Hometown: Great Falls, MT
Education History:
BS, Computer Science, and Mathematics, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
MBA, Business Analytics and Supply Chain Management, Syracuse University
MA, Economics, George Mason University
PhD Leadership (in progress), Gonzaga University
Courses Taught: Business courses focusing on supply chain, finance, and economics.
Advice for Students:
Critical thinking is one of the most important skills you can develop. It goes beyond simply absorbing information; it’s about questioning, analyzing, and understanding the deeper implications of what you learn.
Lewis Carroll once penned in his book, “Alice in Wonderland,” a thought-provoking interaction during the tea party scene where the March Hare explains to Alice the importance of words.
“Then you should say what you mean,” the March Hare went on.“I do,” Alice hastily replied; “at least—at least I mean what I say—that’s the same thing, you know.”“Not the same thing a bit!” said the Hatter. “You might just as well say that ‘I see what I eat’ is the same thing as ‘I eat what I see’!”
This underscores a fundamental truth we often overlook: the importance of precision in our words and thoughts. Just as Alice was encouraged to say what she means, understanding and respecting the weight of definitions and terminology is paramount in your academic pursuits. Critical thinking isn’t just about processing information but ensuring the terms and concepts you use are clearly defined and understood. It enables us to differentiate between fact and opinion, identify biases, and draw conclusions based on evidence rather than assumptions. Definitions matter immensely. How we define and interpret terms can shape our understanding and determine the course of discussions. As you further progress with your studies, let the words of Carroll serve as a reminder to be precise with your terminology, ensuring clarity, shared understanding, and meaningful discourse.
Hobbies: I enjoy traveling, reading, programming, and playing computer games. I was once a member of a professional raiding guild for an MMORPG. Racing is also a passion of mine!
