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Colene Trent

Associate Professor of Economics

Colene Trent, associate professor of economics, never intended to study business, let alone become a professor in the field.

Originally, Trent attended the University of North Alabama planning to pursue an undergraduate degree in the realm of law, as her father was a courter reporter at the time. However, upon encouragement from her family that had a history of troubled money managing, Trent enrolled in some business and finance classes and realized she loved the discipline.

After completing her bachelor鈥檚 degrees in finance and economics, Trent went on to receive her master鈥檚 in business administration. While completing her master鈥檚, Trent says she was encouraged by professors to pursue a doctorate and become a teacher. Eager to accept the challenge, Trent earned her doctorate in economics from the University of Mississippi and accepted her first teaching job with Union University in 2013.

Never having learned or worked in a Christian environment, Trent is encouraged by Union鈥檚 dedication to a faith-based curriculum. Especially in a discipline with so many ethical challenges, she feels encouraged to integrate what the Bible considers to be 鈥渢ruth鈥� in business practices and in her classroom.

鈥淥ur money is often where our heart is, and there are over 2,000 Bible verses that talk about money,鈥� Trent said. 鈥淪o, if you love your neighbor, you should succeed in business because you should do it well.鈥�

Further, Trent says that her favorite class to teach is personal finance. Due to her family鈥檚 history with financial hardship, she sees the class as a direct ministry to her students.

鈥淚t speaks to my personal testimony,鈥� Trent said. 鈥淚f students can properly steward their finances, they鈥檙e avoiding so much hardship. I feel like God gave me a story that makes me compelled to teach that class well.鈥�

Alongside teaching at Union, Trent also serves as the executive director for Miss Tennessee 鈥� a professional development competition that aims to give college scholarships to young women. A former competitor and recipient of scholarships in the Miss Alabama contest, Trent hopes to highlight tremendous young women throughout Tennessee and give them the resources they need for success.

In both the discipline of business and Miss Tennessee 鈥� two areas that can be met with hostility and negativity 鈥� Trent wants her students and competitors to see her as their biggest cheerleader. Especially regarding economics, Trent hopes her love for the subject rubs off on students and encourages them to pursue the subject not because they have to, but because they want to.

By Caroline Hinrichs (鈥�22)

University Profile for Colene Trent