Kendell Poch
University of Minnesota, Carlson School of Management
“Kendell has always made me feel seen, respected, and understood during my collegiate career. Kendell respected my mental health needs before her class requirements, which allowed me to fully recover; showing she wanted me to complete my work to the best of my ability rather than by a strict schedule. Kendell believes respect is not given, but rather earned by her students. I have recommended her to countless CSOM students just because she is THE best. She allows students to feel like a person, rather than a missed deadline.” – Lauren Tesch
Kendell Poch, 37, is Senior Lecturer at University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
Poch previously served in various roles within the consulting industry and most recently in public accounting at KPMG. She earned both her MBA and MBT from the Carlson School.
She shifted to a full-time faculty role in 2017 teaching undergraduate, MBA, and Executive Education courses at the Carlson School, and she also serves as the undergraduate coordinator for the accounting department.
She is the winner of the Outstanding Teaching Award in 2019, the Undergraduate Faculty of the Year Award in 2020, and the Part-Time and Online MBA Faculty of the Year Awards in 2021.
BACKGROUND
At current institution since what year? 2017
Education: University of Minnesota, BA, MBA, MBT
List of Undergraduate courses you teach: Introduction to Financial Reporting, Strategic Management Accounting, Intermediate Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, The Language of Business
TELL US ABOUT LIFE AS A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR
I knew I wanted to be a business school professor when… I realized how influential my grad school professors were on me during my MBA.
If I weren’t a business school professor, I’d be… still in public accounting.
What do you think makes you stand out as a professor? I continually strive to make my courses better and better each semester.
One word that describes my first time teaching: Terrifying
Here’s what I wish someone would’ve told me about being a business school professor: You will love every aspect of your job….except grading.
Professor I most admire and why: There are too many to count
TEACHING BUSINESS SCHOOL STUDENTS
What do you enjoy most about teaching business students? I enjoy how they just start diving into the material, are always searching for solutions, and love a good challenge.
What is most challenging? Getting students to initially see that accounting is way more than just journal entries and T-accounts.
In one word, describe your favorite type of student: Engaged
In one word, describe your least favorite type of student: Dishonest
When it comes to grading, I think students would describe me as… having clear grading criteria so they know what to expect.
LIFE OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
What are your hobbies? Gopher football games, watching my kids play sports, home renovation projects
How will you spend your summer? Cabin trips and baseball games
Favorite place(s) to vacation: I will always have a soft spot for Disney World
What is currently your favorite movie and/or show and what is it about the film or program that you enjoy so much? Anything HGTV – I love finding new ideas for my house!
What is your favorite type of music or artist(s) and why? Anything late 1990s/early 2000s – I think everyone has nostalgia for music from their high school years.
THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS
If I had my way, the business school of the future would have much more of this…flipped classrooms, where lecture content is consumed via video prior to class and then active learning is prioritized during class time. I personally think it is one of the best ways to absorb and learn material, especially accounting.
In my opinion, companies and organizations today need to do a better job at…valuing their employees and rewarding high-performers.
I’m grateful for… my family. I am most thankful for the sacrifices my parents made for me, for my husband for always being there for me, and for my children – my greatest blessings!
DON’T MISS: THE ENTIRE 2022 ROSTER OF THE 50 BEST UNDERGRAD PROFESSORS
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