Teacher of the Year: Todd Griffith

Todd Griffith believes that his primary goal as an educator is to mentor and develop students by providing them with a challenging and exciting learning environment. Regardless of the teaching content, he likes to emphasize the applied nature of the topic through current events and practical examples. Griffith, an Assistant Professor of Finance, was recognized as the 2022 Teacher of the Year in the Huntsman School because of his thoughtful teaching style and for his care for his students. Griffith was also recognized as the Huntsman School Faculty Researcher of the Year in 2021.

Alumna Kristin Dahl, who currently works for Goldman, Sachs, noted the genuine concern Professor Griffith showed for each student. “I came to your office so many times, stressed out of my mind, sick, and clueless and you always helped me nail the concepts I needed to. Your enthusiasm towards teaching and life will continue to inspire so many students. I’m grateful I was able to take your classes and learned so much from you.”

Griffith is noted for the time and attention he puts in to prepare and organize materials for his classes, for the experiential learning activities that force students to apply the knowledge learned in the classroom, for taking time at the beginning of each class to discuss current events. He also mentors undergraduate and graduate students in their research programs, serves as the graduate program advisor for the Master of Financial Economics and Master of Science in Economics Programs, as the faculty advisor for the Personal Financial Planning student club, and a faculty mentor for the CFA Institute Research Challenge.

Ben Blau, head of the Economics & Finance Department, stated that, “Professor Griffith is an incredible teacher and scholar. In the classroom, he has a unique ability to incite engagement from his students about current topics in financial markets. Outside of the classroom, Todd may be one of the most active researchers in the discipline. He has published his research at a rate that is unmatched in the profession. Moreover, he frequently includes students on his research and has published a number of studies with student researchers. We are so grateful for his excellent contribution to the Huntsman School and important role he plays in the lives of his students.”

Griffith graduated with honors, earning a Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Mississippi. He received an MS in Financial Economics in 2012 and a BS in Economics in 2011 from Utah State University, where he also competed for the Aggie Cross Country and Track Teams. He teaches Corporate Finance, Investments, and Markets and Trading to both undergraduate and graduate students. His research interests are in empirical market microstructure, asset pricing, and banking. He has published work in several academic journals, such as the Review of Financial Studies, the Journal of Banking and Finance, the Journal of Financial Markets, and Financial Management.