RSB Faculty & Staff

B.A., Illinois Institute of Technology; M.B.A., M.A.F.M., Keller Graduate School of Management

Bio:

Mfon Akpan is Assistant Professor of Accounting.  Mr. Akpan’s area of expertise is generating an estimated valuation of earned social media from corporate social responsibility engagement to generate an estimated return on investment and trend analysis. His professional activities include serving as a steering committee member for the American Accounting Association’s (AAA) Conference on Teaching and Learning in Accounting (CTLA) and planning committee member for the AAA’s Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Section (TLC). He is a five-time TEDx speaker, and his most recent TEDx talk gives practical steps on how we can return to life after the COVID-19 pandemic. Akpan is a doctoral candidate in Accountancy at Indiana Wesleyan University.

B.A., M.A.A.E., University of Central Florida; M.A., University of Kentucky; M.A., Ph.D., The Catholic University of America

Teaching Philosophy

My objective is to encourage critical thinking, knowledge seeking, and finding practical solutions for life’s financial and economic challenges.

Personal Interests:

International travel (lived in 7 countries; spent a total of over 15 years overseas); foreign politics.

Research:

M.A., City College of New York; Ph.D., Southern Illinois University

Bio:

Dr. Hem C. Basnet is an Associate Professor of Economics in the Reeves School of Business at Methodist University. Dr. Basnet teaches both the undergraduate and graduate level Economics and Finance courses. Dr. Basnet's research areas are Consumer Finance, International Finance, Time Series Analysis, Economic/Monetary Integration and Economic Development. He has published his research in some of the leading Economics journals such as World Development, Journal of Economics and Finance, Applied Economics etc. His research has been widely cited in academic community.

Recent Publications:

Regional Economic Integration in Mercosur: The Role of Real and Financial Sectors, (2017), Review of Development Finance, forthcoming (with Gyan Pradhan).

International Migration, Workers' Remittances and Permanent Income Hypothesis, (2017), World Development, 96, p438-450 (with Sokchea Lim).

Internet, consumer spending and credit card balance: Evidence from U.S. Consumers (2016), Review of Financial Economics, 30, p11-22 (with Ficawoyi Donou-Adonsou)

Impact of oil price shocks on output, inflation, and the real exchange rate: evidence from selected ASEAN Countries (2015), Applied Economics, 47(29), p3078-3091 (with Kamal Upadhyaya).

Exchange rate movements and policy coordination in Latin America (2015), Journal of Economics and Finance, 39(4), p679-696 (with Subhash Sharma).

Monetary policy synchronization in the ASEAN-5 region: an exchange rate perspective (2015), Applied Economics, 47(1), p100-112 (with Subhash Sharma and Puneet Vatsa).

Do remittances attract foreign direct investment? An empirical investigation (2014), Global Economy Journal; 14 (1), p1-9 (with Kamal Upadhyaya).

Economic integration in Latin America (2013), Journal of Economic Integration, Vol. 28 (4), p551-579 (with Subhash Sharma).

B.S.S., Cornell College; M.B.A., University of Iowa; PGA member.

Bio:

Bob received a Bachelor of Special Studies in Business and Economics from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa in 1981, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Iowa in 1986. Bob’s first job in golf was as the Men’s Golf Coach at Central College, a nationally ranked Division III program, where he coached and taught from 1986-1994. Bob’s teams won nine straight conference championships, competed for the national championship each year, and had multiple All-Americans. Bob was selected the IIAC Conference Coach of the Year seven times and served as the Chair of Division III Men’s Golf for three years.

Bob left coaching and joined the PGA, becoming a member in May 1997. Since then, he has served as an assistant professional, Head professional, General Manager/Director of Golf and General Manger/Managing Partner. Bob has worked for clubs in Iowa, Illinois, and Texas. He hosted three PGA Tour events while General Manager and Director of Golf at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. Bob served on the Board of Directors for the Iowa Section of the PGA and was voted Section Merchandiser of the Year for Resort Properties in 2003.

Personal Statement:

I have been blessed during my time in golf – it has allowed me to travel to some of the most beautiful places, but more importantly introduced me to many of the special people within our industry. Golf truly is a game based on honesty and integrity, and the players, employees, coaches and fellow PGA Professionals I call friends are those who have, and will, serve our industry well into the future. My job here in the Methodist University PGA/PGM Program simply provides me a chance to give back to a game that has provided so much to my

B.S., Murray State University; M.Ed., Campbell University

Bio:

Serving as an Assistant Professor and the Advising Coordinator for the PGA/PGM program, Conley is in his 34th year at Methodist University (32nd as the Head Men’s Golf Coach). He earned a Master of Education degree from Campbell University (NC) in 1991 and a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Murray State University (KY) in 1986.

Conley has been a member of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America (PGA) since 1996. He has achieved the highest level of rating at the PGA-USGA Rules of Golf Workshop. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor and teaches courses in the PGA Golf Management Program-Intro to PGM 1 and 2.

In 2006, Conley was inducted into the Golf Coaches’ Association of America (GCAA) Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of Fame (2010) and the Fayetteville Sports Club Hall of Fame (2012).

During his tenure as the men’s coach, his teams have won 12 NCAA Division III National Championships and 23 of the Monarchs’ 31 USA-South Athletic Conference Championships. His players have won nine individual NCAA Division III National Titles, 96 All-America Honors and 22 All-America Scholar Honors. Representing the GCAA, he coached the USA team to victory in the USA-Japan Matches in Tochigi-Ken, Japan in 1998. He has been awarded Coach of the Year honors by the GCAA seven times nationally in Division III, 16 times in the South Region, and 21 times in the USA-South Athletic Conference.

B.A., Loyola University of New Orleans; Ph.D., George Mason University

Bio:

Matt Dobra, Ph.D. is Professor of Economics and the Nimocks Endowed Professor of Business in the Reeves School of Business at Methodist University. He primarily teaches introductory courses in macroeconomics and upper level courses in econometrics, microeconomics, and other areas of applied microeconomics. Dr. Dobra's primary research interests lie in the fields of resource economics and public economics. He has published peer reviewed academic research in such journals as the European Economic Review, Decision Sciences, and Resources Policy. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Economics from George Mason University, a Graduate Certificate in Higher Education from Monash University, and a B.A. in History from Loyola University, New Orleans.

Teaching Philosophy:

“The First Law of College Teaching: Any professor who, subject to the restraints of common sense and common decency, does not seize every opportunity to offend the sensibilities of his students is insulting and cheating them, and is no college professor at all” -- Eugene Genovese

Web Site:

https://sites.google.com/site/mattdobra

B.A., Wake Forest University; M.S., Ph.D., Florida State University

Bio:

I have a passion for research and teaching, which is why I never really left the college environment after completing my first degree. As an undergraduate, I studied economics and Russian at Wake Forest University before earning my Ph.D. in economics from Florida State University. My research centers on economic analysis of government policy, with recent emphasis on monetary policy and international trade. I have published research in several academic journals and recently published a book entitled How Trade with China Threatens Western Institutions: The Economic Roots of a Political Crisis. I’ve never been one to be content with the status quo, and my research often takes innovative, perhaps quirky, approaches. This bleeds over into my teaching, which is very thought-provoking by design.

B.S., Shaw University; M.S., M.B.A., University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Teaching Philosophy:

Professor Hamzah’s teaching philosophy focuses on engaging the students and empowering them to be active participants in the design of his course content and delivery

Research:

Operations management, systems modeling and business technology assessment

B.A., Queens University of Charlotte; M.Ed., American Intercontinental University; Member of the USPTA & PTR, USTA High Performance Coach

Bio:

Certified by the USPTA and PTR, Scott has over 30 years of experience in the tennis and private club industry as a tennis director, general manager, and club owner.

Scott has passed all levels of the USTA Sport Science Program and has earned the RacquetFit Certification for Tennis Physiological Connection and Etcheberry Certified for Strength, Conditioning and Movement in Sports. He served as a USTA National Zonals Coach and USTA National Clinician for many years and was the 2004 & 2005 USTA/Southern Junior Davis Cup coach.

Selected as the 1999 South Carolina USPTA Professional off the Year, Scott served as the Director of the Western North Carolina USTA High Performance Competitive Training Center for eight years. He has coached 71 players who have gone on to play collegiate tennis, including 19 players ranked #1 in the state in their age division. Scott also coached two future NCAA Division I Singles Champions: Thai Kwiatkowski (Virginia) in 2017 and Mallory Cecil (Duke) in 2009.

Honored as the USTA/ITA Community Service Award in 2004, Scott has served in various capacities in the tennis industry including the USTA/North Carolina Board of Directors, numerous USTA/North Carolina and USTA/South Carolina committees and president of three community tennis associations (Charlotte Tennis Association, Beaufort Tennis Association and Sea Island Tennis Association).

With a background in strategic planning, Scott is one of the few tennis professionals to transition to serving as a general manager of private clubs. He spent over 15 years in strategic management of private clubs and has served as a consultant for several golf and country clubs. Scott is the owner of Deer Valley Athletic Club in Boone, N.C. with over 450 members offering tennis, pool, golf and fitness programs.

B.A., Elon College; M.S., University of Tennessee; PGA member

Bio:

A native of Poquoson, Va., Jerry Hogge earned his B.A. from Elon University his M.S. from the University of Tennessee. After graduation, Jerry became a faculty member at Kennesaw College in Kennesaw, Ga.

Introduced to golf at 26 by the late Bill Strausbaugh, Jerry became hooked on the game and decided to make it into his career. Earning his PGA Class A Membership in 1977, Jerry first took a position as Assistant Golf Professional at Argyle Country Club in Silver Springs, Md., then Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, Md. a few years later. He became Vice President and Director of Golf at Canaan Valley Resorts in Davis, W. Va., where he directed retail golf and ski operations and managed three full-time food and beverage operations.

In 1987, Jerry became the Director of the PGA Golf Management Program at Methodist College. Under his direction, the Program has graduated over 1,000 graduates and has a 100% job placement since 1989. The Program was accredited by the PGA of America in 1999. Program graduates are the most outstanding and highly sought prospects in the golf industry job market.

Jerry has been recognized by the PGA of America and the Carolinas PGA Section:

• 1999 Horton Smith Award Recipient – Carolina’s PGA Section
• 2001 Bill Strausbaugh Carolina’s Section Award Recipient
• 2002 Bill Strausbaugh National Award Recipient

Teaching Philosophy:

Education is a lifelong progress that allows one to apply principles learned in the classroom to everyday practical application. I attempt to make the classroom an exciting place by applying academic principles through real life stories and situations. The more I facilitate discussion, the more everyone learns and participates. My goal for students is for them to be able to use their education and have a position in the golf industry upon graduation.

B.S., Methodist University

Bio:

Ryan received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in PGA Golf Management from Methodist University in 2011 and Professional Golf Turf Management Certification from Rutgers University in 2013. He is a PGA Class A Member, and a GCSAA Superintendent Class B Member.

B.A., Governor’s State University; M.B.A., Methodist University

Bio:

Tom Inczauskis is Director and Associate Professor of Sport Management. Formerly, he served as the Head Women’s Golf Coach and Assistant Director of the PGA Golf Management Program.  He was selected the WGCA GolfPride Division III East Region Coach of the Year in 2012 and 2013.  He also received the McLean Foundation Methodist University Athletics Coach of the Year award in 2012.

Over the past 20 years, Inczauskis has had extensive teaching, coaching, and tournament experience with a wide variety of students and events, from amateur to professional.  He has been a Head Professional at three different facilities and is a PGA Master Professional in Instruction.  He served as the Director of Instruction and Head Professional for the University’s PGA Golf Management Program from 2005-2009.

Inczauskis has attained the All But Dissertation (ABD) designation from Northcentral University (2013) and is completing a doctorate in Sports Organizational Management and Leadership. As a member of the University faculty, he completed a Master of Business Administration degree at Methodist (2007).  He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from Governor’s State University (1992) as well as an Associate of Science degree from Moraine Valley Community College (1989).

B.S., Pembroke State University; M.S., East Carolina University; Ph.D., Walden University

Bio:

Dr. Johnson has three decades of teaching experience in both K-12 and higher education, experience in computer services for industrial applications and in accounting. Dr. Johnson is the former Director of Academic Advising here at Methodist University, is a recipient of the Jane Gardiner Excellence in Academic Advising Award. She is a member of the American Management Association; NACADA, the National Academic Advising Association; NACE, the National Association of Colleges and Employers; Alpha Delta Kappa, International Honorary Association for Women Educators; and Sigma Alpha Iota, the Professional Music Fraternity for Women. Dr. Johnson serves on the Advisory Board for the Cumberland Polytechnic High School.

Research Interests:

Organizational Behavior and Change, Leadership Development, Women in Business

B.S., Methodist University; M.B.A., University of Cincinnati

Bio:

Serving as our PGA Head Professional and Director of Instruction for the PGM Program, Alexander is starting his 4th year in this role. He earned his MBA from the University of Cincinnati in 2019 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Methodist University in 2014.

After graduation from Methodist, Alexander was a PGA assistant golf professional at the Chevy Chase Club and PGA teaching professional at Bethpage State Park. He also took a year away from golf to participate in The World Race, an 11-month missionary project traveling to 11 countries in 11 months aiding local churches, schools, or civic groups and spreading the gospel. During this time, Alexander served as a team leader, financial manager and participant of a seven-person team, arranging all of their travel and administering the necessary funds while moving from country to country.

In addition, he is also the staff advisor of PGM Fellowship. This is a faith-based group where students gather for fun activities and bible studies in a healthy community.

B.A., University of Alabama; M.A., University of Iowa; M.Acc., Ph.D., University of Tennessee, Knoxville; CPA.

Teaching Philosophy:

I honestly believe that every student can learn and use accounting. I love to teach. Different styles of teaching are integrated into my courses to meet the needs of my students. If a student puts forth a reasonable effort, I want that effort to pay off in spades. Learning accounting is an individual accomplishment but requires a team effort.

Research:

Her primary research interest is strategic behavior by individuals in response to social change.

Personal Interests:

Die-hard sports fan, avid cook, swimmer, camper, and international traveler. Leads annual study abroad trip to Guatemala over Spring Break.

B.S., M.B.A., Salisbury University; Ph.D., University of Baltimore.

Research:

Applications of emerging technologies

B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; M.S., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Teaching Philosophy:

My primary objective is to help students achieve their educational goals. This is accomplished by a hands-on approach to teaching and includes a combination of new technology formats in the classroom and practical experience as a controller. With hard work and a commitment to the university, each student has an opportunity for success and applying accounting in their personal and professional life.

Research:

Statutory Accounting, Regulatory issues for Business, and Financial Reporting.

Personal Interests:

Boating, hiking, and travels to N.C. Beaches

B.S., Methodist University

B.A., Texas Lutheran College; J.D. University of North Carolina School of Law, CPA, CFE

Teaching Philosophy:

My goal in the classroom is to offer a lively, open, and interactive environment where students can appreciate the relevancy of the subject in their lives as they master the concepts.  I strive to make my classes participatory and enjoyable, focusing on real-world applications while holding students to a high level of performance.  I have succeeded if my students finish one of my courses certain that I care about them and their education. I give each course my best effort and provide the opportunity and encouragement for each student to do the same.

Research:

Business Law, Employment Law, and Fraud.

Personal Interests:

Reading, writing, yoga, hiking, motorcycle riding and instruction

B.A., Alma College; M.B.A., Lake Forest Graduate School of Management; M.Phil., Walden University

Bio

Research Interests

B.S., West Liberty University; M.S., Central Michigan University; Ed.D., Shenandoah University

Teaching Philosophy:

My philosophy of teaching evolved from a combination of my years of professional and teaching experience. My mission as a teacher is to promote a positive cooperative learning environment. I strive to provide a strong foundation for lifelong learning that combines both theory and real world experiences.

Research:

My current research activities include management, leadership, motivation, gender studies, town and gown relationships, non-profit and for profit organizational dynamics, organizational culture, job satisfaction, decision-making, higher education, cooperative and intentional learning communities, intercollegiate cross-gendered coaching and athlete perceptions.

Personal Interests:

Spending time with my family, tennis, golf, running, playing most sports and traveling.

B.A., Providence College; M.A., Wayne State University

Teaching Philosophy:

I strive to bridge the theory of business with the practice of business drawing upon my 20 years experience in the business world.

Research:

Negotiation, Mediation, Business Strategy

B.S., M.B.A., Methodist University; Class A PGA Member

Bio: