Spotlight on Donna Paul
Meet Donna Paul, an assistant professor in the College of Business, who grew up in Trinidad. She earned her MBA from Stanford University and her Ph.D. from the University of Oregon. Read more and find out why Professor Paul is a favorite in the classroom.
What’s it like to live in Pullman after growing up in Trinidad?
My family and I love living here. We’ve lived in California, Oregon, and Boston, so it wasn’t a huge culture shock. In fact, Pullman is a lot more like Trinidad than the other places we’ve lived in the U.S.—I say this because we lived in the countryside in Trinidad. We had 5.5 acres, so it had some of the same natural beauty as Pullman. But in Trinidad we had to drive relatively far to get to work, and here we don’t. It’s a small-town setting, so it’s very convenient. It’s a nice community.
How did you become a professor?
I’ve done many things. I started off teaching high school in Trinidad, and then I ran a business—a candy-making business. Eventually, I started working for an oil company where I was in the accounting department as an analyst in training. This led to my getting an MBA, which the company paid for. It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I entered a Ph.D. program, and I was 41 when I graduated. This is why I tell students not to worry if they don’t know what they want to do right away. Take advantage of the opportunities that come your way, do what’s before you well. The excitement and the passion will come.
What’s the essence of what you teach students about finance?
It’s a matter of risk versus return. In introduction to finance, we focus on “valuation,” which is the task of putting a value today on distant cash flows. We must look at the time value of money, estimate returns, and identify risks. My students can go on to work as financial analysts or investment bankers, but I tell students not to worry about the money they can make. I want them to find something they’re passionate about, and to pursue it. I teach about money, but ultimately, my life is about people. My purpose here is to teach my material with integrity and to do my best to live a life that shows kindness, respect, and love.
How do you see your role on campus, outside of teaching?
I like to make a contribution in a quiet way. I mentor minority female athletes here on campus. As a person from another country, I don’t have the same experiences as an African American, but I can still provide support. Being from another country, and just being myself, I think I help to enrich the campus community. I add to the mix here.
What are some of your favorite things to do when you’re not teaching?
We’re big basketball fans, and we have season tickets to the games. That’s been very exciting, especially this past year. We also like to take walks around town, or to hike up Kamiak Butte. My husband loves the Snake River, so we go there as much as possible. Soon, we’ll be driving to Sandpoint, Idaho, for a little vacation. It’s scenic and easy to get to.
