Faculty & Employees
Read about the interesting careers of BYU Marriott faculty and learn about what our employees are involved in to help business students get the most out of their education.
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Teaching Truth
As professor Mark Zimbelman retires from the School of Accountancy (SOA), he reflects on how his faith has helped him make a lasting impact through both his research and his interactions with students.
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From the Ground Up: Building an Alumni Family
After 24 years of building an alumni network and forging one-on-one relationships with those in the MPA community, Vicki Okerlund leaves behind a legacy of Christ-centered leadership that extends beyond the workplace.
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A Society of Decent Human Beings
When Aliah Hall was hired as BYU Marriott’s wellness and prevention specialist in 2022, she created a space where students could put down their worries. “This is a place where you don’t have to perform,” Hall says of her office.
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Balancing Business and Belief
Jeff Thompson splits his time between teaching in the MPA program and directing BYU’s new Sorensen Center for Moral and Ethical Leadership, where he helps others discover how Christ-centered leadership can steer decisions and stabilize organizations.
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Collecting a Legacy
After 33 years of enriching and inspiring the next generation of business students, Monte Swain is teaching his final semester in the School of Accountancy (SOA).
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Experience Design Study: Attending Campus Devotionals Increases Student Sense of Connection
Going to BYU athletics events, joining clubs and playing intramural sports rank high on connection; devotionals rank even higher
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Unifying for a Higher Purpose
As an MPA professor at BYU Marriott, Eva Witesman emphasizes to students the importance of unity with one another and the organizations they will work for.
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Creating Christlike Leaders
At the BYU Marriott School of Business, associate professor Taeya Howell prepares MBA students to be Christlike leaders when they enter the workforce.
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Investing in Relationships
Twenty years ago, Ian Wright learned the value of a good mentor. Now, as the finance program director and an assistant professor, he strives to encourage students to be the best in everything they do.
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Intention Turned to Action
Teaching professor for the Romney Institute of Public Service and Ethics Aaron Miller teaches students that future business leaders should focus less on climbing the corporate ladder and more on creating a positive impact in the world.
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Liz the Wiz
As an associate professor at BYU Marriott, Liz Dixon reflects on how her father’s example helped her teach and practice Christlike communication.
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Christlike Transformation
From a young age, Melissa Larson developed a love of reading and learning, and set the goal of graduating from a university. However, as the first person in her family to pursue higher education, she wasn’t sure what it would take to achieve her goal.
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Mindful Bytes in Making Decisions
Associate professor of information systems, Ryan Schuetzler is evidence that big decisions can be simplified with a focus on lifelong learning.
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When Strategy and Serendipity Collide
Jeff Dyer is not only interested in anomalies—he is also one himself. And as professor at BYU Marriott, he continues to balance calculated plans and happy accidents.
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Keeping Balance and Embracing Opportunities
Nina Whitehead has been a BYU Marriott employee for nearly 50 years, adapting and learning new skills over time.
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BYU Business Professor is Hunting a Different Type of Ghost this Halloween
Jeff Bednar is a ghost hunter. And while the BYU business professor doesn’t have night vision cameras or ultrasensitive recording equipment, he’s found a bunch of ghosts — including several here at BYU.
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People Over Products
Adjunct Professor Brent Goddard teaches students in the Ballard Center the principles that converted him from a product manager into a social impact practitioner.
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Introducing New Faculty at BYU Marriott in 2023
Eight professors joined the faculty at the BYU Marriott School of Business in 2023. “We are excited to welcome these new faculty members,” says Brigitte Madrian, dean of BYU Marriott. “In line with our mission to develop leaders of faith, intellect, and character, these new faculty bring insight and experience that will contribute to the educational experience BYU Marriott offers its students.”
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