Professor makes a big impression in 1st year
During the course of a student’s college career, they can have 40 or more professors, some of which may leave an impression that lasts a lifetime. For the students of Brenda Sun, that impression has been made. Some of them will remember her unique style of teaching, others will remember how they felt taking her class, but for those students whose lives she has touched, they won’t forget. Many of them sum up their experience with Sun in a single word: different.
Jordan Johnson, a senior majoring in accounting, is one of Sun’s students who will remember her unique style of teaching.
“At the beginning of the semester it was difficult to get used to, but I have learned more because of the real life applications and open discussions we have,” Johnson said.
Jill Allred, a senior in accounting, said the way Sun treated her students was different from other professors she has had.
“She actually cares about her students and believes in them, that they can do great things and have a lot to offer,” Allred said.
“I believe these students are full of intelligence, and it’s a pity to me when they don’t utilize that intelligence,” Sun said.
She said she doesn’t want her students to put themselves down thinking they aren’t as smart as other students.
“I don’t accept student’s excuses when they say they are not as intelligent as other students,” she said
Sun is in the department of management and human resources and teaches business strategies. Her unique teaching style can be accredited to her many years of experience in the corporate world and through her cultural background.
Born and raised in a village in Hong Kong, Sun gained different perspectives on the teaching experience. In her native culture, the relationship philosophy between student and teacher is much different than it is here. According to Sun, the Chinese believe the teacher and student should edify and educate each other. She has brought this style of education to the classrooms at USU even if that means taking criticism from her students from time to time.
Kenny Soetjipto, a senior in business information systems, said Sun has learned from students to help improve her class. He said he respects Sun very much because she is open-minded to new suggestions.
“I like teachers that can accept that they are not perfect and know that some students know more about some things than teachers,” Soetjipto said.
Her students aren’t the only ones that have noticed Sun’s willingness to change if necessary. Steven Hanks, the vice provost and close friend of Sun, said that she is willing to step out of her comfort zone to better serve her students. He said her style of teaching helps the students achieve more of their potential for success.
Even though she is willing to do what it takes to help her students become the best they can be, she still makes sure her students know that she is the boss.
“I’m not here to please the students, I’m here to please their employers,” Sun said.
She likes to compare her class to learning how to ride a snowboard. As the teacher, she can’t take the snowboard off to teach them. At first her students say it’s strange, difficult and not very comfortable, but she knows that in time they will learn what it takes in the business world just like they would learn how to fly down the mountain on a snowboard.
Along with her unique style of teaching, Sun also brings experience through her own academic studies and time in the corporate world. Before Sun began teaching at USU in August, she taught at the London School of Economics. While there, she earned a PhD in economics. Her education has taken her from a degree in journalism at Brigham Young University in Provo, to an executive master’s degree in business administration at Pace University in New York City, to a PhD in London then finally to Logan, where she said she’s here to stay.
Her experience in the business world helps her to teach her students what it’s really like. She has worked as a management associate on Wall Street and a marketing consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. In all she has spent 15 years in the corporate world learning the ins and outs of business so she can pass those things onto her students.
Of her decision to leave the world of business to become a professor, she said, “There comes a certain point in your life when you realize you don’t want others to make the same mistakes you have made.”
Both her students and fellow professors say that the Sun brings a different perspective and uniqueness that is needed at USU.
-dwkoecher@cc.usu.edu