Introducing PhD in Business Administration: Cohort 7
The Mitchell College of Business is excited to introduce the newest cohort in the PhD in Business Administration program. This year's cohort consists of 20 students from six different states and 3 different countries. This group is particularly unique as it is the largest cohort to date accepted into the PhD program. We are excited to welcome these bright new students and look forward to watching their success.
Amanda Ledet
Hometown: Houma, Louisiana
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I was inspired to pursue my PhD in Business by my love for research and writing. The
world of Academia is intriguing and I aspire to make a significant contribution to
the field of Marketing. I am passionate about making a difference in the lives of
students and hope to spread some of my excitement about my areas of research interest
to others.
Concentration: Marketing
Ashleigh Connor
Hometown: Gulfport, Mississippi
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
Obtaining a PhD in Business Administration has been a lifelong goal. It is my belief
that achieving this goal will expand my knowledge of management and statistics while
advancing my career as a commercial real estate appraiser.
Concentration: Management
Jennifer Zoghby
Hometown: Mobile, Alabama
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
As immigrants, my grandparents taught me the importance of higher education, and I
have always wanted to pursue my PhD. This program is the perfect pathway to accomplish
this goal.
Concentration: Marketing
Emory Serviss
Hometown: Home is where you hang your hat!
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
Earning a PhD will enable me to produce research that will extend the body of knowledge
in the marketing discipline.
Concentration: Marketing
Naema Albimani
Hometown: Oman, Middle East
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I am an entrepreneur and would like to teach business at universities with a concentration
in management, and specifically the major of entrepreneurship, after I graduate from
the Mitchell College of Business.
Concentration: Management
Melanie Boudreaux
Hometown: Houma, Louisiana
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I am passionate about helping companies manage and motivate their people. Therefore,
I am looking to further my knowledge in the Human Resources Management field through
research, and ultimately utilize this information to improve businesses.
Concentration: Management
Jennifer Henderson
Hometown: Livingston, Louisiana
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I discovered my passion for teaching Business at the collegiate level nearly a decade
ago, and have wanted to pursue a doctoral degree ever since. The program format of
the Mitchell COB PhD was a perfect fit for me, and has allowed me to continue teaching
while I take this next step in my career. I am looking forward to enhancing my research
skills and contributing to the growing fields of Marketing and Supply Chain Management.
Concentration: Marketing
Stephen Giles
Hometown: Prattville, Alabama
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I originally looked into Mitchell College of Business PhD program because I wanted
a new challenge, and May of 2019 coincided with the time frame expected to complete
the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Additionally, I have always wanted
to teach at the collegiate level, on an adjunct basis, while continuing in my career
as a banker, but the PhD application process writing requirement completely changed
my perspective on the research process. Researching a meaningful topic of interest
is highly invigorating, and I am really looking forward to the journey over the next
three years!
Concentration: Management
Donna Richter
Hometown: Morgantown, Kentucky
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I was inspired to do something I never thought possible, something that wasn't attainable
in my mind. I personally have a growing need and want to keep learning; keep moving
forward. Prior to entering the program, I conducted many interviews with multiple
academic guru's and one of those conversations stuck out in my mind. It was with an
Associate Dean at a local coffee shop. She said to me, "I have two questions; one,
are you and Erin willing to move?" I answered yes. "And two, why not; life is an
adventure and complacency is the enemy, so why NOT?" Such simple words, but they rang
loud. Life is short and I intend on making the most of it.
Concentration: Marketing
Rahka Brescia
Hometown: Philadelphia, Mississippi
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I was inspired to pursue the PhD because my native American tribe is limited in the
number of people that are educated, and having a PhD is really limited to approximately
10 people out of a group of 11,000 members. It is my desire, therefore, to inspire
the next generation to seek education.
Concentration: Management
Matt Oglesby
Hometown: Florence, Alabama
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I've always wanted to teach, and last year I was given an opportunity to make the
transition into academia. A PhD in Business Administration will not only help me
pursue my passion of teaching, but will allow me to contribute to furthering the body
of knowledge in Human Resources Management. To go from an HR practitioner to a teacher
and influencer in the HR field is exciting!
Concentration: Management
Catherine Hessick
Hometown: Harrisonburg, Virginia
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
Inspiration: My goal to teach in a tenure-track position and provide my students with
the highest quality of education possible. To do so, I needed to obtain my PhD so
I could enrich my teaching from both the practitioner and research perspective.
Concentration: Marketing
Abby Holifield
Hometown: Ellisville, MS
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
My desire to attend The University of South Alabama PhD program was driven by my aspiration
to become a competent professor at a university; and because I desire to learn how
to properly conduct research so I can contribute to various business areas. Additionally,
having a Ph.D. from an AACSB accredited program will enable me to stand out, gain
confidence, meet new people, and challenge myself. Also, one should always continue
to learn and grow, which the program allows me to do.
Concentration: Management
Dena Mitchell
Hometown: Enterprise, Alabama
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I am pursuing a PhD degree to improve my research skills and for upward mobility in
the workplace.
Concentration: Management
Courtney Hixon-Azame Eyitayo
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
For more opportunities to mentor and teach business content to the next generation
of MBA graduates and entrepreneurs, along with becoming an academic researcher.
Concentration: Marketing
Justin Scott
Hometown: Pensacola, Florida
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
The goal of training future business leaders through teaching at a university inspired
me to pursue my PhD.
Concentration: Management
Sarah Carraher
Hometown: Dallas Fort Worth, Texas
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
The people who believed in my ability to complete an advanced academic degree, including
my junior college, 4 year college and graduate school professors and my husband and
sons. My passion for research and writing was also a strong motivation.
Concentration: Management
Andrea Floyd
Hometown: Hattiesburg, Mississippi
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I have a personal passion for the field of business and look forward to adding to
my knowledge and research.
Concentration: Management
Nicole Arnett Sanders
Hometown: Crestview, Florida
What inspired you to pursue your PhD in Business?
I was inspired to pursue my PhD because I am passionate about the field of marketing
and want to make a difference in the research.
Concentration: Marketing