Dr. Rhonda Syler, associate professor of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics, was recently selected as a Digital Statecraft Academy (DSA) Cambridge Fellow.

The highly competitive DSA Cambridge Fellowship brings together a global cohort of scholars, policymakers and practitioners focused on the governance of artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and digital statecraft. As a Fellow, Dr. Syler will engage in advanced study and collaboration at the University of Cambridge, contributing research and thought leadership on responsible AI, digital infrastructure and public-interest technology.

This recognition reflects Dr. Syler’s ongoing work at the intersection of technology, policy and societal impact, and highlights the College of Business’s commitment to engaged scholarship and global leadership especially in the domain of artificial intelligence.

Dr. Jason Fink, professor of Finance and Business Law and the Wallace/Chandler eminent professor was recently invited to serve on the Journal of Financial Planning’s Editorial Advisory Board. Dr. Fink was first published in the journal in 2016 and, alongside his wife Kristin, has since had three more articles published. 

Dr. Fink was already a member of the journal’s peer review team, where he reviewed submitted articles anonymously. In his new role, he will review the publication regularly and advise the editor on the direction of the journal with the goal of expanding the knowledge base and productivity of financial planning practitioners.

Senior Lecturer in the Department of Finance and Business Law, and advisor to JMU’s Financial Management Association chapter, Ron Rubin helped earn the FMA Superior Chapter Award for the 2024-2025 academic year, thanks to his outstanding guidance and dedication. This high honor is awarded to less than ten percent of FMA chapters. To receive the award, the chapter had to meet several specific criteria, including demonstrating exemplary chapter management and excelling in member programming.

This is the sixth time within the past 7 years that JMU’s chapter has received this distinction, earning the additional honor of being named an Ambassador Chapter. Only 6 out of 175 chapters hold this title, which recognizes them as resources for new chapters to emulate for success.

JMU’s FMA chapter is recognized worldwide for this honor on FMA International’s website and in FMA International’s publications.

Sergiy Dmytriyev, associate professor in the Department of Management, has been appointed as the section editor for Strategy and Business Ethics at the Journal of Business Ethics (JBE), effective August 2025. He previously served as Research Integrity Editor where he reviewed submissions for research policy violations.

JBE is a top-tier academic journal and is included in the FT-50 list, which is used for the Financial Times Business School ranking. This appointment is a testament to Sergiy’s contributions and expertise in the field.

In November 2024, Amy Connolly, associate professor of Computer Information Systems, was promoted to an Associate Editor for the Journal of IS Education (JISE). For the past 5 years, JISE’s acceptance rate has consistently been in the teens and the publication is considered a premier journal for publishing IS pedagogical research, teaching cases and teaching tips to improve IS education and curricula. It also operates as a Diamond Open Access journal.

This past July, Amy was invited to serve as an Associate Editor for Communications of the Association for Information Systems (CAIS). She joined their education department, which “provides a forum for studies that focus on a broad range of pedagogical issues at all levels of education and enables the advancement and sharing of innovative teaching models, technologies and approaches in the IS curriculum and instruction.”

Associate Professor and R. Jarl Bliss Faculty Fellow in the Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics, Rhonda Syler, was elected Chair of the Commission on Information Technology for the City of Alexandria. Rhonda has served the Commission for multiple years and is honored to step into a leadership role. 

Positioned just outside of D.C., Alexandria is a hub for state and national conversations around technology, infrastructure and innovation. The Commission advises city leadership on critical initiatives, and this year’s focus includes open data, AI readiness and digital equity. As Chair, Rhonda will offer valuable insights into workforce trends and technology policy, enriching both her research and teaching as she continues to prepare students for emerging opportunities.

Irana Scott, Associate Professor of Accounting, is the co-recipient of the 2025 Star Duke Purple Star Award. 

The Star Duke award recognizes individuals, or groups, who go above and beyond what is expected, and foster the university’s mission with consistent excellence and innovation. Irana and her co-recipient, Veronica Han of the Department of World Languages and Cultures, were nominated for their exemplary work with the VITA program, JMU’s free tax preparation service which served over 500 individuals this past spring. 

“The program has grown significantly since it began in 2017,” Irana said. She has been involved since the beginning and took on the role of director in 2022.

Assistant Professor of Marketing, Ali Anwar, was elected to the American Marketing Association's (AMA) Sales Special Interest Group (SIG) leadership team as their Vice Chair, Communication & Membership. His two year term will begin on May 1, 2025.

AMA Sales SIG is the flagship organization in the professional selling discipline and provides members with programs designed to enhance selling and sales management scholarship, teaching and practice in an inclusive and collegial environment. Ali will continue the group’s mission of effectively disseminating Sales SIG communication by overseeing the SIG’s social feeds to recruit new members.