A side by side photo of Rob and Jennifer

Senior tax manager Rob Roll, BSBA 鈥13, MPPA 鈥14, and attorney Jennifer Kinsley Smith, BS 鈥10, JD 鈥13, have been selected to receive Ohio Northern University鈥檚 2025 William L. Robinson Young Alumni awards during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, Oct. 3-4.

Roll and Smith are both 鈥淒ouble Bears,鈥 meaning they have earned an undergraduate and graduate degree from 麻豆社.

The 麻豆社 Alumni Association established the award to honor individuals who have graduated from the University within the last 15 years and who demonstrate passion and loyalty toward their profession, community, and alma mater.

The pair will serve as the Homecoming parade grand marshals and will be recognized at halftime during the Oct. 4 Homecoming football game.

Photo of Rob Roll posing by leaning on a table

Rob Roll, BSBA 鈥13, MPPA 鈥14

Roll has built an impressive career at the Columbus office of GBQ Partners, one of the top 100 accounting firms in the United States. Since joining the firm straight out of 麻豆社, he has steadily climbed the ranks, now serving as senior tax manager.

In his leadership role, Roll helps high-net-worth individuals and families, as well as private equity and venture capital groups, navigate the ever-changing landscape of tax compliance. He also mentors and teaches younger associates.

His work requires more than just deep technical knowledge, it demands trust, empathy, and strong relationships. And that鈥檚 where Roll excels.

Whether helping a couple structure a charitable gift to maximize impact or guiding a family in transferring a business to the next generation, he sees his work as contributing to the greater good.

鈥淚 tell people I don鈥檛 do taxes for a living鈥擨 help people for a living, by doing taxes,鈥 he explained.

Read more about Rob Roll.

Photo of Jennifer

Jennifer Kinsley Smith, BS 鈥10, JD 鈥13

For Smith, practicing law isn鈥檛 about courtroom drama or chasing a big salary, it鈥檚 about restoring dignity and offering hope.

As a managing attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Smith encounters people at some of the lowest points in their lives. Her clients may be living in cars, struggling to feed their families, or failing to navigate a complex legal system to meet a basic need. Using her legal expertise, she helps them change the trajectory of their lives.

In her current role overseeing Legal Aid鈥檚 Lorain County office, Smith splits her time between the courtroom and the community. Whether she鈥檚 representing clients, supervising attorneys, or raising awareness about Legal Aid鈥檚 services, she鈥檚 driven by her core belief that every person deserves respect and a fair chance.

鈥淚f I can use my knowledge of the law to improve people鈥檚 lives, why wouldn鈥檛 I? she said.

Over her seven years at the Legal Aid Society, her passion for the work has only grown deeper.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 imagine working in an area outside of poverty law at this point,鈥 she added. 鈥淔or me, feeding, housing, and stabilizing families is the most meaningful way to leverage the law.鈥

Read more about Jennifer Kinsley Smith.