Chapman Professor’s Family Legacy: 3 Generations in Education

Three Generations of Teaching: A Family Legacy

As Chapman University in Orange, ⁤California⁢ resumes fall classes this‍ week, one⁣ of its business professors, Dr. Pradip Shukla, reflects on his family’s rich history in academia. With over four decades of teaching experience, Dr. ⁣Shukla has had​ the privilege of co-teaching alongside both his father and his daughter, creating cherished memories ‌that span‌ generations.

Dr. Shukla’s journey began when his family immigrated from a small town near Mumbai, India to Los Angeles in 1960. His father, Kantilal, completed his ‌Ph.D. at the University of Southern ‌California (USC) and went on to teach business and ⁤accounting at Compton Community‍ College.

Inspired by his father’s career, ‍Dr.⁢ Shukla followed in his⁢ footsteps, earning his ⁤Ph.D. in business ⁣from the University of California–Los ⁢Angeles and‌ an MBA from USC. Early in his career, he had the opportunity to teach alongside his father at Compton Community College, ⁢a precious time they shared ⁢before his father’s passing.

“It‌ was special at ‍that point because he actually saw me teaching in the classroom and said,​ ‘oh, you’re a good professor.’ Normally parents tend to be proud of their children, but ⁣they don’t see their children at ⁣work or in the work setting. So⁣ that meant a lot.”

Dr. Shukla⁣ attributes his own passion for teaching to his father’s tenacity and their ‌Indian ‍culture, where following in the ​footsteps of parents is ⁢common. This legacy ⁣continued with Dr. Shukla’s wife, who is also a ⁤professor at ‌Chapman University,⁢ and whose father and grandfather were educators ⁤as well.

Recently, Dr.⁢ Shukla had ‌the opportunity to co-teach a business course with his daughter, Monica Shukla-Belmontes, ‌who is an assistant ​dean at‌ Brandman University’s business school. Over the course of eight weeks, they collaborated on a business project management course, with Dr. Shukla observing his daughter’s skills in the classroom.

“It was the first time I ‍was actually ‍there the entire session. And she’s really good at technology and engaging​ the students and using online activities. And she knows more about that than I⁣ do in ⁣terms⁣ of how to use some of the online features of our learning platform system.⁣ It worked out well.”

Their⁢ co-taught course received‍ high praise from students, with a rating⁤ of 4.3 out of 5 stars. Dr. Shukla looks forward​ to ⁣future opportunities⁤ to co-teach ‍with his daughter,‌ continuing their family legacy of ⁣education.