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Faculty Spotlight: Michael Chen, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Accounting & Information Management

Education:

• Ph.D in Management (accounting major) | Chinese Academy of Fiscal Science
• Master in Accounting | Beijing Technology and Business University, China
• Bachelor in Finance | Beijing Technology and Business University, China

What brought you to Roberts?

I am a Christian businessman who was in the professional service industry for 15 years. At that time, I also was a professor of practice at various institutions in both the US and China due to my love of teaching. I believe in the basic values and principles of Christian higher education. About a year ago, I used a web tool from “Christianity Today” magazine and saw the opening at Roberts. I sent a note to Dr. Bovee and went through the interview process. Now, I am here as an associate professor of accounting and working on the redesign of a new accounting program. It is a miracle under God’s sovereignty.

Share a fun fact about yourself… What is something interesting about you?

I have worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte and Ernst & Young in both the US and China. Those are three out of the “Big Four” accounting and professional services firms in the world that I have worked for.

How do you serve the community at Roberts?

Currently, I am leading the redesign of the new accounting program with integration of financials, process, system and data. I also serve on various councils including undergraduate curriculum, academic diversity, academic integrity and global education. I am also a liaison with the China market.

How do you serve your community (outside of Roberts)?

I am an associate member and mentor in The New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA). I am also a go-between with the Project Management Institute (PMI) local chapter in Rochester and I serve at my local church.

What your favorite thing about teaching?

With the faith and learning integration at Roberts, I enjoy helping our students transform in being, knowing and doing. As a professor, I like to learn, unlearn and relearn to be the best teacher I can be.

Share about your upcoming academic events that you will represent Roberts at:

• Keynote speaker on May 7 in Rochester ISACA conference. The topic is “Cyber and the Impact to Professional Services --- an educator’s perspective”. 
• Keynote speaker or panelist in AICPA/CIMA forum in China in July’19.
• SAP next generation lab lead faculty.

Spiritual Formation

At Roberts, students are encouraged to grow in their faith and serve others. Does a student, who you taught or are teaching, stand-out in your mind that has grown in their faith? Tell us about it.

Saso Nady, who is on the Women’s Basketball Team, was in my Corporate Finance class. Actually, she is one of the three mentees I worked with from a leadership class. She grew up in Egypt and came to Roberts to play basketball. In class, I noticed how she was very eager to learn and grow both academically and spiritually. She has decided to stay at Roberts, after graduation in May, and to pursue her Masters in Strategic Leadership. I will pray for her to have the wisdom for this program and salvation through the faith in Jesus Christ.

What is an interest you have outside of teaching?

I like to travel with my family. Our plan for the coming years includes going to Canada, UK (my wife studied at The University of Sheffield) and Israel (our foretaste for New Jerusalem).

What is your favorite quote or verse and why?

“He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17). I have known and experienced the disconnect between; academia and practice, business and accounting, liberal arts and professional subjects, church and workplace, technology and CPA, US and China, and more. We need to be recovered and restored into the oneness that is wisdom hidden in Christ which should be revealed through Christian higher education.

Student Insight:

Sara “Saso” Nady'19 (Business Administration)

"Dr. Chen taught me more than just finance. Having an international background like me made me very interested in knowing his story and learning from him. He brought diversity and a challenging atmosphere to the classroom that made his class a fun learning experience. I am glad I had the chance to have him as my mentor as well; he helped me transform my thinking and introduced me to a broader perspective of the business world. My biggest takeaway from Dr. Chen is that everything matters; from how you deal with numbers to how you deal with people around you."

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