Passionate Teachers, Researchers & Professionals
Across every department, Opus College of Business faculty blend theory, practice and mentorship to develop principled business leaders.
Our award-winning faculty have extensive business experience and are engaged in research and consulting, which they use to enrich the classroom experience. In addition to teaching, our faculty continue to advance in their fields with articles, books, academic presentations, business cases and professional projects. As a student at the St. Thomas Opus College of Business, you will experience engaged, passionate teachers who are excited to share their expertise and help you meet your academic goals.
The faculty members at St. Thomas are dedicated practitioner-scholars. They strike a balance between theory and practice through teaching, research and consulting work. With their active research and frequent publications, St. Thomas business faculty are advancing our understanding of management, business ethics, finance, marketing and more. As a student here, you'll learn from experts who are at the top of their game, both as teachers and scholars.
In our high-touch, personalized learning environment, the entire St. Thomas community is invested in the success of every student. We use an applied learning model, which means faculty gives students hands-on experience and real-world examples of classroom concepts. We use simulations, case studies, service learning projects and other experiential learning tools. When you learn by doing, you're better prepared to hit the ground running at work.
Explore the academic departments that shape teaching and research at the Opus College of Business.
A renowned entrepreneurial thought leader, Laura Dunham's focus on principled leadership has defined her career. Prior to her dean appointment, she served as the associate dean of the Schulze School of Entrepreneurship, capturing national attention as the school rose to become a top 25 undergraduate entrepreneurship program In the country.
Peter Young is responsible for global business education initiatives at St. Thomas, in addition to overseeing the MBA courses and non-degree programs in risk management.
In this position, Dr. Kumar is focused on providing research leadership and a strong commitment to teaching and service. He is also active on 10 academic journal editorial boards.
David Deeds' current research interests include new venture growth and adaptation, technological discontinuities and technology commercialization. Before becoming an academic, Deeds was co-founder and president of LightSpeed Corporation.
St. Thomas Opus College of Business faculty have many exciting research projects underway. We support our faculty's research with facilities and a variety of resources. Learn about our Principled Leadership research, "Managing Up" study, the Behavioral Research Center and more.
Our research centers and institutes create a conduit between the Opus College of Business and the community. They inform policy, provide resources to students and the public, and impact the way Minnesota does business.
John Spry, a finance professor at the University of St. Thomas, spoke with KSTP about St. Paul Park’s proposed 1.8% tax levy increase, one of the lowest proposed increases in the Twin Cities metro. Spry explained how slower spending growth can help cities limit levy increases and how residents’ perceptions of local government services can… The post In the News: John Spry on St. Paul Park’s Proposed Tax Levy appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
About a year into the Executive MBA program at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, Claire Groh ’26 MBA took on one of the biggest responsibilities of her career. Her employer, Medica, a nonprofit health plan headquartered in Minnesota, was undertaking a significant enterprise-wide strategic and transformation initiative. Groh, a senior director… The post How an Executive MBA Prepared Claire Groh to Lead Organizational Change appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Muer Yang, a professor of operations and supply chain management at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business, spoke with Twin Cities Business about KKR’s acquisition of medical device manufacturer Integer Holdings. Yang discussed how private equity ownership could accelerate acquisitions and consolidation in the medical device supply chain, potentially affecting competition and prices. From… The post In the News: Muer Yang on Private Equity’s Medical Device Push appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.
Standing inside a Uniqlo store in Tokyo, Melissa Rose '27 MBA watched shoppers place baskets of clothing into a self-checkout station. Without scanning a single barcode, every item was instantly identified and totaled in seconds. "What struck me wasn't just the technology itself, but how thoughtfully it was designed around the user experience," said Rose,… The post What Seoul and Tokyo Taught MBA Students About Digital Transformation appeared first on Newsroom | University of St. Thomas.