BYU Marriott School of Business dean Brigitte Madrian has announced the appointment of Mat Duerden as the new chair of the Department of Experience Design and Management (ExDM). Duerden succeeded Neil Lundberg, the previous department chair, on July 1, 2024.
Lundberg served for nine years as department chair and as a member of the BYU Marriott Leadership Council. “He has led the department through some significant transitions with wisdom, kindness, and generosity,” Madrian says. “We are grateful for his service to the program and the college.”
Although Lundberg has been instrumental in the department’s evolution, Madrian is optimistic about the future of the ExDM department in Duerden’s guidance. “With his zeal for the nascent field of experience design and his love for our students, Mat has much to offer. I am confident that he will bring energy and vision to his leadership of the department,” Madrian comments.
Duerden received his bachelor’s degree in German and his master’s degree in youth and family recreation from BYU, after which he received a PhD from Texas A&M University in recreation, park, and tourism services in 2009. In 2012 he joined BYU Marriott’s ExDM faculty. Duerden’s publications have appeared in a variety of journals, and he is coauthor of the book Designing Experiences (2019). In addition to teaching, he has consulted with organizations in healthcare, education, tourism, manufacturing, and consumer product goods to create transformative experiences.
Duerden states on his succession, “I’m extremely grateful for the leadership Neil has provided for ExDM over the last nine years. As a program we’ve seen exciting growth during his time as department chair.” He continues, “I’m excited for the opportunity to serve the ExDM faculty and students. The future is bright and I’m grateful to be part of such an amazing group of people who care deeply about people and how to design intentional experiences for them.”
The BYU Marriott School of Business aspires to transform the world through Christlike leadership by developing leaders of faith, intellect, and character. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University. BYU Marriott has four graduate and nine undergraduate programs with an enrollment of approximately 3,800 students.
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Written by Kathryn Cragun