Dr. Roy Schmardebeck
When Dr. Roy Schmardebeck first learned about a faculty opening at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, he wasn’t looking to leave his previous institution. It was Halloween night, and he was preparing to take his kids trick-or-treating when he came across the job posting. Still, something nudged him to apply. That decision changed the trajectory of his career.
“From the moment I visited UT, I fell in love,” Schmardebeck said. “The Volunteer spirit reminded me of my undergraduate experience, and the energy in the Haslam College of Business was contagious. I felt like I had found a new home.”
Now a faculty member in the Department of Accounting and Information Management (AIM), Schmardebeck is known for his student-centered teaching style, commitment to academic excellence, and passion for reshaping the future of accounting education.
A first-generation college graduate originally from Idaho, Schmardebeck credits his parents with instilling a strong work ethic and a belief in the power of education. Those values have become the cornerstone of his teaching philosophy.
“I try to see the best in people and what they can become,” he said. “I learn all my students’ names and make it a point to reach out to them individually. Students perform better when they know someone genuinely cares.”
He also doesn’t shy away from academic rigor. Schmardebeck challenges his students to think critically and deeply—particularly in introductory accounting courses like ACCT 203, which often force students to reconsider how they approach learning.
“One student once told me they realized they couldn’t ‘smart’ their way through my class,” he said with a smile. “They had to actually think—and learn.”
Beyond the classroom, Schmardebeck is part of a collaborative effort within AIM to reframe how students view accounting. With enrollment in accounting programs declining nationally, he and his colleagues are working to help students see the field not just as a path to a job, but as a versatile foundation for a career in solving real-world business problems.
“We’ve moved away from the stereotype of accountants stuck in cubicles,” he explained. “We’re helping students see accounting as a powerful tool that adds value and opens doors.”
Though he’s had many memorable moments in his teaching career, Schmardebeck says the real highlights come in the form of student breakthroughs and long-term relationships.
“It’s always a joy to see a struggling student finally ‘get it,’ or to hear from a former student who’s doing something amazing in their career,” he said. “In those moments, the teacher becomes the student.”
As for the future of higher education, Schmardebeck believes the integration of research into teaching will only grow stronger. He sees critical thinking, data analysis, and the inquiry skills developed in PhD programs making their way into undergraduate classrooms.
“Teaching is not just about facts anymore. Students can get facts from YouTube or ChatGPT,” he said. “Our job as faculty is to help them see the world—and themselves—differently. That’s what makes a lasting impact.”
Schmardebeck’s blend of academic excellence, heartfelt mentorship, and visionary thinking continues to shape the lives of his students—and the future of the profession he loves.