Uniting Research and Teaching: The Case for Faculty Excellence

When you step into Professor Yo-Jud Cheng’s classroom at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, you immediately sense the energy and depth of knowledge she brings to her students. An expert in corporate governance, Cheng’s dedication to research not only shapes her teaching but also transforms her students’ understanding of the business world. 

Why Research is Crucial 

Cheng’s research focuses on corporate governance and top management teams. She studies how board directors and executives shape strategy, governance and performance through an in-depth examination of boardroom deliberations and executives’ attributes. This work isn’t just theoretical; it has practical, immediate applications in the classroom. As Cheng herself notes, “This class serves a really important purpose within Darden’s curriculum. It introduces students to topics that aren’t discussed in their other courses. In addition to preparing students to become future board members, it helps them understand our broader business environment in ways that tie into their work immediately upon leaving Darden.” 

Her elective, “Strategic Corporate Governance,” is a testament to how integrated research and teaching can be. Cheng explains, “Students tell me about how helpful it is for them to understand what goes on behind the scenes at the board level when a firm is considering an acquisition — or when they’ve seen news about an activist investor situation — how they were finally able to understand the mechanics of what happens in a proxy battle and the role of shareholders in these situations.” 

The Power of Investment 

The ability to conduct this kind of impactful research requires substantial support. Cheng’s involvement in a large-scale survey of board directors, which provided unprecedented insights into board activities and dynamics, was made possible by dedicated research time and resources. The insights from this survey not only enhance her teaching but also allow her to influence practice outside Darden. She shares, “I’ve been interviewed on Marketplace, a podcast and radio show that’s played on most NPR stations during the morning and evening commutes, on numerous occasions to provide commentary about CEO transitions and board diversity, two areas of particular interest to me.” 

Moreover, this research enabled Cheng to serve as an expert witness for the California Department of Justice, highlighting the real-world impact and relevance of her academic work. This dual role of teacher and researcher underscores the importance of robust funding for faculty research. 

Building a Future of Excellence 

To sustain and amplify this symbiotic relationship between research and teaching, Darden launched Faculty Forward, Milestone II of the Powered by Purpose campaign, last fall. Central to the campaign — which wraps up on 30 June 2025 — is the goal of creating a dedicated endowment for faculty excellence. This endowment will ensure that we can attract and retain the world’s leading educators, providing them with the resources necessary to conduct groundbreaking research and deliver top-tier education. Cheng’s exemplary work illustrates how such support can transform both faculty and student experiences.

Invest in Darden’s Future 

For more information about how you can establish an endowment for faculty excellence at Darden, contact Samantha Hartog, Senior Associate Vice President of Advancement, at +1-434-981-4025 or HartogS@darden.virginia.edu.