Introduction
Although undergraduate and Ph.D. degrees in economics underlie Dr. Melvin Jameson's academic career, spending his junior year abroad at the University of Munich was by far his most meaningful undergraduate experience. The desire to enable others to share similar experiences motivates his work to develop international business opportunities for UNLV students.
As a faculty member what does UNLV mean to you?
In addition to creating a setting for academic success in the field of financial economics, UNLV and LEE have provided the opportunity for me to share with students the international experience I value so highly, even though doing so is not central to a professor’s job description. The freedom to contribute by doing something I care deeply about is what I most appreciate about my time at UNLV.
How do you stay current with developments in your field and incorporate them into your teaching?
For the subjects I spend the most time teaching – financial markets and international business – the key to keeping the class current is to read the financial press and international news. Both topics are characterized by frequent and often dramatic changes. These provide rich opportunity to illustrate basic principles as well as new developments in the field. Their inclusion also keeps the teaching current.
What is a key lesson you've learned during your time at UNLV that you would share with new professors?
The career a newly hired professor will face over the next few decades will be quite different than what I have experienced over the last 40 or so years. Technology and, to some extent, even the culture will continue to evolve. But the underlying constant and key lesson to remember is that one must be sensitive to the responses you see from students, the business community and the academic profession and adapt to them.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments during your time at UNLV?
Perhaps the most satisfying accomplishment has been to find ways to fund student study-abroad scholarships and to support faculty research related to international business through grants and other methods. More generally, having been involved in the leadership of the international business program since its creation around 1999, it has been very gratifying to see the program grow to have a presence in the college and in the business community.