Master in Management
Core Faculty
Curt Bacon (DBA, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, 1996) teaches "Budget and Finance." Much of his teaching focuses on financial markets and institutions, corporate finance, investments, and international finance. His research interests include the regulation and operation of financial institutions. Keeping up with Curt can be a challenge -- he holds the record at North Dakota State University in the 3000 meter steeplechase!
Kurt Knudsen (MA, UC-Davis; JD, Santa Clara University, 1991) teaches the "Legal Issues in Management" course. Kurt is general counsel for the Ashland Community Hospital and the City Attorney for the City of Jacksonville. He is also an attorney in private practice with emphasis on business, real estate, employment and health care law. Kurt is the ideal model of the practitioner/educator involved in the program.
Jonathan Lange (PhD, University of Washington, 1981) is Professor of Communication, and Director of Training and Organizational Development at Southern Oregon University. He teaches the program's "Organizational Leadership and Communication" course. His teaching and research interests include dispute resolution, organizational communication and environmental conflict.
John Laughlin (DPA, 1990, University of Southern California) is an Associate Professor and former Dean of the School of Business. He teaches "Society, Ethics and Management," as well as the Research and Capstone courses. His teaching and research interests include business and labor history, organizational training, and organizational change.
Joan McBee (DBA, Argosy University, 2007) teaches "Marketing for Private and Nonprofit Organizations." Prior to teaching, Joan sold mutual funds and real estate investments, financed nonconventional and commercial loans, and worked as a title officer for an escrow company.
Katie Pittman (MBA, San Francisco State University, 1989) teaches "Management Information Systems." Her background includes 18 years of work experience outside of academia, primarily in data analysis and in the development, maintenance, and administration of organizational information systems. She is currently completing a Ph.D. in Computer Information Systems at Nova Southeastern University.
Steve Schein (MS, Fielding Graduate University, 2004) teaches "Strategic Management." A CPA and former CEO, Steve Schein has more than 25 years of leadership, business development and senior management experience in a broad range of industries. His primary areas of interest include organizational leadership; strategic management; systems thinking; and the interdependence between leadership, strategy, culture, individual satisfaction and overall performance.
Hart Wilson (MM, Southern Oregon University, 2002) is a graduate of the MiM program and teaches the "Orientation to Graduate Study" seminar in the fall and spring. She also teaches Project Management as an elective offering in the program. Hart's professional background includes owning and operating a winery in Northeast Ohio for 10 years. Her interests lie in marketing, event management and teaching.
