Management

SHARK TANK-STYLE

Talented winners were awarded cash prizes for their projects after the recent Shark Tank-style event that concluded Dennis Gupton’s New Venture Creation class. Sponsored by the Patton Foundation, this event was judged by an esteemed panel including the Patton Foundation and Warren Russell from WTR Capital.

Briggs Rutter (ATH Training), first place, $5,000

Sophia Attardi (Endless Dream), second place, $2,500

Raegan Marsee (Marsee Medical), third place, $1,000

BUSINESS PLAN CASE COMPETITION

A team from Wilson Bank and Trust, led by Southern Regional President Andy Jakes, judged winners for the Business Plan Case Competition. Special thanks to Clare Marling, Elizabeth Bazzell, Lee Eaton, and Gentry Wheat for their expert insights. Wilson Bank was impressed by the students’ presentations and expressed interest in future collaborations. Associate Professor Adam Smith organized the incredible event.

First place: Emily Klunk, Matthew Clouse, and Tyler Hieber (Ralph Williams’ team)

Second place: Alexandria Roberts and Easton Wallace (Karynne Turner’s team)

Third place: Emma Ankar, Ali Salman, and Thomas Dishner (Ralph Williams’ team)

Fourth place: Lurin Eltiti, Elena Dominguez, Luke Cripps, and Luke Harrison (Adam Smith’s team)

HRM STUDENT SHOWCASE

The department hosted the inaugural Human Resource Management student showcase in April to feature the incredible work of students. Ten employers and community partners joined in this special occasion.

Three teams from Kristie Abston’s Training and Development course presented one-hour training sessions tailored for community partners:

• Building Bridges—Fostering Conflict Resolution through Effective Communication and Trust (for Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station)

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (for Beesley Animal Foundation)

• Managers Driving Field Productivity (for Extreme Custom Technology)

CERTIFIED SUCCESS

SHRM-aligned programs mean students are eligible to take the SHRM certification exam. Last summer Sarah Glass and Tony Covington were the department’s first two Management students to pass the SHRM certification exam as a part of the new program. Kristie Abston coordinated this effort.

Jill Austin retired after decades of service as the Department of Management chair. Austin was awarded the 2023 MTSU Career Achievement Award and the statewide 2024 Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award at the state Capitol.

Each year, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission administers the Harold Love Outstanding Community Service Award to 10 individuals in higher education who demonstrate a lasting, meaningful impact through service, are recognized and valued by peers and community leaders, and embody the legacy of the late state Rep. Harold Love Sr.

“Community service is essential to keep our communities strong,” Austin said. “It takes all of us helping a little to make a difference for people in our communities. I learned to be a volunteer as a young child from my mom and dad; they spent countless hours in volunteer roles in our small community.”

The department additionally named a new award, the Jill Austin Ethical Leadership Award, to honor her legacy at MTSU and the strides she made during her tenure for ethical leadership education.

Cole C. Jones completed his Organizational Leadership Honors thesis in Spring 2024. “I can’t believe it’s finally here! Earlier this afternoon I successfully defended my Honors thesis! I’ve been working on this project since August 2022, and I’m grateful to have crossed the finish line. Without the guidance and support of Dr. Tim Moake and Dr. Rebekka King I would not have completed this project. I’m eternally grateful for the opportunity to become an Honors Transfer Fellow my junior year and graduate with Honors.”

Jean Wilson, master instructor coordinator in the Department of Management, was named a 2023–24 Career Influencer by MTSU’s Career Development Center. Students benefit from Wilson’s efforts in so many ways: with BEST, our College to Career class, her IGNITE workshops, bringing employers to campus, connection events, helping students with their resumes, “Jean’s Door” (which provides food and hygiene items for students in need), and more.

The Department of Management has introduced the new fully online M.S. in Management program in Human Resource Management. This program has been approved by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) as being aligned with its Curriculum Guidebook.

2023 ITALY STUDY ABROA

The Innovation and Management in Italian Industries study abroad in 2023, led by Assistant Professor Karynne Turner, took place in Rome, Milan, and Florence.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Check out these recommendations! Department of Management faculty in the Jones College of Business recommended titles for this pop-up collection of print books and e-books.