A Conversation With...
Dr. Chuleeporn Changchit

Q: Where did you grow up and how did you get here, (A&M-CC)?

A: I was born and raised in Thailand. I earned my bachelors degree in Accounting in 1988. After working in the industry as a consultant for 5 years, I obtained another bachelors degree in law. I then had the opportunity to continue my studies at the University of Kentucky where I earned a masters degree in Accounting. While working on my master degree there, I became interested in working with computers and felt that it would be nice to study more in the information systems field. Therefore, I decided to pursue my doctoral degree and earned a Ph.D. in Information Systems. After graduating, I worked as an assistant professor at the University of Iowa for three years but somehow, Iowa was too cold for me. So, when I received an invitation to visit TAMUCC and was informed that there was no snow in Corpus Christi, I decided to visit the University, and have fallen in love with it ever since.

Q: What motivates you and has helped you become who you are today?

A: My parents. I am the youngest in a family of fourteen children. My parents always emphasized the importance of education and - I believe that part of the reason why is that they did not have such an opportunity themselves. They ensured that all fourteen of us had the proper schooling and that we all obtained at least a bachelors degree. Among the fourteen of us, we represent almost all major occupations, with the exception of dentistry. I don’t know why, perhaps no one in my family likes to work with teeth.

Q: What makes you passionate about your field and teaching students?

A: I like the feeling of discovering how a computer can improve the effectiveness and efficiency in life. Ten years ago, if someone had told me that I would become a professor, I would have thought that they were kidding. I like being challenged and teaching, at that time, did not seem to be anything challenging to me. However, my philosophy is “Don’t be afraid to try anything new if there is no harm.” So when my advisor asked me to try teaching before going back to the industry, I said “Yes, I’ll try”. It was then that I discovered the challenge of teaching. It may be easy to instruct students to do what you want them to do, but it is quite difficult to really make them learn and want to learn. However, the great feeling you get when that does happen is extremely worthwhile.

Q: What course(s) are your favorite to teach?

A: Honestly speaking, my favorite courses depend a lot on the students I have during each semester. The students’ willingness to learn always makes those courses become my favorite courses.

Q: What co-curricular activities are you involved in, and how can students become involved with you in those activities?

A: My research area is how to apply information systems into other disciplines or how information systems can help people make better decisions. I always welcome students who would like to work with me in this area.

Q: Outside of TAMUCC, what extracurricular activities are you involved in; what do you do for fun?

A: Besides teaching and research, I really enjoy gardening and reading novels. I like to see the progress of each plant as it grows and hopefully flourishes. Reading novels also makes me feel relaxed.

Q: Who inspired you the most or had the greatest impact during your collegiate experience which directed you to your field of study?

A: My parents, my brothers, my sisters, and my advisor. My parents always encouraged their children to continue higher education as far as they could. I think that I am very lucky to be the youngest in the family. I always have so many people I can go to for guidance and suggestions for all the paths I take or situations I have to go through. However, one drawback about being the youngest of fourteen children is that it is extremely difficult to surprise anyone in the family because many of the things I do have already been done. It’s also challenging and fun to compete with my brothers and sisters because quite a few of them also have Ph.D.s. My advisor also inspired me to try the teaching career – a career that I had never thought of trying before.

Q: What is your greatest achievement and whom do you attribute this to?

A: My great achievement is finding the right balance between my career and my life. When I worked as a consultant, I really enjoyed my work. However, I always felt bad about not having enough time for my family, especially my parents. To do well in any career, it’s important to devote a lot of time. Being a professor really gives me a good balance because I can devote all of my time during the semester towards my teaching and research, and still leave room during the breaks to spend time with my family.

Q: What question does the study of Management Information Systems Science attempt to answer?

A: The question of how technology can help improve effectiveness and efficiency in everyday life.

Q: Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?

A: A bikini – I think that I would lose all my confidence if I had to wear one.