Human Resource Management News 

In 2023, associate professor of management Richard Gardner moved from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to the BYU Marriott School of Business with his wife and child, who was only one month old at the time. “Everything was in transition, and there were a lot of balls up in the air to juggle,” Gardner says. He started teaching at a new university, in a new city, as a new parent—these challenges brought Gardner a chance to connect with his students and research in new ways.

Many faculty at the BYU Marriott School of Business travel with and teach students on semester-long trips to other parts of the world. But on their separate visits to the African continent, Tom Meservy and Kristin DeTienne didn’t teach courses or sightsee with students. Through the Faculty Development in International Business program, these professors researched the business practices of other countries and returned with new insights to bring to their classrooms and their research.

For senior Aaron Adams, a human resource management major at the BYU Marriott School of Business, choosing a career path was less about finding a perfect fit and more about finding a path that will help him grow.

An assistant professor of organizational behavior and human resources in the BYU Marriott School of Business, McKenzie Rees had a strong prompting to do a peer-mentoring project for her section of HRM 540: Organizational Effectiveness. “For me, the essence of this class is helping students understand how they can make others feel valued in their work,” Rees says.

According to the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, 96 percent of MBA graduates will enter management roles within 15 years of receiving their degrees. So for most MBA students, learning to be effective and responsible leaders is essential. But at the BYU Marriott School of Business, associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources Taeya Howell prepares MBA students to be Christlike leaders when they enter the workforce.

The first time senior Tehani Travis applied for a major at the BYU Marriott School of Business, she was sure it was the right path for her—but she didn’t get in. The next year, after much preparation, she applied to two majors and got into both. In front of her, two paths extended into the future, and she had to make a choice.

Jeff Bednar is a ghost hunter. And while the BYU business associate professor doesn’t have night vision cameras or ultrasensitive recording equipment, he’s found a bunch of ghosts — including several here at BYU.

At the 2023 University Conference in August, Brigham Young University recognized a handful of faculty and staff across campus for their efforts in advancing research and experiential learning as well as their exemplary contributions to the university. Among those honored were three faculty members from the BYU Marriott School of Business: Jeff Dyer, Eric Blum, and Isaac Smith.

Although millions are spent each year on entrepreneurship training that is intended to help alleviate poverty and elevate the quality of life of entrepreneurs in developing nations, these programs often fail to make an impact. BYU researchers and their colleagues have figured out at least one way to change that.

From being a 10-year-old who wanted to know anything and everything about dinosaurs, Peter Madsen has always been someone who loves learning. Now, as the recipient of a $2 million grant to research train traffic controllers’ use of algorithms, he shows no sign of slowing down. Even in his role as a professor at the BYU Marriott School of Business, he shares his love of learning with each student who steps foot in his class.

Four teams from BYU Marriott took top places at the 2023 Society for Human Resource Management competition, which brought together undergrad and graduate teams from universities across Utah and New Mexico. Student competitors say Christ-centered learning in the human resource management program gives students a unique edge as well as confidence.

To Abby Ebert—senior in the BYU Marriott School of Business, the human resource management program has encouraged her to step out of her comfort zone and lead with compassion.

New research published this week from BYU Marriott School of Business professors Jeff Dyer and Taeya Howell finds that innovation can be hampered when organizations prioritize “psychological safety” at the expense of intellectual honesty.

The BYU Marriott School of Business held its annual Healthcare Industry Network Conference during the fall 2022 semester. The conference focused on transformational leadership in the healthcare field with an underlying message of learning from the master healer, Jesus Christ.

During Kate Toronto’s first day of classes at the BYU Marriott School of Business, she watched in awe as Marcy Fetzer taught a class on human resources. Toronto says that was the first time she saw a woman with a PhD teaching at the university—growing her family and her career at the same time.

As the first person in her family to complete high school, Mirka Sansores Bellingham learned how to read textbooks, study for exams, and chart out her four-year high-school education plan by herself. Now, as a senior and a first-generation student in the human resource management (HRM) program at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Sansores strives to lift other students on their paths to higher education.

Empowered by the BYU Marriott School of Business, MBA graduate Betsy Rose always strives for positive impact. In every capacity—whether she is working on human resources (HR) projects from a New York City office or cheering up the elderly by volunteering with her therapy dog—Rose is all about making a difference.

For human resource management (HRM) junior Josh Hinton, the BYU Marriott School of Business has influenced nearly every sphere of his life. From his work at a local dance studio to his friend circles, Hinton knows that joining the HRM program has been pivotal for him. 

BYU Marriott School of Business dean Brigitte C. Madrian has announced Paul Godfrey as the next chair of the Department of Management. Godfrey took over for the previous department chair, Curtis LeBaron, on July 1, 2022.

Wearing Nike shoes, surrounded by BYU sports paraphernalia in his office without a textbook in sight, Bill Keenan works to put the job-seeking students he advises at ease. As a career advisor at the BYU Marriott Business Career Center, Keenan tailors his teaching and advising to help undergraduates find jobs after graduation.