Decoding Decisions Beyond the Numbers
Wednesday, 18 February 2026
9:30 AM EST
Zoom
Dr. Timothy Timura
Professorial Lecturer in Finance and Real Estate
American University Kogod School of Business Dr. Timothy Timura, CFA, CAIA, Nulsen Endowed Professor of Practice, is a member of the Kogod School of Business Finance and Real Estate faculty. By his own account, he completed "The Timura Trilogy" - having successfully served in the professional, academic and government worlds. In recognition of his accomplishments, in 2018, the Portage, Pennsylvania native was awarded a Fulbright by the US Department of State. In 2024, Timura was recognized with the third straight AU Kogod Undergraduate Professor of the Year award. Professionally, for over thirty years, Timothy held investment management positions with Federated Investors, Principal Financial, and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (OhioSTRS). Academically, prior to KSB, he taught financial economics at The Ohio State University, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association School at Bucknell University, Lehigh University, the University of Pennsylvania, and participated as a Research Fellow at Case Western Reserve University. Most recently, Timothy accepted the role of Enforcement Consultant with the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (ERISA) group and before that, served as Deputy Chief Economist and Deputy Director at the US Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA). He has twice been elected to public office in Pennsylvania. A passionate disciple of Paulo Freire's educational pedagogy (critical consciousness); a champion of expectation-based investment processes; a defender of alternative asset investment strategies; a votary of behavioral finance principles; a proponent of Kolb's experiential learning theory; and the author of The Duplicity Effect, The Retirement Learning Cycle, Responsible Financial Citizens, and Is Wall Street Research Useful?, Timura has research interests in experiential learning theory applied to financial, economic, and political issues.
Varsha Sharma
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
Kogod School of Business With over a decade of experience across admissions, recruitment, and student guidance, she has built a career dedicated to helping students navigate the complexities of global education. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions at the American University – Kogod School of Business, where she supports international applicants and leads strategic outreach initiatives. Her experience spans top institutions in India and Canada, including the Schulich School of Business at York University, the Indian School of Business (ISB), and Indus International School. She has deep expertise in admissions counseling, profile evaluation, higher education marketing, and relationship management. From guiding IB and international curriculum students to assessing MBA applications and improving CRM systems like Salesforce, she combines process excellence with a strong student-centric approach. Her diverse background—ranging from marketing and communications to academic administration—allows her to mentor students holistically as they pursue competitive global programs. Passionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to student success, she continues to empower aspiring learners to achieve their academic and professional goals worldwide.
Professorial Lecturer in Finance and Real Estate
American University Kogod School of Business Dr. Timothy Timura, CFA, CAIA, Nulsen Endowed Professor of Practice, is a member of the Kogod School of Business Finance and Real Estate faculty. By his own account, he completed "The Timura Trilogy" - having successfully served in the professional, academic and government worlds. In recognition of his accomplishments, in 2018, the Portage, Pennsylvania native was awarded a Fulbright by the US Department of State. In 2024, Timura was recognized with the third straight AU Kogod Undergraduate Professor of the Year award. Professionally, for over thirty years, Timothy held investment management positions with Federated Investors, Principal Financial, and the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (OhioSTRS). Academically, prior to KSB, he taught financial economics at The Ohio State University, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association School at Bucknell University, Lehigh University, the University of Pennsylvania, and participated as a Research Fellow at Case Western Reserve University. Most recently, Timothy accepted the role of Enforcement Consultant with the Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (ERISA) group and before that, served as Deputy Chief Economist and Deputy Director at the US Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA). He has twice been elected to public office in Pennsylvania. A passionate disciple of Paulo Freire's educational pedagogy (critical consciousness); a champion of expectation-based investment processes; a defender of alternative asset investment strategies; a votary of behavioral finance principles; a proponent of Kolb's experiential learning theory; and the author of The Duplicity Effect, The Retirement Learning Cycle, Responsible Financial Citizens, and Is Wall Street Research Useful?, Timura has research interests in experiential learning theory applied to financial, economic, and political issues.
Assistant Director of Graduate Admissions
Kogod School of Business With over a decade of experience across admissions, recruitment, and student guidance, she has built a career dedicated to helping students navigate the complexities of global education. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Admissions at the American University – Kogod School of Business, where she supports international applicants and leads strategic outreach initiatives. Her experience spans top institutions in India and Canada, including the Schulich School of Business at York University, the Indian School of Business (ISB), and Indus International School. She has deep expertise in admissions counseling, profile evaluation, higher education marketing, and relationship management. From guiding IB and international curriculum students to assessing MBA applications and improving CRM systems like Salesforce, she combines process excellence with a strong student-centric approach. Her diverse background—ranging from marketing and communications to academic administration—allows her to mentor students holistically as they pursue competitive global programs. Passionate, knowledgeable, and deeply committed to student success, she continues to empower aspiring learners to achieve their academic and professional goals worldwide.There is an ongoing battle between the proponents of traditional finance and those of behavioural finance. This course will explore the issues that separate the two schools of thought and the implications thereof. A focus on individual decision under the two will be developed, compared, and contrasted.
Explore how biases impact market behaviour
Learn how psychology influences financial decisions
Learn how traditional finance meets behaviour
Learn how to better decisions through awareness
Expand valuable industry connections
Enhance professional decision-making
Access to SEED Scholarship Fund
Application Fee Waiver
Located in the vibrant and dynamic city of Washington, D.C., the American University's Kogod School of Business has been shaping future business leaders since its founding in 1955. By harnessing the power of American University's renowned reputation, it offers cutting-edge graduate programs renowned for integrating artificial intelligence, sustainability, and STEM-designated tracks. All master's students benefit from Kogod's award-winning AI curriculum, with specialized courses and credentials in machine learning and business analytics. The school's sustainability-focused programs such as the MS in Sustainability Management and the MBA with ESG and climate strategy pathways equip students to lead in responsible business. STEM-designated options, including the MS in Finance, MS in Accounting, MBA, and MS in Business Analytics and AI, blend technical expertise with business skills, allowing international graduates to extend their stay and work in the US. Kogod School of Business distinguishes itself through comprehensive integration of artificial intelligence across all programs, offering over 20 AI-focused courses and credentials, including majors, minors, certificates, and badges. The Institute for Applied AI engages faculty from multiple disciplines, delivering immersive, real-world learning and ensuring students master both foundational and advanced AI skills applicable to diverse business careers.
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29 January 2026
9:30 AM EST (America/New_York)
03 February 2026
9:30 AM EST (America/New_York)
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