MAGAZINE FALL 2025
By Carole Reinert
Some words stick with us forever. Whether it’s a mantra your parents shared to inspire you or a stranger’s unexpected wisdom, little nuggets of advice can shift the way we interact with the world. We asked faculty and staff to share the most valuable advice they have ever received. Browse their insights and see if one resonates enough to shape your own path.
Audrey J. Murrell, Professor
My mother, Castella B. Murrell, a scientist and researcher, told me, “Remember that you may not see it now, but what you do will last far into the future and impact the lives of people you may never meet.”
Karla Alcides Licastro, Associate Director for International Business Programs, EMBA
My dad inspired me to see the world and learn from others. From an early age, we would travel and experience different cultures, food, and traditions, and learn other ways of thinking, living, and dreaming. This advice led me to visit dozens of countries, develop business relationships on multiple continents, and form lifelong friendships. It shaped my mind to be compassionate and flexible—skills that I feel are very important in today’s world.
Tony Rodi, clinical Associate Professor
My dad taught us to always be kind, humble, and treat everyone with respect. I live by that, and I raised my children with the same philosophy.
Kiersten M. Maryott, Clinical Associate Professor
When I started my PhD program, my brother suggested I find an advisor or mentor based on someone I’d enjoy having a drink with rather than solely on what they focus on in their research. Over the years, I’ve adapted this specific suggestion into a general life lesson: you won’t always love the tasks you are doing (in work or regular life), but if you surround yourself with people who you like and who “fill your cup,” you can handle pretty much anything.
Prakash Mirchandani, Professor and Director, Center for Supply Chain Management
My parents, decades ago, told me, “Be honest. Be fair. Be kind. Work hard, and do your best.” In some ways, these are truisms, but adhering to them consistently is not always easy. A former finance faculty colleague, many years ago, gave me this finance advice: “Don’t try to time the financial markets, just invest regularly in stocks for the long run.” This is probably not novel, but I have found it to be still immensely valuable.
Kim Abel, Clinical Assistant Professor, Executive Director, Executive Degree Programs and Center for Executive Education
My dad was a brilliant man. He was a successful leader as a civil engineer in the railroad industry, responsible for thousands of personnel and the safety of people and property in the many towns and cities he oversaw. I was always amazed by the different people, from a linesman to a COO, who spoke about the respect and authenticity my dad demonstrated. He would always stress how “you are no better than anyone else, and you can learn something from everyone.” After studying and practicing leadership for so many years, I know the importance
of leading with authenticity and the wealth of knowledge that can come from being the lead learner within an organization.
Paul T. Harper, Associate Dean for Inclusion, Engagement and International Affairs; Clinical Associate Professor
The best advice I ever received was from Dr. Sherwood Frey, professor emeritus from the Darden School of Business. He told me that when you make a new acquaintance, do something for them first without them having to ask for it.
It was crucial for me because it meant I needed to seek opportunities to be a surprise in someone else’s life and bring a smile to their face.
We share a lot about ourselves when we meet new people, including hometowns, dreams, and fun facts. When you follow with a gift or card that has content directly relevant to the conversation, your new friends know that you are genuinely interested in them as a person. In the case of Dr. Frey, he recalled my interest in Southern BBQ and asked me to join a team of students preparing a pig roast for the graduating class. Now I’m the guy who smokes the pig.
Lynn Rosen, Associate Director of Academic Programs
When faced with something that seems insurmountable, remember, you eat an elephant one bite at a time. I don’t recall when I first heard this, yet I used it all the time when I advised students in the School of Business undergraduate program, and I continue to give this advice to my students now. When I started my EdD degree, we were given the same advice. They provided us with a picture of an elephant outlined and divided into smaller pieces. They encouraged us to color a piece after each class ended. It was the highlight of my semester being able to color in two more pieces of my elephant. I had two copies of my elephant: one in my office in Mervis Hall and one in my home office. When I finished my degree, I framed both copies. They are proudly displayed in my offices.
Eugenia Wu, Associate Professor of Business Administration
I once met an 80-year-old man at the airport who was traveling to see a beloved sister he had not seen in eighteen years. His advice to me on that day has stayed with me: Take the time to think about what matters to you and make that a priority. As you may already know, life moves quickly, and it’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day. Make the time to think about what matters, so that you are not, as my airport friend put it, “an 80-year-old sitting at the airport with regrets.”
Vicki Vernet-Lazor, Academic Advisor
Martha Stewart taught me how to fold a fitted sheet, Audrey Hepburn how to exude style and grace, and Oprah and I share an affinity for the “luck is where preparation meets opportunity” mantra. Still, my family has had the greatest impact on me. My late Aunt Sis taught me the value of humility and always recited the quote, “Class is already up and need not build itself up by bringing others down.” My college admissions essay was a nod to my amazing mom, a retired elementary school teacher. She instilled in me a love of music and to always stay positive. At home, she’d always remind me with a little hum:
“You’ve got to ac‑cent‑tchu‑ate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don’t mess with Mr. In‑Between.”