Trang T Thai

Dr. Trang T Thai is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Finance and Real Estate at the Naveen Jindal School of Management, The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), where she has been serving since Fall 2022. She previously held the position of Assistant Professor at SUNY Brockport. Her academic journey includes a PhD in Finance from UTA, an MS in Finance from UTA, an MA in Accounting & Finance from Leeds University (UK), and a BA in Credit and Finance from the Banking Academy of Vietnam.

• PhD, Business - Finance, The University of Texas at Arlington (2017)
• MS, Finance, The University of Texas at Arlington (2011)
• MA, Accounting & Finance, Leeds University (2005)
• BA, Credit and Finance, Banking Academy of Vietnam (2002)

Her research centers on corporate governance, agency problems, and their intersections with international finance, real estate, and behavioral finance. She explores topics such as executive characteristics, board structure, gender diversity, family ownership, and market competition. Recently, her work has expanded into sustainability, financial education, and emerging economies. She is passionate about student-centered teaching and mentoring.

Her recent publications and presentations focus on corporate financial policy across countries, particularly examining how product market competition influences corporate cash holdings. These works reflect strong empirical methodologies and comparative international perspectives, contributing to the broader understanding of corporate liquidity strategies in diverse economic environments.

Dr. Thai has been recognized with several honors, including:

• Distinguished Educator of Personal Finance, NextGen Personal Finance (2022)
• Academic Club of the Year 2020, SUNY Brockport
• Dr. Nuala McGann Drescher Leave Award (2020)
• SUNY OER Grant Award (2018)
• COB Dean's Graduate Teaching Associate's Excellence Award (2017)

She actively advises students, including undergraduate honors theses, and teaches a wide range of courses from fundamentals of corporate finance to advanced financial modeling and real options. She serves as Program Coordinator for the Financial Literacy and Personal Finance Program and as Faculty Advisor for the Finance Society. She also contributes as a reviewer for the Journal of Economics and Finance and the Journal of Accounting and Finance. Her creative activities include digital media projects and web design for financial literacy outreach.

Dr. Thai is deeply involved in academic service, including committee work on diversity and global connectedness, and supports the department chair in administrative functions. Her work bridges academic research with practical applications in financial education and personal finance innovation.