How long have you been at Hofstra?
Since Sept 2007

Academic specialty?
Advertising, specifically within out-of-home media (outdoor, billboard, etc.). I also study how countries use advertising to attract foreign direct investment.

Major publications/accomplishments:
I’ve recently been awarded a $2.2M research grant from the National Science Foundation to study how attitudes about climate change can be altered using subway advertising. (I’m part of inter-university, cross-discipline team.) I’ve also had 13 publications in advertising and international business publications. Finally, I have a number of successes leading my advertising and marketing case competition students to national and international success.

Interesting hobbies?
Genealogy/Family History – I’m happiest pouring through census records or traveling to small towns America has forgotten to scour courthouse records from the early 1800s. I also enjoy travelling and cooking.

Why did you go into your field?
I wanted to be high school teacher following in the footsteps of my mother. However, when I got to college I learned how much high school teachers made. I decided to go into business. While successful in business, I always longed to be back in the collegiate environment. I was never too far from university, usually taking a class here and there or working on my MBA or another masters degree. Finally one day (12 years later), I was offered a significant promotion. I hesitated, and my boss immediately said, “go take your GMAT and become a professor.” I never looked back.

Favorite campus activity:
Honestly, sneaking out when no one’s looking and finding a Lackmann M&M-chocolate chip cookie.

Why?
I love chocolate chip cookies. I pretty much know where all the best bakeries are in Manhattan.

Favorite class to teach:
The advertising or marketing case competition classes.

Why?
I like experiential learning. You can see the students grow intellectually in real time. It’s also a more personable interaction.

Why do you like to teach?
I like mentoring students. I also like the other side of teaching – research.

What general advice about college would you give students?
There’s more to college than studying...True learning comes from being involved in a club or an extra curricular activity.

Favorite thing about NY/Long Island region:
The cookies at Lavain in the Upper West side of Manhattan. The peanut butter pie at Peanut Butter & Co. in NOHO.

Favorite campus eatery:
I pack my lunch every day. I don’t do it so much to save money as to control my eating. You see, I like cookies. When I get too close to a place that sells a good cookie, one usually ends up on my plate.

Favorite campus spot: 
Anywhere there are trees and grass. I find it very calming. Though I usually spend all my time either in my office or the classroom, both of which have no windows. Go figure.

What do you hope your students learn from you?
That some of the most important skills to have in business is to be personable, carry a positive attitude, and work hard.

What general advice about college would you give students?
There’s more to college than studying. Sure you have to have the basic knowledge of a subject to succeed, but anyone can get that. True learning comes from being involved in a club or an extra curricular activity.

What general advice about life would you give students?
Even with all that computers do for us, humans still run computers – at least for now. People skills are huge. Don’t hide behind a text message or an email. Pick up a phone or walk into someone’s office. It’s amazing how much work can be done – and in a shorter period of time – if you just “talk” to someone.

Best Hofstra memory:
Watching my husband graduate with his MBA from Hofstra.

Favorite (short) Hofstra story:
Seeing my student take first place in our district in the American Advertising Federation’s National Student Advertising competition in 2011. Honestly, I knew we had a good campaign, but I didn’t expect to take first. It was rewarding for me, and it was so special to see the sense of accomplishment on their faces.

What do you take the most “Pride” in?
My integrity and sense of work ethic. I work hard, and it’s honest work. I do my job not because of a stick or a carrot but I am motivated internally.

What have you found as your “Purpose?”
Not sure yet, but it has something to do with being a good person. It sounds lame, but I want to be remembered by my friends and family as a good person.