Two faculty journeys, one CMU story

When Finance and Law faculty member Adam Epstein and Economics faculty member Jason Taylor arrived at Central Michigan University in 2003, they weren’t just starting new roles, they were beginning a shared journey that would span decades of teaching, mentorship and impact.

The two were the only tenure-track hires in the College of Business that year. More than 20 years later, both remain alongside the college while helping shape generations of students.

For Epstein, who is from Buffalo, New York, the transition felt unexpectedly familiar.

“I remember thinking, wow, this accent is the same accent where I grew up. I felt like it was almost a coming home for me, even though I had never been to Michigan before,” he said.

Taylor, who grew up in Ohio, had a similar experience returning to the Midwest after spending 9 years in the South.

“I felt very comfortable coming back to the Midwest. It was like coming home,” he said.

From chalkboards to technology-driven classrooms

Over the years, both faculty members have adapted their teaching to better support student success.

“I've tried to become very student-friendly in terms of meeting the needs of students to be successful in the class and to try to really deliver a good product for my students in the classroom,” Taylor said. 

Epstein has seen a major shift in how courses are delivered.

“My teaching style has really changed towards emphasizing the face-to-face interaction but still having an A-game when it comes to Blackboard, PowerPoint, videos and internet links. I’m very technological oriented,” he said. Even as formats evolve, their mindset remains consistent.

“I want there to be a level playing field and everybody gets the same shot,” Epstein said.

Changing classrooms, same student drive

One of the biggest changes they’ve observed is how students connect in the classroom.

“When we came in 2003, everybody was talking to each other all the time,” Taylor said. “Now, I walk in, it's dead silent. The students don't have as much of a connection with each other anymore.”

Epstein sees similar challenges with technology.

“[Students] seem to be a bit more introverted, they're glued to their technology,” he said. Still, both emphasize that CMU students remain motivated and engaged in meaningful ways.

“I think CMU students, for the most part, are very happy to be here,” Epstein said.

Research that strengthens the classroom

Teaching is only part of their impact. Between them, Epstein and Taylor have published more than 125 articles and books since arriving in Mount Pleasant in 2003, and their work has been cited collectively more than 1,600 times. Both have also received the President’s Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, CMU’s highest faculty research honor.

Their research informs their teaching, bringing current insight and real-world relevance directly into the classroom and reinforcing CMU’s commitment to applied learning and faculty expertise.

When teaching becomes personal

For Epstein, the moments that stay with him are often deeply personal.

“I had a student come up to me and he told me that his mother passed away,” he said. “It's just a reminder that everyone has their own story.”

The experience reinforced how he approaches teaching, leading with empathy, recognizing what students may be carrying, and supporting them both inside and outside the classroom. For Taylor, the impact often becomes clear years later.

“So many of my former students have gone on to earn a Ph.D. and are now faculty at universities around the country and around the world,” he said. “To me, it's such a proud moment.”

Whether it’s supporting a student through a difficult moment or watching them build careers of their own, both professors see teaching as something that extends far beyond a single semester.

A glimpse into tomorrow

Even after decades at CMU, both faculty members remain focused on helping students make the most of their time.

“Make connections, get involved, there's lots of experiential learning opportunities and students should take advantage of those,” Taylor said.

Epstein encourages students to take ownership of their experience. His advice: “If it is to be, it's up to me, make things happen,” he said.

After years of teaching, mentoring and learning, their shared journey reflects what defines the College of Business: a community where faculty invest in students, and where students leave a lasting impact in return.