A Conversation With...
Dr. Jim Lee

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

A: I grew up in Hong Kong. My parents moved to Canada in the late ‘70’s. I spent a lot of time there. I received my undergraduate degree in Economics in Canada, and my Ph.D. degree from Penn State University. After the 1990’s I went to Kansas (in the middle of nowhere), and was there for almost 10 years. I was teaching as an assistant professor in Economics in 1999 when I heard about the job opening here at TAMUCC, (Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi). What attracted me to this University was the University itself and the area. After spending sometime in the Midwest, this was an easy choice. I compared this downtown with San Diego, California’s downtown. I just love it here. I live on the island, and life is good. My wife said she could never go back (she’s from Hong Kong too). We really enjoy it that much here. As an economist, I think I can play a role in the community and help to make a difference. I haven’t been that involved with undergraduate students prior to this; perhaps this will be my opportunity to make a real contribution here. I teach only 2 days a week so I can devote a lot of my time to this. I’m excited to come, “not just for teaching!” I think I’m not alone in this, I think there are a lot of professors like that. They’re just excited to come here EVERYDAY.

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

A: I don’t think I’m so successful as what people perceive. I love to see students getting a good education and to educate students about something essential to their lives. At first I thought we were the Ivory Tower, but we’re not and I’ve come to learn this. We (in academics) can make contributions to our community and to society. I stay motivated because I just love working with the students, collectively or one-on-one.

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

A: I’m passionate about knowledge and learning. I love teaching, period. I love the interaction with the students. I have a choice to teach a couple of core classes with freshman and sophomores, which of course present their own challenges. However, I think teaching graduate courses are great. I think it’s because they don’t have as many barriers and they’re more mature. We still all have to help our the freshman and sophomore students too in teaching them their core curriculum classes.

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

A: I enjoy teaching all my courses. However, I believe economics is important for everybody. So I feel that it’s my duty to provide the best education to my students. This is one of the few universities that has Economics as a core class. About 1/3 of my Economics class, which is close to 200 students per semester, are freshman. I have another challenge, which is to tell and convince them that economics, is a FUN course. It’s important to know about economics because it’s a very import aspect of our society.

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

A: In the summer I advise freshmen in the orientation process and I’m a faculty mentor.

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

A: I lift weights everyday here on campus, which by the way is another way to interact with students. Every morning I run eight (8) miles. I run in marathons on a regular basis. The next one I will run in, will be in two (2) weeks in San Antonio, Texas. I know some students that are preparing to be in a marathon as well. I used to play Judo and Martial Arts. I spent some time, a while back talking to the coach form A & M College Station; before coming here, (A & M Corpus Christi). I was a coach in my former life, again before coming here.

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

A: Never thought about that much, but I’ve always tried to do my best with everything. Obviously, I guess I would have to say my parents who supported me with all my endeavors. The only thing was, when I got ready to leave home, I had to fight with my father, (not literally) but he didn’t want me to go. As a matter of fact, I even had to cry before he could let me go to college. I was the oldest (son) of five children, and my father did not want me to go. Also, I was the last one to leave home, and the last to get married.

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

A: Being here, (in the United States at this University) is considered to be one of my greatest achievements. I have no regrets for anything. I am thankful for being here. I am a full professor and life is good! So, if I had to come up with some achievements, I guess I would have to say, that I help produce scholars. I often think a lot of people more than they do of themselves. I love to see students walk across the platform, receive their degree, knowing that perhaps I’ve contributed to those students’ achievement(s). It’s an achievement when you know that student will be successful. Lastly, I think finishing a 26-mile marathon was an achievement.

Q: What question does the study of Economic Development attempt to answer?

A: We try to answer all sort of questions, which deal with the quality of life. We try to answer things that deal with (peoples’) well-being. We deal with the sort of things that make people better or happy. I’m constantly asking my students why they want to study economics? It just covers so much.

Q: Wouldn’t be caught dead wearing?

A: SANDALS! My secretary used to complain about this all the time; I think because I have ugly feet.