We’re excited to welcome three new faculty members to the Accountancy Department this semester. Faculty and staff recently gathered to kick off the semester and get to know our newest colleagues. Learn more about Li Yang, Brent Schmidt, and Nathan Jenkins—and what they’re looking forward to as part of the Miami Accountancy community.
Assistant Professor Li Yang teaches ACC 333, Managerial Accounting. She earned her Ph.D. in Accounting from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and taught accounting information systems at the University of Kentucky before joining Miami. Li was drawn to Miami’s strong emphasis on undergraduate education and looks forward to getting to know and working with Miami students.
Li’s research examines how management controls affect employee behavior, drawing on theories from psychology and economics, particularly in nonprofit and social-mission organizations. This research informs her teaching, where she helps students understand how organizations use management control systems to align employee behavior with organizational objectives.
“I especially enjoy helping students see the importance of accounting information in business decision-making. I also like connecting course concepts to real-world examples and creating opportunities for students to interact with accounting practitioners.”
Outside the classroom, Li enjoys spending time with her husband and her three-year-old daughter, along with two Siberian cats and a Shiba Inu. She also enjoys spending time outdoors, particularly playing tennis, hiking, and camping.
Assistant Professor Brent Schmidt teaches ACC 321, Intermediate Financial Accounting. He earned his Ph.D. in Accounting from The Ohio State University and taught at Penn State University for several years before coming back to Miami, his alma mater.
Brent’s research examines how the regulation of disclosures shapes information in capital markets and influences real economic outcomes. Specifically, he studies the trade-offs of mandated disclosure, the effects of accounting standards, and the activities of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)—research questions which are directly relevant to regulators, market participants, and standard setters.
When teaching, Brent enjoys discussing the far-reaching impacts accounting has on the economy. “It’s exciting to see students engage with the material beyond just the debits and credits.” He particularly enjoys those “aha moments” for students, ”when they finally gain a deeper understanding of the material they’ve been struggling with. Seeing those breakthroughs for students is particularly rewarding.”
Brent grew up in Liberty Township and remembers going to campus growing up. “I knew I wanted to attend Miami for undergrad. Little did I know that I would end up joining the faculty and being able to give back to the institution I fell in love with all those years ago!”
Brent and his wife are Miami mergers. “Miami is such a special place for me because not only did it shape my academic foundation, but also it was where I met my wife of 14 years. I am very excited for the opportunity to contribute to Miami’s incredible legacy.”
In his free time, Brent enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, running, and going on walks with his dog. His favorite indoor activities include playing cards and board games, particularly chess.
Visiting Assistant Professor Nathan Jenkins teaches ACC 321, Intermediate Financial Accounting. He holds a J.D. from the Southern Illinois University School of Law, a Master of Accountancy (Taxation) from Southern Illinois University College of Business, and an M.B.A. from the Saint Xavier University Graham School of Management. Prior to joining Miami, he taught and served as program director for the Accounting program at Greenville University Briner School of Business. He has also worked for the IRS.
Nathan was attracted to Miami’s “unusually clear” commitment to teaching. “Miami’s focus on the classroom experience stood out during the search process and has continued to stand out as I’ve begun onboarding,” he said.
For Nathan, one of the most rewarding aspects of teaching accounting is helping students discover the practical wisdom embedded in the discipline. “The way we prepare financial statements, for example, is not arbitrary; it reflects generations of careful work and hard-won experience. I often learn as much as the students do through classroom discussion, and I value the fact that we get to talk about transactions many of them may never have the occasion to talk about ever again,” he added.
Nathan and his wife have recently become empty-nesters and are enjoying the freedom that comes with this new stage. “Long urban walks and architectural tours are especially interesting, but we also enjoy visiting botanical gardens and conservatories. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to attend RedHawks games at Goggin Ice Center.”