Xinyi Lu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
What is your educational background?
I earned my Ph. D. in accounting from The University of Texas at Dallas in 2010. And I got both my Bachelor degree in Accounting and my MBA degree from China.
How long have you taught at the University of New Haven, and what courses do you teach?
I have been teaching at the University of New Haven since Fall 2010. I teach both undergraduate and graduate courses. The courses I have taught are: A101 Introduction to Financial Accounting, A221 Intermediate Financial Accounting, A620 Financial Accounting for Managers, and A630 Topics in corporate Financial Reporting.
How would you describe your role as an advisor and mentor?
There is an old Chinese saying: “A student is not necessarily inferior to his teacher, nor does a teacher necessarily be more talented than his student. The real fact is that one might have learned the doctrine earlier than the other, or might be a master in his own special field.” I totally agree with this. So I believe a professor, as an advisor and mentor, is just someone who facilitates students’ learning. I respect students’ opinion and encourage them to express themselves. What I am trying to do is to use my knowledge and expertise to assist my students to be prepared, both academically and socially, to thrive in the highly competitive and fast-changing business world.
What are some fun facts about you?
I enjoy visiting zoo with my three-year old son. His favorite is goats and sheep and my favorite is giraffes.
What advice would you give to prospective students and their parents?
“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” –Benjamin Franklin The time, money, and effort you spend here at the University of New Haven are investments (not expenses). You will earn the return of and the return on your investments in the future.
What is your favorite thing about the University of New Haven?
The University of New Haven’s small-campus environment. It features a great deal of interaction with my students and with my colleagues. For students, this ensures that they can get attention and help they deserve. For me, this ensures that I can get attention and help I need.
How does the University of New Haven's accounting program differ from other reputable colleges and Universities?
Our accounting program is designed with students and their career and personal aspirations in mind. And we have a strong relationship with the world renowned Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences here at the University of New Haven. Our accounting students have the opportunity to take courses providing training in investigation, white collar crime and financial crimes.
What professional experience have you had and how does it benefit the University of New Haven accounting students?
Prior to pursuing my Ph.D., I had worked as a college instructor for four years and as an auditor for two and half years in China. While studying for my Ph.D. at UT Dallas, I taught two semesters’ intermediate financial accounting courses independently. My professional experience enables me to bring real life examples to the classroom and to teach accounting in a way that students can easily digest.
