Thought Leadership, Engagement, and Societal Impact

Ilitch School faculty produce high-quality, impactful, and intellectual contributions to the body of business knowledge that informs theory, practice and teaching of business.

Wayne State University

As a world-class urban research university, Wayne State is one of the nation's pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.

Located in the heart of Midtown in Detroit, Michigan, Wayne State University is a center of excellence for urban and community-based research. WSU is one of only two U.S. public universities to hold both the "Highest Research Activity" (R1) and "Community Engagement" designations from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Mike Ilitch School of Business students benefit from faculty members who are experts in their fields of research, who add to the body of business knowledge, train Ph.D. students and receive acknowledgement of excellence in their endeavors through awards, honors, invited presentations and peer-reviewed publishing. Ilitch School faculty help Wayne State take its place among the premier higher education institutions in the world. 

Get to know our professors

Learn about the research and teaching interests of Ilitch School faculty members. You can also explore the courses they’ve taught in recent years.

View faculty profiles

Explore groundbreaking research

Ilitch School professors are at the forefront of business research. Explore the award-winning projects and insights shaping the industries of tomorrow. 

Discover Ilitch Business faculty research

Tap into our business knowledge

Faculty members at the Ilitch School are renowned for their deep business knowledge. Get in touch with them for media inquiries and interviews or to uncover which business topics you can potentially study with them.

Review our experts guide

Study Abroad 2023 Atop the Olympic Tower

Transforming lives through research and action

How can a developing country control volatile food prices? See how Ilitch School finance professor Mbodja Mougoué uses his expertise to work with the Senegalese government to establish a futures market to stabilize the country’s financial systems.

Read Professor Mbodja Mougoué’s story

I’ve been fortunate to always have had one foot in academia and the other in industry. I understand both these worlds, and that has allowed me to generate synergies at their intersection
Ajit Sharma
Ajit Sharma
Ph.D., assistant professor of information systems management
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I’m excited to be part of the transformation in the way we help students understand marketing and how it’s going to evolve in the future.

Alexander Davidson
Alexander Davidson
Ph.D., assistant professor of marketing
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I love mentoring. I think it’s very powerful, especially if you combine mentoring with coaching.

Christine Jackson
Christine Jackson
Ph.D., professor of management
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Teaching was an outgrowth for me to share my experience in the workplace, how marketing is actually practiced. Wayne State was the perfect place to do that because it places a great deal of emphasis on real-world application.

Cathy Condit Cuckovich
Cathy Condit Cuckovich
M.B.A., assistant professor (teaching) in marketing
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Study aboard students at Lear plant

Study abroad with our faculty

Ilitch School students can gain global experience through our faculty-led study abroad programs. During these trips, you'll visit international businesses and overseas operations of Detroit-area companies to build valuable professional connections and gain hands-on knowledge.

Learn how to study abroad

Take the next step

The expert faculty at Wayne State University’s Mike Ilitch School of Business give you the knowledge and confidence to succeed in the business world. Discover how their expertise and research can guide your path as a business student at the Ilitch School.