Human Resource Management News 

Human resource management senior Anna Parry has a bit of an unconventional hobby: coding spreadsheets. After learning how to code Excel in class at the BYU Marriott School of Business, Parry used her skills to serve others in her mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and in her goal to earn The Congressional Award Gold Medal.

Four professors from the BYU Marriott School of Business received awards at BYU’s 2025 University Conference. John Bingham, Michael Drake, Melissa Larson, and David Wood received awards in recognition of their contributions to BYU.

In its April 2025 awards ceremony, the BYU Marriott School of Business recognized selected faculty, staff, and administrators for exemplifying the college’s vision, mission, values, and guiding principle in both classroom and administrative work.

Human resource management alum Nathan Shatzer is a firm believer in taking full advantage of opportunities to help others and learn new skills. During his time at BYU Marriott, he got involved in the BYU chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management—and continues to connect with its members, this time as an alumnus.

In March the BYU Marriott School of Business administration recognized a graduating student from each undergraduate program with the Bateman Award for their exemplary dedication to the BYU Marriott values, commitment to academic excellence, and profound drive to serve others.

From the time Alaina Bryce Pauga got her first job as a teenager, work has been something she looks forward to. Now a senior in HRM, Bryce hopes to help others experience that same enjoyment in their work, no matter what their job may be.

Jeff Bednar, an associate professor of organizational behavior and human resources at the BYU Marriott School of Business, has seen how focusing on relationships and telling his personal story have brought the most meaning to his professional life.

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.