Hired only a couple of weeks before classes began, the University of Arkansas-Monticello School of Business and Babin Business Center’s newest faculty member, Becky Phillips knows just how demanding yet rewarding her job actually is.

   Born and raised in Monticello, Phillips says the most influential person in her life was her mother. Phillips grew up with divorced parents and watched her mother work hard to support her brother and herself. These hardships made Phillips’ first priority a good education.  Phillips attended Monticello High School where she met Ralph May, a computer teacher, who mentored her in accounting.  
 
   Phillips worked for Maxwell Flooring for 12 years in an office setting.  Then life led her to a saw mill in Hamburg where she continued office work.  
 
   “I decided to become a teacher because I needed a challenge and something different,” Phillips said.
 
   That decision brought Phillips to UAM. At that time Phillips participated in a distance learning program, majoring in accounting for two years, through the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. One of the only members of the class to graduate, she received a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1999.
 
   Phillips said the practical experience she had at Maxwell was invaluable. She admits her weaknesses are being too nice and a little unorganized. Her strengths include caring for people and wanting to have a positive influence on the students at UAM.
 
   "I hope my students would say that I am concerned about their welfare and want them to succeed. I will work hard to make sure that happens," Phillips said.

   Phillips teaches two senior level accounting classes at the BBC.

   "The faculty at Babin Business Center welcomes Phillips and knows her past experience makes her highly qualified for the job," Dean of the School of Business Louis J. James said.