“One of my favorite business professors is Dr. Marcus Johnson, who taught my Business Communications course. Dr. Johnson is not only an exceptional educator but also a community leader dedicated to his research and creating tools to support students. He drives discussions not only around course curriculum but also shares his research in technology. He continues to actively participate and attend conventions and seminars, cultivating conversation around diversity, equity, and inclusive education. Dr. Johnson advocates for students from all walks of life, fosters open dialogue, creates tools for success, and encourages students to define their goals through his curriculum. I am grateful to Dr. Johnson for all his invaluable advice.”
Lindsay Garza, University of Wasihngton (Foster)
“Professor Elizabeth Wimer: People and relationships are the foundation of why I chose to pursue a career in business, and Professor Wimer exemplifies both of these values. Her class was my first business course at Syracuse University, and she made an immediate impact. Before the semester even began, she took the time to get to know each of us personally. After the first class, she encouraged everyone to introduce themselves individually. This simple act set an incredible standard for the rest of my academic experience. Professor Wimer’s teaching style was engaging and collaborative—she didn’t just lecture, but genuinely connected with us, fostering an environment of participation and discussion. Through games, presentations, and even shared moments like eating donuts, she created a dynamic classroom experience. The lessons and values I gained from her freshman course have stayed with me throughout my four years at Syracuse, and I know they’ll continue to guide me well into the future.”
Talia St. Angelo, Syracuse University (Whitman)
“Professor Alex Boquist has had an incredible impact on my time at the Daniels School of Business. When I first met Professor Boquist, I was a passionate freshman interested in investing, but unsure if high finance was for me. After many conversations in his office, I decided to pursue investment banking and couldn’t be more grateful for his advice and support as an ex-Goldman banker in his own right. Last semester, I was in Professor Boquist’s Futures and Options class and appreciated his ability to explain complex topics through simple stories— I’ll never forget his story about the Hunt Brothers breaking the silver market. I look forward to our continued conversations about investing and infamous options trades.”
Sam Wadlington, Purdue University (Daniels)
“My favorite professor is Dr. Stephen Kuselias. Dr. Kuselias was my Advanced Accounting professor. While the class was very difficult, he thoroughly explained the subject matter, related course concepts to real-life scenarios, and encouraged clarifying questions. He also provided helpful career advice throughout the semester and emphasized the importance of ethics in business. Moreover, he is very approachable and wants all his students to succeed. I am very happy I took his class.”
Zackary Espat, Providence College
Dr. Ashley Austin, Universtiy of Richmond (Robins)
“Dr. Ashley Austin stands out to me because of her overwhelming passion for student learning, her course material, and the accounting field in general. I have had the pleasure of taking two of her classes (and a special topics course where we traveled to Cape Town, South Africa), and she is easily one of the most upbeat and happy professors I have ever had. She could walk into class at 9:00 AM on a Monday to talk about general IT controls and her smile and passion for her work would easily shine through and energize the class. In addition to Dr. Bagranoff, who taught my first accounting class and pushed me to explore the major, Dr. Austin was a major reason that I eventually made the official switch to accounting. She is just an all-around amazing professor who would do anything for her students and truly cares about our success and learning. I have been so lucky to have professors like Dr. Austin, who have pushed me to be a better student, person, and business leader throughout my time in the Robins School, and I will miss them dearly as I move on to the next chapter after graduation.”
Gregory Hilldrup, University of Richmond (Robins)
it will have to be Professor Kevin Smith as he has inspired me in so many different ways. During our very first class with Professor Smith, he went around the room and spoke with every student individually. He asked questions, listened attentively, and found a connection with each student. He had taken time to learn about each of us before our first class, read our LinkedIn profiles, and demonstrated genuine interest in each of us. This really resonated with me and is a valuable trait that I am trying to replicate as he has the amazing ability to make you feel important and seen.
Professor Smith does a phenomenal job of bringing outside professionals in to speak with our class, so we constantly benefit from talks and presentations from business experts who share real-life experiences. He also genuinely values the perspective and insights of our age group and is always available to listen and share thoughts and ideas. He has taught us the importance of short, concise presentations that have maximum impact, which has been a huge help to me when presenting or being interviewed.
Professor Smith is just an all-round incredible person, businessman, and professor who has instilled in us the importance of making a difference and having a positive impact on the world and he is the very best role model.”
Luke Swan, Texas Christian University (Neeley)
“It was Professor Jim Spaeth because I really enjoy his teaching style. His class, Real Estate Capstone, is almost like getting to play “dress up” with all the different roles of the commercial real estate industry, whether it be developer, broker, lender, investment manager, or portfolio manager – and spanning all the asset classes as well. He takes a case-based approach with each of these different roles and then has the actual real estate professional who worked on that deal/project come in to walk us through how the case played out in real life. As an accomplished real estate professional himself, he says he designed the course to be the “class that he wished he had during his time as an undergrad.” It is motivating to know that the concepts learned in his classroom will help me become a better professional in my career. Not to mention, Professor Spaeth is probably one of the smartest and nicest people I’ve ever met, despite the fact that he loves a good cold call.”
Haley Hanks, University of North Carolina (Kenan-Flagler)
Gian Luca Clementi, New York University (Stern)
“Professor Gian Luca Clementi. Professor Clementi’s passion for political economy is only matched by his ability to distill the field’s complexity for students and explain its relevance to business. His weekly class debates about topics like New York City’s congestion pricing, in addition to being timely, opened my eyes to the myriad ways through which government policies can drive positive and negative business outcomes.
Professor Clementi has pushed me to stretch my thinking to consider societal issues from multiple lenses (political, economic, business, ethical, etc.). His teaching has made my business education more interdisciplinary, intellectually stimulating, and rewarding. Beyond the classroom, I’m grateful to Professor Clementi’s tremendous support of me and other student leaders in taking the BPE program to new heights through increased student and alumni engagement.”
Sachi Reddy, New Yok University (Stern)
“My favorite professor is Richard Minot, my Intro to Accounting professor. Even though I majored in accounting, it never came naturally to me. However, his humor, practicality, and applicable life lessons made the class more engaging and are what kept me in the accounting major. When things got tough, and I questioned whether I’d ever land a Big 4 role, he was the one who told me, “If it doesn’t happen the first time, there’s always a second, a third, and a fourth.” That lesson stuck with me—just because something doesn’t work out the first time doesn’t mean it won’t happen at all.”
Ciara Curran, Loyola Marymount University
“My favorite business professor is Professor Kristen Collett-Schmitt, Associate Dean for the Undergraduate and Specialized Master’s Programs and a Teaching Professor of Finance. I have had the wonderful opportunity to learn from her both as a professor and as an advisor, guiding me in many of the goals and initiatives I hold dear. She is a true champion of financial literacy, dedicated to expanding opportunities for others, fostering case competitions that tackle meaningful and difficult questions, and creating platforms where people’s voices are heard and appreciated. Despite balancing countless responsibilities, she always makes time for her students.
What sets her apart is that she embodies the essentials of a great professor such as delivering engaging lectures, holding office hours, and responding to late-night emails. At the same time, she holds the qualities of an extraordinary mentor. She has taught me that being a good human and an advocate for others takes you very far in life. She is a friend to all, someone who finds it hard to turn away a student in need. In many ways, I model aspects of myself after her. No matter how many questions, ideas, or rants I’ve brought her way, she has never turned me away. Instead, she has always opened doors for me where it made the most sense. I am incredibly proud to have had her as a professor and grateful to call her a lifelong mentor and friend.”
Mark Metryoos, Notre Dame (Mendoza)
Steven Sibley, Indiana University (Kelley)
“Professor Steven Sibley stands out. His name is well-known throughout the business school, particularly among finance students, and for a good reason. His non-traditional path to academia brings a unique perspective to teaching that isn’t in most classrooms.
I took Professor Sibley’s Introduction to Corporate Finance course during my sophomore year – preparing for banking interviews in the following semester. One of his quotes I distinctly remember from this class was, “If you don’t leave my class confused, I didn’t do my job” – his point being that confusion leads to curiosity, which leads to real learning.
While Professor Sibley never sugarcoats anything – whether about the banking industry or life in general – his honesty and straightforward advice tailored to each individual he talks to are exactly what makes him such a valuable mentor. My time at Indiana University would not be as meaningful if not for Professor Sibley’s guidance and impactful presence.”
Hiro Matsumoto, Indiana University (Kelley)
“One of my favorite professors is Nehemiah Scott. Before he was promoted to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs, he taught a course called BADM 335, an introductory course to the Supply Chain Major. Funny enough, I was actually acquainted with him long before I took his class. As a freshman, I was eager to learn as much as I could about the Supply Chain major and had reached out to him. I quickly found out that he was just as passionate about supply chain as he was kind. I genuinely credit much of my success and foundational understanding of supply chain to his mentorship. He never once turned down an opportunity to explain a concept to me or answer one of my (many) questions. He played an instrumental role in crafting the possibilities of what I saw in my major and the impact I know it has on the world around us.”
Brianna Norwood, University of Illinois (Gies)
“One of my favorite professors is Luis Vivanco, who taught me operations management, as well as statistics and data analysis. What made his classes stand out was his ability to explain complex concepts effortlessly—he made everything feel intuitive and easy to follow. He also taught with incredible efficiency, never dwelling too long on any topic, which kept his lessons engaging and dynamic. Even though I won’t be pursuing a career directly related to what he taught (at least in the immediate future), his class was one of the most impactful for me. And what truly made him memorable were our conversations outside the classroom. He and my classmates sometimes talked about business and politics, and he even gave me a list of great restaurants to try when I moved to Madrid. During my sophomore year, I felt a bit disconnected from my coursework, but his classes became something I genuinely looked forward to. In a way, they helped me stay engaged and motivated when I needed it most. For that, I’ll always appreciate his influence.”
Rami Bazan, IE Business School
“My favorite business professor at UH Bauer has to be Dr. Joseph Thompson. His ability to grab your attention and make you dive into the subject at hand is unparalleled. I had the privilege of taking two courses with him: Honors Business Principles and International Business in Greece. On our trip to Greece, he had the unique ability to take our guest lectures and tours and connect it back to the business acumen we had gained from our classes. His usage of discussion groups and real-life case simulations provoke you to think for yourself, giving you a more well-rounded sense of understanding. Besides his teaching capability, his genuine care for his students is what sets Dr. Thompson apart from the rest and why he is undoubtedly my favorite professor.”
Daniel Kalathoor, University of Houston (Bauer)
Karie Davis-Nozemack, Georgia Tech (Scheller)
“When I studied abroad, I took my first 8 a.m. course with a lovely professor named Karie Davis-Nozemack. Despite students being exhausted each morning, Professor Davis-Nozemack made the class engaging and all students could feel that she genuinely cared for our well-being. I took her class for Legal Aspects of Business. While I previously had no interest in pursuing law, she sparked a curiosity in me that made me want to learn more. My fondest memory of her occurred when I was giving a tour to prospective students, and I was expressing how genuine the community is at Scheller. As soon as Professor Davis-Nozemack walked down the hallway, we excitedly hugged each other, and I truly got to show my tour members the depth of Scheller relationships.”
Brianna Henderson, Georgia Tech (Scheller)
“Goizueta has no shortage of phenomenal professors, but if I had to pick one, it would be Professor Brian Goebel. His Philanthropy Lab class was a highlight of my time at Goizueta, not just because we got to make real grant decisions totaling almost $100K, but because it fundamentally changed how I think about business and social impact. The course wasn’t just theoretical, but rather we engaged in real-world philanthropy, explored equitable giving strategies, and even took a full-day trip to Montgomery, Alabama, where we visited multiple Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) sites.
Beyond the class, working as his teaching assistant this semester was equally rewarding whether it’s helping with discussions and breakouts, brainstorming course content, or helping plan this year’s Montgomery trip. His mentorship has reinforced my belief that business should be a force for good and he’s living proof of that.”
Agha Haider, Emory University (Goizueta)
“Throughout my time at Hult, I’ve had the privilege of learning from many remarkable professors, but Professor Katarzyna Bachnik stands out. In her Principles of Marketing class, I not only deepened my understanding of marketing, but also developed a true passion for the field. Through hands-on activities, live client projects, and research, she guided us through the marketing process—from product creation to identifying the right audience. Professor Bachnik taught me that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and the key to success is learning to leverage those while embracing diverse perspectives. She showed me that each person, regardless of background, brings value to the table.
As a researcher, marketer, consultant, and innovator, Professor Bachnik exemplified what it means to be a mentor. Her guidance went beyond academics—she encouraged me to think critically, embrace challenges, and step outside my comfort zone. Even when projects seemed overwhelming, her class instilled resilience and a sense of motivation that continues to shape me as a future marketer. I am grateful for the invaluable lessons she shared, which have influenced both my personal and professional growth.”
Maria Alonzo, Hult International Business School
“Professor Andrei Hagiu is my favorite professor at BU. I met him through IS474 – Platform Strategy & Design, and since then I’ve been fortunate to receive his mentorship. He’s one of the most intelligent yet approachable individuals I know, and every conversation is engaging, insightful, and edifying. He patiently entertains my “stupid” questions, and frequently adds wrinkles to the way I think—like a mental facelift. Beyond the classroom, he’s been incredibly helpful with my entrepreneurial ventures, offering invaluable advice and providing honest feedback whenever I say something outrageous—which, unfortunately, happens quite often. I’m truly grateful for his support, guidance, and humor; he’s an exceptional mentor through and through.”
Jack Wang, Boston University (Questrom)
Pedro Perez, Cornell University (Dyson)
“Pedro Perez, senior lecturer at the Dyson School, is an inspiring business professor. Perez is a “culture maker” – someone who has shifted the mentality of a significant number of students and has impacted how every student he has taught (past and present) experiences Dyson.
Every Dyson student takes Perez’s foundational business course in their first semester on campus. He’s candid about how tough the business world can be. However, rather than creating fear or trepidation, Perez’s approach to sharing his knowledge compels students to take on these challenges with a growth mindset. He motivates students to be bold and pave their paths. The cascading effect of his wisdom tangibly impacts how countless individuals now approach academic, career, and life challenges.”
Brian Kim-Koutsis, Cornell University (Dyson)
“Professor Kenneth Lobo taught the capstone Global Financial Management course I took during my junior year. This course was the pinnacle of my Global Finance degree because it focused on the “realities” of global economics, finance, and trade implications rather than just explaining theories as we did in courses such as macroeconomics.
Professor Lobo’s rigorous class structure (four assignments due every week, with a case study, intense news discussions, case discussion, and theory presentation every week in class) encouraged me to take the class seriously. Even more, it motivated me to become more involved in reading the daily news, and closely following global markets and their implications. I distinctly remember one key principle he wanted all students to grasp: risk, risk, and risk. We focused on questions like, “How does X pose a risk to the world?” and “How does X increase risk for global capital markets?” He consistently challenged us to tackle these types of questions each week in class.
His energy, passion, and immense experience are examples of some qualities that I respect about Professor Lobo. He wanted every student to succeed as we prepared to enter the world of global finance. I’m grateful to have taken his class and looked forward to the constant rigor of the course.”
Vishesh Chawla, Fordham University (Gabelli)
“Freshman year, in my Business in Society class, Professor Tim Kirchner didn’t just teach us about the importance of relationships, he demonstrated it and continues to do so. Each semester, he emails every student he has ever taught just to check in. This intentionality is a simple act that leaves a lasting impact. That story is always my answer when someone asks me what matters most in business because it proves that making others feel valued is what truly sets leaders apart.”
Kassidy Allen, Texas Christian University (Neeley)
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