A Ghanaian-born financial planning scholar, Thomas Korankye, has been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure at the University of Arizona, marking a major milestone in his rising international academic career.

The promotion recognises Prof. Korankye’s contributions to research, teaching, financial planning education, and professional service within the United States and beyond.

Prof. Korankye currently serves as Associate Professor of Financial Planning and CFP Board Programme Director at the University of Arizona, where he has established himself in the fields of household finance, financial literacy, retirement planning, and consumer financial well-being research.

Originally from Tikrom in the Ejisu Municipality of Ghana’s Ashanti Region, Prof. Korankye began his educational journey at Kwakokrom L/A Primary School in the Amansie West District before later attending Bomso M/A JHS and enrolling at Kumasi High School, where he served in several leadership roles, including Dining Hall Prefect and Chief Usher of Scripture Union.

He later graduated with First Class Honours in Banking and Finance from the University of Ghana before pursuing advanced studies in Europe and the United States.

His academic journey includes multiple master’s degrees in finance, personal financial planning, and international fisheries management from institutions in Sweden, Norway, and the United States, culminating in a PhD in Personal Financial Planning from Texas Tech University.

In addition to academia, he holds internationally recognised professional certifications, including Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and Enrolled Agent status with the United States Internal Revenue Service.

His research focuses on how financial decisions affect the well-being of individuals and families, particularly in areas such as student debt, retirement savings, caregiving, college financing, and financial literacy.

Over the years, he has published more than 30 peer-reviewed journal articles, authored four industry white papers, delivered over 25 conference presentations, and served as a guest speaker at several academic and professional events.

Some of his studies have appeared in internationally respected journals including Review of Behavioural Finance, Managerial Finance, and the Journal of Family and Economic Issues.

Prof. Korankye has further contributed to academia through editorial board service, peer review roles for leading finance journals, and mentorship within financial planning institutions in the United States.

At the University of Arizona, he also played a key role in establishing the Financial Technology Lab to advance innovation and practical learning in financial planning education.

Prof. Korankye has expressed a special appreciation to Dr. Charlene Kalenkoski, a professor in the United States, and to Texas Tech University for funding and supporting his doctoral studies.

Reflecting on his journey, Prof. Korankye credited his late grandfather, Opanin Kwabena Kumah, for the early support and encouragement that shaped his educational path, while also acknowledging the contributions of mentors, family members, friends, and institutions across Ghana, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.

His promotion is being celebrated by colleagues, former students, and members of the Ghanaian academic community as another example of Ghanaian excellence making global impact through education and research.