Terra Brown McGhee

Terra Brown McGhee
Ph.D. in Accounting
College of Business
3rd-year
Odessa, TX

What inspired you to pursue graduate school?
All I ever wanted to be growing up was a professor. I have an insatiable intellectual curiosity and a strong desire to explore the deeper details of everything I study. I also love teaching and mentoring students as they transition into their professional careers through internships.

Why did you choose your current program or area of study?
My love for accounting developed after earning a bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology. While deciding what to pursue in graduate school, I worked for a CPA and discovered a deep appreciation for financial accounting. I became fascinated by how conceptual and procedural rules are used to distill diverse and often noisy real-world business activities into meaningful information for investors and creditors.

What motivates you on challenging days in graduate school?
I draw motivation from several sources within my social network when I feel overwhelmed or stuck. I am inspired by the experience and generosity of the senior faculty in my department, who freely share their time and wisdom. I also find joy and motivation in witnessing the successes of my fellow Ph.D. students.

The pride and support of my family carry me forward as well. As a first-generation college student, earning a Ph.D. would mean a great deal to my entire family. Most importantly, I am transparent with my children about the challenges I face and strive every day to model perseverance and resilience so they can see firsthand the rewards of hard work.

Please provide a brief description of your research or current project.
My current research explores how shareholder activism can create spillover effects within the supply chain. Specifically, I examine how creditors respond when a firm’s major customer becomes the target of activist shareholders.

What impact do you hope your research or work will have?
By improving understanding of the broader effects of shareholder activism beyond the targeted firm, my research can help activists develop more effective strategies while minimizing unintended consequences. It can also encourage supplier firms to proactively address potential issues with major customers. These outcomes may contribute to better-monitored and governed financial markets, increased transparency for investors, and more informed capital allocation decisions across U.S. markets.

What has been your favorite part of your graduate experience so far?
My favorite moments are the “eureka” experiences—often late at night—when I am working with peers to understand a difficult paper and suddenly the empirical methodology clicks. These moments are deeply satisfying because they reflect the power of collaboration and shared problem-solving.

What achievement during grad school are you most proud of?
I am especially proud of completing my written comprehensive exams last summer. During that time, I faced serious health challenges, including hospitalizations and major surgery, alongside personal and professional obstacles. Pushing through those difficulties and persevering toward a larger goal allowed me to show my children that it is okay to struggle and that persistence through hardship can be incredibly rewarding.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a graduate student?
I have learned that I am not invincible and that sheer willpower alone is not enough to overcome every challenge. Asking for help is not a weakness—it is essential. Embracing vulnerability has fostered deeper connections with others and helped create one of the most supportive teams I have ever been part of.

How has your perspective on your field changed since you started your program?
I have developed a much deeper understanding of the economic theory that forms the foundation of accounting research, which has strengthened my appreciation for the discipline as both a rigorous and impactful field of study.

What career path are you hoping to pursue after graduation?
After graduation, I hope to continue teaching and mentoring students, particularly through internships, while also pursuing meaningful and impactful research.