Assistant Professor of Finance
PhD in Finance, Bayes Business School, City University London
MSc in Quantitative Finance , Bayes Business School, City University London
MBA in Finance, University of Dhaka
BBA in Finance, University of Dhaka
Certification on Psychology of Finance, University of Chicago
Certification on Teaching & Learning Strategies for Higher Education, Harvard University
Briggs Hall, Rm 124
Dr. Sirajum Munira Sarwar is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Graceland University and a globally accomplished educator, researcher, and mentor with more than two decades of experience across the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Bangladesh. Her teaching transforms classrooms into innovation labs—where students apply Wall Street analytics and connect local Iowa markets to the broader global economy.
She holds a PhD and MSc in Finance from Bayes Business School (City, University of London) and an MBA and BBA in Finance from the University of Dhaka. She also earned certifications in Psychology of Finance (University of Chicago) and Teaching & Learning Strategies for Higher Education (Harvard University), which fuels her ability to design transformative classrooms where finance meets psychology, and theory aligns with innovative learning.
Dr. Sarwar has taught at Rhode Island College, Bentley University, York University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Bayes Business School, and the University of Dhaka, in addition to her current role at Graceland. Her courses range from specialized areas such as Behavioral Finance, Innovation in Finance, and Financial Modeling to foundational fields like Corporate Finance, International Finance, Financial Markets, Financial Statement Analysis, Financial Management and Personal Finance.
Known for her flipped-classroom approach, case-based learning, and use of Bloomberg, OANDA Forex, and StockTrak, she ensures students don’t just learn finance—they experience it. At Graceland, she values the small class sizes that allow her to work closely with students, support their research, guide career development, and help them grow into confident professionals.
Her research focuses on behavioral finance, asset pricing, and investment strategies, with publications in leading journals such as the International Review of Economics & Finance and Borsa Istanbul Review. She has also collaborated with Centreville Bank and Navigant Credit Union to address real-world issues like behavioral bias in banking, Gen-Z financial engagement, and fraud prevention—demonstrating her commitment to bridging classroom to the industry.
Dr. Sarwar’s academic excellence has been recognized worldwide through prestigious awards including the Commonwealth Scholarship (UK), multiple Best Paper Awards, the City University Research Studentship, and top honors from the University of Dhaka. She has also served as a peer reviewer for finance journals, curriculum coordinator, and academic service leader.
Dr. Sarwar embodies the future of finance education—global, innovative, and student-centered. She doesn’t just teach finance—she makes it come alive.
Finance is more than math—it’s mindset, movement, and momentum. My passion is guiding students to think boldly, adapt globally, and lead fearlessly into the future.
