Philip Gibson

It was in high school where Finance Professor Philip Gibson discovered how fascinating economics and sociology could be.

That passion that grew in his Jamaican school propelled him to college and then to a career as a college professor.

Upon arriving in the United States to attend Prairie View A&M University, Gibson shifted his focus to finance when economics wasn't available as a major. During his undergraduate years, Gibson said a faculty mentor encouraged him to pursue a Ph.D. in personal financial planning at Texas Tech University. “This guidance aligned perfectly with my aspiration to help people to manage their finances effectively,” said Gibson.

After completing his doctoral studies, Gibson chose academia, driven by a desire to educate students about money and provide guidance opportunities in finance.

When Gibson joined the Winthrop faculty in 2014 as an assistant professor, he was hired to lead the financial planning program. He was promoted to associate professor in 2018, to professor in 2022 and to Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Accreditation in 2024. He holds two directorship roles in the College of Business and Technology, as director of the financial planning program and of the Charles Schwab Foundation Financial Planning Professional Development program. 

For his efforts in scholarship and classroom achievements, he was selected as the Distinguished Professor of the Year for the university in May 2024.

As a dedicated academic, Gibson has devoted considerable time to research, most recently focusing on financial well-being among retirees. His active researcher and practitioner role has significantly enriched his classroom instruction. 

Committed to providing students with immersive learning experiences, he regularly accompanies them to conferences and encourages participation in competitions. Most recently, with help from a generous donation, Gibson co-created the Charles Schwab Foundation Financial Planning Development program which offers scholarships and professional development to students wishing to pursue a career in financial planning.

He has secured numerous other gifts from such donors as TD Ameritrade and Wells Fargo Advisors to support Winthrop business students in their professional development efforts, to fund scholarships, licensing, and to travel to professional conferences. 

In the financial advice industry, Gibson was recognized as an up-and-comer professional by Investment News in 2020 and as one of 50 under 50 influential African American advisors by the Association of African American Advisors in 2021 and 2022.

His research interests include retirement wellness, mutual fund performance, asset management, the impact of financial education on retirement preparedness, conflicts of interest among financial advisors and retirement planning. 

Proud of his students and their achievements, Gibson has learned that the power of education can propel students to fulfill their dreams.