Dr. Yongseung "Stanley" Han brings his 14 years of experience as an economist for the Bank of Korea to the classroom as a professor of economics in the Mike Cottrell College of Business on the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Oconee Campus.
He loves investigating real-life examples, such as the federal government's COVID-19 relief packages, to help students understand economic principles.
"Economics guides us to make better choices," Han said. "Economics provides a tool to quantify the benefits and costs of our choices."
While the practical nature of the field appeals to Han, he also enjoys helping students work toward their career goals and pursue advanced degrees.
"Whenever I stand and face my students in the classroom, I feel a deep responsibility as an educator to lead them toward a better future. They need to know lots of new things. They need to know what to do for their future," Han said. "They need to know how to achieve their goals. To me, it is quite a responsibility to lead them."
He earned the Distinguished Professor Award from UNG's Alumni Association in 2018.
Han appreciates the deliberative process of leadership. For Han, who earned a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in economics from Texas A&M University, his experience as a native South Korean shaped his perceptions of leadership.
"I grew up in a culture where one-sided, top-down communication was the norm in a strict hierarchy. In my experience in that culture, I learned how inefficient and how distorted one-sided decision-making is," he said. "Therefore, I like to listen and consider many voices in my decisions. In the classroom, I like to meet students' needs. I can't just say that 'you need to know this.' Instead, I like to say that 'we need to learn this.'"
This collaboration may make the process slower, but Han said this element is vital in securing buy-in from co-workers or students.
"Leadership must be authentic," he said. "A leader must become an example to the group."
