Noticing a need at his community church, Associate Professor Seong Yeon Cho, Ph.D., shares his accounting and technology experience. Dr. Cho acts as an integral cog in his congregation that connects with all members in one way or another, ensuring every component flows behind the scenes.

Seong Yeon Cho, Ph.D., associate professor of accounting

“In our community, there are some groups of people who do not always have the opportunity to learn new knowledge that can improve their lives greatly,” Cho says. “My goal is finding the simple principles I find through my experience and research to help them.”

Cho teaches the St. Paul's United Methodist Church finance committee basic accounting principles, such as the meaning of the financial reports. While calculations are at the core of his teaching, Cho uses these moments to encourage overall connection and community within his church as well. “I usually share my own personal experience as examples and try to learn different backgrounds of the audience and find the common ground first to share,” he says.

Seong Yeon Cho teaching accounting both in and out of the classroom

An established teaching reputation follows Cho in the community, and he’s branched out to coordinate some technical coaching as well. These teachings allow larger, outdoor services to flourish, caring for the technology that flows behind the scenes.

Through his guidance, Cho encourages technical fluency and their community culture. “I see the spillover effect of using similar skill sets among the church community,” he says.

Dr. Cho meetings regularly with the finance committee at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Rochester to teach them basic accounting principles