2025 Reflections
As 2025 comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on a year that brought both growth and challenge. It was not without its setbacks, but it was a year that offered perspective and reinforced why this work matters to me.
Academically, 2025 marked a series of meaningful milestones. I was promoted from Instructor to Assistant Professor at Lindsey Wilson after the institution’s transition from LWC to LWU, and I was honored to be named the 2025 Professor of the Year. I defended my dissertation and graduated with a PhD in Business, as well as completing an MS in Strategic Marketing. Along the way, I taught in the School of Graduate Business and Technology for the first time, led my first residency for our hybrid students, and taught a wide range of courses across economics, finance, marketing, and business.
Research and scholarship were also important aspects of the year. I presented at the ACA Conference with my colleague, Dr. Cathy Boatright. We also presented at the IACBE ACAM, alongside two of our students, where we received the Best Research Poster Award.
Student success continued to be the most rewarding part of my work. I watched many students reach important milestones, and I was especially proud to mentor the Marketing Research Competition team that finished first in the nation out of more than 80 teams and schools.
Beyond the classroom, I coordinated a full year of training programs for Kentucky-based entrepreneurs through the Kentucky SBDC. I also had the opportunity to teach for the Kentucky Governor’s Scholars Program this summer, a program I graduated from in 2011, which made that experience especially meaningful.
I continued building my food website, which gained new momentum thanks in large part to my friend and collaborator, Dr. Courtney Daniels, joining the team.
On a personal level, I devoted a lot of time to Calvary Episcopal Church in Downtown Louisville, traveled, spent time with loved ones, golfed often, enjoyed time at Audubon, and learned (and became obsessed with) the game of mahjong. And most importantly of all, I got married.
None of this work exists in a vacuum. I am motivated daily by the encouragement of my students, colleagues, peers, friends, and family, whose support makes this work possible and meaningful. I’m grateful for all that 2025 brought and look forward to all that is to come.
