Dr. Ravi Paul
East Carolina University
Dr. Ravi Paul, East Carolina University's 2012 nominee for the Board of Governors Excellence in Teaching Award, is associate professor in the Department of Management Information Systems, College of Business. In his nine years at ECU, Dr. Paul has demonstrated a passion for teaching and a gift for helping students learn. A former student wrote, "You embody what a professor should be, on any level. You are challenging, thorough, professional, and compassionate. I learned about MIS in your class, but I also learned about structure, leadership, and discipline." Another wrote, "Dr. Paul was superlative in his balanced approach... He is a natural motivator, using positive reinforcement and encouragement... while... having high expectations of his students."
His dean wrote, Dr. Paul, "exemplifies everything we look for in a teacher. He is able to push his students into performing better than they thought possible. He prepares them for an ever changing future by developing their critical thinking skills, and builds their confidence with hands on learning and presentations that mimic real work situations. In addition, he provides counsel, service, and advice across the college and campus through his many service activities." His chair identified teaching as Dr. Paul's "true passion" noting, "There are few faculty who are as caring, resourceful, and innovative."
In his philosophy of teaching, Dr. Paul discusses the importance of growth and innovation: "As I continue to strive to become a better teacher, I have come to realize that teaching involves much more than the actual time spent in contact with students. In addition to a strong, guiding teaching philosophy, it involves keeping current... so that I can incorporate appropriate changes into the classroom and into the curriculum." Students, he believes, will "rise to the level of expectation we hold for them," and he endeavors to maintain and communicate these high expectations while fostering a caring, encouraging learning environment. He believes in the importance of providing opportunities for students to develop 21st Century leadership skills, to engage in collaboration and communication, to grow in creative and critical thinking ability, and to embrace the need to stay current and be lifelong learners. He uses case based learning to challenge and guide his students and serves as an enthusiastic model of what a lifetime lover of learning is.
Dr. Paul's outstanding teaching has resulted in numerous awards including the UNC Board of Governors Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award, University Alumni Award for Outstanding Teaching, College of Business Commerce Club Teaching Excellence Award and New Faculty Teaching Award, and ECU Scholar-Teacher Award. Graduating seniors have voted him a faculty marshal.
Professor Paul has also worked to improve teaching and learning beyond his own classroom through service on university committees and organizations including the Faculty Senate. He has chaired the College of Business Graduate Curriculum, Management Information Sciences Curriculum, and Curriculum Assurance Committees, and held numerous other leadership roles to incorporate international perspectives, critical thinking, and leadership development into the curriculum.
Dr. Paul earned the BS in Mechanical Engineering from Bangalore University, India, and the MS in Industrial Management and PhD in Industrial Management-Emphasis MIS at Clemson University, South Carolina.