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Alumni |
Heather Annulis, Ph.D., CPLP - 2004
Dissertation:
Factors that Impact a Change Initiative: A Workforce Readiness Scorecard for Implementation of the Geospatial Technology Competency Model |
Heather Annulis serves as a tenured, associate professor in the College of Science and Technology at The University of Southern Mississippi. Heather earned an MS in Communication (1999) and a BA in General Studies (1993) from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Under the direction of Dr. Cyndi Gaudet, Heather completed a Ph.D. in International Development in 2004. Her dissertation, titled, “Factors that Impact a Change Initiative: A Workforce Readiness Scorecard for Implementation of the Geospatial Technology Competency Model” continues to be an area of research in her work at USM. Instrumental in generating over $4 million in external funding for Southern Miss, Heather’s research was funded through NASA and other agencies to develop a well-trained geospatial workforce. In 2006, Heather was named one of Mississippi’s Top 40 Under 40 by the Mississippi Business Journal. She has presented at regional, national and international conferences on developing and implementing competency models, determining return on investment of performance improvement programs, and creating change readiness in organizations. She resides in Pass Christian with her husband, Keith, daughter, C.C., and dog, Zip. |
Sumesh Arora, Ph.D., 2010
Dissertation:
Influence of Financial and Policy Environments on the Business Strategy of Biotechnology Companies in India |
Sumesh Arora is the President of S3N Consulting, LLC and works with private businesses, non-profit organizations and state and federal agencies to provide project management, technology assessment, and grant writing and administering services. He contracts with the Mississippi Technology Alliance and is responsible for evaluating renewable energy projects that may bridge the gap between available resources and potential markets. Sumesh was born in India, and currently resides in Madison, Mississippi, with his wife and two children. |
Deena Burris, Ph.D. - 2007
Dissertation: Public Equity Capitalization of Microfinance Institutions: Testing the Validity of Grassroots Development Theory in Economic Development using Investor Decision Theory |
Deena Burris graduated from the IDV program in May 2007. Currently, she lives in Winston-Salem, NC and is Assistant Professor of Business Management and Department Chair at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC where she teaches in both the Business Department and International Studies Department. Her research focus is in the field of microfinance, particularly on connecting capital markets and microfinance institutions. Her dissertation, chaired by Dr. Ken Malone, was on public equity capitalization of microfinance institutions. Deena received her master’s degree from the Graduate School of International Studies at the University of Denver with specializations in International Economics and East Asia. Her BA was a double major in Business Administration and English from the University of NC at Charlotte. Prior to academia and doctoral school, Deena worked in international banking. |
Greg Banach, Ph.D. - 2008
Dissertation: Inequality in the New European Union: Are Monetary Policies in the European Union Unfair for Certain Countries? |
Greg Banach |
Eli Biron, Ph.D. - 2007
Dissertation: University Research Parks: A Tool for National Competiveness or Just a Real Estate Transaction? |
Eli Biron |
Shannon Campbell, Ph.D. - 2007
Dissertation: Impact of National Emergency Grant on Rural Mississippi |
Shannon Campbell |
Mary Catherine Colley, Ph.D. - 2006
Dissertation: Export Development Needs: The Importance of Networking to Small and Medium Sized Manufacturing Exporters in Alabama |
Mary Catherine Colley |
Judson C. Edwards, Ph.D. - 2002
Dissertation:
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Dr. Judson C. Edwards is the Dean of the Sorrell College of Business at Troy University—Troy, Alabama. Dr. Edwards received his B.S. in Economics and Geography from Troy University-Troy Campus. He received his M.S. in Economic Development from The University of Southern Mississippi (Southern Miss). Judson graduated from the International Development Program in December of 2002. His dissertation chair was Dr. Mark Miller, Professor of Economic Development and Geography at Southern Miss. Before returning to his alma mater, Judson served as tenure-track faculty at The University of North Dakota and Southern Miss. Dr. Edwards is a member of the Agricultural Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, a Board Member of The Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) and serves on the editorial boards of the academic journals Applied Research in Economic Development and Community Development: Journal of the Community Development Society. |
Jennifer Foil, Ph.D. - 2005
Dissertation: Relationship between Identity Orientation and Perspectives on Diversity: Testing a Model |
Jennifer Foil graduated from the IDV program in May 2005. She holds a BA in Business and a MA in Teaching Languages. Jennifer joined Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in February 2006. At Northrop Grumman, she is a Systems Engineer for the Test and Trials department in the Systems and Software Integration group. During her stint at Northrop Grumman, Jennifer has chaired the Northrop Grumman Corporation Human Systems Integration Community of Practice, chaired the working group for the Northrop Grumman Corporation Systems Engineering Advisory Group’s annual symposium for 2009, received recognition from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding for her contribution to the National Fleet Strategy, and has participated on numerous research and strategy teams. Jennifer will earn a Master of Science degree in Systems Engineering Management from the Naval Postgraduate School, September 2009. |
Kola Garber, Ph.D. - 2004
Dissertation: Natural Disasters in International Affairs: Formulating Reconstruction Planning in NOAA
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Kola Garber
Nikola M. Garber, Ph.D., is the Assistant Director for Administration at the NOAA's National Sea Grant Office (www.seagrant.noaa.gov). She received her Bachelor of Science in biology from Bowling Green State University, her Master of Science degree in marine science/molecular biology and her Ph.D. in International Development from the University of Southern Mississippi. Her dissertation researched NOAA’s response to Hurricane Mitch and formulated a plan for Reconstruction Planning in NOAA. In 1999, Dr. Garber was a recipient of the Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship working as a legislative fellow for Senator Ron Wyden. She joined NOAA Sea Grant in 2000 as the Knauss fellowship manager and has spent a year on detail to NOAA leadership representing NOAA Research (OAR) in the Program Coordination Office.
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Troy Guider, Ph.D. - 2007
Dissertation: The Effects of Size and Structure of Government on Economic Growth: A Comparison of European Models with the Anglo-American Model |
Troy Guider |
Garrett Harper, Ph.D. - 2004
Dissertation: Construyendo Puentes por La Economia Digital/Building Bridges Across the Digital Divide: Integrating Latino Immigrants into the 21st Century Workforce |
Garrett Harper |
John Hays, Ph.D., 2010
Dissertation:
Global Agricultural Price Supports: The Political and Economic Forces that Drive Unsustainable Agricultural Protectionism Policy |
John Hays is a retired attorney, and former CEO of e-GIX communications, a telecommunications holding company in Indianapolis consisting of six CELEC regional telephone companies. His current interests: skiing, sailing, reading and writing. His education includes: JD Law, Indiana University; MS International Relations, Troy University; and BA Business Management, Eastern Illinois University. His interests at the university include the International Political Development and Security Teams. His academic interest is concentrated on the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. His dissertation research subject is- Global Agricultural Price Supports: The Political and Economic Forces that Drive Unsustainable Agricultural Protectionism Policy. Born in Illinois, Hays had the good fortune to have parents who moved to Southern Florida in the 50’s. After retirement he returned to Sarasota and the friend she left behind many years ago. Hays currently serves on several Boards of Directors, and spends his free time observing the international scene. He and his wife have four children: Jon a colonel in the army, Wendy an OR nurse, Lisa in the hospitality business, and Steven a realtor. Hays is in the IDV program because it offers an opportunity to share ideas and opinions about the world, and why it is the way it is. The students and professors provide an eclectic view of world events that is mentally challenging and yet tempered with a camaraderie that will remain for many years. |
Bill Hettinger, Ph.D. - 2003
Dissertation: Living and Working in Paradise: Housing Strategies for Tourism Communities |
Bill Hettinger |
Chuck Jobs, Ph.D. - 2006
Dissertation: A Test of Foreign Direct Investment Influence on Task Environment Dimensions of US Manufacturers |
Chuck Jobs |
Sara Kimmel, Ph.D. - 2002
Dissertation: Sources of Interpersonal Power and Barriers to Female Candidacy for Political Office |
Sara Kimmel
Sara B. Kimmel is a native Mississippian and resides in Jackson. She serves as Director of the Mississippi College Flowood, MS campus, a new state of the art facility that caters to working adults seeking exemplary quality business education. In addition to her faculty duties, she serves as location administrator for the Adult Degree Program for MC.
Sara earned her B.S. in Business Administration from Belhaven University and her MBA from Millsaps College. A 2002 graduate of the IDV program, her dissertation is titled Sources of Interpersonal Power and Barriers to Female Candidacy for Political Office, completed under the direction of Dissertation Committee Chair Dr. Amy Chasteen Miller.
Her IDV Ph.D. helped hone her interest in underserved and marginalized groups, which has fueled her desire to work with working adult learners. She previously served as International Studies Coordinator at Belhaven University.
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Gregg Lassen, Ph.D., 2010
Dissertation:
Adaptation of Balanced Scorecard and Multiple Criteria Decision Making Methodologies to Measure Nation-State Power |
Gregg Lassen is the Vice President for Business Affairs at the University of Texas at Tyler. As Vice President, Lassen is the chief financial officer with responsibilities for many non-academic departments, including the budget office, financial services, student business services, human resources, the physical plant, institutional compliance, environmental health and safety, university police, the Cowan Center, and contracted services including food and bookstore operations. Higher education is a second career for Gregg; he spent eighteen years in the energy industry, enjoying a wide variety of assignments including financial and commercial management, regulatory affairs, business development, negotiations, marketing, and auditing in a large corporate environment that afforded him the opportunity to live and work around the world. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana, his education includes an undergraduate degree with a specialization in international business and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin in Madison and a law degree from the University of Houston. Gregg's interests in international affairs include nation-building, transnational organizations, and the history and theory of American exceptionalism. |
Jamye Long, Ph.D. - 2006
Dissertation: Recruiting Like Your Life Depends upon It: Recruiting, Retaining and Growing Healthcare Providers for Small and Low-Income Communities |
Jamye Long
Dr. Jamye Long, Assistant Professor of Management at Delta State University, holds her Ph.D. in international development from the University of Southern Mississippi. She received her Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Management and Master’s of Business Administration from Delta State University. Dr. Long primarily teaches courses in management and general business. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Long is an avid scholar where her interest lies in a variety of fields, including human resource management, economic development, entrepreneurship, small business management, and gaming management. Furthermore, Dr. Long consults with local organizations to provide their workforces with training and skills useful in improving efficiency and effectiveness of organizational processes. Dr. Long’s work in the community extends to her membership on two advisory boards: the Mississippi Firefighter Memorial Burn Association and the Career-Technical Advisory Committee for the Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program at Shelby Broadstreet High School.
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Sue Lowe, Ph.D. - 2004
Dissertation: A Systematic Analysis of the Impact, Causes, and Potential Solutions for Employee Turnover in a Manufacturing Organization |
Sue Lowe |
Brian Mitchell, Ph.D. - 2005
Dissertation: Forestry and Water Quality Policies, Technologies and Solutions |
Upon completing his Ph.D. in International Development, Brian Mitchell worked his way into a full-time position with Jones County Junior College (JCJC) as a Forestry and Geospatial Technologies Instructor and has made Hattiesburg, MS his home. He began working with JCJC as part of his practicum project requirement for the IDV program. Brian earned his Master of Science degree in Forest Biology from Mississippi State University and his Bachelor of Science in Forest Management with a minor in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which is his birthplace. His dissertation title was “Forestry and Water Quality: Policies, Technologies and Solutions” chaired by Dr. Jon Carr. Brian completed the IDV program in 2005. |
Josefer Montes, Ph.D., 2010
Dissertation:
A Separation of Church and GRowth? The intersections of Seventh-Day Adventism and economic development in Puerto Rico.
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Born in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and raised in Orlando, Florida, Josefer Montes is Associate Professor at Walla Walla University’s School of Business. His undergraduate degree is in accounting from Southern Adventist University and he has an MBA from Florida Metropolitan University. Before entering higher education, Josefer worked in institutional advancement, sales and marketing and accounting. His research interests include tourism, faith-based development and religion and economics. Josefer currently resides in Washington state, with his wife Heather and their son Camden. |
Billy Morehead, Ph.D. - 2007
Dissertation: International Control and Governance in Non-Governmental Organizations Designed to Provide Accountability and Deter, Prevent and Detect Fraud and Corruption |
Billy Morehead |
Patti Phillips, Ph.D. - 2003
Dissertation: Training Evaluation in the Public Sector |
Patti Phillips |
Ed Pinero, Ph.D. - 2004
Dissertation: eManufacturing and Economic Development: Adapt or Die |
Ed Pinero |
Brian Richard, Ph.D. - 2007
Dissertation: Diffusion of an Economic Development Policy Innovation: Explaining the International Spread of Casino Gambling
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Brian Richard graduated from the IDV program in December 2007. His dissertation, entitled “Diffusion of an Economic Development Policy Innovation: Explaining the International Spread of Casino Gambling” was completed under the direction of Dr. Denise von Herrmann. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Economic and Workforce Development at Southern Miss. He has taught courses in research methods, business retention & expansion, and economic development policy. His research concentrates on the casino tourism industry, the impacts of economic development projects, local retail and industrial analysis, and research into the state of the southern Mississippi economy.
Previously, Brian was the Director of research for the Mississippi Gaming Association where he conducted various policy and impact studies of tourism activities in Mississippi and around the U.S. Prior to that he was employed in the Mississippi State Economist’s office where he was responsible for Mississippi’s IMPLAN economic and fiscal impact model and performed impact studies for a wide variety of industries. He was also responsible for modeling the state’s economic performance through Mississippi’s leading and coincident economic indicators.
Dr. Richard has taught introductory Economics at Millsaps College. He has a finance degree from the University of Washington and a Masters degree in economics from Clemson University. |
Wendell Robbins, Ph.D., 2010
Dissertation:
Outsourcing the American Dream: An Analysis of the Reemployment Potential of U.S. - Based Call Center Workers Within the Context of Globalization.
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Wendell A. Robbins III, was born and raised in Houston, Texas, where he currently resides with his wife and three children. Wendell is employed as the principal of his family's construction business, the fourth generation to hold that responsibility. After graduating from Prairie View A&M University with a BS in Chemistry, and from Texas Southern University with an MS in Construction Technology, Wendell joined the USM/IDV program with an interest in immigration issues relative to the construction industry in Texas. Utilizing the theories learned as an IDV student, Wendell is actively completing his dissertation with a research focus on the impact of call center outsourcing on the U.S.-based call center workforce, using Texas as his research area. Other areas of research interest include: Economic impact studies of call center outsourcing and offshoring on regional and local markets within the U.S., call center outsourcing studies on workforces using the entire U.S. as a test area, studies of illegal immigration and the labor market within the construction industry in Texas/SW United States, labor migration studies on various service sector industries resulting from immigration/outsourcing migration pattern pressures. |
Tim Saur, Ph.D. - 2008
Dissertation: The Pursuit of Competitive Advantage and the Strategic Behavior of Firms in Adopting Self-service Technology |
Tim Saur |
Lyn Stabler, Ph.D. - 2002
Dissertation: R&D Policy and Economic Growth: Factor, Externality and Silver Bullet |
Lyn Stabler |
Jeff Stephens, Ph.D. - 2009
Dissertation: China and the United States: A Balance of Power
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Jeff Stephens |
Angie Wood, Ph.D. - 2006
Dissertation: Capitalizing on Cuban Tourism Through Spatial Clustering |
Angie Wood |
Fitzgerald Yaw, Ph.D. - 2004
Dissertation:
Cleaner Technologies as an Aspect of Sustainable Tourism: Caribbean Case Studies |
Fitzgerald Yaw currently lives in the National Capital Region, Canada. I was born and raised in Guyana, South America, but my twelve years living in Jamaica also had a significant positive impact on my personal and professional development. Currently I am consulting on sustainable development issues as well as working on political change in Guyana. I did my Bachelors degree at the University of Guyana and my Masters at the University of the West Indies. Mona, Jamaica. My Dissertation Chair was Tim Hudson, at the time Provost of USM, currently Special Assistant to the Chancellor, University of Houston System for International Programs and Initiatives.
Gerry has over fifteen (15) years of experience working on issues related to sustainable development. His experience spans the Caribbean, the USA and Canada where he consults on Business Development and Renewable Energy. He has provided services to among others, University of the West Indies Centre for Environment and Development, the United Nations Children's Fund, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, the Inter-American Development Bank, York College of City University of New York, GuyRON Corporation and the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade. Gerry has also taught at William Carey College and the University of Southern Mississippi. Gerry volunteers with the Sierra Club, working on Community Tourism, Environmentally Sound Waste Management, Renewable Energy, and Watershed management issues. |
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