Mendoza Welcomes New Faculty

By Christine Cox | Fall 2016

The nine new faculty members who joined Mendoza College this fall offer expertise in subject areas ranging from neural processes that indicate altruism to the technology of driverless cars to the intricacies of corporate auditing.

Yet, they share a singular dedication to the education of young minds and the Mendoza ideal of business for the greater good. With the world of business evolving so rapidly and globally, our students are blessed to benefit from their business insight and their humanity.


 Christopher Adkins, Associate Teaching Professor, Management and Organization, Executive Director, Notre Dame Deloitte Center for Ethical Leadership

Ph.D., College of William and Mary

M.A., Boston University

B.A.; College of William and Mary

 

“I’m fascinated by the altruistic brain — those neural processes that help us move beyond self-interest and connect us with others for the greater good. Currently, my work focuses on teaching empathy as a core leadership skill for fostering innovation, collaboration, ethical decision-making and diversity.”

 


 

Erik Beardsley, Assistant Professor, Accountancy

Ph.D., Texas A&M University

M.S. and B.B.A., University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee

“I am interested in tax research because the choices individuals and businesses make regarding tax strategy and financial reporting have significant economic consequences that affect us all, both directly and indirectly.”

 

 


 

 Timothy Carone, Associate Teaching Professor, Information Technology, Analytics, and Operations

Ph.D. and M.S., University of Arizona 
B.S., University of Kentucky

“I study autonomous systems (e.g., driverless cars and drones) and their impact because they will fundamentally change businesses and society. And I love to teach.”

 

 


 

Colleen Creighton, Associate Teaching Professor, Accountancy

M.S., DePaul University

B.B.A., University of Notre Dame (FIN ’79)

“As a tax adviser, I am able to develop close relationships with clients and become their advocate. It’s fun to find creative solutions to help clients
achieve their goals in the most tax efficient manner.”

 

 


 

Walter D’Lima, Visiting Assistant Professor, Finance

Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

M.S., University of Connecticut

M.S. and B.S., University of Mumbai

“The recent financial crisis sparked my interest in direct and securitized real estate investments. Hence, studying real estate through an institutional and urban structure lens may reveal valuable answers.”

 


 

John Donovan, Assistant Professor, Accountancy

Ph.D., Washington University in St. Louis;
M.S.A. and B.B.A., University of Notre Dame

 

“During my time as an auditor, I observed the importance of financial reporting to capital markets, sparking my interest in understanding how accounting decisions affect debt and equity markets.”

 


 

Robert Essig, Associate Teaching Professor, Marketing

M.A., Northeastern Illinois University;
B.A., Loyola University Chicago

 

“Strong client relationships are the key to business success. In a rapidly changing marketplace and with the rise of social media and cognitive marketing, it is vital that executives build responsive and effective marketing and sales plans. I want our students to learn how to develop those plans and work with customers to develop excellent business relationships.”

 

 


 

Andrew Imdieke, Assistant Professor, Accountancy

Ph.D. and MBA, Michigan State University 
B.A., Hope College

 

“As a former external auditor and corporate internal audit director, I enjoy researching and teaching the importance of effective internal controls and how auditing impacts all facets of our capital markets.”

 


 

Mitchell Olsen, Assistant Professor, Marketing

Ph.D., M.S and B.S., Indiana University

“When we ask more of business, marketing is an ideal place to look for answers. The core purpose of marketing is to create value for individuals and society at large.”