From unexpected beginnings to lasting impact

Management faculty member Mohan Song never planned to become a professor. 

“For me this path was very unexpected, not being carefully planned,” she said.  Her academic path began in hospitality and tourism management, where internships across finance, marketing, and operations led to a full-time role and a clear future in industry. “I was happy about that. I was totally ready to enter into the industry. I never thought of doing this academic thing,” she said.

But one unexpected opportunity changed everything. After working as a research assistant during her master’s program, a faculty mentor encouraged her to submit a paper to a conference. It was accepted—and recognized.

“I was recognized for creating a standout presentation as a master’s student,” she said. “My professor then said, ‘Wow, I think you have potential. Why don’t you consider going on to a Ph.D.?’”

She didn’t take that path immediately. But when her visa plans didn’t work out, she reconsidered and applied to a single Ph.D. program.

“I got lucky, I got in,” she said. “So that was the start. Everything was unexpected.”

Finding purpose through helping others

That unexpected turn became something more meaningful once she began teaching. As an international student herself, Song experienced firsthand the support of faculty and mentors. That experience now shapes how she approaches her own students.

“I get a lot of benefits from my professors, from people on campus who helped me throughout my Ph.D. journey,” she said. “And when I try to help students, they really appreciate it. I can see the impact I have on other people’s life.”

That impact is what keeps her in the classroom. “I like to help people. This is something I truly feel passionate about.”

At Central Michigan University, that passion shows up in the relationships she builds with students—and in the outcomes she celebrates alongside them. “Working with students and seeing their achievements really makes me feel happy,” she said.

She points to moments where encouragement turns into transformation—like a student who initially struggled to speak in class. “At the very beginning she couldn’t talk” Song said. “She didn’t want to, but she just needed to jump out of her comfort zone.” That student eventually found her confidence—and was admitted into a Ph.D. program. “I’m happy for her,” Song said.

A classroom built on conversation and confidence

In both undergraduate and MBA courses, Song’s teaching centers on one core idea: students learn best when they engage. “My teaching philosophy is I believe you have to engage in the conversation,” she said. “I encourage and push students to talk, to jump out of their comfort zone.”

That approach is intentional—especially in classrooms with diverse, international perspectives. “A lot of times there are either culture issues or language barriers. They feel, as international students, that they don’t want to make mistakes in class,” she said. “So, I really encourage them to engage in different conversations.”

To support that, she has redesigned parts of her courses to prioritize participation and real-time discussion. “I changed the structure of one final project into seven different class conversations,” she said. “Every class has a topic, everyone needs to talk and their participation directly gets included in their final grade.”

The goal is not just participation—it’s preparation for real-world decision-making. “I bring in real world examples and make students connect the theory to the real world and encourage them to think as managers,” she said.

Her classroom reflects the realities of global business—where there are no simple answers, and perspective matters. “I really like to have that type of a class conversation,” she said. “I want to encourage them to think from outside of the box.”

Helping students navigate what’s next

Beyond the classroom, Song is deeply invested in helping students find direction—especially those still figuring out their next step. “The next step always depends on what type of situation you’re in,” she said. “You can try different ways, but if you really have something urgent going on, you really need to plan that strategically.”

“I would suggest you start to try to build a connection with industry, with employer, with recruiters, with professors,” she said. “Ask everyone you can ask to help you.”

It’s the same approach she took as a student. “I constantly went to professors to talk to them,” she said. “Their advice really helped me.”

Now, she encourages students to do the same—and to recognize the long-term value of those relationships. “Advice from professors, from people who have more experience really helps students clear their paths,” she said.

A lasting takeaway

For Song, the most important lesson students carry forward isn’t tied to a single course or concept. It’s a mindset.

“We’re all students,” she said.

It’s a simple idea—but one that reflects her journey, her teaching, and her belief in continuous growth. From an unexpected start to a career built on impact, Song’s story is a reminder that the path forward isn’t always linear—but with the right support, it can lead exactly where it’s meant to.