Tj Canann, Wayne State College’s newest assistant professor in the Business and Economics Department, is excited to share his passion for math and economic investigations with his students around campus.  

Canann grew up in Austin, Texas and attended Brigham Young University in Utah where he received his undergraduate degree. He completed graduate school at the University of Minnesota before beginning his teaching journey at the University of Texas. While at the University of Texas, Canann had a group of 40students participate as research assistants from freshman to senior year after taking his course.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Canann completed economic analysis reports for the state of Texas on the effects of lockdowns. After his time teaching and working in Texas, Canann and his family moved to Wayne for a new beginning.  

Canann said his favorite thing about teaching is students who are engaged in his classes and opening opportunities for them when they do so.  

“I like when students finally click,” Canann said. “That little notion of having diligence. When you do that, you can always get them to click with the material,” he said.  

“It’s like when I’m homeschooling my children and teaching them to read, when they get it; then the whole world opens up to them and they can go discover the world on their own.”   

Canann will be teaching principles of macroeconomics, predictive analytics, data analytics, policy analytics and financing courses. His passion is talking about economics and policy in his classes. He hopes to increase research and student involvement regarding economics to Wayne’s campus and community.  

“I love math because it’s just a logical expression of ideas,” Canann said. “I think it’s just pretty and interesting to think about.”  

Canann said he enjoys the size of Wayne and the quiet atmosphere because it reminds him of living outside Austin and growing up in a smaller town. Outside of teaching, Canann enjoys coaching his four children in softball and basketball as well as supporting them through homeschooling.