Excellence in Taxation: Meet the Award-Winning MST Students of 2025

The David Nazarian College of Business and Economics is proud to celebrate the achievements of three standout students from the Master of Science in Taxation program, whose hard work and excellence in the field have recently earned them competitive scholarships and well-deserved recognition.

TEI Honors Top Graduates with Scholarships

The Tax Executives Institute has awarded three $1,000 scholarships to the top graduates of the MST program: Alyssa Migliaro Cohen, Koki Takaoka and Kyle Amann. These students were recognized not only for their academic success but also for the leadership and expertise they bring to the field of taxation.

Alyssa Migliaro Cohen

Tax manager at Weaver and Tidwell, LLP, Alyssa specializes in tax services for high-net-worth individuals and real estate-focused businesses. A graduate of Azusa Pacific University, she earned her CPA license in 2020 and her Master of Science in Taxation from Nazarian College in May 2025. Alyssa is known for her strong mentorship, commitment to inclusion and active community engagement, including supporting scholarships for local high school students.

Koki Takaoka

Koki is a senior tax manager at EOS Accountants LLP, where he works closely with inbound Japanese corporate clients. With a decade of experience, he is committed to building strong cross-border relationships and helping his clients succeed in the U.S. market. Koki also takes pride in mentoring junior staff and fostering a collaborative team culture.

Kyle Amann

Kyle brings an unconventional path to the tax field, having originally studied philosophy and literature before moving from Georgia to California 14 years ago. For the past seven years, he has run his own tax practice, working with individuals and small businesses. Enrolling in Nazarian College’s MST program gave him deeper expertise in U.S. tax law and policy—knowledge he applies every day in his practice.