Walton Ph.D.

Undergraduate Major: Psychology; Minor: Public Health, University of South Florida
Hometown: St. Petersburg, Florida

“I chose Walton College because of the quality of the faculty and the research they engage in; the atmosphere is like no other,” exclaims Emilija, a Management Ph.D. candidate. A typical day for Emilija is pretty busy. “The activities I engage in are research-oriented much of the time, and include activities such as reading research articles, working on research projects, generating ideas for new research, and meeting with the faculty and other graduate students to discuss research projects as well as new ideas.” In addition to her research, “a typical day also includes attending seminars and reading for those seminars, along with teaching an undergraduate course and preparing for it.”

Research is a vital part of Emilija’s roadmap for her degree. “I am currently involved in a number of new research projects and concluding an older one,” says Emilija. “Much of my previous research has focused on leadership (Implicit Leadership Theory) and I am in the progress of finalizing the manuscript for the study and submitting it to a journal with my former advisor.” Leadership is one of Emilija’s favorite areas of study and she plans on beginning another study on leadership and narcissism in the near future. “I am currently working on a pay and performance laboratory study with two faculty members and another graduate student. In addition to that, I am beginning some work on Core Self Evaluations with my advisor,” comments Emilija. This research would not be possible without involvement from Emilija’s faculty. “The support that I (and all the other doctoral students) have received from the management faculty and the department is invaluable.” Emilija continues, “The faculty is always available for their graduate students.” If Emilija needs guidance with research, teaching, or anything else, she knows she “always has someone to go to for advice.” “In addition to the support from the faculty, other graduate students are also always there to discuss whatever may be pertinent.”

Even with the great research opportunities and resources Emilija has at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, she was still surprised by a few things when she first arrived in Fayetteville. “I was most surprised by how well everyone works together at Walton College.” Emilija explains, “Our faculty collaborates on research projects very successfully, and inspires the graduate students to do so as well.” She continues, “We (the Ph.D. students) view one another as friends and colleagues who work together and help each other; there is no competition between us.”