Economics professor brings abundant enthusiasm to the classroom

Riverside, Calif. (Feb. 18, 2026) — Dr. Paul Park, assistant professor of economics and analytics, is proof that zeal can take you far in the world of academia. Despite being in his first year of teaching at California Baptist University, Park has already earned the hearts of students and faculty alike. 

Park’s story shows how a detour can quietly direct one’s future. He graduated from University of California, Riverside, in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in economics/law and society. He had it in mind to go to law school but decided to take a break first. During this time, he worked at J.P. Morgan as a fund accountant. Then, the Great Recession hit. With the rough market, Park feared he would not be able to find another job while in law school.  

“What was supposed to be a two-year work plan ended up being more than a decade,” Park said. 

From accountant to hedge fund analyst at another company, Park made plans to get his Certified Public Accountant license. To obtain this, he had to go back to school and take some accounting courses. 

In his courses, Park studied econometric and economic models that he didn’t quite understand but enjoyed practicing. It was then he realized he wanted to study economics. Park took classes at California State University, Fullerton, earning a master’s in economics.  

While there he held study sessions through his job as a teaching assistant.  

“Over the course of the semester I noticed my sessions were progressively getting larger. Students would tell others, ‘You should go to this guy, he’s really helpful,’” Park said. “When I graduated, I wanted more teaching experience. Cal State Fullerton let me teach a class by myself post-graduation.” 

With a desire to educate in the field of economics, Park took his schooling one step further and attained a doctorate in economics from Florida State University. Shortly after this, he began searching for a job. When he was accepted at CBU he knew this was the right choice.  

“What drew me to CBU was the opportunity to integrate rigorous academic work with an open and thoughtful engagement with faith,” Park said. “I value being in community where intellectual inquiry and spiritual conviction are not in tension but are one and the same.” 

Since starting in the 2025-26 school year, he’s seen incredible engagement from students regardless of their major.  

Cole Ordlock, a business administration sophomore, took Park’s microeconomics course in the fall, and is currently in his business statistics class. Ordlock appreciates Park’s use of compelling examples when explaining complex topics, as well as the patience Park exercises with students. 

“Each student has a different learning curve,” Ordlock said. “He does not show disdain when they ask clarifying questions. Dr. Park answers all questions with a smile and happy tone, never a negative one.” 

Along with being in financial and academic sectors, Park was a youth and college pastor for seven years. He attributes his current teaching methods to experiences like these.  

“The way I teach is the way I used to do ministry, which is just to share life,” Park said. “I think students engage better when it’s not so cut and dry.” 

Although he recognizes that economics is not for everyone, he feels that his enthusiasm, love for the subject matter and biblical integration makes a difficult subject enjoyable and applicable in students’ lives. 

“Economics is challenging because it asks students to think abstractly about incentives, trade-offs and systems,” Park said. “Teaching economics well means helping students see the hidden structures of markets and policy and connect theory to real human behavior.” 

Chloe Montoya, an accounting freshman, has seen this in action in both the macroeconomics class she is taking with Park, along with his microeconomics class from the fall ’25. 

“He has brought emphasis to the fact that we should use Scripture to guide how we apply what is learned in class,” Montoya said. “We should seek to use our knowledge and financial power to bring glory to God, which I think is a noteworthy theme to include in a business-related class.” 

As he looks toward future years at CBU, Park can’t help but reflect on the sovereign hand of the Lord as He merged aspects of Park’s different jobs into a career. 

“As we go through our lives and we’re faithful to God, he moves things in a manner where we don’t even realize it’s happening,” Park said. “Everything that you experience in life, God makes it so that it doesn’t become a waste.”