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Dividend The official online magazine of the Carson College of Business

March 2021 – New Hires

Alex Soberanes (’19 Hist.) is an academic advisor at the Carson Center for Student Success. He is a first-generation college graduate and as an undergraduate, worked with first year and first-generation students as a peer mentor through Multicultural Student Services and the Office of Academic Engagement. In this free time, he enjoys watching anime, spending time with his dog, and tending to his plant collection.
Corey Sutter (’13 Psych., ’15 MA Poli. Sci.) is an academic advisor at the Carson Center for Student Success.  Sutter previously worked for the University of Iowa in the Center for Diversity and Enrichment, supporting Native American, Asian American, and first-generation students and teaching classes on education inequity in the United States. He most recently worked at Spokane Community College, where he worked with foster youth and underrepresented student populations.

December 2020 – New Hires

Sung Ahn will continue to serve as associate dean for International Programs and will also step in as director of the International Business Institute, replacing Jessica Cassleman who retired from the college in June.

Lisa Baden is the administrative manager at the Carson College of Business at WSU Vancouver. Baden has experience in several areas of higher education, from student services to event planning to curriculum development. Most recently, Baden worked with Clark College’s community education program developing noncredit offerings. Prior to that, she worked with the University of Oregon Portland as a program manager for the College of Design.

Tim Baker, associate professor of decision science, will become the academic director for the Carson College of Business at WSU Tri-Cities after his return from sabbatical.

Bitty Balducci is an assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business. Before pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Missouri, Balducci worked in the nonprofit sector, growing philanthropic support at the University of Montana Foundation and the American Cancer Society. In her research, Balducci explores the science behind sales interactions.
Read more about Balducci.

Jeremy Beus is an associate professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. He received his doctorate and master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology from Texas A&M University and his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Brigham Young University-Idaho. His primary research interests include organizational climate and workplace safety. Beus is an associate editor at Human Performance and his research has been published in a variety of journals.
Read more about Beus.

Azam Boskabadi is a career track assistant professor in the Department of Finance and Management Science. She earned her doctorate in industrial, manufacturing, and systems engineering at the University of Texas at Arlington. Her doctoral studies included research projects in mathematical modeling, operations research, supply chain network design, and block chain.
Read more about Boskabadi.

Asa Brown is the new assistant director for the Center for Entrepreneurship and an instructor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. Brown previously worked for WSU’s Innovation and Research Engagement Office and the Office of Commercialization. Before he and his family moved to the Palouse in 2016, he worked for a mobile-app development company called Area360 Inc. Brown graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor’s degree in English literature, a juris doctorate, and a master’s degree in sport management. He is a licensed, practicing attorney in the state of Washington.

Michelle Carter is an associate professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. She is a first–generation college graduate who earned her doctorate in management information systems from Clemson University. She is joining the Pullman faculty after spending three years as a faculty member at WSU Everett, as well as other institutions including the University of Alabama, the University of Washington, and the University of Nebraska Omaha. She is chair of the Association for Information Systems committee on diversity and inclusion.
Read more about Carter.

Kevin Chase is an assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business with an industry background in business-to-business sales and business-to-consumer sales. He previously taught at the University of Kentucky and Clemson University, working to develop undergraduate education to prepare students for careers in sales. His research focuses on complex organizational buying and selling processes using both qualitative and quantitative exploration.

Robert Crossler was appointed chair of the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship last spring.

Jeremy Cox is a career track assistant professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Oregon and an MBA from the University of Utah. He has worked as an actuary building mathematical models to quantify risk. He has also worked on loss models for banks and predictive models for customer behavior for a marketing company. During his doctoral studies, he has explored topics such as social entrepreneurship, nonprofits, franchises, and cognitive and behavioral strategy.
Read more about Cox.

Nicholas S. Delaney is the senior director of development for the Carson College. Delaney (’03 Soc. Sci.) brings more than 32 years of combined experience in senior management, business, financial services and fundraising to the role. He holds certifications as an investment management analyst and a private wealth advisor. Delaney previously worked for the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, deepening alumni relationships and support in the Seattle metropolitan area, Bay Area, and other U.S. regions.
Read more about Delaney.

Joan Giese, clinical associate professor of marketing at WSU Tri-Cities, will take on a supplemental role as director of lifelong learning for the Carson College, helping to organize pilot ventures into professional non-credit education offerings.

Sue Gill, former chair of the Department of Accounting, is now the director of the Honors and Business Leadership and Innovation Experience, the Carson College program for students in the Honors College.

Susan He is a career track assistant professor of finance at WSU Vancouver. She spent eight years teaching economics at WSU before completing her second doctoral degree in finance. She earned her first doctorate at Washington University in St. Louis. Her area of research includes econometrics, the use of statistical and mathematical models to describe economies.
Read more about He.

Jacob Jaggi is an assistant professor in the Department of Accounting, where he teaches intermediate accounting courses. His primary research interests include corporate governance, debt contracting, and monitoring mechanisms such as auditing and audit committees. Prior to earning a doctorate at the University of Arizona, Jaggi worked as an internal auditor, controller, and U.S. Securities and Exchange reporting analyst, and in several industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and non-profit.
Read more about Jaggi.

Richard Johnson is an associate professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. He received a bachelor’s degree in business from Indiana University, an MBA from Virginia Tech, and a doctorate in information systems from the University of Maryland. He has held faculty positions at the University of Central Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University at Albany—State University of New York. Most recently, he was department chair and director of the human resource information systems program at the University at Albany.
Read more about Johnson.

Donna Paul is the new academic director for the Carson College at WSU Vancouver, replacing Jane Cote, who retired from that role.

Chase Potter is an assistant professor in the Department of Accounting. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from the University of Utah, and did his doctoral work at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. His research focuses on how politics affect the financial reporting environment and provides insights for the Financial Accounting Standards Board and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the costs and benefits of including non-financial information in financial statements.

Roy Suddaby is a professor of management at the Carson College of Business, where he has a half-time appointment. He is also the Winspear Chair of Management at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria, Canada. Suddaby is an internationally regarded scholar of organizational theory and institutional change. His work has contributed to the understanding of the critical role of symbolic resources—legitimacy, authenticity, identity, and history —in improving an organization’s competitive position.
Read more about Suddaby.

Benjamin Warnick is an assistant professor of entrepreneurship at WSU Vancouver. His research focuses on the psychology of entrepreneurs, including their passion, emotions, and well-being. Warnick earned his doctorate in entrepreneurship and strategic management from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Read more about Warnick.

Bernard Wong-on-Wing is the new chair of the Department of Accounting.

Joann Zhang is an academic coordinator at WSU Vancouver. She has numerous years of experience with academic advising and diversity-related initiatives in higher education. She previously worked at Clackamas Community College and University of Oregon. She is a first-generation college graduate and first in her family to earn a master’s degree, which was from Oregon State University in education in college student services administration.

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.

March 2020 – New Hires

Erin Abbott (’18 Soc. Sci.) is the online MBA admissions coordinator in the Office of Graduate and Online Programs. She previously worked as an administrative assistant in the WSU Access Center. In her free time, Abbott enjoys watching football and spending time with her dogs, friends, and family.
Amber Butcherite is the assistant to the dean’s office. She has previously worked for the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication and Facilities Services. Born and raised in Pullman, Butcherite is a third-generation WSU employee. She has three children with her husband, Chef de Cuisine Jason Butcherite, who also works for the Carson College of Business. She loves spending her time with family, friends, and her golden retriever, Penny. She also enjoys working out, strength training, and being spoiled with a home cooked meal by her husband.
Andrew Gepford is an academic advisor in the Carson Center for Student Success. He previously worked as an athletic trainer for WSU for eight years. Before coming to WSU, he was an athletic trainer at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California, for three years. He earned his master’s degree from Morehead State University in health and wellness promotion and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho in athletic training.
Bob Harrington (’96 MBA, ’01 PhD Strat. Mgmt.) is the new director for the School of Hospitality Business Management. He also will assume the Ivar B. Haglund Chair in Hospitality Business Management.
Lindsey Hobbs is the new student engagement and scholarship coordinator for the Carson Center for Student Success. She graduated from Boise State in 2018 with a bachelor’s in science degree in psychology. Previously, Hobbs worked at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Boise State University advising, coordinating schedules, and working in student enhancement and community outreach.
Bradley Leach has joined the Office of Technology as a video producer. A native of Moscow, Idaho, he attended the University of Idaho before pursuing his bachelor’s degree in film studies at the American University of Paris. While living in France, Leach worked in the fashion and digital media industry for various magazines, bloggers, and personalities including Culture Keeper, Crash, JUAN Studios from Colombia, Mira Mikati, and Sandqvist Bags. In 2018, he returned to the United States where he worked in freelance videography and served as a media consultant for his family’s business before joining the Carson College. When not busy with his passion for videography, Leach enjoys creating music, directing short films, conducting creative photo shoots, and writing screenplays.
Aimee Tejeda Lunn is the new industry connection coordinator for the Carson Center for Student Success. She grew up on the East Coast, where she received her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She has extensive experience in youth development, nonprofit programming, and event coordination. In her free time, Tejeda Lunn enjoys singing, teaching Zumba, and working on creative projects.
Laurie Marcum (’19 Psych.) is the credentials evaluator for the Office of Graduate and Online Programs. She is a first-generation college graduate. Marcum lives in Pullman with her husband and three children. A Pacific Northwest native, she enjoys spending her free time hiking, snowshoeing, and kayaking.
Nancy Swanger has been named the founding director of the Granger Cobb Institute for Senior Living.

December 2019 – New Hires

Mesut Cicek is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business. He received his doctorate from Istanbul Bilgi University and was a visiting professor at Rutgers Business School before joining WSU. His research focuses on social media marketing, online product placement, and place authenticity and branding. Before his academic career, Cicek worked as a marketing manager and import manager in several private sector companies.
Chris Cooney is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. He previously taught strategic communication at the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at WSU. He has an executive master of business administration degree from the University of Idaho, where he also worked as the senior director of marketing and communication and the director of web communication. Cooney is a member of the Adobe Education Leader Program, a community of thought leaders in education who use Adobe tools to promote creativity and critical problem-solving.
Brittney Gamez is the new fiscal specialist 2 for the Dean’s Office. She grew up in Lewiston and graduated from Lewis-Clark State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She previously worked in office management for Eastside Marketplace in Moscow, Idaho. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, cats and dogs, and doing crafts.
Tom Kokta is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Marketing and International Business. He is the former head of consumer insights at Microsoft, and he has started and run multiple small businesses. Kokta earned his PhD at the University of Washington, a master’s degree in math at Syracuse University, a master of business administration at McMaster University, and a master of science degree in economics at Ulm University. He enjoys working at the intersection of marketing, data, and agile product development. Kokta is an avid photographer. His work has appeared in National Geographic Magazine and the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Hana Johnson is an assistant professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. She has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a PhD in organizational behavior from the University of Washington and a master’s in business administration from the University of California at Los Angeles. She has worked for Starbucks, Procter and Gamble, and Arthur Andersen.
Cynthia Johnston is an academic coordinator for WSU Vancouver. She previously worked for Portland State University in housing and residence life. After earning her master’s degree from Portland State in higher education administration and leadership, she worked at Seattle Pacific University in student employment and career development. She has a passion for helping students develop their strengths.
Jeff Joireman has been promoted to chair of the Department of Marketing and International Business.
Keri Jones Knight is a student engagement specialist at WSU Vancouver, supporting internship opportunities and department-sponsored events. She has a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University in deaf education and a master’s degree from Portland State University in educational leadership and policy with a focus on student affairs. She previously worked at Western Oregon University as the coordinator of clubs and organizations and at Aloha High School as a graduation mentor. Knight enjoys volunteering with youth in her community and training at her gym.
Garth Mader is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Management, Information Systems, and Entrepreneurship. He previously spent 13 years at Amazon and has also worked at Nordstorm. He is best known for his work building new, disruptive customer experiences and helping drive efficiency, scale, and profitability in startups. Mader has a bachelor of science degree in business and marketing from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in business administration from Seattle University.
Titus Nordquist is the college’s PhD coordinator. He previously worked as the Online MBA coordinator for the Business Graduate and Online Programs office. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in sport management from WSU. Nordquist is a Washington native who loves to golf and hunt.
Calen Ouellette is the college’s senior director of development. He has nearly 20 years of public relations and fundraising experience, serving in a senior leadership and development role at the University of Southern California for nearly 15 of those years. Ouellette earned his master of business administration degree from the University of Southern California and his bachelor’s degree from WSU in 2000. In his free time, Ouellette is an active outdoorsman in tow with his two dogs, Charlie and Dexter.
Avery Smith is a clinical assistant professor of management information systems at WSU Vancouver. He previously worked as an adjunct faculty member at WSU Vancouver teaching strategic management. Smith has worked in technology management roles at HP Inc. and Oregon Health and Science University. He received his doctorate from George Fox University. Smith’s research interests include strategic thinking and technology leadership.
Xinchang Wang is an assistant professor of operations management in the Department of Finance and Management Science. He previously worked for Mississippi State University. He has PhDs from Georgia Institute of Technology and the National University of Singapore. Wang’s research focuses on pricing and revenue management with applications to queueing service systems, logistics, and supply chain management.
Rachel Worthy is an academic coordinator at WSU Vancouver. She has a bachelor’s degree in English literature from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University. She previously worked at Bellingham Technical College as the youth re-engagement advisor, advising disengaged and at-risk youth as they pursued high school equivalency and post-secondary education.
Yixuan Xiao is an assistant professor in the Department of Finance and Management Science. She received her doctorate from Washington University in St. Louis and her undergraduate degree from Peking University. She was a faculty member at City University of Hong Kong before joining WSU. Her research focuses on operations management, supply risk management, interface of operations management and finance, and the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Keyang (Daniel) Yang is an assistant professor in the Department of Finance and Management Science. He received his PhD in finance from the University of Iowa. His research focuses on corporate finance. He currently teaches financial institutions and intermediation.
Nolan Yaws-Gonzalez is the Business Growth MAP manager at WSU Vancouver. In his role, he partners with others to help business students apply what they have learned to real-world challenges. He previously led both Career Services and New Student Programs at WSU Vancouver. Yaws-Gonzalez is passionate about student success and experiential learning and loves being a member of the VanCoug family.