BYU Marriott Welcomes New Faculty

PROVO, Utah – Jan 11, 2021 – The Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business welcomed six new professors for the fall 2020 semester. 

After earning his PhD in finance from The Ohio State University in 2020, Bradley Cannon is looking forward to being part of BYU Marriott’s faculty as a visiting assistant professor of finance. “I am excited to be part of an environment that contributes to both the mental and spiritual development of ambitious and dedicated students,” he says. “I hope that I can instill in students a desire to learn that will extend beyond the classroom.” Cannon earned a BS in economics and finance from Utah State University in 2014 and an MS in financial economics from Utah State University in 2015. Cannon researches behavioral finance, which he describes as “the intersection between psychology and finance.” Specifically, he analyzes how people’s psychological biases impact their financial decisions and their actions in the stock market.

The educational journey of associate teaching professor of entrepreneurship Taylor Halverson extends from BYU to Yale then on to Indiana University. Halverson earned a BA in ancient near eastern studies from BYU and an MA of religion with an emphasis in biblical studies from Yale University. He also earned an MS and PhD in instructional systems technology and a PhD in religious studies with an emphasis in Judaism and Christianity in antiquity from Indiana University. Since earning those degrees, Halverson has worked in a variety of roles including as an instructional designer at Cisco in San Jose, California, and a faculty professional developer for the Center for Teaching and Learning at BYU. He has also published several books on scripture and the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Halverson is excited to share the knowledge that he’s gained with his students. “You have to love what you do and you have to love those who you serve. If you do, you’ll have a fruitful and happy life,” he says. “I love seeing my students grow, discover, and achieve.”

Spencer Hilton, an associate teaching professor of information systems, didn’t follow a traditional journey to his career in academia. Hilton worked as a software developer throughout his undergraduate years and wanted to learn more about business with the hopes of starting his own technology company. Hilton earned a BA in communications with an emphasis in public relations in 2004 and an MBA in 2007, both from Weber State University (WSU). While Hilton was studying for his MBA, WSU’s computer science department asked him to teach some classes. When an opportunity to join the faculty full-time arose three years later, he did not hesitate.  Hilton went back to school, graduating with an AAS and BS in computer science from WSU in 2011. Hilton would teach full-time at his alma mater for more than twelve years, eventually serving as the computer science program coordinator and department chair. He is excited to now share his knowledge with BYU Marriott students. “I have loved both BYU and business for as long as I can remember. To be part of the BYU Marriott School of Business is in many ways a dream come true for me,” he says.

As an assistant teaching professor of information systems, Katy Reese (Vance) hopes to teach her BYU Marriott students the practical skills that they will need to thrive in the information systems industry. “I hope students learn applicable skills they can immediately use to provide value to the companies and organizations they work for,” she says. “More importantly, I hope they learn how to learn and recognize that they can learn technical concepts no matter their background.” Reese graduated from BYU Marriott in 2019 with BS and MISM degrees in information systems. Prior to returning to BYU Marriott, she worked at Exxon Mobil in Houston as a cloud identity engineer. Reese is excited to work in an environment that teaches the principles of ethical business along with the principles of the gospel. “I’m excited to teach and work at a university that embraces learning and faith,” she says. “I’m inspired by the students and faculty at BYU Marriott and am excited to join them.”

Ryan Schuetzler, an assistant professor of information systems, comes to BYU Marriott from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where he worked as an assistant professor for five years. He earned his MISM from BYU Marriott in 2010 and completed his PhD in management information systems at the University of Arizona in 2015. Schuetzler’s research focuses on how people interact with systems that use natural language such as voice assistants Alexa and Siri. He evaluates how people can use this technology to gather information and conduct interviews. Because technologies such as these always change and improve, Schuetzler hopes to teach his students principles of lifelong learning so they can continue to find new insights throughout their careers. “I want students to keep and cultivate a love for technology and, more importantly, a love for learning,” he says. “Because technology is constantly evolving, some of the things I talk about in class will be outdated by the time the semester ends. I try to help my students learn about technology and also learn how to teach themselves.”

Before arriving at BYU Marriott this fall to teach as a professor of finance, Tyler Shumway taught at the University of Michigan for twenty-five years. He also spent a sabbatical year teaching at Stanford University. Shumway received a BA degree in economics from BYU in 1991 and a PhD in business from the University of Chicago in 1996.  Shumway’s research covers a number of topics including behavioral finance, particularly how people behave with their investment decisions. Shumway hopes to pass his knowledge on to students to help them be successful in their careers and in handling their own finances. “I hope that my students learn the fundamentals of finance so they can thrive in their careers and lives,” he says. “I also hope they learn how to enrich their intellectual and spiritual lives at the same time.”

The BYU Marriott School of Business prepares men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Named for benefactors J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott, the school is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. BYU Marriott has four graduate and ten undergraduate programs with an enrollment of approximately 3,300 students.