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College of Business
AUM College of Business is committed to supporting our students’ pursuits of excellence in the various areas of business by providing programs in Accounting, Finance, General Business, Human Resource Management, Information Systems, Management, and Marketing.
Our mission is to equip students for successful careers through high-impact educational opportunities powered by engaged faculty, meaningful relationships, and leading-edge managerial technology.
Students of the Month
College of Business – Student of the Month – November 2022
Christian Grubbs is the AUM College of Business Student of the Month for November 2022. He is a Senior majoring in Finance. He joined AUM in Spring 2021 as a transfer student from Central Alabama Community College. At AUM, his goal is to take classroom learning and implement it in real life.
Christian earned a spot on the Dean’s List in Spring 2022. He is an active member of the National Society for Leadership and Success. Since May 2022, he has been working as an intern with the Auto Owners Insurance Montgomery. After graduating in December 2022, he will join Northwestern Mutual for their post-graduation program.
He is very grateful for the faculty and staff at AUM. He credits AUM for creating wonderful opportunities such as networking events along with an experiential and application-based learning environment.
Christian’s advice to fellow students: “Time management is a great tool that helps you succeed different classes at the same time. Keep an open mind and have a comprehensive view about everything! AUM is a place that helps you to come out of your shell and ace it.”
College of Business – Student of the Month – October 2022
Lauryn Beckham is the AUM College of Business Student of the Month for October 2022 representing the School of Accountancy’s MAcc program.
Lauryn will not only graduate in December but will likely have passed all four parts of the CPA exam by early next year. She is the Comptroller at AES Mechanical Services Group in Tallassee and will continue in that role after graduation.
Lauryn lives with her husband Philip, her son Andrew, 3 cats, and 2 dogs in Tallassee, Alabama. She also wants to shout out to her parents, Mike and Deirdra Durham, as well as her grandfather, Gene Gantt. She is thankful for all of the love, support, and encouragement she has received from her family during her studies.
She is also very grateful for the faculty and staff at AUM and the doors that AUM has opened for her. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from AUM and will soon earn her master’s degree in Accountancy.
College of Business – Student of the Month – September 2022
Sadie is an accounting major who will have a big December this year as she will not only be graduating from AUM with an accounting degree but she also is getting married!
She is currently an intern for the Alabama Department of Revenue and plans to stay with the Department after graduation.
Her parents are Gary and Cathy Graham from Wetumpka Alabama.
Sadie is a member of the Accounting Club, Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma & the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society.
Congratulations Sadie for all of your accomplishments. The College of Business is proud to feature you as the Student of the Month!
College of Business – Student of the Month – December 2022
Rimsha Shahi is a student in the Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MSMIS) program and expects to complete her degree in December. Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, she came to the United States for her college education. After earning her undergraduate degree at Troy University, she chose AUM for graduate studies.
Rimsha is a highly accomplished student, maintaining a 4.0 in her graduate program. “I sincerely would like to thank all the professors because of whom I could maintain this academic performance all while enjoying it,” she says.
Making the most of her time at AUM, Rimsha has gained leadership and work experience by saying “yes” to opportunities. She is a College of Business Ambassador, representing the College of Business at events such as the Chancellor’s Business Breakfast and A Day in the Life of a Warhawk. She also contributed to the College strategic plan and encourages other students to be engaged in professional development opportunities. Most recently, Rimsha co-founded a new student club, AUM Women in I.T., and serves as the club’s first president. In the past year, she has worked as Graduate Teaching Assistant and Graduate Research Assistant. The College of Business has recognized Rimsha’s academic excellence and campus engagement by awarding her the Bill and Lana McNair Scholarship for 2022-2023.
Reflecting on her experience at AUM, Rimsha says, “Participating in clubs and working as a graduate assistant gave me the chance to meet some of the most amazing people and to work closely with two amazing faculty members of IS department. Learning beyond the classroom has been a privilege. I would like to thank College of Business, the IS Department, and my family back home, who are always cheering me on.”
The College of Business thanks you, Rimsha, for your academic leadership and all of your contributions. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!
College of Business – Student of the Month – January 2023
Anna McCroan is an Information Systems major who plans to graduate in May of 2023 with her bachelor’s degree. She is a member of the international business honor society, Beta Gamma Sigma and has been on the Dean’s list for 6 semesters. Thanks to her academic success, Anna has earned multiple scholarships, including the Counselor Scholarship (2019-2023) and the College of Business Regions Bank Endowed Scholarship (2022-2023). The College of Business has recognized Anna’s scholastic achievements at its Honors Day ceremony in Spring of 2022.
At AUM, Anna has served as a Peer Mentor and now works as a student assistant for Information Technology Services. She finds fulfillment in helping others succeed, grow, and learn new things. Upon graduation, Anna plans to pursue a career in Data Analytics and return to AUM to pursue her Master of Science in Management Information Systems degree.
Inspiring words to start the new semester. Congratulations Anna on all of your accomplishments!
College of Business – Student of the Month – February 2023
Montgomery Alabama native Adarianna McWilliams is on track to earn her Master of Healthcare Administration degree in May 2023. She pursued her graduate studies at AUM after earning a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Management in 2020 from the University of Alabama at
Birmingham. Adarianna is also a Cadet with the Army ROTC program at AUM and will commission this May to become a 2nd Lieutenant. On top of her academic and military service, she is a full-time Administrative Assistant with Baptist Medical Center East.
Adarianna says, “When I have free time, I enjoy walks in the park, playing racquetball, or cooking yummy dishes I find on TikTok. If you’ve just begun your graduate program or finishing, wishing you the best of luck in your future endeavors, and stay strong!” She shares the following quote by Michael Josephson: “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go.”
Thank you, Adarianna, for your service to the U.S. and for inspiring others to high achievement. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments!
College of Business – Student of the Month – March 2023
Joseph Lanzi is a senior majoring in Management and a member of the AUM Men’s Basketball team. Prior to transferring to AUM, he played basketball for two years at the University of Denver, and subsequently for one year at the University of Charleston in West Virginia. He chose AUM because of its focus on academic and athletic excellence, and with the goal of being closer to his hometown of Chelsea, Alabama. He says, “I felt drawn to AUM as a great fit both academically and athletically where I could finish out my college career well in both areas.”
True to his vision, Joseph has excelled at AUM. He earned academic and athletic scholarships and a place on the Fall 2022 Dean’s list with a 4.0 GPA. Elected by his teammates, he is the Men’s Basketball team captain. He has enhanced his impressive resume by interning for one of the nation’s top lawyers, working in landscaping, and training young athletes in basketball. When not studying, playing basketball, or working, Joseph enjoys spending time with his parents, five bothers, and dog, Kodak Black.
Joseph offered this advice to his fellow students: “Build relationships with those around you. You never know when one hand will wash the other and always be an advocate for yourself!” He also shared his favorite phrase by Randy Pausch: “We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand.”
Congratulations Joseph for all of your accomplishments!
College of Business – Student of the Month – April 2023
Originally from Opelika, Alabama, Cameron Torbert is a senior majoring in Marketing who is on track to graduate this year. When asked why he chose to study at AUM, he says, “I chose AUM because, from the first visit, I felt like this could be home for the next four years. The campus was very beautiful, clean, and not too big. The people that I met were very welcoming and friendly, which goes a long way when it comes to deciding your home away from home.”
Cameron excels in the classroom, receiving numerous recognitions for his academic achievements, including the Dean’s List, scholarships, and memberships in academic honor societies. He gives back to the AUM community by serving as president of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, president of the College of Business Marketing Club, and secretary/treasurer of the AUM National Pan-Hellenic Council. He also volunteers his time to serve as a member of the Orange Jacket Society and on the Academic Dishonesty Appeals Committee. On top of these accomplishments and activities, Cameron has worked in retail for four years to support his studies, gaining valuable business experience.
Cameron usually spends any free time at the gym, visiting family, engaging in community service, or researching interesting topics. He offers this advice to fellow students: “Use your resources, ask as many questions as possible, and never stop working because it does pay off!”
Well said, Cameron. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story. We are so proud of you! Congratulations!
College of Business Resources
Accolades & Awards
Meet Our Faculty
Daewoo Park
Dean/Professor | College of Business
Dr. Daewoo Park is the Dean and Professor of the College of Business at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). He assumed this role in August 2024. Dr. Park brings extensive experience in academic leadership and strategic management to AUM. He led curriculum innovation and strategic enrollment management, accreditations/assurance of learning, impactful partnership development/fundraising, and innovation-centered student success initiatives.
Academic Background
- Ph.D. in Strategic Management from Texas A&M University (1992)
- MBA from the University of Texas at Austin (1989)
- B.A. from Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (1984)
Professional Experience
- Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success at Northern Illinois University’s College of Business (2019-2024)
- Chair, Department of Business at Hawaii Pacific University (2015-2019)
- Chair, Department of Management & Entrepreneurship at Xavier University’s Williams College of Business (2009-2013)
- Director, Sedler Family Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Xavier
Christine Harrington
Associate Dean, Associate Professor
Christine Harrington
Associate Dean, Associate Professor | College of Business
Foster Roberts
Department Chair, Associate Professor | College of Business
Dr. Foster Roberts is the Chairperson and Associate Professor of Management in the Department of Business Administration at the College of Business, Auburn University Montgomery. Before joining Auburn University Montgomery, he served as an Assistant Professor of Entrepreneurship at Southeast Missouri State University. Dr. Roberts holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Mississippi, along with an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Auburn University Montgomery.
With extensive experience in teaching, Dr. Roberts specializes in strategic analysis, business strategy, business ethics, small business management, and entrepreneurship. His research interests focus on social innovation, social entrepreneurship, leadership, team dynamics, and management history. His work has been published in esteemed academic journals, including the International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Management Decision, Business Horizons, and Journal of Management Education. He has also presented his research at prestigious conferences such as the Academy of Management, Southern Management Association, and North American Management Society.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Dr. Roberts is deeply involved in the professional community. He currently serves as the President of the North American Management Society, a division of MBAA International. He previously held a position on the Executive Committee of the Academy of Management’s Management History Division from 2013 to 2020, representing Student and Junior Faculty interests. Dr. Roberts is also a member of the editorial boards of the Journal of Management History and the Journal of the North American Management Society.
Darlene Adkins
Assistant Professor | College of Business
Dr. Adkins is an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Auburn University at Montgomery, where she has been teaching since 2020. Dr. Adkins earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, with a dissertation focused on the impact of regulatory interventions on broker-dealer audit quality. She also holds a Master of Accountancy from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MBA from Old Dominion University, and multiple certifications, including a Certificate in Public Administration.
Dr. Adkins brings over two decades of experience in both academia and industry, having held teaching positions at institutions like the University of Tennessee at Martin and Box Hill College Kuwait. In addition, she has extensive industry experience, including roles in finance and auditing for organizations such as the Department of Health and Human Services, Lynchburg Community Action Group Inc., and public accounting firms. Her research interests focus on accounting curriculum development, audit quality, and the PCAOB inspection process.
Donald Amoroso
Distinguished Teaching Professor | College of Business
Dr. Amoroso is Distinguished Teaching Professor of Innovation and Strategy at Auburn University Montgomery, Alabama, Founder and CEO of Axcell LLC Consulting Group. Dr. Amoroso received his MBA and Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in 1984 and 1986, respectively. Dr. Amoroso has authored 54 refereed journal articles, 12 refereed book chapters and 88 conference proceedings, and 5 books. He has been Research Fellow at Asian Institute of Management in Manila, Philippines and Visiting Professor of Nagoya University of Commerce & Business, Japan. He has been Visiting Professor at Tokyo Tech University, Japan, Tsukuba University, Japan, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra Australia, and INFOTEC, Mexico City. His working experience included working in GE Capital as a director of Enterprise Solutions and with Solista/GartnerGroup as a consulting partner. Dr. Amoroso is currently working in Japan and the Philippines to consult with telecom organizations on consumer adoption and the mobile strategy ecosystem. He worked with the Center for the Commercialization of Advanced Technologies (CCAT) in Washington D.C. and San Diego where he commercialized over 24 products and assisted in the start up of 14 new companies.
Dr. Amoroso has published in journals such as Journal of Management Information Systems, Data Base, Information & Management, Asian Pacific Journal of Information Systems, Journal of Information Technology Management, International Journal of Information Management, International Journal of Management, Journal of Electronic Commerce in Organizations, International Journal of E-Business Research, International Journal of Technology Diffusion, and International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management. Dr. Amoroso is on the editorial board of key journals and Associate Editor for the Journal of E-Adoption and Information Systems Management Journal. He was inducted into the Who’s Who Worldwide in 1995 for contributions to international organizations changing the distribution of technology information within the Pacific Rim.
Dr. Amoroso conducts seminars and/or teaches in the areas of strategy, innovation and creativity, big data with data analytics, data analysis, leadership, change management, HR management, business process modeling, competitive intelligence, and project management. Dr. Amoroso has consulted with over 67 international organizational executives (such as GE Japan, BMW Japan, Globe and Smart telecommunication firms in the Philippines, and banks and financial institutions) working with CEOs and CIOs to develop strategic plans, leadership development and marketing strategies, enterprise resource management systems, change management programs, and projects for information technology. Dr. Amoroso is currently working in Japan and the Philippines to consult with telecom organizations on consumer adoption and the mobile strategy ecosystem.
Dorcia Bolton
Assistant Professor | College of Business
Dorcia E. Bolton is an Assistant Professor of Marketing at Auburn University at Montgomery. Her research centers on theory development for marketing strategy and empirical testing at the intersection of consumer behavior and marketing strategy. Her research portfolio encompasses a variety of projects aimed at tackling pressing marketing challenges, particularly within the dynamic landscape of evolving technology and firms’ ongoing pursuit of competitive advantage. Her research has appeared in leading marketing journals and conferences such as the Journal of Marketing Theory of Practice, the Journal of Consumer Marketing, the Academy of Marketing Science, the American Marketing Association, the Society for Marketing Advances, and the Association for Consumer Research.
Courses Taught: Marketing Strategy, Marketing Research and Data Analysis, Buyer Behavior, Principles of Marketing, Services Marketing, Professional Selling.
Tewhan Hahn
Professor; Distinguished Chair | College of Business
Dr. Hahn is the distinguished teaching professor in finance at Auburn University at Montgomery. He joined AUM in 2006 after serving at University of Idaho from 2001 to 2006 and at University of Alabama in 2021. At AUM, he has taught primarily intermediate financial management (FINA3620) and entrepreneurial finance (FINA 3500) for undergraduate and financial valuation (FINA6630) for graduate. As the faculty advisor to investment club, he coached student teams to participate in competitions such as CFA Institute Research Challenge and Private Business Valuation Challenge and took students to investment forums like Global Asset Management Education (G.A.M.E.). Dr. Hahn obtained his M.B.A. degree from University of Missouri at Columbia in 1995 and his Ph. D. in finance from University of Alabama in 2000. He has published more than 30 academic research articles in the referred academic journals such as Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, and Journal of Financial Research, and Review of Financial Economics. He has been awarded numerous research grants and recognitions. He is currently the editor of Southern Business and Economic Journal published by the college of business at AUM.
Xiaoyun He
Associate Professor | College of Business
Dr. Xiaoyun (Sharon) He is an Associate Professor of Information Systems at Auburn University at Montgomery. She received her Ph.D. in Management with a concentration in Information Technology from Rutgers University. Dr. He has taught a variety of courses including Java/C++ Programming, Information/Network Security, Data Mining, Introduction to MIS, Principles of MIS, Managing Systems, Technology, and Data, to name a few. Dr. He’s research examines both technical and strategic aspects pertaining to information technology and management. Her specific areas of research include Information Privacy and Security, Social Media Platforms and Analytics, Recommendation Systems, and Pedagogical Practices. Her research in these areas has led to over thirty publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings.
Rhea Ingram
Professor | College of Business
Rhea Ingram, Ph. D., is an award-winning marketing professor at AUM. She is passionate about innovative thought and leading change. Her students engage in service-learning projects involving hands-on experiential learning, specifically with non-profit organizations.
She is a native of Troy, AL. She attended Troy University, earning her BS in Marketing and MBA. Later, she attended the University of Kentucky, where she earned her Ph. D. in Marketing. She resides in Pike Road with her spouse and has a large immediate and extended family.
Rhea is very active in serving her university, profession, and community. She was the former dean of the College of Business at AUM for eight years and currently serves on the boards of Leadership Montgomery, Family Sunshine Center, and Alabama Technology Foundation. She recently was honored as the Best of Board Volunteer of the Year by Hands On River Region (April, 2024). Rhea’s corporate experience was in sales and marketing for a manufacturing firm and an economic development organization.
Her research has appeared in the Journal of Business Ethics, Journal of Business Research, Electronic Markets, and other journals and conference proceedings.
Tiffany Jackman
Assistant Professor | College of Business
Scott Kiker
Associate Professor | College of Business
Dr. Scott Kiker is an Associate Professor of Management in the department of Business Administration at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). He completed his BSBA in accounting from the University of South Carolina and later graduated with a PhD in Management from the University of Florida in 1997. His research interests include the effects of servant leadership on organizationally valued outcomes, effective ethical management practices, predictors of job choice, and the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on the classroom experience. Dr. Kiker has been employed at AUM since 2002, and has taught a variety of classes at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and across multiple delivery methods and platforms
Jongheon Kim
Associate Professor | College of Business
Dr. Jongheon Kim is an Associate Professor in Information Systems at Auburn University Montgomery. He completed a B.S. in Biotech Engineering from Ajou University, Suwon, Korea, and received a B.S. in Economics from the University of Iowa. He earned his MBA and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska, USA. He has mainly worked on the personal utility and human interaction of Information Systems using behavioral theories. His research topics include social network systems, mobile platforms, virtual reality, cloud business, etc.
Ken Linna
Associate Professor | College of Business
Ken Linna is an associate professor in the Information Systems department. He received a B.S.B.A. from AUM in Quantitative Methods and worked as a quality engineer and statistician for an automotive supplier. After receiving an MBA from AUM, he attended the University of Alabama where he earned the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Applied Statistics. His research interests include statistical process control and the performance of statistical tests using error contaminated data. He has engaged in statistical consulting for a variety of organizations in manufacturing, governmental compliance, politcal strategy, and marketing research.
William Lyle
Assistant Professor | College of Business
William Lyle, DBA, CMA, CFE is an experienced accounting educator and researcher that currently serves as an Assistant Professor of Accounting at Auburn University at Montgomery. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Florida, where his dissertation focused on the effects of information on tax evasion. He also has a Master of Science in Taxation and a Master of Business Administration from Robert Morris University, as well as dual bachelor’s degrees in Economics and Business from the University of Pittsburgh.
In addition to his educational qualifications, William is a Certified Managerial Accountant (CMA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
His research primarily focuses on behavioral accounting, fraud, accounting education, and decision aids. His recent work includes research on occupational fraud, comparisons of traditional and non-traditional doctoral programs, and the effects of tax software on reporting behavior. He has published and presented numerous papers in prestigious journals and conferences
Michael McEachern
Executive in Residence
Michael McEachern
Executive in Residence | College of Business
Dr. Michael L. McEachern is a distinguished healthcare leader with over 35 years of executive experience and a strong academic background. Dr. McEachern has held numerous high-level leadership positions, including Chief Executive Officer roles at several hospitals across Alabama, Texas, Louisiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Ohio. He brings a wealth of experience in healthcare administration, operational leadership, and transformative healthcare practices.
Dr. McEachern earned his EdD in Transformative Leadership from Concordia University in 2019, with a dissertation focusing on the role of Leadership in the Adoption of Innovation by Critical Care Nurses. He also holds an MS in Healthcare Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a BBA in Human Resources from Lamar University.
In addition to his leadership roles, Dr. McEachern is an accomplished educator. At Auburn University at Montgomery, he teaches courses in Leadership and Innovation in Healthcare, Healthcare Policy, and Quality Improvement. He is actively involved in academic service, chairing the Graduate Curriculum Committee, and contributing to the Dean’s Leadership Committee, CAHME Accreditation, and Assessment of Learning for AACSB.
As a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and a Life Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (LFACHE), Dr. McEachern is deeply committed to advancing healthcare leadership. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Alabama Chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives and actively participates in national healthcare discussions.
Dr. McEachern’s professional memberships include the National Association of Health Services Executives, and his career is marked by his dedication to improving healthcare quality, innovative leadership, and mentoring future healthcare leaders
Venessa Melton
Professor | College of Business
Dr. Melton has a marketing Ph.D. from the University of Alabama and a passion for angry consumers. In fact, the books entitled, Shoppers Scorned, The Dark Side of CRM, and Consumer Anger: At Its Source are a few of her contributions on the subject. She uses her expertise to help firms better communicate with dissatisfied consumers. She is the author or contributor of dozens of research papers in this area and three books. She works to help individuals and firms grow, develop, and transform in the areas of communications, customer service, social media crisis planning, and strategic marketing. Venessa is also a professor, entrepreneur, author, and mother.
Dong-Yop Oh
Associate Professor | College of Business
Dr. Oh earned his MS and Ph.D. in Applied Statistics from the University of Alabama, following his undergraduate education at Pukyong National University in South Korea, where he received dual degrees in Business Administration (BA) and Physics (BS). He began his teaching career at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, instructing Business Quantitative Methods, before joining the Statistics faculty at Auburn University Montgomery in 2018.
Dr. Oh’s research focuses on time series econometrics, business analytics, and statistical computing. His work has been published in various academic journals, including Computational Statistics, Empirical Economics, Applied Economics, and Communication in Statistics— Simulation and Computation, among others. He also actively serves as a reviewer for several academic journals.
Vickie Riley
Administrative Associate
Vickie Riley
Administrative Associate | College of Business
David M. Simmonds
Assistant Professor
David M. Simmonds
Assistant Professor | College of Business
Walter Smith
Associate Professor | College of Business
Walter Smith is an Associate Professor at Auburn University at Montgomery. He earned a BSBA in Production and Operations Management) from The Ohio State University, a BA in Accounting from Marietta College, and a Ph.D. in Accounting from The Ohio State University with minors in microeconomics and decision theory. Walter’s work experience includes the construction and retail industries. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and completed the Experiential Education Academy at the National Society for Experiential Education. His primary research interests are accounting education and student success. Walter teaches undergraduate and graduate accounting courses at AUM and is actively involved in service activities for the School of Accountancy, College of Business, and AUM.
Lucy Zhang
Assistant Professor
Lucy Zhang
Assistant Professor | College of Business
