The Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) School of Business hosted its inaugural Advances in Business Education (ABE) Conference on May 16, bringing together faculty, researchers and students from 11 universities for a day focused on innovation and collaboration in business education.
The ABE Conference was developed following the School of Business’s Summer 2024 strategic planning retreat, where leaders identified a need to create more opportunities for faculty to share research and foster regional collaboration. The result was a high-energy day featuring 34 presentations across three tracks: Business Research, Pedagogy and Teaching Excellence, and Student Research.
Dr. Laura Morrow, senior director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at Lipscomb University, served as the event’s keynote speaker. Morrow presented “Beyond the Classroom: Cultivating Complex Problem-Solvers in Business Education,” addressing how educators can redesign traditional learning environments to better equip students for complex, real-world challenges. She offered practical strategies to enhance critical thinking, collaboration and the application of theory while maintaining academic rigor.
Awards were presented for outstanding contributions in each track:
Business Research: Dr. Christi Sayles, “Assessing the Impact of Internal Revenue Code Amendments on IRS-Estimated Tax Return Preparation Time: A Quantitative Analysis of Compliance Burden”
Pedagogy and Teaching Excellence: Dr. Jake Simms, “Leveraging AI for Instructional Design: Strategies for Engaging Students”
Student Research: Ms. Jenae Mattike, “The Technology Organizational Environment (TOE) Model’s Evolution and Application to Small Businesses”
“The ABE Conference is a reflection of our deep commitment to supporting and developing faculty,” said Dr. Kelsey Metz, dean of the School of Business. “The level of engagement we saw from participants confirms that there is strong demand for meaningful collaboration and professional growth in our field. It wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible team I have the privilege of working with every day.”
The event was made possible through the generous support of sponsors, including Mr. Mike Dean, a 1978 LMU graduate, as well as Pearson, Bodyswaps and Cengage.
Through initiatives like the ABE Conference, the LMU School of Business aims to foster a collaborative academic environment that enhances the quality of business education, particularly in communities where access to higher education plays a vital role in regional development.
Plans are underway to make the ABE Conference an annual tradition, further expanding its reach and impact in the years to come.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
