“I never aspired to be a teacher, but I absolutely love what I do” says Barbara Coleman, associate dean in the Hull College of Business. Dr. Coleman says her dreams were initially set on Broadway. However, when the call of the stage became a faint whisper, she turned her attention to other prospects.
“It was during my time as manager of the Augusta Opera that I discovered I had a flare for business,” says Dr. Coleman. “This position not only allowed me to use marketing, but I was able to combine some of the different courses I liked, such as fine arts and psychology.”
The Detroit native’s charismatic personality transcends the stage and into the classroom in such a way that it encourages her students to excel. She says students can achieve academic success when their instructors “show them that they are sincere.”
When she is not teaching, Dr. Coleman is occupied with her administrative duties, which include advising students and promoting the business program within the community. She also works with the dean and other professors to incorporate forward-thinking programs within the college. Since becoming an administrator, Dr. Coleman doesn’t teach as many courses as she formerly did, but she still teaches a Marketing Research course.
Dr. Coleman has spent about 20 years conducting research that involves examining the lifestyle interests of both traditional and non-traditional college students. The study investigates a wide range of topics that include the use of credit cards and social media outlets as well as their religious and political involvement. Although the majority of her research analyzes the behavior of ASU students, she hopes to one day be able to expand her research to other college campuses.
When she is not working, Dr. Coleman enjoys spending time with her husband, Paul Brewer; her three children, Trey, Betsy, and Andrew; and her two-year-old grandson, Cole.
Dr. Coleman received her bachelor’s degree from Oakland University, her master’s degree from Augusta College, and her doctorate from the University of Georgia.
Name: Barbara Coleman
Pets: One cat named Coco
Course: Marketing Research
May 31, 2010
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