Southern Miss Business Spring 2025

Too Much Screen Time is Robbing Us of Being Human

I recently listened to a podcast that introduced me to best-selling author, Carlos Whittaker. The primary focus of this podcast was the story behind his book, Reconnected: How 7 Screen-free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human. The title mostly reveals the unconventional steps he took to unplug and focus on connecting with others and I recognize that very few of us can eliminate screens for seven weeks, but his discussion about how he arrived at this decision was impactful. He described getting a "screen time" notification on a Sunday that most of us probably receive and ignore. This particular day, he was notified that he averaged seven hours and 23 minutes a day for the previous week. He decided to do the math on his screen time, and it was jarring to him. When he calculated how much time he spent per week based on this average, it equaled 49 hours per week on his phone! If you don't count the time he spent sleeping, that's remarkable. He continued with the calculations and determined that this average equals 100 days a year or a little over three months staring at a small LCD screen. He went on to determine that If he lived to be 87 years old, he would spend 12 years on his phone. Because he framed his screen time in this manner, he decided to do an experiment. He decided that he would not look at a single screen for 7 1/2 weeks and see what would happen. Before he did this, he went to a neuroscientist, had his brain scanned, and did some cognitive tests. To summarize what happened after taking seven weeks away from screens, his cerebellum healed in a way that normally takes years in a matter of weeks and his cognitive memory test score went from the 50th percentile of adult men in America to the 99th percentile! Most of us will recognize that this is an experiment with an n = 1, but that is startling, and it was a wake-up call that many of us should heed.

While we know that we shouldn't spend excessive time on smartphones or tablets, we may be oblivious to the negative effects on various aspects of our lives, including our physiology, cognitive functioning, relationships, creativity, and productivity. Carlos touched on a few things on the podcast and in his book, but the key effects are pretty far-reaching. Too much screen time has some important physiological effects. Prolonged screen time can cause digital eye strain, leading to dry eyes, headaches, and blurred vision (computer vision syndrome). Blue light exposure suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep and reducing sleep quality. "Tech neck" from looking down at screens leads to neck, shoulder, and back pain. Constant notifications and information overload can elevate cortisol levels, increasing stress and anxiety. Excessive screen use discourages physical activity, contributing to obesity, poor cardiovascular health, and metabolic issues. Excessive screen time also impacts cognitive functioning. Frequent smartphone use is linked to shorter attention spans and difficulty focusing on tasks for extended periods. Reliance on digital devices for information reduces deep learning and recall abilities. Quick access to information discourages critical thinking and problem-solving efforts. Constant digital stimulation can overload cognitive resources, leading to mental exhaustion.

Too much screen time can also negatively affect your personal and professional relationships. Excessive screen time weakens real-world social skills and emotional connections. Ignoring people in favor of a screen can damage personal relationships and lead to feelings of neglect. Less in-person interaction reduces the ability to read social cues and develop emotional intelligence. Overuse of digital communication can replace meaningful connections, increasing feelings of isolation. Your creativity can also suffer if you spend too much time on screens. Downtime and boredom often spark creative thinking, but constant digital engagement eliminates those moments. Less boredom=less creativity! Passive scrolling and consuming content replace time that could be spent generating new ideas or engaging in creative work. Information overload from digital consumption can prevent deeper thinking and creative insights. This can create cognitive clutter. Productivity is also negatively impacted by too much screen time. Notifications, social media, and endless content make it difficult to focus on work or deep tasks. Constant interruptions prevent deep, focused thinking necessary for high-quality work. Most people think they are good at multi-tasking, but switching between tasks on a device reduces efficiency and leads to more mistakes. Easy access to entertainment and social media can make it easier to procrastinate and delay important work.

After considering all of this information, I believe that I have experienced most of these effects even though I don't think I realized it as it was happening. As I examined my screen time, I was shocked to discover that my screen time data was very similar to Carlos' data. I experienced a sense of deep regret. How has this terrible habit robbed me of being truly present for my wife, my kids, my mom and dad, my friends, or my colleagues? Have these relationships been damaged beyond repair? What have I missed that I can never get back? How much sharper could I be if I was just present and engaged when I was both alone and with others? How much more could I have accomplished in my personal and professional development if I had not been so ensnared by the "digital heroin" that I hold in my hand? I became determined to do something about it. I know it will be hard. Changing habits always is, but what if I don't?

Here are a few things that I am going to try to mitigate these effects. Set screen time limits (1-2 hours per day) and take regular breaks at work (20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds), or digital media "fasts" (one full day off social media per week and a week-long break per month). Use "Do Not Disturb" mode to minimize distractions at work and at home (pick times when you will not be available and stick to it). Replace scrolling with intentional activities, such as reading, socializing, or exercising. Engage in physical activity to counteract sedentary habits. Prioritize face-to-face interactions over digital communication (schedule time to talk with spouse, children, or colleagues). Allocate time for boredom and offline creativity (set aside 30-60 minutes for boredom, free-thinking, journaling, walking, or sitting quietly). Avoid screens before bedtime for better sleep. It is recommended that you avoid screens (including TVs) 30-60 minutes before bedtime.

These are just a few ideas. If you have others that have worked for you, I'd love to hear them.

Experience Business Casually

Gulf Park Campus

The School of Leadership and Business Career Services hosted Experience Business Casually, on the Gulf Park campus this semester. Students had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals during the event, designed to make networking fun and intimidation-free. With interactive discussion stations covering essentials like financial tips, building a personal brand, dressing to impress, resume advice, and mastering the art of small talk, students walked away with valuable advice and practical tools for their academic and professional journey.

Economic Outlook Forum

The 2025 Economic Outlook Forum welcomed business leaders, financial professionals, and community members to attend the lecture that provided valuable insights into economic trends shaping 2025. This year's forum featured two distinguished speakers:

• Matt Orton, CFA, is senior vice president and head of advisory solutions and market strategy at Raymond James Investment Management. Orton has 14 years of investment experience and frequently appears on news platforms like CNBC, Bloomberg TV and Yahoo! Finance to provide expert market commentary. He previously held roles at BNP Paribas and Goldman Sachs Asset Management. Orton earned an MBA from Cornell University and a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University.
• Bill Cork is the executive director and chief economic development officer at the Mississippi Development Authority. Cork has more than 30 years of experience in economic development and urban planning, leading major projects across Mississippi. He previously served as deputy director of MDA and held leadership roles in industrial park and infrastructure development. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, he earned a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Illinois.

Inspired Leaders Series

More than 120 students attended the latest Inspired Leaders Series, featuring Fred McCallister, founder and president of Caddo Lake Capital. With extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, Mr. McCallister shared stories from his career and offered valuable advice for students preparing for life after college. Among the many takeaways, one piece of advice stood out:

"It's not always about finding your passion. Instead, be passionate about what you find," said Mr. McCallister.

Business Career & Internship Fair

At Southern Miss, preparing students to be Ready for Life is at the heart of what we do. This semester’s Business Career & Internship Fair brought together top employers from diverse industries, giving students a chance to explore potential careers, make meaningful connections, and take the next step toward their professional goals.

Sport Management Symposium

The Sport Management Symposium included a professional panel and a networking fair for students to learn more about the industry. Over 70 students attended the event that featured a professional panel and networking fair designed to connect students with leaders in the sport industry and explore internship and job opportunities.

The professional panel included representatives from the New Orleans Saints, New Orleans Pelicans, Biloxi Shuckers, Mississippi Mud Monsters, and Southern Miss Athletics. Panelists shared insights on breaking into the industry, their career paths, and the current landscape of sports organizations. Following the panel, students visited with 15 organizations during the networking fair where they discussed opportunities ranging from summer internships to full-time roles. The symposium served as a valuable opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students to make meaningful connections and gain firsthand knowledge from professionals in the field.

Cheers to The Golden Quills

We had a wonderful time celebrating the outstanding work of our business students, faculty, and staff at the second annual Golden Quills. Congrats to all of our award recipients, you make us so proud! Find out more about the event and view the full list of award recipients by visiting the page linked below.

Super Bowl LIX: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

More than 50 of our Golden Eagles hit the ground running in New Orleans, gaining real-world experience at one of the biggest sporting events of the year—Super Bowl LIX! From assisting with event operations and security to experiencing the fast-paced world of sports management firsthand, our students put their business skills to the test on the industry’s biggest stage. Their hard work culminated in an unforgettable moment inside the iconic Superdome, where they saw the energy and execution that make the Super Bowl a global spectacle.

"Working the Super Bowl was an unforgettable experience, where we not only gained hands-on industry knowledge but also made lifelong memories together. A huge thank you to the College of Business and Economic Development and the Sport Management Association for providing us with the opportunity to be a part of this incredible event!" — Sarah Pazos, Sport Management

Aloha from Hawaii: Study Away Experience

Our business students started 2025 with a two-week study away adventure in Hawaii. From Oahu to the Big Island, they were immersed in local business and culture while taking in the island's natural beauty. Their journey started on Oahu, where they toured Jams World, Dole Plantation, and Crazy Shirts—where they explored how innovation blends with tradition. They also visited stunning landmarks like Manoa Falls, Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden, and the Arizona Memorial.

On the Big Island, highlights included a tour of Mahi'ai Chocolate Farm, a visit to the black sands of Punalu'u Beach, and an unforgettable camping experience at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Clancy Slay Secures Ochsner Health Fellowship

Clancy Slay is taking her talents to New Orleans after earning a coveted spot in Ochsner Health’s highly competitive Finance and Administration Fellowship. Over the next 24 months, she’ll rotate through hospital, clinical, and corporate operations, gaining valuable leadership experience and contributing to innovative healthcare projects. Slay will graduate this May from both the MBA and MPH programs at Southern Miss.

Southern Miss Founders' Day Awards

• Muhammad Huzaifa | Outstanding Freshmen
• Kade Leader | Most Outstanding Freshmen
• Lainey Bartlett | Who's Who
• Abigail Brown | Who's Who
• Kelly DeVoe | Who's Who
• Dylan Littles | Who's Who & Hall of Fame
• Sarah Pazos | Who's Who
• Ashlyn Roche | Who's Who
• Tyler Saul | Who's Who
• Brady Williams | Who's Who
• Shayla Price | Transfer Excellence Award

Graduate School Hall of Fame

Congrats to Peter Kalejaiye (Ph.D., Human Capital Development) and Owen Nordan (M.S., Economic Development) on their induction into the Graduate School Hall of Fame!

Owen employs a variety of research methodologies to evaluate and recommend improvements for workforce development programs in support of Mississippi's defense shipbuilding industry. Owen’s research evaluates and summarizes tax incentive programs across the nation for Biggins Lacy Shapiro & Company, a site selection company dedicated to helping companies of all sizes identify the best locations, secure incentives, obtain development approvals and optimize energy strategies.

Peter’s research focuses on understanding human behavior, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and workforce development within organizations with special attention to sociology, labor relations, human resource management, and human resource development. He investigates how factors like workplace relationships, employee engagement, diversity, equity, and inclusion shape positive work environments. His research strives to advance knowledge that leads to equitable and productive organizational practices, fostering diversified, inclusive, and resilient workplaces.

Undergraduate Symposium on Research and Creative Activity

The Undergraduate Symposium on Research and Creative Activity is an annual event that showcases the outstanding work being done by undergraduate students across campus. There were more than 130 presentations this year. The following business students participated, two of which placed in their respective category:

• 🥇Mary Grace Lewis, Marketing, Spanish minor; Faculty Advisor: Dr. Joanne Tran
• 🥈Marcus Kirkland, Marketing, Professional Selling Certificate; Faculty Advisor: Dr. Banu Elmadag
• Alondra Abad, International Business and Hospitality & Tourism Management, Faculty Advisor: Dr. Wei Wang
• Abby Box, Accounting; Faculty Advisor: Dr. Marvin Bouillon

In preparation for presenting at the Undergraduate Research Symposium, these students also participated in the Student Research Showcase to practice and receive valuable feedback from their advisors and other business faculty.

Graduate Student Research Symposium

A total of 74 graduate students presented their research during the symposium through oral, poster, and virtual presentations, eleven of which were from the College of Business and Economic Development. Congratulations to the following students who placed during the symposium:

• Susan Dobson, currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development, earned 2nd place for her poster presentation titled, "Exploring Influences of Generation Z's Early Career Intentions" in the Social and Educational Sciences and Business category.
• Haeden Overby, currently pursuing an MBA, tied for 2nd place in the Social and Educational Sciences and Business category for his oral presentation titled, "Revisits From Reviews: Service Robots' Effect on Brand Equity in Hospitality."

Human Capital Development Awards Ceremony

• Dr. Cherri Wells | Dr. Heather Annulis Dissertation of the Year Award
• Ana Ruth Cortés | Dr. Cyndi Gaudet Work Hard, Have Fun, Make a Difference Award
• Suzette Jung | Outstanding Research Award
• Jessica Langston | Dr. David Powe Learning Leader Award

Andrew Myers 2025 CFA Society of Mississippi Award

Andrew Myers was honored to be a recipient of the 2025 CFA Society of Mississippi Award at the 21st Annual Forecast Dinner! The award is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership, professionalism, and a commitment to ethics in the financial industry. Andrew is currently pursuing his MBA with a graduate certificate in Economic Development and previously earned his bachelor’s degrees in both finance and accounting.

Sales Competitions and Conferences

Spring 2025 was a busy semester for the Southern Miss Professional Sales Program. The Sales Team strengthened its reputation in the world of technology-focused sales education through national competitions and innovative partnerships.

1. Alejandro Jung and Alondra Abad competed in the Global Bilingual Sales Competition (GBSC), sponsored by HubSpot, where they engaged in English and Spanish roleplays focused on global SaaS solutions. Meanwhile, at the inaugural National Tech-Sales Competition, students tackled real-world sales scenarios involving cloud and hardware solutions in a hybrid team format. This event, sponsored by Oracle and hosted by MTSU, challenged students to collaborate with technical counterparts and pitch to tech-sector buyers.
2. Gabby Wilcox made it to the Elite 8 in the Corporate Partnerships Division of the National Collegiate Sports Sales Conference (NCSSC)! Each member of the Elite 8 received their own jersey as a keepsake. Gabby is earning a minor in both sport management and business administration while pursuing her bachelor's in journalism. Overall, Southern Miss finished in the Top 25 nationally in both the Ticket Sales and Corporate Partnerships categories.
3. The Sales Team competed in the National Collegiate Sales Competition (NCSC) in Georgia, where Sierra Greene placed in the Sweet 16 out of 144 competitors. At the event, Kiera Morris received a job offer from Lennox, and teammates Logan McLemore and Marcus Kirkland each secured job interviews with top employers. Lundon Hidalgo accepted a summer sales internship with Orkin from these connections.

Among other highlights, Jordan Sullivan earned a highly competitive paid internship as a Sales Development Representative with Oracle after impressing judges at the National Tech-Sales Competition and two rounds of interviewing. She will spend 12 weeks in Austin, TX, at Oracle’s World Headquarters this summer. Out of hundreds of candidates, only 22 were selected nationwide. These experiences demonstrate how Southern Miss is training top-tier talent and equipping them with the tools and exposure to thrive in today’s tech-driven sales landscape.

The Center for Entrepreneurship

Learning from Those Who’ve Built It

This spring, the Center for Entrepreneurship continued its Coffee w/ an Entrepreneur series, offering students a candid look into the lives and lessons of experienced entrepreneurs. The conversations focused less on polished success stories and more on the real-world work of building something from the ground up.

Now in its seventh season, the series continues to attract students from across disciplines who are curious about what it takes to launch and lead. Each guest offered a different perspective—ranging from launching marketing firms to leading philanthropic ventures—all rooted in a shared willingness to take risks and build something of value. Our featured speakers this semester included:

• Brook Jones-Sunsdahl, CEO and Founder of Red Door Marketing Agency
• Robert St. John, Restaurateur, Author, and Founder of Extra Table
• Max Draughn, President of Heartwood Capital, Inc.
• Cathy Steen, Entrepreneur and Strategic Advisor; former Chief Commercial Officer, Green River Spirits

A Strong Finish for the Golden Idea Pitch Competition

The 6th Annual Golden Idea Pitch Competition drew nearly 60 applicants from across campus, each presenting early-stage ideas with potential to create economic or social value. Following a competitive first round, 21 teams advanced to the semifinals. From there, eight finalists were selected to compete in the final round.

Finalists worked closely with faculty and outside mentors to sharpen their pitches and prepare for the final event, held in front of a live audience and panel of entrepreneurs, investors, and consultants. This year’s top teams were:

• First Place – Automated Insurance Fraud Detection; Sushant Aryal (Computer Science & Mathematics) and Jeevan Karki (Accounting & Finance).
• Second Place – exium; Gunjan Sah, Bibas Kandel, Aditya Sharma, Mandip Adhikari, and Saleep Shrestha (Computer Science).
• Third Place – Scuba Key Adventures; Ka’Lon Duncanson (Master’s in Economic Development).

Business Leaders Program Visit Alumni in Nashville, Tennessee

Our Scianna Business Leaders Program students just wrapped up an unforgettable experiential learning trip to Tennessee, connecting with Southern Miss alumni, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs! Highlights included:

• Meeting The Voice finalist and Southern Miss Business alumna Karen Waldrup
• Hearing from Jason McConnell about entrepreneurship and economic development while sharing a meal at his restaurant Cork & Cow
• Experiencing Whitney's Cookies owned by MasterChef winner and Southern Miss alumna Whitney Miller
• Cheering on the Nashville Predators for a night of high-energy hockey
• Touring LBMC for real-world lessons in accounting from a panel that included Southern Miss Business alumna Rachel Pittman
• Visiting with Kathy Greene, daughter of Dr. Joseph A. Greene, the first dean of the Southern Miss College of Business & Economic Development
• Gaining perspective on leadership and Nashville’s history from General Steve Ainsworth