Michael Yates

Michael Yates is a Clinical Professor of Finance at the Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He specializes in teaching honors courses in financial management, investments, and portfolio management at both undergraduate and MBA levels. Prior to his current role, he held positions at Georgia State University and Auburn University, where he also conducted research on labor economics and teaching methodologies. His research on umpire discrimination in baseball, published in the American Economic Review, gained significant media attention.

• Education: Ph.D. in Finance (University of Texas at Austin, 2007), M.A. in Banking and Finance (University of Alabama, 2002), B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration (University of Alabama, 2001)
• Teaching: Courses include Honors Financial Management, Investments and Portfolio Management, and MBA-level Financial Management I and II.
• Research Interests: Academic integrity, mutual fund reputation, labor economics, and teaching effectiveness.

Yates has received numerous teaching awards, including the Home Federal Excellence in Teaching Award (2022–2023) and the Fischer Black Distinguished Finance Professor Award (2019). He is also actively involved in academic service, serving on committees for curriculum development, honors programs, and student organizations.

• Service: Committee roles include Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, MBA Program Committee, and advising the Tennessee Capital Markets Society.
• Awards: Over 15 teaching and research accolades, including recognition from the University of Tennessee and external organizations like the TFE Times.

His research spans labor economics, investment strategies, and pedagogical innovation, with publications in journals such as the International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning and the American Economic Review.