When Greg Anderson began his college career at Weber State University on a singing scholarship, he had no idea where his education might take him. After switching his major six times while receiving his undergrad and attending four different universities, Anderson is now an information systems (IS) professor and knows the BYU Marriott School of Business is exactly where he needs to be.
Discovering his passion for information systems required a lot of exploration for Anderson. He began his college career on that singing scholarship but planned on being a veterinarian. However, as a young student not keen on hours of intense studying, he quickly realized the schooling required to be a vet wasn’t for him. This realization sparked a search as Anderson explored a variety of vocations such as becoming a chiropractor, music teacher, seminary teacher, and salesperson before finally choosing to pursue a career in information systems.
“In the end, I found the right career path for me. I just had to be patient,” says Anderson. “I graduated from Weber State with a degree in computer science and a minor in information systems. I feel like I’m Kip from Napoleon Dynamite—I think technology is cool and controls the world.”
Once Anderson knew he wanted to pursue a career in IS, his academic journey didn’t follow the traditional trajectory. After starting his own consulting business, Anderson realized he was lacking some of the expertise his business required. This realization led him to the University of Colorado where he received his MBA. While receiving his MBA, Anderson was offered a teaching position at Weber State University where he taught for 12 years.
During his time at Weber, Anderson also earned his PhD from Indiana State University. After receiving his PhD, he continued to contribute to his consulting business when he had the time, but decided his main priorities would be academia and teaching. Anderson was drawn to teaching for the same reason he initially decided to study information systems: the opportunity to connect with people. "I often joke that information systems smells like computer science but tastes like business. You have the heavy influence of technology, but you also interact with people,” says Anderson.
Anderson’s passion for people inspired his decision to focus his career on teaching and eventually led him to BYU Marriott in 2012. As a professor and associate chair of the IS department, Anderson has an abundance of opportunities to connect with and serve students. “In the IS department, we love and care for our students. I don’t know how many blessings I’ve given to students or how many times I’ve prayed for them. I try to treat my students like my own children,” he continues. “I have two kids that attended BYU, and I hoped someone would take the same interest in them.”
Anderson’s commitment to his pupils is exemplified by his efforts to know each of his students personally. At the beginning of the winter 2022 semester, he and fellow BYU Marriott IS professor Spencer Hilton took the time to meet with each of the 216 students in the IS junior core individually, an experience Anderson cherished and found spiritually edifying. “If you treat students like family, then you’re invested in their success,” he shares. "You're willing to go the extra mile to make sure your students are okay. I want to ensure I’m doing my part as a professor to provide every opportunity for my students to feel good about themselves and to reach their goals.”
While students benefit from Anderson’s caring and individualized approach to teaching, Anderson also finds himself humbled by how his BYU Marriott students are willing to go the extra mile for each other. “The students at BYU Marriott are amazing,” says Anderson. “They have a love for God and for mankind. That’s who we are at BYU. We love people.”
As Anderson meets with students, he intentionally emphasizes his own love for God and the role God has played in his life. From his early days singing onstage to his current role at BYU Marriott, he has continually trusted that God's plan for his life was better than his own. Anderson attributes his career, family, and happiness to God’s direction and encourages his students to allow God to direct their course as well. “That’s what our students need to understand. God knows what you need,” he continues. “Trust Him. He wants us to be happy."
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Writer: Marissa Lundeen