What’s your mission in academia?
My mission is to get students to think about what they are doing. I want students to be productive members of society, to make good decisions and to take responsibility for their actions. This means they must be able to think before they speak.

What’s in your job description?
Teach … teach … teach … research … research … research … service … service … and more service.

How did you become interested in your subject area?
A recruiter from New York University came to my high school. He explained the course of study and opportunities for students after graduation. I was not interested in any of the colleges he mentioned. He closed by saying, “Not many of you will be interested in the college of business, but I’ll explain it to you anyway.” I perked up and knew this is where I should be headed. I was always interested in working in business, studying people, why they buy and how businesses sell products and services.  

What do students learn from you?
I tell students:  “Expand your horizon. Go out there and investigate the world.”

What makes your class interesting? Exciting?
We have projects from corporations and the community which provide students with real-world experiences. I also inject lots of humor into the class, and I have an interactive teaching style.

What most pleases you about society today?
I am so pleased to see that some of the unfounded prejudices are starting to tumble. People seem more willing to accept each other for who they are and the content of their character.

What most concerns you?
I am concerned about the unethical behavior of society in general and the willingness to tell a lie without considering the consequences. Our young adults pick up on these cues and grapple with what they are taught at home and in the classroom versus what they see in the world.

What’s your current research?
I am researching how teams develop new products and what makes for a successful introduction into the marketplace.

Where do you go in DeKalb for a good meal?
Bea’s Wok N Roll and Panda Express.

Why did you choose your first university?
New York University offered me a scholarship. It’s still a top-notch institution to earn a degree. Besides, it was close to home and a wonderful environment to explore.

Why should students come to NIU?
The NIU College of Business ranks 69th among the best undergraduate business schools in the nation. Gone are the days when a public education is equated with a second-class education. NIU ranks among the best, and that means a first-class education for every student.

What’s your best advice to students who want to succeed?
Remember: God, family, money and things … in that order.

If you weren’t teaching, what would you be doing?
I would probably be an executive in some corporation or a consultant. I would also like to serve on the board of directors for a not-for-profit association such as Jack and Jill or Big Brothers and Sisters.

What would your tombstone read?
I lived life the best I could and enjoyed the hell out of it.

 - Photos by Jim Womack, NIU Media Services

Department: Marketing

Hometown: New York, N.Y.

My degrees: Ph.D., University of Illinois; M.B.A., New York University; B.S., New York University

Arrived at NIU: August 2001
 
I teach: Product Planning and Management (blended and face-to-face) and Marketing Research