Faculty Leader

Faculty Leader: Dr. Ann Kuzma

Dr. Ann Kuzma, department chair and professor of marketing and international business thought she might go into advertising after college. Her older brother owned an advertising agency, so it felt like a natural next step. Then the chair of her undergraduate marketing department suggested graduate school. The rest is history.

Kuzma, who grew up in northeastern Ohio, has been with the College of Business since 1989. She’s honed her skills as a teacher while staying relevant with the ever-changing marketing landscape.

“My approach has evolved over the years,” she says. “Although it would appear that my primary objective as a college educator is to provide students with information related to the subject matter, my main obligation is to help students to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills as they are learning the subject matter. I attempt to develop courses that are challenging, yet fair and at all times relevant to the students’ needs.”

We asked Kuzma for a look into her life in and out of the classroom.

How do you embrace the Maverick spirit?

I embrace the Maverick spirit by being open to ideas, and new ways of doing things.

My favorite teacher growing up was:

Sister Mary Anne (8th grade)

If I wasn’t a professor I would be:

A lawyer.

In the summer I like to:

Spend more time with my family. I run year-round, but I can do more distance running in the summer. I also like to bike.

My favorite spot on campus is:

The fitness trail.

I laughed out loud in class when:

I have a pretty good sense of humor. I laugh a lot—frequently at myself.

Open my fridge and you’ll always find:

Milk.

I love being a Maverick because: I

feel that I’m making a difference.

A SALES PROFESSOR'S LEGACY

Kuzma and her late husband, John, accepted teaching positions in the College of Business’ marketing department the same year. John had a background in sales and was instrumental in establishing a sales focus within the College that included the Center for Sales Excellence, and the installation of a chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon, National Professional Fraternity in Marketing, Sales Management and Selling. John Kuzma passed away in 2017, but the groundwork he laid has made way for the soon to be established certificate in Professional Selling, as well as a course in Advanced Selling and a Sales Internship.