Announcing the Haile Research Fellows and Lab Program: Applications are Open!
From Pilot to Full-Scale
After a successful pilot year, I'm thrilled to announce the Haile Research Fellows and Lab Program expansion for the 2025-2026 academic year. What began as an innovative initiative to bridge the gap between academic research and business practice has become a cornerstone program and community within the Haile College of Business.
Why We Created This Program
My vision behind the Haile Research Lab was simple but powerful: create a space where students, faculty, Staff, and community members could come together to explore current business trends through the lens of academic research. In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to analyze data, identify patterns, and draw meaningful conclusions isn't just an academic exercise—it's a critical professional skill.
Our pilot program demonstrated that when students engage in meaningful research under faculty mentorship, they develop deeper analytical skills and gain insights into business challenges that classroom instruction alone cannot provide. I am grateful to our 24-25 speakers and students participating in the program.
What's New for 2025-2026
For the upcoming academic year, we're scaling the program significantly:
Expanded Faculty Leadership: We're bringing on board six dedicated research mentors from diverse business disciplines
Increased Student Opportunities: 20 students will be selected as Haile Research Fellows
Structured Program Components:
Weekly research seminars
Practical skills workshops
Visiting scholar series
Small group mentorship
Direct connections with local business’s research needs
How Students Benefit
As a Haile Research Fellow, students will:
Work closely with faculty mentors on substantive research projects
Develop advanced research skills applicable to both academic and professional settings
Produce tangible research outputs each semester
Build connections with established researchers and local business leaders
Earn academic credit through discipline-specific X92 courses
Who Should Apply
We're looking for motivated students who:
Demonstrate strong academic potential
Show genuine interest in business research
Commit to producing quality research outputs
Want to deepen their understanding of contemporary business challenges
Want to be part of a community that encourages curiosity and research
Application Timeline
April 2025: Nomination and application process opens
Faculty Nominations: Students will list a faculty name that can serve as a reference
Application Form: https://nku.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_77zweo9DprjqGcC
Final Selection: Cohort finalized by end of April 2025
Meet Our Research Mentors for Next Year
This work wouldn’t happen without the support of mentors invested in developing this community.
Jose Saavedra Torres- Sales and Marketing
Jing Liu- Management
Cris Biazzin- Supply Chain
Janet Harrah- Regional Economic Development
Sami Al Farhan- Economics
While these researchers will be official mentors, the program isn’t possible without all the other faculty that invest their time and expertise as part of our community.
A Personal Note
I have been working on a version of this program for the past eight years. Through its iterations, I have worked with amazing students. I've witnessed firsthand how research collaboration transforms students' academic experiences. What makes this program unique is its emphasis on bringing together three key stakeholders—students seeking deep learning experiences, faculty sharing their expertise, and community partners providing real-world context.
The magic happens when these three worlds intersect, creating learning opportunities beyond traditional education models. Thanks to Fawwaaz Abdulazeez, Princess Nworah, and Emma Rademacher who helped me design and pilot the 24-25 version of the HRL.
I invite you to join us in this exciting journey, whether as a student applicant, a faculty mentor, or a business partner. Together, we're building a vibrant research community that enhances the Haile College of Business's reputation while preparing our students for success in an increasingly complex business environment.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me for more information or to discuss potential collaborations or visits to NKU. We are building our 25-26 visiting scholar series and hope you can join us!
#ProfLife Haile Research Lab Video
