Michaël Dewally
Assistant Professor, Department of Finance
“Towson is one of the most student-oriented institutions you will ever find,” according to Michaël Dewally, assistant professor of finance, who advises students in the Towson First-Year Experience program. “Teaching is the bread and butter of what we do, and I espouse the value that Towson places on teaching.”
Dewally enjoys the challenge of teaching investments to undergraduate students. “My job is to motivate them, make them aware of all available resources, and build their confidence,” describes Dewally, who ties coursework to activities in the real world. He recently advised students in the Global Investment Research Competition in which students analyze Under Armour, Marriott International, Inc., U.S. Silica and other local companies. Towson won the top spot, earning them a place in the national competition.
Dewally is also earning a reputation for his research on the banking industry. “I am a firm believer that there is too much consolidation in the banking industry,” attests Dewally. “Corporate headquarters are farther and farther away from local economies, which means big banks are disconnected from local business needs.” He is interested in conducting more studies with small banks that have a local footprint.
The high level of faculty collegiality at Towson is a big draw to Dewally. “Yingying Shao, assistant professor of finance, and I clicked immediately, and a great research collaboration was born,” explains Dewally. “She does more of the data analysis, and I do the writing.” Their work has explored how a solid and well-structured banking system plays an essential role in the economy, including lending to corporations, supporting entrepreneurial activities and offering liquidity to the community. He also serves as co-editor of the Baltimore Business Review in partnership with the Baltimore CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) Society, an annual publication that promotes Towson’s faculty research.