Pedram Jahangiry
Huntsman School of Business 2024 Teacher of the Year and the Eldon J. Gardner Utah State University Teacher of The Year
an incredible journey of growth and self-discovery. I
feel privileged to help students unlock their potential
just like I found mine.”
Today Pedram Jahangiry, CFA, PhD, is a professional practice assistant professor of data analytics and information systems (DAIS) in the Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University (USU). But that’s not where Pedram planned to be. When he landed his dream job at BlackRock in Manhattan, he never thought he’d leave. But six years ago, Pedram traded Wall Street for the classroom and calls it “the best plot twist I never planned.”
Since coming to USU, Pedram has greatly impacted Huntsman students and colleagues with his dedication to bridging the gap between academic training and industry requirements and inspiring students to excel. As an Analytics Solutions Center (ACS) mentor, his expert guidance arms students with the tools necessary for industry demands. For his outstanding work, Pedram was awarded USU’s 2024 Eldon J. Gardner Teacher of the Year award. Pedram recently shared about his personal and professional life with Huntsman Business.
Tell us about you!
“I’m originally from Iran but have been living and putting down roots in the United States for over a decade now. My wife and I moved to the US in 2012 to pursue our PhDs in Economics at Arizona State University (ASU). We have the sweetest 4.5-year-old boy named Dara, and we absolutely love spending time with him. In my free time, I enjoy playing the piano, traveling, and playing soccer when my body can keep up.”
What inspired you to transition from industry to academia?
“When my wife was offered a tenure-track position at USU, I thought I’d visit for a year or two and then head down to Salt Lake to work for another big financial company. But instead, I fell in LOVE with teaching from day one. The students at USU were fantastic, and I simply couldn’t think of a better job. When I started at BlackRock, I noticed a huge gap between what the job required and what my university training had prepared me for. I decided to fill this gap for my students by teaching them the latest concepts and technologies used in the industry and giving them opportunities to work on real-world projects through the Analytics Solutions Center at the DAIS department ... Teaching here has become my calling, and it’s been an incredible journey of growth and self-discovery. I feel privileged to help students unlock their potential just like I found mine.”
What is your guiding teaching philosophy as you make a meaningful impact for students?
“I firmly believe no two students are the same, and that’s a good thing. I reject a “one-size-fits-all” approach to teaching. As an anonymous wit once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Moving away from traditional metrics, I focus on each student’s progress, encouraging them to take educational risks and learn without the fear of failure.”
When your career is complete, what do you hope to be remembered for?
“I hope to be remembered as someone who profoundly changed lives through education. It’s not about the money or accolades; it’s about the lasting impact on my students’ lives. I want to be remembered for inspiring students to believe in themselves, unlocking their potential, and helping them achieve their dreams. Seeing them grow, succeed, and make a difference in the world is the ultimate reward.”
What do you see is the biggest obstacle for your students?
“The biggest obstacle for my students is often a lack of self-confidence. They need to understand that nobody knows everything, and it’s okay to make progress even if it’s just an inch a day. This generation is very fast-paced due to the technology they’re surrounded by. They think if they don’t understand something the first time, that’s it—but that’s not true! It’s important to be patient and persistent.”