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Dividend The official online magazine of the Carson College of Business

NomAd feature

Founded by Friedl as a project for the WSU Business Plan Competition, NomAd is a network of digital billboards that are small enough to be carried in specialized backpacks by students across college campuses. Known as NomAd walkers, these human-powered billboards act as online, digitally capable advertisements for companies out in the real, interactive world. » More ...

Thalia DeLeon Feature

When Thalia DeLeon (’17 Mgmt.) was a child growing up in Othello, Washington, surrounded by agriculture, she watched her entrepreneurial father plant seeds of a different sort as he developed several small businesses and dreamed of creating a community event center. As a single father, he impressed upon DeLeon and her older sister the importance of getting an education, and he hoped one or both of them would follow in his footsteps. » More ...

Job Negotiation Workshop Feature

Rarely does the perfect job in the perfect location just fall into the laps of newly minted college graduates. And, for tomorrow’s business leaders, a stellar GPA is not enough. Leadership, communication and negotiating skills, problem solving abilities, and teamwork are equally, if not more important. A freshman survey conducted by the Higher Education Research Institute showed more than 86 percent of college freshmen attend college to get a better job. The Carson Center for Student Success is focused on empowering students to meet this goal. » More ...

Senior Living Momentum Feature

With advances in technology, hospitality and recreation services, and other amenities, today’s senior living communities are becoming much more synonymous with Jimmy Buffet’s “Margaritaville” than Johnny Cash’s “Home of the Blues.” In fact, Buffett is opening a chain of retirement communities inspired by his classic song: a $1 billion collaboration will create 7,000 homes in Daytona Beach, Florida, offering active adults 55 and older unmatched recreation, dining, and night life experiences. » More ...

Patrick Dooley Feature

When the elderly and their families are facing possibly the worst crisis of their lives, Carson College of Business graduates can make a difference by contributing their expertise across many disciplines to any of the nearly 40,000 U.S. senior living communities. » More ...

Stacy Slade Feature

It may be dangerous to anthropomorphize, but the pleasure on Tag’s face is pretty hard to miss as he follows his master, Stacy Slade (’00 Mktg.), around the ring at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show. And the glow emanating from Slade is clear, too, as she leads her handsome and graceful Bernese mountain dog to a Best of Breed win in February this year. » More ...

Research & Popular Press August 2017

“Preparing next generation of senior living professionals“

Scott Eckstein, clinical assistant professor and senior living executive-in-residence at WSU North Puget Sound at Everett, discusses a growing need for highly-skilled professionals in the area of senior living management and how WSU is preparing students to bridge the workforce gap in his article published in the May 26, 2017, issue of the Vancouver Business Journal.

“Hiring Ex-offenders and Moving Beyond Barriers of Stigma“

Jerry Goodstein, professor of management, information systems and entrepreneurship at WSU Vancouver, shares insights on hiring ex-offenders in his article published in the July 21, 2017, issues of the Vancouver Business Journal.

“Why Restaurants are Still Saying No to GMO“

Dogan Gursoy, professor of hospitality business management, was featured in an article by Maggie Hennessy about research supporting findings that more restaurant diners are seeking out and willing to pay more for non-GMO options. The article was published in the January 24, 2017, issue of Food Democracy Now! Hennessy’s article was also featured in the January 2017 issue of QSR.

“Sips & Stories Snare Millennial Wine Drinkers“

Rhonda Hammond, assistant professor of hospitality business management at WSU Tri-Cities, was featured in Jane Firstenfeld’s article discussing what millennials want out of their wine drinking experiences. The article was published in the March 13, 2017, issue of Wines and Vines. Hammond was also featured in Zach Geballe’s article “What Millennials Want from their Wine” published in the March 15, 2017, issue of Seattle Weekly.

“This Summer, Leverage the Art of Strategic Hospitality“

Robert Harrington, professor of hospitality business management and wine business management at WSU Tri-Cities, discusses co-creation and other ways hospitality businesses and service providers can elevate their offerings beyond the traditional notions of hospitality in his article published in the June 30, 2017, issue of the Vancouver Business Journal. Harrington also contributed “Harnessing Hospitality to Enhance Guest Services” in the April 13, 2017, issue of the Spokane Business Journal. He was also featured in Adam Worcester’s article “Bellevue Collection Revitalizes the Retail Experience” published in the February 14, 2017, issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal and in Ryan Lambert’s article “Seattle Freeze? Hospitality Expert Says the Region is Better than Most” published in the January 12, 2017, issue of the Puget Sound Business Journal.

“Four Tips for Avoiding Social Media Pitfalls“

Kim Houser, clinical assistant professor of business law, offers businesses and employees tips for avoiding common social media pitfalls in her article published in the March 17, 2017, issue of the Vancouver Business Journal.

“American Education: On the Path to the American Dream“

Chip Hunter, dean, discusses how higher education can help make the gift of the American Dream real and attainable to anyone willing to reach for it in his article published in the April edition of Money Inc.

“WSU Vancouver to Launch Business Assistance Program“

Mistie Josephson, manager of the Business Growth Mentor & Analysis Program at WSU Vancouver, was featured in Chelsea Copenhaver’s article about the Carson College of Business MAP Collective program at WSU Vancouver that helps small businesses accelerate growth. The article was published in the March 31, 2017, issue of the Vancouver Business Journal.

“Research Shows Veterans May be Answer to Workforce Gap“

K.D. Joshi, professor of management, information systems and entrepreneurship, discusses her research illustrating how STEM fields, such as IT, are ripe with opportunity for veterans to pursue meaningful careers that also align with skills they learned in the military in her article published in the May 12, 2017, issue of the Vancouver Business Journal.

“Job Burnout: How Can Managers Help Employees Escape It?“

Jenny Kim, professor of hospitality business management, identifies steps managers can take to help reduce burnout rates and subsequent job turnover among employees in her article published in the May issue of Money Inc.

“For Budding Entrepreneurs, Make the Business Plan Work for You“

Marie Mayes, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship, suggests tools and tips on making a business plan work for budding entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners in her article published in the June issue of Money Inc.

“Tips for Finding the Right MBA“

Devon Meister (’14 EMBA), a major in the United States Airforce Reserves, contributed a guest article offering several tips on choosing an online graduate program, published in 2017 by Military.com. Meister has served for 13 years in a variety of roles from pilot to meteorologist to project manager. She is currently a pilot for the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron Hurricane Hunters.

“5 Tips for Picking the Right MBA Program“

Cheryl Oliver, assistant dean for online and graduate programs, discusses the return on investment for an MBA degree and how to pick the right MBA program to meet goals, budgets, and lifestyles in her article published in the July issue of Money, Inc.

“Brand Marketing: Communicating Your Values“

Andy Perkins, associate professor of marketing, was featured in Kirstin Kelley’s article discussing the importance of having visible and observable values for effective brand marketing. The article was published in the February 24, 2017, issue of the Vancouver Business Journal.

“Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before Turning Your Hobby into a Business“

Benjamin Warnick, associate professor of management, information systems, and entrepreneurship, suggests hobbyists ask themselves three questions before attempting to turn a hobby into a business in his article published in the May 3, 2017, issue of Entrepreneur. Warnick also contributed “Blending Work, Play in Hobby Entrepreneurship” to the April 13, 2017, issue of the Spokane Journal of Business and was featured in Anthony Kuipers’ article “When a Hobby Becomes a Business” published in the April 15, 2017, issue of the Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

August 2017 New Hires

Xinghua Gao is a new assistant professor of accounting. He teaches courses in accounting information systems and managerial accounting. He is published in academic journals including Contemporary Accounting Research, Review of Accounting Studies, Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory, and the Journal of Accounting, Auditing & Finance. Gao had been with Governors State University prior to joining WSU. He obtained his M.B.A. and M.S. in accounting and his PhD in business administration from Wayne State University.
Joan Giese is a new clinical associate professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business. She is returning to WSU after having spent several years on the marketing faculty earlier in her career. She has also been on the marketing faculties at the University of Oregon, Kansas State University, and the University of Montana. Giese received her PhD in marketing at Washington State University. Her research interests in marketing are related to the influences of feelings and design on customer decision making. She is published in several academic journals, including the Journal of Marketing, Journal of Retailing, Psychology & Marketing, Journal of Business Research, Marketing Letters and others. Giese has also served as a marketing consultant to several businesses, agencies, and government organizations.
Shawna Harmon is a new administrative assistant III in the Dean’s Office. She came to the Carson College from the Residence Inn by Marriott in Pullman, where she worked as the front office manager since just after they opened in May of 2014. Shawna, her husband Joe, and their four children moved to the Pullman area in 2009 from Coos Bay, Oregon. In her free time Shawna enjoys swimming, cooking, learning new things, and spending time with her family and friends.
Micah Howard (’16 OMBA) joined the Office of Development as an assistant director of philanthropic engagement. He has experience in fundraising in higher education, sports management, and sales. He previously worked in the NBA G League, Utah Valley University, and Cal State Fullerton. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and his master’s through Carson College’s online MBA program, with an emphasis in finance. Micah loves spending time with his wife and kids, eating great food, playing basketball, and riding his motorcycle.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Howlett is a new professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business and will hold the Gardner O. Hart Distinguished Professorship. Prior to coming to WSU, she was a professor of marketing at the University of Arkansas Sam M. Walton College of Business, where she has worked since 1995. Previously, she was an assistant professor of marketing at the University of Iowa and at the Stern School of Business, New York University. Her research focuses on consumer preference and public policy. She is published in several academic journals including the Journal of Consumer Research, Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, Journal of Marketing, Journal of Public Policy and Marketing, and the Journal of Retailing, as well as in popular press publications. She is a member of the editorial review board of the Journal of Public Policy and Marketing and serves as a reviewer for a number of other journals. Howlett earned her doctorate in marketing at the Fuqua School of Business, Duke University.
Alexander S. Kier (Alex) is a new assistant professor of entrepreneurship at WSU Vancouver. His research focuses on imagination in new venture ideation, entrepreneurial decision making/cognition, and escalation of commitment. His research has been published in the Journal of Business Venturing, Academy of Management Perspectives, and Business Horizons. Prior to joining WSU, Alex’s professional experience includes work as a certified public accountant and certified fraud examiner at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Grant Thornton.
Debi Mundell is the new graduate program operations manager in the Office of Graduate and Online Programs. She comes to WSU with 29 years of experience in higher education. In her career path, she has worked in all aspects of student services including recruiting, admissions, academic advising, financial aid, career services, student disability services, registrar’s office, restructuring an orientation program, and assisting with graduation. At Boise State University, she was the director of the Student Services Center in the College of Business for nine years and most recently has worked in advising for engineering at WSU. She has a B.S. in business management and a M.Ed. in higher education administration.
Soomin Park is a new clinical assistant professor in the Department of Finance and Management Science. He teaches a course in operations management. He obtained his PhD in operations and supply chain management from State University of New York, Buffalo.
Kahlil Philander is an assistant professor in the School of Hospitality Business Management at WSU Everett. His research interests are in the socio-economic impacts of gambling. Previously, he was the director of social responsibility at the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and an assistant professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas’ (UNLV) International Gaming Institute. He was named to Global Gaming Business Magazine’s 40 under 40 list, and received the Research of the Year Award from the National Council on Problem Gambling. He holds a PhD from UNLV, a master’s in economics from the University of Toronto, and a bachelor of commerce in finance from the University of British Columbia.
Hanjiang Zhang is a new assistant professor of finance. She joined the Carson College from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Prior to that, she taught in the business schools at the University of Texas at Austin and the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Her research interests are mutual funds and investments. She published in top journals such as the Journal of Finance, Review of Financial Studies and the American Economic Review papers and proceedings. Her work also won top prizes such as the Kepos Capital Award for the Best Paper on Investments at the Western Finance Association 2014 meeting, as well as the Best Paper Award in Investments at the Financial Management Association 2011 European Conference.