New Faculty Welcome

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Germany but moved to the US for college twelve years ago and ended up staying. I went to school at Lindenwood University for a BA in International Business and an MBA with an emphasis in Management. I went to work in the industry for a couple of years and went back to school to earn an MA in Modern Languages with an emphasis in German at the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in International Business at Florida International University.

My husband Ken and I are loving parents to our fur babies Buddy, Belle, and Mia, who reign over the house. I am a fan of trying street food and small-town restaurants. My favorite course, however, is dessert! The three things I like to do most are traveling, training, and teaching. I have been fortunate to travel around the world, experiencing new cultures and learning new languages. Thinking about past voyages brings back wonderful memories and makes me excited for the next adventures. There is so much to explore in this world. You can also find me in the gym most days lifting weights and playing tennis or taking cardio classes to stay active and have fun. While I have taught in the past, I am beyond excited to finally start teaching as a faculty member where I can focus more on course development. Knowing what I want to do with my life is a gift that I cherish dearly.

Describe your teaching style.
I believe that a teacher, regardless of discipline, has the duty to create a positive learning environment, show enthusiasm for learning, and help students build a strong foundation for lifelong learning. I understand that all students learn differently, which is why I apply a wide variety of strategies in the classroom.

I introduce and develop course topics using resources such as magazine articles, videos, and podcasts. I also include games to encourage cooperation as well as competition. Furthermore, I follow the case study approach to encourage students to think about an issue from all angles, stimulating their critical thinking. The case method-style classes and in-class presentations expose students to speaking in public and answering questions from an audience, which is something that they will likely encounter in the workforce. Everything discussed in class should have relevance. Hence, my goal is to introduce the students to modern topics and technology including AI, and draw from the most recent media output to keep updated with what is happening in the business world.

I am committed to helping students succeed and achieve their academic goals. I strive to make my classroom a space where students can develop their ability to be the creative thinkers and problem solvers that the job market demands.

What are your current research interests?
I foremost conduct research in the broad fields of strategic management and international business. More specifically, my research interests include global corporate strategies concerning diversity, reputation, and language management.

How do you define success in the classroom?
I think success comes in all shapes and forms. When students enroll in my class, they have expectations and goals. These are unique to every student. To me, success is showing up prepared. Success is choosing to participate. Success is accepting challenges and persevering when the material is not easy. Success is implementing the material outside of class.

What are you most looking forward to at USI and at Romain College of Business?
I am most looking forward to becoming part of the community. Everyone I have met has been pleasant to be around and has shown joy and pride for the university and college. I look forward to meeting my students and teaching engaging classes. I also look forward to walking the beautiful campus including the trails and sitting on the balcony overlooking the quad while sipping on an iced mocha and having conversations with peers.

A “fun fact” about you.
I adore sloths. They are sooo cute!

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Michael Klein. I am originally from Southern Indiana, and I am excited to be back home. I have previously been teaching criminal justice, and I decided to go back to school to pursue accounting. I have recently completed all four examinations for my CPA licensure, and I look forward to making a positive impact here at USI!

Describe your teaching style.
I believe that all students are capable of great things, and I try to motivate my students to not only pass my courses but to excel in my courses. I try to actively engage students every day in the classroom, and I never let a class period pass without doing some sort of practical exercise that you will see in the field.

What are your current research interests?
I am going to try to bridge the gap between accounting and criminal justice in terms of fraud, deception, and white-collar crime. I usually do quantitative work in R. If any student (of any major) wants to learn R come look me up!

What do you bring to the classroom that is uniquely yours?
I think (or I’m pretty sure) that I am the only person with a PhD in Criminal Justice and Criminology who has passed all four exams for the CPA certification with expected future licensure. So, I am hoping to bring a unique perspective to a lot of things I teach.

How do you define success in the classroom?
I believe success in the classroom is measured by a student’s mastery and understanding of the material. If a student comes into my classroom and learns something new I feel like I have done a great job.

What are you most looking forward to at USI and at Romain College of Business?
I am looking forward to meeting Indiana students who are seeking to better themselves. As a native of Knox County, Indiana, I was once just like the students here at USI. Education changed my life, and I want to give back to the area.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to play music (guitar and bass), and I try to stay physically active by exercising and lifting weights.

A “fun fact” about you.
I have a dog named Lady Bird (a.k.a Birdie or B-Roo). She is a Jack Russell Terrier, and she pretty much dominates my household.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
My name is Dr. Sonik Mandal, and I joined USI in August as Assistant Professor in Finance. Before this, I taught for 4.5 years at Cameron University, Lawton, OK. I completed my PhD from Old Dominion University and MBA from Iowa State University. I am originally from West Bengal, India.

Describe your teaching style.
My teaching style is more of me taking the leadership role and then guiding class discussions based upon topics and concepts.

What are your current research interests?
My research interests include CEO compensation and characteristics, firm derivatives hedging, CEO ability and traits, and firm value.

What do you like to do in your free time?
I like to watch movies, listen to music, and read.

A "fun fact" about you.
A fun fact about me - I have not visited my home country for 15 years after I came to the US in 2008. My parents have visited me multiple times though.