College of Business Administration (CBA)

Dr. William Ross is a Professor of Management at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He has published over 50 articles, being cited over 2400 times (based on Google Scholar). His research interests involve third-party dispute resolution procedures (e.g, mediation and arbitration) and the application of information technology to human resource issues (such as using social networking for personnel selection).  His articles appear in scholarly journals, including Academy of Management Review, the International Journal of Conflict Management, the Journal of the Association for Information Systems, Negotiation Journal, and Journal of Applied Psychology.  He has also authored four book chapters.     

He has served as an ad hoc reviewer for numerous journals.  He has also served on the editorial boards of the International Journal of Conflict Management, Negotiation & Conflict Management Research, and the International Journal of Organization Theory & Behavior.   

Dr. Ross teaches classes in Negotiation, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Labor-Management Relations.  He has authored 20 teaching-oriented exercises and case studies.  He is a co-author of The Labor Relations Process, a textbook widely used in Labor-Management Relations courses.   

Raised in Mississippi and Alabama, Dr. Ross earned his bachelor’s at Auburn University; he earned his Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  He came to UWL in 1984 and was promoted to Professor in 1993.  From 2013-2019, he served as Department of Management Chairperson. He dedicates this award to his co-authors – and to his wife and family. 

Nilakshi Borah, an Associate Professor of Finance at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL), has dedicated ten years to shaping the minds of future finance professionals. With a sincere passion for teaching, she fosters meaningful connections with her students, thriving on intellectual exchange and growth within her classroom. 

Borah’s teaching philosophy revolves around engaging students with diverse and thought-provoking finance topics, encouraging practical application of knowledge to real-world scenarios. She finds fulfillment in witnessing her students’ curiosity and enthusiasm as they delve into complex financial concepts and challenges. By creating strong, inclusive, and supportive relationships, Borah stimulates students’ interest, fostering a positive learning environment where critical thinking, learning from mistakes, and personal growth are encouraged. 

At UWL, Borah’s teaching portfolio includes undergraduate courses such as Financial Modeling, Multinational Financial Management, Principles of Financial Management, and Problem and Cases in Finance. Continuously seeking to enhance her pedagogical approach, she incorporates innovative teaching methods and stays informed about the latest developments in finance education. Driven by a commitment to academic excellence and student success, Borah provides practical insights and mentorship during student internships, empowering them to navigate the complexities of finance. 

Beyond the classroom, Borah actively engages in collaborative initiatives and interdisciplinary teaching. Her impact extends beyond traditional undergraduate courses to graduate-level instruction in the UW consortium MBA program and UWL MBA program. 

Before joining UWL in 2014, Nilakshi Borah served as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Finance at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. During her tenure there, she honed her teaching skills and expanded her expertise across various finance domains. Her academic journey commenced with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in India, followed by an MBA from New Mexico State University and a doctorate degree from Louisiana Tech University. 

Dr. Maggie McDermott is a dedicated educator and leader at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, committed to fostering innovative and engaging learning experiences that benefit students both the local and global community. Since joining UWL’s Marketing Department in 2008, her work has centered around creating student-focused learning environments that enhance both her teaching and research.
Dr. McDermott has played a pivotal role in several high-impact initiatives, including the Kwik Trip Integrated Core Program and study abroad opportunities in Bratislava, Slovakia, and Ireland. Her research focuses on pedagogy as sustainability, showcasing her dedication to improving educational practices and promoting social responsibility.
Actively involved in campus and community service, Dr. McDermott has chaired the Marketing Department since 2020 and serves as a faculty senator on the Senate Executive and Nominating Committees. She has also contributed as a mentor in the Eagle Apprentice program and has served on various committees, including the University Curriculum Committee and the CBA Curriculum Committee. Her leadership has been instrumental in developing UWL's Sustainable Business Minor.
Beyond UWL, Dr. McDermott is deeply engaged in community service. She serves on the Women's Fund Impact and Marketing Committee, is a board member of the Sustainability Institute, teaches Junior Achievement, and has served on the local school board.

Dr. Nicole Gullekson is a passionate educator, active researcher, and a dedicated UWL colleague who works to provide innovative and engaging learning experiences that serve the local and global community. Since joining the Management Department at UWL in 2010, Dr. Gullekson has been involved in starting several high impact programs at UWL, including the Kwik Trip Integrated Core Program and the Global Consulting Program, a short-term study abroad program in Bratislava, Slovakia, both which have engaged students for more than 10 years now. Student-centered service-learning experiences are central to both her teaching and research and Dr. Gullekson loves staying connected to alumni and community colleagues to bridge the gap between academics and current business needs. 

In a similar vein, Dr. Gullekson's research aims to support our local and global communities through better understanding how to develop business students' (and employees') leadership competencies and also through identifying policies and practices to support employee and organizational success. Some of Dr. Gullekson's recent publications have explored topics such as the impact of COVID on employees with disabilities, using corporate-sponsored volunteering to increase employee engagement, and various methods of enhancing student leadership development, mastery of knowledge and cultural intelligence. 

Since she started at UWL, Dr. Gullekson has also contributed heavily to the campus community, providing her professional expertise to service and working tirelessly to support positive changes to the organization and the employees that are crucial to UWL's success. For example, Dr. Gullekson's leadership in the UWL Caregiving Taskforce and Work-Life Issues Taskforce during COVID contributed to the development of several employee-centric policies/practices. Dr. Gullekson also chaired the Department of Management for 5 years, was the Director of the International Business major/minor for 4 years, and served/chaired several other university committees. Dr. Gullekson also enjoys serving the broader La Crosse community through her participation in non-profit boards and groups. 

Mary is a dedicated member of the College of Business Administration and UWL community. With a background as an Academic Department Associate (ADA) in multiple departments before becoming the executive assistant in the dean's office, Mary has demonstrated her reliability and wealth of institutional knowledge. She has been a valuable resource for department chairs and ADAs, always ready to provide guidance and support. Mary's involvement in university committees and advocacy for staff highlights her commitment to the university's success.

In addition to her administrative duties, Mary has played a key role in driving innovation and efficiency within the College of Business Administration. Her efforts in transitioning to a digital environment and developing processes for room scheduling have been instrumental in improving operations. Mary's leadership and mentorship extend to training new ADAs, hosting informative sessions, and coordinating professional development opportunities for university staff. Mary's dedication to student support and engagement is evident in her mentorship of student workers.

She maintains her professional development through memberships in organizations like the International Association of Administrative Professionals and attending conferences.