The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business has announced a major donation from alumnus Jon Shulkin, BBA ’97. The gift will result in the naming of the Jonathan K. Shulkin Department of Accounting.
Jon Shulkin, who serves as co-president and partner at Valor Equity Partners, said his experience in the McCombs accounting department was crucial to his professional development. He expressed hope that this contribution would broaden opportunities for future accounting students. “If I had to choose one primary objective I hope this gift enables, it’s to broaden the aperture for accounting students in terms of what they can do with their degree,” Shulkin said. “The landscape has changed, and there’s a massive need for experts able to deploy accounting as an operational skill set to help companies measure, identify and improve return on invested capital, throughput, cost and cash flow in a way that is enabled by a world-class accounting education.”
McCombs’ undergraduate and graduate programs have been ranked among the top two nationally by U.S. News & World Report for 20 consecutive years.
Steven Kachelmeier, chair of the McCombs Accounting Department, commented on the significance of Shulkin’s career path: “Mr. Shulkin’s evolution from his UT Austin accounting roots to co-president of a top operational growth investment firm reinforces the sense that accounting can open new and exciting doors to success,” Kachelmeier said. “This gift enables us to embrace the challenges posed by new technologies, new regulations and new career paths.”
Lillian Mills, dean of McCombs School of Business and an accounting professor herself, highlighted how this support will impact students and faculty: “This transformational gift will elevate our thought leadership through research support, sponsored conferences, and faculty development, and enable us to invest in cutting edge accounting education into our second century of excellence,” Mills said.
Shulkin grew up in Chicago but decided to attend UT Austin after visiting during high school. He attended on an academic scholarship and participated actively in campus life as a member of Pi Lambda Phi and Zeta Beta Tau fraternities as well as serving as president of UT’s Interfraternity Council.
He began his professional journey at Bain & Company before joining Valor Equity Partners under Antonio Gracias in 1998. In addition to his role as co-president since 2021, he manages Valor Siren Ventures—a series focused on investments in technology-driven consumer sectors—and oversees operational support teams working with companies like SpaceX and xAI.
Reflecting on his education at Texas McCombs, Shulkin stated: “I think a technical accounting education is one of the best ways to learn how to understand and analyze a business,” he said. “Whether making journal entries, running financial analysis, operating a business or understanding cash flow, the education I received from the best accounting school in the U.S. proved foundational to what I do today.”
While many graduates enter traditional roles with large firms such as those known collectively as the Big Four, Shulkin pointed out that industry demand is increasing for professionals trained specifically in accounting.
“McCombs’ accounting program has always blazed trails, but Jon’s munificent gift has us poised to shape the industry — and the lives of our students — in ways we couldn’t have imagined,” Mills added. “We are beyond grateful.”
Shulkin recently joined the McCombs Dean’s Advisory Council. He previously endowed a scholarship for students at McCombs in 2018 and contributed toward building James J. and Miriam B. Mulva Hall—the future home for undergraduate studies within McCombs.
“An accounting degree from McCombs gives students the tools to add significant value in environments where purpose and innovation matter,” Shulkin said. “I hope McCombs accounting graduates expand their conception of career opportunities, enabling them to have a great life and give back to UT.”
