Nicole Forsgren Velasquez
Assistant professor of accounting, Seaver College
As an undergraduate student at Utah State University, Nicole Velasquez relished the chance to work side by side with faculty mentors on research projects. "The experience afforded me a chance to travel to present our work at a conference," she recalls. "I hope to pass on the excitement and opportunities of research with some of Pepperdine's strong and vibrant business students."
Velasquez went on to get her master's degree in accounting and her PhD in management information systems from the University of Arizona in Tucson. In addition, she was a Visiting Professor at Boise State University and conducted research with IBM T.J. Watson Research Labs. Outside of academia, Velasquez has over seven years experience in large and small organizations across several industries.
Velasquez has been published a variety of publications, including the IBM Journal of Research and Development, Issues in Information Systems, and The Review of Business Information Systems.
We ask: What advice would you give to a person starting out at college?
I would tell them to take charge of their education. These years are an opportunity to discover and then pursue your interests. Don't be afraid to talk to your professors or advisors about electives, independent study courses, internships or special projects that allow you to customize your university experience and learn more about the things that excite you.
