We asked several CAHNRS Ambassadors, excellent students who love WSU and their college, to name their favorite or most influential professors. And now we’re featuring those nominated educators in this weekly series, which runs through the summer.
Today we’re showcasing Mark Gibson, clinical associate professor in the School of Economic Sciences. Here are his answers to a few questions:
Where are you from?
I was born in Minneapolis and grew up in the Twin Cities area.
Where did you go to school?
I got my B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in economics from the University of Minnesota.
How did you become interested in your field?
I didn’t know what I wanted to major in when I went to college, but I loved my economics courses. And I had great experiences with economics faculty at Minnesota and after college with economists at the Federal Reserve.
Why did you want to become a professor?
Economics is exciting and fun, both teaching it and doing it. I love sharing that with students and colleagues.
What is your favorite thing about working with college students?
I love teaching, but it’s even more fun to get to know students outside the classroom and to encourage them in their aspirations.
What advice would you pass along to students?
Attend class, pay attention, and get to know your instructors and classmates. Have lots of fun, too.