This month we bring you the remaining new faculty members who have joined the staff this fall.
S. Trevis Certo
Assistant Professor, Management
Education:
-B.A. in Economics, Rollins College, 1995
-M.B.A. in Management, University of Florida, 1997
-Ph.D. in Strategic Management, Indiana University, 2000
Highlights:
Don’t let Dr. Certo’s recent graduation date fool you. A former teaching assistant at the University of Florida, associate instructor and a visiting assistant professor at Indiana University, Dr. Certo has had ample experience inside the classroom. He joins the Mays College as an assistant professor and teaches business and corporate strategy.
Outside the classroom:
When he’s not pursuing his intellectual interests of initial public offerings and boards of directors, Dr. Certo can be found on the basketball court or spending time with his four-month-old son, Skylar.
Traci Haigood
Visiting Professor, Marketing
Education:
-B.S. in Marketing, Texas A&M University, 1992
-M.S. in Marketing, Texas A&M University, 1995
-Ph.D. in Marketing, Texas A&M University, 2001
Highlights:
With a diploma from Bryan High School and three from Texas A&M, there’s no doubt that Dr. Haigood is nothing short of a full-blooded Aggie. But, it is her proven industry experience that enhances the quality of her principles of marketing and consumer behavior classes. Formerly employed in Dallas as a marketing research analyst and a marketing consultant, Dr. Haigood researches advertising strategies and strategies relating to brand equity.
Outside the classroom:
After a long week of teaching marketing courses, Dr. Haigood unwinds by exercising or curling up with a good book. She also enjoys traveling, especially with her identical twin Staci.
Prabakar Kothandaraman
Assistant Professor, Marketing
Education:
-Degree in Chemical Engineering, BITS, PILANI (India)
-M.B.A. in Marketing, Xavier Institute of Management
-Ph.D. in Marketing, Penn State
Highlights:
With five years of experience in engineering software applications marketing and three years of teaching marketing at Xavier Institute of Management on his résumé, Dr. Kothandaraman has joined the Mays faculty to teach research for marketing decisions and business to business marketing.
On A&M:
“Texas A&M University is appealing because students don’t [automatically] accept what the professors say,” he explains. “They question everything, which makes a higher quality of education possible.”
Outside the classroom:
In his spare time, Dr. Kothandaraman enjoys listening to classical music and playing his violin. He has performed at Penn State to raise money for India’s cyclone relief fund.
M. Scott Poole
Professor, Information Systems Management
Education:
-B.A. in Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin, 1973
-M.S. in Communication, Michigan State, 1976
-Ph.D. in Communication Arts, University of Wisconsin, 1980
Highlights:
Dr. Poole can’t seem to get enough of Aggie students. After teaching speech communications classes for the past six years, he is now adding teaching groupware and collaborative technology to his teaching portfolio. Dr. Poole’s experience as a consultant for such entities as the Internal Revenue Service, Texaco and the Wisconsin and Minnesota state governments enables him to provide a richer understanding of communications and technology for his students.
Outside the classroom:
While Dr. Poole’s academic interests include organizational communication, group and team effectiveness, organizational innovation, and impacts of common technologies on people and organizations, his personal interests range from gardening, traveling (especially to Ireland) and coaching his son’s chess club at Rock Prairie Elementary School.
Sharda Prabakar
Lecturer, Marketing
Education:
– Degrees in Economics and Law, Delhi University (India)
-Master’s in Marketing, Penn State
Highlights:
Professor Prabakar knows what it’s like to stay busy. Teaching marketing research, studying legal issues in emerging electronic markets, and caring for her 11-month-old baby, her schedule is constantly full. Professor Prabakar has also published several articles focusing on her area of specialization and is married to Dr. Kothandaraman, who is also a new addition to the Mays faculty.
Outside the classroom:
When time allows, Professor Prabakar enjoys listening to music, dancing and playing tennis.
Art Smith
Senior Lecturer, Finance
Education:
-B.S. Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M
-M.S. Agricultural Economics, Texas Tech
-Ph.D. Agricultural Economics, Texas A&M
Highlights:
Dr. Smith’s ties to A&M started long before he landed his current position as a senior lecturer. A member of Texas A&M’s class of 1971, he served in Squadron 2 of the Corp of Cadets. Dr. Smith currently operates Agricultural Risk and Marketing Services and is a part-time member of the Mays faculty, teaching energy risk management.
Outside the classroom:
Although Dr. Smith may be a tried and true Aggie, his experiences range far beyond the College Station city limits. After graduating with his master’s degree from Texas Tech, Dr. Smith joined the Peace Corps and spent two years in El Salvador. Additionally, he has been employed with the Farmer’s Cooperative Service, the Chicago Board of Trade, the Wall Street Mercantile Exchange, Langham-Hill Petroleum and E.A. Trading Company.
Carol Wiggins
Lecturer, Information & Operations Management
Education:
-B.S. in Computer Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1994
-M.S. in Management Information Systems, Texas A&M University, 2001
Highlights:
After graduating with her bachelor’s degree in 1994, Professor Wiggins put her technical knowledge into action, working as a systems engineer at Texas Instruments. She then joined the university’s math department as a systems analyst and later a Bryan-based company focusing on Web and database design. Since earning her master’s degree in May, Professor Wiggins has joined the college’s faculty as a lecturer of systems analysis and design.
On Teaching:
“What I like best about teaching at A&M is that it’s a totally new and different experience from anything I’ve ever done before,” she says. “I’ve always liked helping people learn how to do new things, so teaching is an ideal fit for me.”
Outside the Classroom:
In her spare time, Professor Wiggins enjoys quilting, cooking, and taking her four-month-old daughter, Catherine, on walks.