Skip to main content Skip to navigation
Dividend The official online magazine of the Carson College of Business

From Student, to Graduate, to Mentor: Carson Alumni Share Why They Give Back

Economic downturns are an inevitable part of working life, says Jon Heideman, a Carson alumnus who gives back to the college through mentoring. When he talks to recent grads, Heideman encourages them to invest in themselves, build a reputation for good work, and plan for the future. “History says there will be a recovery,” he says. » More ...

August 2020 – New Hires

Blythe Howell is the new office assistant in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Idaho in 2014. Before coming to WSU, she worked as an office assistant for a pediatric occupational therapy clinic in her hometown of Boise. She took a job in 2016 at WSU’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, where she continues to work part-time as the manager of the wheat and small grains website. In her free time, Howell enjoys knitting sweaters, photography, reading, and taking road trips around the Pacific Northwest with her husband.

Dipra Jha is an associate professor and the new assistant director of the School of Hospitality Business Management. Before coming to WSU, he was an associate professor of practice and the director of global engagement for the Hospitality, Restaurant and Tourism Management program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. During his tenure there, Jha conceptualized and helped build a 154-room, Four Diamond teaching and research hotel on the Nebraska Innovation Campus. He was previously an assistant professor of hospitality and tourism management at North Dakota State University.

Sheena Kerr is the new office administrator for the Carson Center for Student Success. While new to WSU and higher education, she says “I have always been a Coug fan!” Kerr previously spent more than 20 years in the early education field and is eager to use her operational management experience in her new role at the Carson Center. She was born and raised on the Palouse and enjoys spending time at her family’s farm outside of Colton. She and her husband have three daughters and enjoy camping and spending time with family and friends.

Lisa Wood is the administrative assistant for the Department of Marketing and International Business. Practically a Pullman local at this point, she moved here in 2001 to study zoology and psychology at WSU and has stayed ever since. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in zoology in 2006, she worked as an office manager at a local dental practice. Outside of work, Wood enjoys spending time with her son, playing outdoors, and teaching yoga.

Coming in December, more profiles on new faculty hired in 2020.

August 2020 – Research & Popular Press

“WSU Tri-Cities class project focuses on boosting local millennial tourism“

Joan Giese, clinical associate professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business at WSU Tri-Cities, was interviewed by Carissa Lehmkuhl of KAPP-KVEW Local News, for a July 9, 2020, broadcast about how her marketing management class worked with Visit Tri-Cities on a project to bring millennial travelers to the Tri-Cities when restrictions lift.

“Not Ready to Eat at a Restaurant? WSU Coronavirus Survey Says You’re Not Alone“

Research by Dogan Gursoy, Taco Bell Distinguished Professor in Hospitality Business Management, was featured in May 17, 2020, stories by Dave Gallagher in the Bellingham Herald and the Wenatchee World.

His research on attitudes toward eating out during COVID-19 also appeared in other publications.

“Local Restaurants Respond to Uncertainty, Prepare for Coronavirus Restrictions to Ease,” May 17, 2020, by Mai Hoang, Yakima Herald Republic.

“66 Percent of Consumers Aren’t Ready to Dine in Yet, Study Says,” May 26, 2020, by Lauren Stine, Restaurant Dive.

“Report: 66 Percent of Consumers Are Not Ready for Restaurant Dining Rooms,” May 26, 2020, both by Jennifer Marston; and “New Study Shows Why Re-opened Restaurants Can’t Ease Up On to Go Ordering,” June 10, 2020, The Spoon.

“Will You Go Out to Eat Right Away When COVID Restrictions Lift? Most Will Wait and See,” June 2, 2020, by Kristine Sherred, Tacoma News Tribune.

“Ask the Experts: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card“

Dipra Jha, associate professor and new assistant director of the School of Hospitality Business Management, was featured in Wallethub’s July 2020 expert panel review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card, where he discussed whether paying an annual fee for a travel credit card still makes sense.

“Redirecting Gifts Can Make Donors Feel Betrayed“

Jeff Joireman’s guest column was featured in the March 12, 2020, issue of the Spokane Journal of Business. Joireman, professor and chairman of the Department of Marketing and International Business, discussed how donors react when gifts to specific projects are redirected to other uses by a charity.

Joireman’s research was also the subject of a March 3, 2020, story by Alex Daniels, “Crowdfunding Donors Show Feelings of Betrayal When Gifts are Redirected (Study),” in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

“State of Grapes“

Byron Marlowe, clinical assistant professor and coordinator for wine beverage business management at WSU Tri-Cities, was quoted in a March 3, 2020, article by Amy Milshtein, which appeared in Oregon Business. Marlowe discussed demand for Oregon wines, trends in tasting room visits, and growth in the ultra-premium wine category.