Dr. John D. Groesbeck was appointed to be the Dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business beginning June 2012. Dr. Groesbeck was also named the John R. Kuhn, Jr. Professor of Business and Economics in recognition of authoring more than 60 professional and academic projects and papers. In this role he manages all academic and operational aspects of the school. Since appointment, Dr. Groesbeck has been instrumental in working with faculty to complete the strategic plan for the School, along with creating improved student learning supports for students. Prior to serving at Missouri Southern, Dr. Groesbeck was Dean of the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business and Professor of Economics at Westminster College in Salt Lake City, Utah. In that position he has managed all instructional and operational aspects of the School at the MBA and undergraduate level.
Dr. Groesbeck also has served as Dean, College of Business, and Professor of Economics and Finance at Eastern New Mexico University, (ENMU) in Portales, N.M. In that position he managed all facets of both the instructional and operational sides of the College of Business, with control over all bachelors and MBA programs in the college.
Dr. Groesbeck also served as Associate Dean of the College of Business and Technology, Head of the School of Business and Director of Graduate Business Programs and Professor of Economics at Southern Utah University, Cedar City, Utah. At SUU he was also Director of the Center for Economic Education and founding Editor of the Mountain Plains Journal of Business and Economics.
Dr. Groesbeck received his B.A. in Political Science (International Relations) at Boise State University. He received an M.S.S. in Economics/Management at Utah State University and his Ph.D. in Economics with an outside field in Management from Utah State University.
Dr. Groesbeck has also owned a business, run a successful consulting practice, and likes to golf, play guitar, write songs, and ride motorcycles.
Plaster Hall Office 302
Dean's Assistant
Plaster Hall Office 302
417-625-9319 Edwards-K@mssu.edu
Dr. Nii Adote Abrahams began teaching at the School of Business Administration in 1999 as an Assistant Professor. Prior to coming to MSSU, Abrahams worked as a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at the University of Georgia and as an Economist for the Economic and Regulatory Analysis Section of the Department of Planning and Budget for the Commonwealth of Virginia. In addition to teaching at MSSU, he is currently working as an Associate Graduate Professor for the Booth College of Business and Professional Studies for Northwest Missouri State University’s MBA partnership with MSSU. Dr. Abrahams has also worked for Southwest Baptist University as an adjunct professor for their MBA program.
Dr. Abrahams is originally from Ghana which is where he received his undergraduate degree in Agricultural Science. He worked at the University of Ghana for two years as a graduate research and teaching assistant after receiving his undergraduate degree.
Since coming to SOBA, Dr. Abrahams has served as the President of Faculty Senate, Editor of Southern Business and Economic Review, and on the MSSU Strategic Planning and Steering Committee. He has also served as the Department Head of Finance and Economics for five years. Abrahams has served as the MBA Coordinator as well as co-director of the MSSU-UniQ Partnership for Excellence in Accounting and Finance. He co-authored a three year USAID grant proposal for economic renewal for Haiti in which seven Haitian students from the Universite Quisqueya attended MSSU to receive baccalaureate degrees in accounting and finance.
Courses: Microeconomics, Money and Banking, and Managerial Economics
Degrees: Graduate Studies in Finance, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, 2008 - Present
PhD in Agricultural Economics - Penn State University, University Park, PA, 1996
Master of Science in Resource Economics - University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 1993
Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Agricultural Science - University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana, 1988
Professor of Finance and Economics
Plaster Hall Office 310F
417-625-9536 Abrahams-N@mssu.edu
Dr. Agee has nearly 20 years experience working at MSSU, first as an administrator, and currently, as a full-time faculty member. Her managerial roles at the University include serving as the Senior Vice President (chief financial and business officer), Interim President, Vice President for Business Affairs, and Director of Human Resources. Prior to joining MSSU, Dr. Agee worked at Leggett & Platt, California legal firm Burkley Moore Greenberg & Lyman, the Utah Attorney General’s office, as well as, in the insurance industry. In addition, Dr. Agee has taught as an Adjunct Faculty with MSU and as a University of Utah Teaching Assistant.
Dr. Agee is a member of The Missouri Bar, Southwest Missouri Bar Association, and Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). Agee has received various awards including the 2010 Outstanding University Experience Instructor, 2010 Master Adviser Certificate Award from Advising, Counseling & Testing, 2008 Woman of Distinction Award from the Joplin Business Journal and 2008 10 Most Influential Women Award from Joplin Tri-State Business.
Dr. Agee has served on numerous committees including the MSSU Faculty Senate Athletics Committee, President’s Council, Sustainability Committee, Strategic Planning Steering Committee, Scholarship Assessment Committee and Missouri Southern Foundation.
Courses: Labor and Employment Law, Legal Environment of Business Law I & II, Accounting Law and University Experience
Degrees: Juris Doctor, University of Utah College of Law, Salt Lake City, UT, 1988
Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration and Public Relations (magna cum laude), William Jewell College,
Liberty, MO, 1981
Professor of Business Law
Plaster Hall Office 309B
417-625-9783 Agee-T@mssu.edu
Maria Bejan teaches International Business and International Corporate Finance. Since 1997, she has worked as an economics instructor in Spain, Minnesota, Italy, and Mexico. Most recently, she was a Visiting Research Scholar at Rice University in Houston. For more information on Dr. Maria Bejan.
Associate Professor of International Business
Plaster Hall Office 307B
417-625-3585 Bejan-M@mssu.edu
Dr. Beverly Block has over thirty years teaching experience. She began teaching at Missouri Southern in the fall of 1984. Previously she taught at Pittsburg State University, and she taught six years in high school in Arkansas.
Dr. Block has held various positions at MSSU, including: Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; Department Head for Marketing, MIS, and Business Education; Assistant Dean and Dean of the Robert W. Plaster School of Business.
She is an active member of the Joplin Chamber of Commerce and The Rotary Club of Joplin. She is on the Board for ASPIRE (Assisting Parents in Realizing Education). She currently is on the Business Advisory Committee for high schools in Joplin, Carthage, and Girard, Kansas. She has won several teaching awards, including the Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2002. In 2008 she was named a Woman of Distinction.
Courses: Business Communication, Personal Development, Career Development, Interpersonal Development, Principles of Business Education, Teaching Business in the Secondary School, and Implementing Business Education Programs.
Degrees: EdD in Business Education; University of Arkansas; Fayetteville
Additional graduate work at Oxford University and University of Minnesota at St. Paul
Master of Business Education; University of Arkansas; Fayetteville
Bachelor of Science in Business Education; Southern Nazarene University; Bethany, Oklahoma
Professor
Plaster Hall Office 309Q
417-625-9603 Block-B@mssu.edu
Entrepreneurship Professor and Advisor
SBTDC Consultant and Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship
Karen Bradshaw has been teaching at Missouri Southern State University since 1985. She holds a Master of Business Administration, and is an Economic Development Finance Professional, certified by the National Development Council. She is also a certified NxLevel Instructor and a certified FastTrac Instructor.
Bradshaw has worked as a consultant with the MSSU Small Business & Technology Development Center since 1987, where she has consulted with over 1,500 pre-venture and existing small businesses. She teaches SBTDC workshops on computer software usage, marketing, pre-venture planning, and business plans for area businesses.
Bradshaw has received various awards including the MOSBTDC 2012 Award of Excellence for outstanding performance as members of the team responding to the Joplin tornado of May 2011, MOSBTDC Outstanding Achievement in Creating Economic Impact in Sales Increases in 2011, MOSBTDC Outstanding Achievement in Creating Economic Impact in Job Creation in 2011, MSSU School of Business Administration 2009 -2010 Online Teaching Performance Award, and the MSSU School of Business Administration 2006 -2007 Service Performance Award. She is a member of the American Marketing Association, Delta Mu Delta, and Omicron Delta Epsilon.
Courses: Promotion, Pricing, Merchandise/Inventory Planning, New Business Formation, and Managing Innovation and Technology
Degrees: MBA, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 1984
BBA, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 1983
Plaster Hall Office 107B
417-625-9520 Bradshaw-K@mssu.edu
Dr. Mark Comstock has been a faculty member of the School of Business Administration here at MSSU since 1993. Prior to coming to MSSU, he taught at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Dr. Comstock is a Certified Public Accountant as well as a Diplomate in the American Board of Forensic Accounting. He has been published in numerous journals, including the Journal of Psychometrics and Management Accountant. Dr. Comstock has presented twice at national conferences and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). He is also serving as president of our regional group of ACBSP.
Courses: Principles of Managerial Accounting, Financial Statement Analysis, Cost Accounting, Forensic and Investigative Accounting
Degrees: Ph. D. in Accounting – University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma
B.S. in Business Administration – Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, Missouri
Professor of Accounting
Plaster Hall Office 309A
417-625-3122 Comstock-M@mssu.edu
D
r. Cragin began teaching at the School of Business Administration 1989.Prior to teaching he began his career with Amoco Oil Company (now BP). He worked as a mechanical engineer in their Chicago office for four years before going back for his MBA at Northwestern University. Upon graduation from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Dr. Cragin took a management development position with Criton Technologies (now Esterline) and had stints in Seattle, Long Island, and Joplin.
Dr. Cragin has served on many university committees including Faculty Senate (three years on Executive Committee), Assessment Advisory Committee, Distance Learning Committee, Core Curriculum Review Subcommittee, Academic Policies Committee, Shared Governance Taskforce, Integrated Marketing Committee, and Budget Advisory Committee. Dr. Cragin has also served on numerous committees in the SOBA and is currently co-champion for ACBSP accreditation.
Dr. Cragin has advised a number of student organizations including Phi Beta Lambda and Delta Epsilon Chi (now Collegiate DECA). He currently advises the Secular Student Alliance at MSSU and Sigma Pi Fraternity. He is a member of the American Marketing Association and the Academy of Marketing Science. He has received a number of awards including National Delta Epsilon Chi Adviser of the Year and two Service Performance Awards from the SOBA.
Courses: Principles of Marketing, Marketing Strategy, and Strategic Management
Degrees: PhD, Oklahoma State, Stillwater, Oklahoma
Master of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Indiana
Professor of Marketing
Plaster Hall Office 309J
417-625-9609 Cragin-S@mssu.edu
Michelle Dawson began her career at MSSU in 1993 working as a Benefits Specialist for six years in the HR department. She joined the School of Business in 2008 as an adjunct faculty member and within a year, began teaching marketing and management courses full time.
Dawson currently serves on the Library Committee and the Writing Program Committee.
Courses: Business Communications, Using Information Systems
Degrees: MBA, Missouri State University, Springfield, Missouri, 2002.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Management, MSSU, Joplin, MO, 1994.
Instructor of Management
Plaster Hall Office 309M
417-625-9786 Dawson-Michelle@mssu.edu
Megan Douglas began her teaching career at Missouri Southern in the Fall of 2010 as an Instructor of Management. Most recently Douglas worked at Leggett & Platt, Incorporated in the Legal Department. She has also worked in the Newton County's Prosecuting Office. Douglas is a member of the Society for Human Resource Management and holds a Senior Professional in Human Resource Management (SPHR) certification. Douglas serves on a number of campus committees and serves as the advisor for the PBL and Collegiate DECA clubs on the campus of MSSU. Megan has been recognized by MSSU's School of Business by being presented with the Advising Performance Award (2012) and by Collegiate DECA Missouri Association as the Advisor of the Year (2013).
Courses: Using Information Systems, Management Information Systems, and Fundamentals of Organizational Management.
Degrees: MBA, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 2008
BSBA, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, 2006
Instructor of Management
Plaster Hall Office 309N
417-625-9523 Douglas-M@mssu.edu
Stu Dunlop serves as the PBL/CDECA Sponsor and Marketing Internship coordinator. In addition, Dunlop works with the Heartland Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) to provide outreach programs and informational seminars.
Dunlop has over 15 years experience in teaching and began his instructional career at Drury University as an adjunct in the communications department. Prior to teaching, he held various positions in private industry serving as vice president of marketing and department head. For the past 10 years, Dunlop has operated a sales and marketing consulting business focused on sales and marketing programs, and franchise start-ups. His clients have included Andy Williams Moon River Theatre, The Mail It Store, Doggie Spas of America, National Mills, and Big Smith Jeans.
Courses: Principles of Marketing, Retailing, Professional Sales & Sales Management, Internet Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications
Degrees: MBA, Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University), 1980
Bachelor of Science in Engineering Management with minor in Civil Engineering, University of Missouri-Rolla (Missouri S&T), 1976
Instructor of Marketing
Plaster Hall Office 309F
417-625-9702 Dunlop-J@mssu.edu
Dr. Will Huffman, CPA, has over 20 years teaching experience and began his instructional career at Kansas State University. Prior to teaching, Dr. Huffman worked as an accounting firm senior and staff accountant. Dr. Huffman has served as Past President of Joplin Tri-State Chapter, Institute of Management Accountants and Faculty Adviser for Lambda Gamma Chapter, Delta Mu Delta, the International Honor Society for Business students. His current research includes ethics seminars for continuing professional education. Dr. Huffman has been recognized by MSSU’s School of Business for Advising Award (2009) and the Blackboard Teaching Award (2005) and has served on the SOBA Strategic Planning Committee, MSSU Faculty Senate, Academic Policies Committee and the Student Success Task Force.
Courses: Auditing, Intermediate Financial and Capital Accounting, Governmental and Nonprofit Accounting and International Accounting
Degrees: PhD, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 1998.
Master of Accountancy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas1991.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 1985.
Professor of Accounting
Plaster Hall Office 309G
417-625-9778 Huffman-W@mssu.edu
Dr. Richard La Near has been teaching at Missouri Southern School of Business Administration since 1987. Prior to MSSU, he taught a combined 14 years at Mercer University, University of Arkansas, Murray State University, and University of Mississippi.
Dr. La Near is an active member of the Joplin community. He is on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club and also serves on the Board of Directors at Commerce Bank. Dr. La Near has served on Finance Committee at St. John’s Medical Center Board of Directors. He has written many editorials for the Joplin Globe and is frequently interviewed for local media on economic issues.
Courses: Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, The American Economic System, Introduction into Personal Finance, Financial Management, and Security Analysis
Degrees: PhD, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, 1979
MBA, Memphis State University, Memphis, Tennessee, 1974
Bachelor of Science in Math, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas, 1968
Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering, Joplin Junior College (currently Missouri Southern State University),
Joplin, Missouri, 1966
Professor of Finance and Economics
Plaster Hall Office 310D
417-625-9530 LaNear-R@mssu.edu
Terry Marion has a breadth of professional experience, spanning five decades, teaching collegiate courses as well as working in the business community. Marion has been teaching at Missouri Southern since 1976 and has worked in the retail, construction and real estate industries. He served as the Director of Human Resources at Eagle Pitcher Technologies in Joplin.
Marion is a member of the Tri State Human Resources, a chapter of Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) and is the sponsor for MSSU’s student SHRM club. He also works through the Small Business Technology and Development Center (SBTDC) to provide organizational seminars and training.
Marion has served on the MSSU Promotion and Personnel Committees and was a Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Faculty Advisor from 1978-94, winning national awards. Marion received the first MSSU Advisor of the Year Award, the Outstanding Teacher Award and the SOBA Advisor of the Year.
Courses: Human Resource Management, Quality Management, Career Development, International Human Resource Management, and Psychology of Human Resource Management
Degrees: Doctoral work at University of Arkansas, ABD, Fayetteville, AR
*Additional graduate hours from the University of Missouri, Purdue, Oxford University (England), Kansas State
University, and Missouri State University.
Master of Science in Business, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Specialist in Counseling Psychology, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Business Degree, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Professor of Management
Plaster Hall Office 309K
417-625-9507 Marion-T@mssu.edu
Christi Mattix began teaching accounting classes in the School of Business Administration as an adjunct instructor in 2008. She taught for three and a half years before being hired as a full-time faculty member in the Fall of 2011. Before coming to MSSU, she was the Administrative Services Manager for a local not for profit organization for nearly 5 years.
Courses: Principles of Financial Accounting, Principles of Managerial Accounting, and Accounting Information Systems
Degrees: MBA, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS, 2007
BSBA, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, 2005
Instructor of Accounting
Plaster Hall Office 309E
417-625-3546 Mattix-C@mssu.edu
Dr. J. Chris Moos began his teaching career as an adjunct instructor at MSSU in 2003. He was quickly offered a full time position and is currently serving as the Department Head of Marketing and Management for the School of Business Administration.
Dr. Moos has over 25 years of business experience prior to teaching. He has held the positions of CFO, COO, CEO and Consulting for Domestic, International and Multi-National Corporations. Dr. Moos has served in the U. S. Navy (Officer Leadership & Management), and taught English as a Second Language (ESL). He is also a Commander in the Navy (Retired).
Dr. Moos currently serves on the Budget Advisory Committee, as the Director for the International Trade and Quality Center, and as the adviser for the International Business Club at MSSU. He is one of approximately 1,030 individuals worldwide who are Certified Global Business Professionals. Dr. Moos has also been a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, a Co-Director for the USAID Grant, and a committee member for the Egypt, Brazil, China, and Russia themed semesters. In 2007 he was awarded MSSU's Outstanding International Education Teacher and in 2009 he received the Faculty Reseach Award.
Courses: International Management, International Marketing, Global Supply Chain Management, International Business, Global Business Literacy, and International Finance
Degrees: DBA, Swiss Management Center University, 2011
MBA, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 1982
BS (Cum Laude), Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, 1978
Logistics, US Navy Supply Corps School, 1986
Certified Global Business Professional (NASBITE Certification), 2008
Department Head of Marketing and Management
Assistant Professor of International Business
Plaster Hall Office 309L
417-625-9703 Moos-C@mssu.edu
Doug Myers has over 30 years holding executive positions in franchising, manufacturing, retail and the service industry. In 1980, Doug began his venture as an entrepreneur by opening a successful restaurant in Joplin. He continued and remains today, a business owner, offering extensive business experience in negotiating multiple million dollar contracts, equipment agreements, and new business start-ups. Myers has coordinated site selection and demographic studies for the automotive retail industry.
He served as Executive Vice President/Corporate Officer for Raco Car Wash Systems, Inc. and as Vice President at KO Manufacturing Inc. Myers has been a member of the International Restaurant Association, the International Franchise Association and the Association for Operations Management (APICS). He has received numerous ADDY awards from the American Advertising Federation for Best Print (Logo Design), Best Television (Producer) and Best Advertising Campaign (Producer).
Courses: Fundamentals of Organizational Management, Principles of Marketing
Degrees: Master of Business Administration, Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, 1990
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, 1988
Instructor of Management
Plaster Hall Office 307C
417-625-3539 Myers-D@mssu.edu
Dr. Brian Nichols has been teaching at Missouri Southern since 2000, except for 2 years while he completed his doctoral coursework. Prior to teaching, Nichols worked both in the public and private sector for as a controller for two different corporations. In 2007, he received the Missouri Southern Outstanding Teaching Award. Nichols also was awarded the 2008 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. Nichols serves as the adviser for the Finance and Investment Club. He also teaches the Portfolio Management class in which students manage an actual investment portfolio from a grant through Missouri Southern’s foundation. Nichols currently serves on ten different committees for MSSU including the Strategic Planning Task Force, Executive Budget Committee, and Graduate Council. He helped to develop the Edward Jones Investment Center, located in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center (Plaster Hall) and used by hundreds of students since opening in 2006.
Courses: Principles of Macro Economics, Financial Management, Investments, and Portfolio Management
Degrees: PhD, University of Arkansas, Fayettville, Arkansas, 2008
MBA, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, 1994
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, 1993
Associate Professor of Finance and Economics
Plaster Hall Office 310G
417-625-9599 Nichols-B@mssu.edu
Dr. Nanette Philibert, SPHR, GPHR specializes in Human Resource Management and Training and Development. Dr. Philibert began her instructional career at the University of North Texas. Prior to teaching, Dr. Philibert worked as a Director of Human Resources and also has extensive background in military training and development. Her current research interests include performance improvement, leadership, and human resource development. Dr. Philibert has been recognized by MSSU’s School of Business for the Scholarship Performance Award (2007, 2008) and the Service Award (2009 and 2010).
Courses: Organizational Behavior, Fundamentals of Organizational Management, Human Resource Management, Compensation and Benefits, and Employee Training and Development
Degrees: PhD, Applied Technology & Performance Improvement, University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, 2005
Master of Education, Texas Woman’s University, Denton, Texas, 1995
Bachelor of Science in Comparative Studies-University of the State of New York, Albany, New York 1991
Associate Professor of Management
Plaster Hall Office 309O
417-625-9868 Philibert-N@mssu.edu
Dr. Richard Rawlins has been teaching Finance and Economics at the School of Business Administration for over 20 years. Dr. Rawlins’ interest in the field of Finance and Economics began when he was a college student. He was fascinated by how the real world application applies to any business, including farming.
Prior to coming to MSSU, he taught as a Graduate Assistant at the University of Arkansas and as a Teaching Assistant at Oklahoma State University. He has performed credit analysis for various law firms. In addition, Dr, Rawlins owns and manages a 900-acre farm in southwest Missouri where he raises over 250,000 hens and 150 dairy cows annually.
Dr. Rawlins has given presentations on capital budgeting, personal finance planning, farm management capitol, and cash budgeting. He served on the Executive Committee for the Institute of Chinese Financial Planners.
While teaching at MSSU, Dr. Rawlins has served on numerous committees for the University including the Long Range Planning and Accreditation Committees. He also worked as the Department Head for Finance, Economics, and International Business. He developed the Financial Planning tract at SOBA which is accredited by the Financial Planning Association. He has enjoyed working with student organizations, as well and has been the Sponsor for the MSSU Investment Club, attending annual student trips to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.
Courses: Macroeconomics, Financial Management, Estate Planning, Financial Strategy
Degrees: Certificate of Financial Management, Institute of Managerial Accountants, 2007
PhD, Business Administration, University of Arkansas,1998
Master of Science, Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University,1988
Bachelor of Science, Agricultural Economics, University of Missouri,1986
Professor of Finance and Economics
Plaster Hall Office 310E
417-625-9716 Rawlins-R@mssu.edu
Dr. Tom Schmidt is a Sam Walton Fellow who serves as an adviser to the MSSU Heartland PTAC. Dr. Schmidt has over 20 years experience in teaching. Since 1999, he has served as an Associate Professor at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa. Prior to his teaching career, he worked in his family’s billiard business, A.E. Schmidt Company of St. Louis, Dr. Schmidt’s hometown. He started and managed a home recreation business in Springfield, MO and worked for Astra Zeneca Pharmaceuticals.
Prior to coming to MSSU, Dr. Schmidt was a member of the Warren County Economic Development Board, an Indianola, IA Park Commissioner, a Director of the Iowa Association of Business and Industry Foundation Board and the vice-president of the Board of Directors for Leadership Iowa University.
Courses: Principles of Marketing, Consumer Behavior, Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy and Strategic Management
Degrees: PhD, St. Louis University, 2001
MBA, Drury University, 1987
Bachelor of Arts, Drury University, 1975
Associate Professor of Marketing
Plaster Hall Office 307A
417-625-3544 Schmidt-T@mssu.edu
Dr. David Smith began his teaching career at Robert W. Plaster School of Business Administration in 1995. Prior to teaching he was a tax manager at Deloitte and Touche in Chicago and Minneapolis and also worked as a consultant for Texas Instruments. Dr. Smith sat for and passed the CPA exam on his first attempt in 1984.
Dr. Smith currently serves as the department head for Accounting and Finance. He is serving on the Faculty Welfare, Faculty Assessment and the Faculty Personnel committees. In the past, Dr. Smith has served on the university’s Strategic Planning Committee, Student Research Grant Committee, and the Long-Range Planning Committee. He has also served as the co-advisor for the MSSU Accounting Club as well as Delta Mu Delta Honorary Society.
Courses: Tax Accounting I, Tax Accounting II
Degrees: PhD in Accounting, University of North Texas, 1997
Masters in Accounting, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1984
BSBA in Accounting, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, IL, 1983
Department Head of Accounting and Finance
Professor of Accounting
Plaster Hall Office 309H
417-625-3012 Smith-D@mssu.edu
Jill Smith has taught Accounting at the School of Business Administration since 1995. Prior to coming to MSSU, she taught in the Accounting Department at the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minnesota. In addition, Smith worked as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Minnesota and Senior Accountant at Deloitte & Touche accountancy firm.
Smith’s interest in accounting began when she was a college sophomore and was inspired by her professor. She has passed on that same heartfelt love of the field and supportive understanding for students when teaching and advising her own students today. Smith has received numerous honors and awards including the 2010 MSSU Outstanding Faculty Advisor, the 2008 SOBA Outstanding Advisor Award, and the 2005 MSSU Outstanding Teacher Award. She is also the Advisor of the MSSU Accounting Club.
Smith has served on several campus committees including the Teaching and Learning Committee, High School Outreach Committee, and Social Responsibility Committee. She is a member of the Missouri Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA) and the MSSU Alumni Association.
Courses: Principles of Financial Accounting, Principles of Managerial Accounting and Intermediate Accounting
Degrees: MBA, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN, 1987
BABA, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO, 1982
Assistant Professor of Accounting
Plaster Hall Office 309D
417-625-9593 Smith-J@mssu.edu
Dr. Alex Vernon, CQE, has over 20 years as a collegiate instructor and began his teaching career at MSSU in 1988 as a temporary instructor. In addition, he has taught at Louisiana Tech University and as a visiting faculty at Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to teaching, he worked as an Engineer at a utility company.
Dr. Vernon is a senior member of the American Society for Quality (ASQ) and has held various positions including Section Chair, Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. He has served on numerous campus committees including Faculty Welfare Committee, Promotion Committee and the SOBA Assessment Committee. His current research interests include continuous improvement in higher education and international business education.
Courses: Business Statistics, Continuous Improvement, Operations Management, Statistical Quality Control
Degrees: DBA in Quantitative Analysis (Management Science), Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, Louisiana, 1994
MBA, University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi, 1987.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 1985.
Professor of Management
Plaster Hall Office 309P
417-625-9671 Vernon-A@mssu.edu
Tanya Yantis currently teaches marketing at MSSU’s School of Business Administration and previously taught graduate level marketing courses at William Woods University in Fulton, MO. Teaching Marketing is a passion for her! She enjoys sharing marketing principles and strategies with students, as well as her belief that marketing is the cornerstone of businesses and how they effectively reach their target markets.
In addition, Yantis has worked in the realty industry designing and implementing marketing strategies and performing industry market research; she also has extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry promoting product lines and developing key accounts in the Kansas City area.
Yantis has been a member of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) and Delta Epsilon Chi/Marketing Club.
Courses: Consumer Behavior, Principles of Marketing, Using Information Systems
Degrees: MBA, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, 2008
BA--Business Administration, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO, 2000
Instructor of Marketing
Plaster Hall Office 309I
417-625-3584 Yantis-T@mssu.edu
Faculty Administrative Assistant
Plaster Hall Office 310
417-625-9371 Wiley-B@mssu.edu
Department Head Assistant
Plaster Hall Office 309
417-625-9602 Honeycutt-P@mssu.edu
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