Baylor Business Review | Fall 2024 Issue
Friday, Oct. 25
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Paul. L Foster Campus for Business and Innovation
Paul and Jane Meyer Conference Center, Room 250
Join us for the annual HSB Homecoming Reception and enjoy live jazz and heavy hors d’oeurves!
RSVP at: bbr.baylor.edu/homecoming2024
For more information about Baylor Homecoming, visit baylor.edu/homecoming
By Justin Walker
The Hankamer School of Business honored the 2024 recipients of the HSB Faculty Awards in April.
Awards are given to faculty members who excelled in the categories of teaching, service and scholarship.
“Our purpose at the Hankamer School of Business is to use our God-given gifts and academic talents to further His kingdom through the realm of business,” said Sandeep Mazumder, PhD, the William E. Crenshaw Endowed Dean. “These awards recognize those in the Business School who are living out that purpose.”
The teaching awards recognize faculty excellence in and beyond the classroom in delivering transformational educational experiences.
The service awards identify faculty contributions to HSB and its collective reputation.
The scholarship awards acknowledge faculty excellence in research and related activities that contribute to impactful research.
In addition, five HSB faculty have earned external honors for their efforts in teaching and scholarship.
“Our faculty continue to set high standards for teaching, service and research,” said Mitch Neubert, PhD, senior associate dean for Research and Faculty Development. “We are proud of their accomplishments and the way they elevate the Business School to new heights.”
By Rachel Carlson
In the spring of 2022, Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business launched its Undergraduate Research Assistant (UGRA) Program, aimed at fostering a dynamic research culture while providing invaluable support to faculty. This innovative initiative not only enriches students’ academic journeys but also bolsters HSB’s commitment to excellence in research and education, aligning with the school’s broader initiative of purposeful research.
“The purpose of the UGRA Program is twofold,” said Mitch Neubert, PhD, senior associate dean for Research and Faculty Development. “One is to get students involved in research to understand the research process. Second, it’s designed for those students to help faculty with their research and be exposed to research—a learning experience as well as support for faculty.”
As an R1 institution, Baylor strives to expose students to research and develop a curiosity for the kinds of questions being answered in research, Neubert said. The UGRA Program helps create a culture where students recognize the value of research and the skills it helps develop.
Some of these skills are discussed in Joseph Aoun’s book, “Robot-Proof,” Neubert said. Aoun emphasizes the crucial role of skills like critical thinking and systems thinking in navigating an increasingly automated world, noting their importance due to artificial intelligence’s deficiencies in these areas. Neubert hopes the program expands in HSB to assist students in developing these cognitive skills within the realm of research.
“We would like to grow this so that more students are impacted and more faculty are assisted by this support,” he said. “We would love to see it double or triple in size, to where most faculty would have a research assistant they are working with.”
Alongside program growth, the Business School is exploring various avenues to enhance the program’s robustness. This includes potential structural changes, such as offering training or orientation sessions beforehand to better prepare students for the program. Additionally, there is the possibility of transforming it into a credited course, providing students with the opportunity to develop these skills in a formal academic setting.
“We are developing a research culture that involves more students and enhances our teaching mission,” Neubert said. “The UGRA Program aligns perfectly with our commitment to purposeful research by empowering students to discover solutions through research while honing their skills for future endeavors.”
Sandi Stuit, assistant to the senior associate dean, oversees the program’s administration and highlighted the importance of prospective students’ willingness to learn.
“While prior research experience isn’t required, students must be willing to develop skills such as using research databases, research software and survey platforms, along with communicating with research participants and professors,” Stuit said.
Since its inception, nearly 50 students have participated, ranging from all majors within the Business School, with 20 students currently partnered with faculty on research projects.
Some students in the program have worked on papers that have been published, presented research and enrolled in research-centered graduate programs. While not every UGRA student experiences these achievements, Neubert and Stuit hope to see more of these accomplishments in the coming years.
For more information or ways to give to the UGRA Program, visit hankamer.baylor.edu/student-resources/ugra.
By Ellen Holman, BBA ’88
When I was given my first leadership role, a mentor focused me on the phrase from the Book of Esther: “For a time such as this.” My mentor’s point was to stress to me this role was divinely ordained and I was equipped for a leadership platform, governed by guiding principles. These principles, such as continuous learning, showing courage and following the Golden Rule, are essential for our professional and personal growth. They help us adapt to the ever-changing world of technology and navigate the complexities of human interactions. By exploring these principles and understanding their importance, we can gain insights into how to build fulfilling careers.
As I progressed through my career, I realized how important it was to keep learning, especially as a leader. Whether it was exponential growth in the technology landscape, globalization of teams, or new business areas of expertise, I had to stay up to date on the newest trends and best practices. Setting aside time to research and learn is essential for leaders to avoid getting too comfortable or stuck in old habits. By staying curious and always learning, I was able to bring new ideas to solutions, understand global cultures to create high-achieving teams and contribute to our business profits.
I have Joshua 1:9 as my foundation: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord is with you wherever you go.” In business, especially as a leader, you are expected to make difficult decisions. Knowing who you are in Christ and that He will be with you no matter the outcome gives confidence to be bold. Whether it is a strategic change, a hard conversion with colleagues, standing on your principles, overcoming self-doubt or showing God’s love, be brave!
Matthew 7:12 says, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” This has been a guiding principle in my career and I have endeavored to live by it in various ways. Accountability is crucial. If commitments are made, they should be honored. Honesty, even in challenging situations, is vital. I genuinely desire the success of others, whether within their current role or elsewhere. Being truthful sometimes means acknowledging when a problem is not viable. While challenging, it is ultimately for the benefit of all involved. And humility is a foundation. If you are humble, you will put others first and it protects you from valuing power and prestige over the people you lead and serve.
In the journey of professional growth, these principles are reliable companions. They help us navigate the challenges and uncertainties of the professional world with confidence and integrity. By embracing these principles, we shape our own paths and contribute to the success and well-being of our communities.
By Rachel Carlson
Hailing from the sunny city of Mountain View, California, Rori Haley’s journey took an unexpected turn when she found herself at Baylor University, thousands of miles away from her West Coast roots.
Growing up, Haley was active in a myriad of sports, including field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, basketball and even figure skating. Over the years, her intellectual curiosity blossomed, leading her to explore new interests like Russian literature.
While Baylor wasn’t initially on Haley’s radar when considering colleges, a friend’s enthusiastic recommendation sparked her interest. Stepping onto the Baylor campus for the first time, Haley felt an inexplicable sense of belonging, as if fate had guided her to this new chapter of her life. With no familial ties to Baylor, she embarked on her collegiate journey independently, ready to carve out her path in the world.
Haley’s academic pursuits reflect her diverse interests. She has declared a double major in Management Information Systems and Supply Chain Management, with a minor in Legal Reasoning and Analysis on the pre-law track. Outside the classroom, she is an active member of her sorority, pre-law society and Women in Business, finding communities that have enriched her college experience.
Her journey into the world of research began with her involvement in the Undergraduate Research Assistant (UGRA) Program. During her sophomore year, she earned a spot working alongside faculty members Dawn Carlson and Matt Quade, assisting with various research projects.
“My focus has shifted throughout my time as a research assistant,” Haley said. “Initially, I compiled research on topics like sibling rivalries, supervisor-subordinate crossover, family caregiving and spouse social comparison, all exploring how work life affects employees. More recently, however, I have been researching cultural intelligence, which is the ability to thrive in multiple cultures. I have really enjoyed exploring its four-factor model, which examines metacognitive, cognitive, behavioral and motivational aspects.”
While the UGRA program has been beneficial for Haley, it has also been tremendously helpful for faculty.
“Working with Rori has allowed me to combine my passion for research with my love of teaching to share my research skills with the future generation,” Carlson said. “She’s always eager to learn and willing to take on any task. With flexibility in our arrangement to accommodate her commitments, our collaboration has been mutually beneficial as she learns about my research and develops new skills while providing invaluable support.”
Haley encourages others to step out of their comfort zone and be open to different experiences.
“I was originally apprehensive about working with all of them; I didn’t want them to think I wasn’t suited or ready for the role,” Haley said. “However, once I started working with them, I learned they are some of the nicest people and understand I’m a student first. They’ve made this entire work experience extremely wonderful. I’m very thankful to them for that.”
After graduation, Haley plans to enroll in the MBA/MSIS program at Baylor, followed by law school. Her goal is to specialize in corporate law, with a focus on leveraging technology within the legal field.
Haley’s commitment to research has enriched her academic journey and contributed to the advancement of scholarship. With her passion for exploration, she is set to continue making meaningful contributions in her future endeavors.
By Becca Broaddus Griffin
Jose Rodriguez Aranaga was born in Houston, but he grew up around the world, in Venezuela, Brazil, Russia and Texas, thanks to his father’s job.
“The one thing I picked up from living in all these places and being able to travel is that although everybody speaks different languages and we have different mannerisms and different cultures, there’s always something to learn,” he said.
And Rodriguez is always learning. At Baylor, he doesn’t want to miss hands-on learning opportunities that will help him achieve his career goals of becoming an investment banker and, eventually, an entrepreneur.
At the end of his freshman year, the triple major joined the Hankamer School of Business Undergraduate Research Assistantship (UGRA) Program. The UGRA Program provides undergraduate business students with the opportunity to work directly with faculty members on research and receive hands-on experience in the research process.
“It opened the doors for me to be able to learn how to do research in a way I can use in the future, as well as learn something I won’t be able to learn in any of my classes,” said Rodriguez, who chose Baylor, in part, because of its R1 status. “That’s something that I believe is invaluable.”
Working with Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship Gabriella Cacciotti for more than a year, Rodriguez has gained experience collecting articles related to entrepreneurs’ and C-suite executives’ fear of failure and how it affects the business risks they take.
“I consider Jose’s contributions highly valuable to our research project,” Cacciotti said. “The value of his work lies not only in the tangible outcomes, such as the extensive database of relevant articles he has compiled, but also in the intangible aspects, such as the enthusiasm and fresh insights he brings to our research meetings.”
Rodriguez continues to find ways to gain real-world experience. This year, Rodriguez is “over the moon” to be an intern for the Baylor University Office of Investments, which manages the University’s endowment.
In the Business School, he aspires to become a student analyst for the Baylor Angel Network, an investor network with student analysts that provides early-stage capital to strong entrepreneurial teams with developed products or services and early customer traction. He hopes to have the opportunity to enroll in the Large-cap Portfolio Management Practicum—a course where students manage a multimillion-dollar investment fund—before he graduates, too.
When he’s not in class or managing a portfolio, you can find Rodriguez playing intramural soccer, volunteering at a dog shelter, hiking or baking. In fact, he plans to own his own bakery one day, as one of his entrepreneurial endeavors.
“No matter what, even if you don’t speak the same language, everybody speaks the language of food,” he said.
Rodriguez has been using his research expertise in the kitchen, too. He’s putting his friends’ banana bread recipes to the test—ranking their baked goods using some of the research methods he has learned.
As it turns out, research skills are useful for evaluating the delectability of banana bread in addition to being beneficial for coursework and internships.
