MS: Do professors often work one-on-one with graduate students?
ER: There are a lot of opportunities for one-on-one work. I have worked with several students who wanted to go on to a Ph.D. program who have eventually gotten published. Those publications helped them get accepted to a program.
MS: Do graduate students have an opportunity to help with research?
ER: Our graduate research assistant on the international entrepreneurship project has been with us for two years. He has been instrumental in maintaining the relationships with our collaborators.
MS: Why would you recommend Missouri State to prospective graduate students?
ER: It’s a university that does it all — and does it well. I think we do a good job of serving our students through teaching. But many of the faculty members are also top-notch researchers. That is a unique blend. Institutions, typically, are either focused on one or the other, but we have both.
MS: Why would you recommend the College of Business Administration to prospective graduate students?
ER: There are so many opportunities for students who earn a business degree. They have many choices in potential careers. My area, management, is so far-reaching. Every organization needs a leader and a manager, so you could go into virtually any field if you have management knowledge. Missouri State has the largest business program in the state, but it is not just being large that makes us great. We were accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which is a really selective group, and they remarked on how many publications our faculty members have produced in last the five-year period. They were really impressed. Missouri State also has an international business focus, so there are lots of opportunities to do student-exchange programs.
MS: What are some characteristics of the students at Missouri State?
ER: The students come from so many different backgrounds. I see a lot of diversity in life experiences. We have traditional graduate students, as well as working students. We have students from all over the state, country and world. They share their experiences in the classroom and that makes every course unique.
MS: What is your favorite place on campus?
ER: I love the area outside the library because I love the sound of the Jane A. Meyer Carillon bells and the water fountains. Sometimes I will open my office windows to watch the carillon player go up the many stairs before playing the bells at noon. The sound gives a nice ambiance to the campus.
