A new academic year brings new ideas, new perspectives and new voices to the Lacy School of Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year, we’re excited to welcome three new faculty members to the Lacy community:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While each brings a unique background and area of expertise to LSB, they share a common goal: helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to the world beyond it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We asked each of our newest faculty members to tell us a little more about their journey to Butler, what they’re excited to explore with students, what’s happening in their fields, and the advice they hope students take with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Get to know the newest members of the Lacy School of Business.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For Dr. Yunsik Choi, the path to the Lacy School of Business has been shaped by a curiosity about what happens behind the scenes of business. After growing up in South Korea and working for a company that manufactured products for global brands including Nike and The North Face, Dr. Choi developed an interest in the complex systems that move products from an idea to a customer\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After earning his Ph.D. in Supply Chain and Operations Management from Clemson University and spending eight years teaching at Meredith College in North Carolina, Dr. Choi was drawn to Lacy\u2019s strong connections between classroom learning and real-world business. He was also excited by the opportunity to help shape Butler\u2019s growing Supply Chain Management program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now, he\u2019s bringing his industry experience, research and passion for teaching to the classroom\u2014and encouraging students to stay curious, ask questions and look beyond the surface of a problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I first heard about Butler from a close faculty friend, who praised its strong reputation in Indiana and the high regard in which employers hold Butler graduates. That gave me a great first impression, but my campus visit truly drew me to Butler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n During my visit to the Lacy School of Business, I was impressed by the engagement of students and faculty and the strong relationships they seemed to share. I was especially excited to learn about the Real Business Experience, which allows students to apply what they learn in the classroom to real business situations. I could also tell that the faculty genuinely care about their students and work hard to help them succeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another major factor was Butler\u2019s growing Supply Chain Management program. Because the program is still relatively new, I was excited to help shape its future. I was especially impressed by the passion and energy of the three faculty members already building the program, and I wanted to join that team and contribute to the culture they were creating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And I have to admit, there was one more small bonus: Indiana has an NFL team! As a huge football fan, I found having the Indianapolis Colts nearby certainly didn\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I grew up in South Korea and completed my education there before moving to the United States to pursue a Ph.D. in Supply Chain and Operations Management at Clemson University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before entering academia, I worked for a company in Korea that manufactured products for global brands such as Nike and The North Face. That experience sparked my interest in supply chain management. I became fascinated by what happens behind the scenes\u2014how a product moves from an idea to production and ultimately into a customer\u2019s hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After earning my Ph.D. from Clemson, I spent eight years teaching at Meredith College in North Carolina. Over those years, I found that I enjoy helping students connect what they learn in the classroom to how businesses operate. That combination of industry experience, research, and teaching eventually led me to Lacy, where I\u2019m excited to continue teaching supply chain management and analytics and to help students prepare for real-world business challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What excites me most is getting to know my students\u2014not just how they perform in class, but also what they are interested in, what they struggle with, how they learn best, and what they hope to do in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I enjoy watching students grow through the learning process. Sometimes a class or a new concept feels difficult at first, but it is incredibly rewarding to see students persist, gain confidence, and eventually realize they can do more than they thought. I hope what they learn in my classes helps them move closer to the careers and goals they care about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most rewarding moments for me is hearing from former students after graduation. When they tell me, \u201cI\u2019m actually using what I learned in your class at work,\u201d it means a great deal to me. It reminds me that what happens in the classroom can have an impact long after the semester ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I also hope students can learn from my background and perspective. Having grown up in Korea and built my career in the United States, I enjoy sharing diverse cultural perspectives with students. I hope that through our interactions, students become more curious about other cultures and learn to approach differences with openness, kindness, and respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the most important things business students should pay attention to is how AI is reshaping supply chain management. As in many other fields, supply chain management is increasingly using AI to identify problems, improve productivity, make better decisions, and ultimately enhance customer satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The pandemic also reminded us how important\u2014and how complex\u2014supply chains are. A product shortage, delivery delay, or quality problem is rarely caused by a single issue. Supply chains involve many interconnected companies, people, processes, and decisions, so fixing one part does not necessarily solve the whole problem. I think one of the most exciting questions right now is how AI can help us better understand those connections and make smarter decisions across the entire supply chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the same time, I think there is a misconception that AI will make the human side of supply chain management less important. In reality, supply chains are still managed by people. Communication, teamwork, negotiation, and conflict resolution are just as important as technical and analytical skills. Students who can combine AI and data skills with strong interpersonal skills will be especially valuable in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One piece of advice I give students again and again is to keep asking questions. We sometimes focus too quickly on the problem we see on the surface, but that is not always the real problem we need to solve. By continuing to ask \u201cwhy,\u201d looking at the issue from different perspectives, and challenging our first assumptions, we can often uncover what is really happening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I tell students that finding the right problem is often just as important as finding the right solution. Good questions lead to better decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When I\u2019m not teaching, I enjoy spending time with my family, working out, reading, and, of course, watching football. Football is a big part of my weekends, especially in the fall, so you can usually find me watching a game whenever I get the chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n More than anything, though, I value time with my family. Whether we\u2019re exploring somewhere new, spending time outdoors, or just relaxing at home, that\u2019s how I recharge outside of work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Assistant Professor of Business Technology & Analytics<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Hongki Kim was drawn to Butler by an opportunity to bring together two things he values deeply: teaching and research. After growing up in South Korea and earning his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia, Kim spent several years as an assistant professor at Clemson University before joining the Lacy School of Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As an assistant professor of Business Technology & Analytics, Dr. Kim is particularly interested in the intersection of emerging technology and business. In the classroom, he hopes to help students understand not only how technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning work, but when, why and how they can be used effectively and responsibly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was looking for a place where I could find a meaningful balance between teaching and research, and Butler really stood out to me in that regard. I was especially drawn to the Lacy School of Business because of its strong focus on students and its emphasis on connecting what we teach in the classroom with real-world business practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I was born and raised in South Korea, where I completed my undergraduate and master\u2019s education. I then moved to Canada to pursue my Ph.D. at the University of British Columbia. After completing my doctorate, I joined Clemson University as an Assistant Professor, where I spent several years teaching and conducting research before coming to Butler and the Lacy School of Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m especially excited to explore how emerging technologies can be applied to business problems. My teaching interests include information technology and business analytics, particularly the use of newer technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence. I want students not only to learn how these technologies work, but also to understand when, why, and how to use them effectively in business settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how people work and how organizations make decisions. I think business students should pay close attention not just to what AI can do, but to how it can be used effectively and responsibly in the workplace. Knowing how to work with AI, evaluate its output, and incorporate it into decision-making will become increasingly important regardless of a student\u2019s specific career path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Faculty are here to help you, not just to evaluate or test you. If you are struggling with something, have a question, or simply want to talk through an idea, please reach out. I always encourage students to ask for help early rather than waiting until a small problem becomes a bigger one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I actually enjoy doing research even when I\u2019m not teaching, especially when I have time to explore new ideas without a deadline. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, and exercising. I also like trying new foods and exploring new places with my family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visiting Lecturer in Business Law<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For Ken Turchi, returning to Butler is a bit of a homecoming. After first teaching at the University in the 1990s, Turchi went on to build a wide-ranging career spanning law, banking, commercial real estate, and higher education. Now, he\u2019s bringing that experience back to the Lacy School of Business as a visiting lecturer in Business Law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Turchi is especially interested in helping students understand the many ways law shapes the business world\u2014and how they can use that understanding to navigate their careers with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I taught here in the 1990s and was impressed by the quality and collegiality of the students and faculty. Things have only improved and grown since then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I have had careers in law, banking, commercial real estate, and law school communications and development. I inquired about teaching opportunities when I retired from George Mason Scalia Law School this summer, and it turned out that a visiting lecturer position was available for this academic year. I am excited to rejoin the Butler community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The intersection of law and business\u2014the law affects business in more ways than ever, and I hope I can help students identify those relationships through an understanding of the law, informed by my experiences over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The changing role of people in the business world due to AI. More than ever, successful businesspeople will have to bring a value-add through human capital.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting right now, put yourself out there! I have been fortunate to have a wide-ranging career, and every job I have had has been due to personal contacts. My appointment this year is in part due to Prof. Lewinski, whom I’ve known since college!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel, study piano, research and write about Indiana history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A new academic year brings new ideas, new perspectives and new voices to the Lacy School of Business. This year, we’re excited to welcome three new faculty members to the Lacy community: While each brings a unique background and area of expertise to LSB, they share a common goal: helping students connect what they learn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2812,"featured_media":1095,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"coauthors":[38],"class_list":["post-1092","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-faculty-insights"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1092","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2812"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1092"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1092\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1096,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1092\/revisions\/1096"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1095"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1092"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1092"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1092"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.butler.edu\/lacybusiness\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1092"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Meet Dr. Yunsik Choi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What drew you to Butler and the Lacy School of Business?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tell us a little about your background and the path that led you to Lacy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are you most excited to teach or explore with students?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s something happening in your field right now that you think business students should be paying attention to?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s one piece of advice you find yourself giving students again and again?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What do you like to do when you\u2019re not teaching?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meet Dr. Hongki Kim<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What drew you to Butler and the Lacy School of Business?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tell us a little about your background and the path that led you to Lacy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are you most excited to teach or explore with students?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s something happening in your field right now that you think business students should be paying attention to?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s one piece of advice you find yourself giving students again and again?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What do you like to do when you\u2019re not teaching?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Meet Ken Turchi<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What drew you to Butler and the Lacy School of Business?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tell us a little about your background and the path that led you to Lacy.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What are you most excited to teach or explore with students?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s something happening in your field right now that you think business students should be paying attention to?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What\u2019s one piece of advice you find yourself giving students again and again?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What do you like to do when you\u2019re not teaching?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n