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Dividend The official online magazine of the Carson College of Business

A Message from Interim Dean Debbie Compeau – March 2024

Dear friends,

This edition of eDividend reveals our powerful research and education programs that transcend international borders, resulting in innovative global business solutions and life-changing experiences for students who choose to study abroad.

International study is a core component of the business training in the Carson College. Our features showcase how Cougs at every level benefit from the experience—from learning about the business climate in another country, to creating new, collaborative research opportunities, and even finding love.

Our feature on MISE student Annika Wottreng illustrates the complex potential for international travel to expand perspectives, helping young students to adopt a global mindset and align their career aspirations with their studies.

Alums Jake and Emily Stevens first met during a study abroad trip to Greece. In addition to finding their future spouse, the two say they also formed powerful relationships with other students and faculty in the program. Their destination wedding on the Greek island Santorini was predominantly attended by Cougs and featured a crimson and gray flag for guests to sign.

Other stories in this issue highlight the pervasive value international experience can have for Cougs at every stage of their career.

A shining example of this is Julie Nelsen, marketing professor and director of the CCB Center for Professional Sales at WSU Vancouver, who’s recent faculty development trip to South Korea helped to spur a new and novel path of research.

Our feature on executive MBA alum Rachel Tsang, a certified architect living in Hong Kong, shows how she was able to gain new skills and change her professional trajectory with the help of the Carson College’s flexible remote programming. She is now head of creative for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.

Our International Business Institute, established in 1996, is the hub of international education programs in the college, providing transformative opportunities for students and faculty alike. Faculty member Jeff Joireman was recently selected to head the institute, reinforcing the college’s commitment to pursuing scholarly work with global reach. As you’ll read about in his feature, he aims to unify our various efforts, develop a stronger identity, and increase participation in our international programs.

In university news, Washington State University is expanding its relationships with universities in central and western Africa as part of ongoing efforts to further scholarly exchange and leverage expertise to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

As we reflect on the inspiring stories shared in this edition of eDividend, let us remember the Carson College of Business thrives on fostering a global mindset among its students, alums, and faculty. I encourage you to engage with the college to help us support faculty in creating diverse opportunities that enrich our students’ educational experiences.

Go Cougs!


Debbie Compeau, Interim Dean

A Message from Interim Dean Debbie Compeau – August 2023

Dear friends,

I’m excited to contribute my first eDividend message since transitioning to the role of interim dean in July. Our former dean Chip Hunter, who led the Carson College for nearly nine years, has been appointed dean of Temple University’s Fox School of Business in Pennsylvania. We wish Chip well in his new role, and I look forward to building on the foundation he set during his tenure.

In this issue of eDividend, I’m pleased to showcase the many dimensions of innovation in the Carson College of Business. Our students continue to impress us with their innovative ideas and talents. As our recent 2023 Gen Z Spotlight Report shows, making money is not this generation’s sole focus for successful lives and careers; they are eager to do something that gives them a sense of purpose. You’ll see this mentality reflected in our feature highlighting some award-winning concepts our students presented in this year’s Business Plan Competition. Their web platforms and mobile apps improving campus safety, foster care resources, and non-emergency transportation businesses demonstrate a strong commitment toward using technology for social good.

Our feature on undergraduate Felicia Adesope also aligns with this theme. She’s researching how social media and technology correlate to an increase in mass shootings. Her work aims to provide social media and technology companies with best practices to help law enforcement detect threats of mass shootings before attacks occur.

As a college, we continually explore the value of technological innovation in our teaching and research efforts. Our WSU Entrepreneurship Skills and Knowledge Accelerator (WESKA) feature emphasizes the growth of this program designed to help graduate students from nonbusiness disciplines grow their knowledge of core entrepreneurial concepts. Many of their entrepreneurial ideas relate to technology for social good, as you’ll see in the WESKA feature referencing program participants who launched BioNutra, a successful nutrition business in Tanzania.

Our faculty research feature examines how inventors can affect a company’s innovation following a product failure. Amrita Lahiri found that inventors with more collaborative strength and a long tenure within a company are likely to reduce the propensity of drug innovation following failure, whereas those with low tenure increase it. This is but one example of how faculty are creating new knowledge about processes of innovation in organizations.

We remain focused on equipping graduates with marketable skills that bring value to businesses and communities in Washington state and the world. Our feature on alumna Carter (Marks) Wiggins highlights how our quality programming helped her build a career in Napa Valley’s wine industry. Executive MBA alumnus Jason Hostetter’s story illustrates the leadership and innovation he brings to the Pennsylvania’s electric and power industry.

I look forward to working with you to ensure our programs are highly sought after and continue to prepare our students for the increasingly complex and evolving world of business.

Go Cougs!


Debbie Compeau, Interim Dean