Hyeik Kim thought she would be a New York investment banker when she started college as a business major. “I enjoyed math, loved the idea of investing, and was drawn to the world finance,” she says.
“But, while pursuing graduate studies at Cornell University, I discovered a passion for research and teaching. I was fascinated by the freedom to explore ideas and contribute knowledge, which led me to pursue a Ph.D.
“I’ve loved the work ever since.”
Kim joined the UCR School of Business faculty in fall 2024 and teaches graduate and undergraduate corporate finance and entrepreneurial finance as an assistant professor of finance.
Read the (Class)Room
“As a college student myself, I valued professors who explained concepts clearly, provided constructive feedback, and fostered curiosity,” says Kim, who earned a bachelor’s degree at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, which is her hometown. She also earned a master’s in applied economics at Cornell University and holds a Ph.D. in finance from The Ohio State University.
As a professor, Kim integrates these lessons learned about effective instruction by conducting an interactive and student-centered classroom. “I try to emulate that clarity while adding opportunities for active learning, collaborative work, and frequent feedback,” says Kim, who was an assistant professor of finance at the University of Alberta before coming to UCR. “Being in front of the classroom and engaging with students outside class has taught me to read the room, adapt pacing, and connect finance concepts to students’ goals.”
Choosing UCR
Kim moved to California to teach at UCR. “I chose the School of Business because of its thoughtful balance between teaching and research, its collaborative culture, and the opportunity to contribute to a growing program,” she says, and Kim is right at home in the classroom. “I value teaching for its impact on students—helping them translate theory into practice and prepare for meaningful careers.
“I’ve been impressed by the students’ energy and genuine curiosity. Their thoughtful questions keep me intellectually engaged and continually refining my material.”
She has advice for her students who are considering studying and/or careers in finance: “Build strong quantitative and analytical skills—statistics, econometrics, financial modeling—and take advantage of internships as soon as possible.”
Of course, she also says finding equilibrium is important—and she makes sure she maintains it in her own life by being physically active with gyrotonics exercise and the F45 fitness program. “I also spend quality time with my daughter and make time for personal interests,” she says. “This all helps me rest and recharge for teaching and research.”
BONUS: Research to Read
“I pursue research because it generates new knowledge, informs my teaching, and provides insights that can help business leaders make better decisions. The synergy between teaching and research is especially rewarding at UCR,” says Kim, whose research focuses on private equity and corporate finance.
“I’m drawn to these areas because they are central to how firms allocate capital, manage incentives, and create value over time,” she says. “In private equity, I study how deal structures and governance influence performance, especially in fast-changing private markets,” she adds. “In corporate finance, I examine corporate capital structure decisions, payout policies, and how incentives shape managerial behavior.”
Her current work investigates how compensation and ownership arrangements affect decision-making in private equity-backed versus nonprivate equity-owned firms.
In that vein, Kim co-wrote “All Clear for Takeoff: Evidence from Airports on the Effects of Infrastructure Privatization” with Sabrina T. Howell, Yeejin Jang, and Michael S. Weisbach, which is forthcoming in the Review of Financial Studies journal.
“The key idea in this paper is that the ownership structure and incentive design affect performance in airport privatization with implications for private equity-backed versus nonprivate equity operators,” says Kim.
“Readers can study ownership effects and contract design, apply insights to governance and performance measurement, and see how ownership incentives influence critical infrastructure outcomes.”