that academic programs remain closely aligned with workforce expectations, while fostering an environment where both students and faculty can thrive.
• GenAI Literacy 101
• Facilitating Process Improvement in Teams
• Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Workforce — A Panel Discussion Attendee
• Ethical AI Principles for Responsible Innovation in Higher Ed Attendee
• Human–AI Partnership: Distinguishing Performance from Learning Attendee
• Becoming AI-First: A 90-Day Plan for Business Teams
• The AI-First Executive: Habits and Prompts for 10X Leadership
• Stakeholder Communication Strategies that Stick
• Project Leadership
• Collaboration Principles and Process
• Leadership in Accounting Education Section Member
• University of South Carolina - BS, in Business Administration, Accounting
• University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law - JD, Law
• Young Faculty Teaching Award
• Distinguished Professor Award
• South Carolina Bar (SCBAR)
• South Carolina Association of CPAs (SCACPA)
• South Carolina Administrative Law Association (SCARLA)
• American Accounting Association (AAA)
• South Carolina Association of Accounting Educators (SCAAE)
• South Carolina Association of Colleges and Employers (SCACE)
• National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)
• Society for Experiential Education (SEE)
• Darla Moore School of Business Alumni Board
• Darla Moore School of Business Alumni Board at University of South Carolina
• Local nonprofits in Greenwood
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my 20-year career in higher education, where I've progressed from an adjunct professor to my current role as Associate Dean of the College of Business and Technology, a position I've held for just over 2 years. My background as a South Carolina CPA and lawyer who practiced tax law for about 10 years before entering academia has been instrumental in my success. I've always taught income tax, business law, and accounting, which merges well with my professional credentials. One of my most notable achievements that I'm incredibly proud of is being awarded the Distinguished Professor Award, which was especially meaningful because I was actually nominated by our students. I love teaching and will always stay in the classroom because I love being in the classroom and interacting with my students. I love when that light bulb comes on and they really get it. When I stepped into this role as Associate Dean, one of my big questions and one of my things that I really wanted was to stay in the classroom as a teaching dean.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is that it is possible to build a successful career in a field you genuinely love—one that brings you joy and allows you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. I have carried this perspective throughout my own professional journey, and it continues to guide my decisions and long-term goals. As I’ve grown from adjunct professor to Associate Dean of the College of Business and Technology, I have remained committed to staying connected to the classroom, and I intend to continue teaching alongside my leadership responsibilities, ensuring that I never lose sight of the students and the impact of direct engagement in their learning experience.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to believe that you can build a successful, fulfilling career in a field you love while also creating a meaningful personal life, including family, if that is part of your goals. It is absolutely possible to grow professionally, contribute at a high level, and still maintain balance and purpose beyond the workplace. I have found great fulfillment not only in my career and in mentoring students, but also in the opportunity to mentor my own children at home, reinforcing the importance of guidance and support in every aspect of life. Along my journey, I have been honored to receive recognition such as the Distinguished Professor and Young Faculty Teacher Award, which I view as a reflection of both dedication and the impact of investing in others.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
In my current role, one of the biggest challenges is balancing the range of responsibilities that come with supporting both students and faculty while maintaining my own teaching commitments. Over the past two years, I have worked closely with students to address academic progress and graduation requirements, while also overseeing faculty needs, scheduling, and overall program support. Ensuring that each of these areas receives consistent attention requires strong organization, adaptability, and clear communication. At the same time, this environment presents significant opportunities to make a meaningful impact—whether it is helping students stay on track to graduate, supporting faculty in delivering high-quality instruction, or continuously improving processes that enhance the overall academic experience.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are service, commitment, and balance. I am deeply passionate about contributing to my professional organizations, including SCAPA, AAA, and NACE, where collaboration and continuous learning help me stay engaged with best practices in my field. Equally important is my dedication to volunteer work in my local community, where I value the opportunity to give back and support others in meaningful ways. At home, being a mother of five has grounded me in the importance of presence, resilience, and support—whether that means being a “soccer mom” on the sidelines or providing guidance to my children as they pursue their college journeys. Across all areas of my life, I strive to show up fully, support others, and lead with purpose.