Association for University
Business and Economic Research

A national association of regional
economic research centers

Committees

Committee assignments effective November 2024 – October 2025.

Artifical Intelligence (AI) - ad hoc

Purpose to be defined.

  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.)
  • Marc Schaffer (St. Norbert College) ♦

Awards: Commendations

The Commendations Committee reviews the criteria for individual honors, including the R. Thayne Robson Award, the AUBER Fellow Award, and Honorary member status. The committee invites nominations of active members and selects recipients for consideration by the Board.

Committee members include the Secretary-Treasurer (chair), current President, and the three immediate Past Presidents.

  • John Deskins (West Virginia Univ.)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Brian Lewandowski (Univ. of Colorado Boulder)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.) ♦
  • Juliette Tennert (Univ. of Utah)

Awards: Publications

The Publication Awards Committee reviews the criteria for the annual Publication Awards of Excellence, invites submissions from AUBER institutions, and selects the winning submissions. Research communicators are encouraged to participate.

Committee members include the Past President (chair), one board member, and the two most recent winners in each category.

  • Murat Arik (Middle TN State Univ.) ∗ 2023 Print
  • Donald J. Bruce (Univ. of Tennessee Knoxville) ∗ 2024
  • Amir B. Ferreira-Neto (Florida Gulf Coast Univ.) ∗ 2024
  • Nicole Gislason (Univ. of West Florida) ∗ 2023 Websites
  • Jenny H. Liu (Portland State Univ.) ∗ 2023 Electronic
  • Brian Lewandowski (Univ. of Colorado Boulder) ♦

Conference Planning: 2025 - Missoula MT

The Conference Planning Committee organizes the program and event logistics of the annual fall conference.

Committee members include the President-Elect (chair), representatives from the host institution, the Secretary-Treasurer, and others selected by the President-Elect.

  • Patrick Barkey (Univ. of Montana)
  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State Univ.) ♦
  • Shannon Furniss (Univ. of Montana)
  • Lisa Goodpaster (Ball State Univ.)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.)
  • Brian Lewandowski (Univ. of Colorado Boulder)
  • Victoria Meldrum (Ball State Univ.)
  • Jeff Michael (Univ. of Montana)
  • Rod Motamedi (Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • Marc Schaffer (St. Norbert College)

Conference Planning: 2026 - Boston MA

The Conference Planning Committee organizes the program and event logistics of the annual fall conference.

Committee members include the President-Elect (chair), representatives from the host institution, the Secretary-Treasurer, and others selected by the President-Elect.

  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State Univ.)
  • Nicole Gislason (Univ. of West Florida)
  • Lisa Goodpaster (Ball State Univ.)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.)
  • Victoria Meldrum (Ball State Univ.)
  • Rod Motamedi (Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • Sarah Quintanar (Univ. of North Texas)
  • Marc Schaffer (St. Norbert College) ♦

Constitution & Bylaws

The Constitution and Bylaws Committee shall (1) review the official documents; (2) receive suggestions for changes from members, officers, and committees; and (3) make appropriate recommendations to the board.

Committee members are appointed by the President.

  • Mitchel Herian (Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln)
  • Rod Motamedi (Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst) ♦
  • Raymond Sfeir (Chapman Univ.)

Engagement

The Engagement Committee focuses on developing opportunities for the AUBER membership to participate in an exchange of ideas, knowledge, and support throughout the year. Activities may include webinars, forums, workshops, etc.

Committee members are selected from the board and/or membership.

  • Mitchel Herian (Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln)
  • Jenny H. Liu (Portland State Univ.)
  • Benjamin McKay (Georgia Southern Univ.)
  • Victoria Meldrum (Ball State Univ.)
  • Christian Raschke (Sam Houston State Univ.)
  • Juliette Tennert (Univ. of Utah) ♦
  • Raymond Sfeir (Chapman Univ.)
  • Eric Thompson (Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln)

Investments

The Investments Committee uses best practices to oversee AUBER’s financial accounts and makes recommendations to ensure the long-term financial stability of the organization.

Committee members include the Secretary-Treasurer and others selected by the President.

  • Rajeev Dhawan (Georgia State Univ.)
  • Richard Hawkins (Univ. of West Florida)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.)
  • Juliette Tennert (Univ. of Utah)

Membership

The Membership Committee focuses on the growth and sustainability of the AUBER membership. Activities include (1) connecting with, reviewing, and recommending prospective members; (2) reconnecting with inactive and former members; and (3) producing an analysis of membership characteristics, interests, and needs via the annual membership survey.

Committee members include the Vice President (chair), the Secretary-Treasurer, and appointed board members.

  • Lisa Goodpaster (Ball State Univ.)
  • Monica Haynes (Univ. of Minnesota Duluth)
  • Brian Lewandowski (Univ. of Colorado Boulder)
  • Benjamin McKay (Georgia Southern Univ.)
  • Sarah Quintanar (Univ. of North Texas)
  • Manuel Reyes-Loya (Univ. of Texas Tyler)
  • Marc Schaffer (St. Norbert College) ♦

Nominating

The Nominating Committee prepares a slate of nominees to be voted upon by the membership to serve as officers or members of the AUBER Board.

Committee members include the President (chair) and executive officers.

  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State Univ.)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama) ♦
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.)
  • Brian Lewandowski (Univ. of Colorado Boulder)
  • Marc Schaffer (St. Norbert College)

Peer Review

The Peer Review Committee facilitates the academic peer-review service for all AUBER members.

Committee members are selected from the board and/or membership.

  • John Deskins (West Virginia Univ.) ♦
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.)
  • Sarah Quintanar (Univ. of North Texas)

Societal Impact

The Societal Impact Committee identifies opportunities to align with complementary organizations, such as AACSB, through its societal goals. Recommendations may include new initiatives or revised strategies that enhance AUBER’s mission and vision.

Committee members are selected from the board and/or membership.

  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State Univ.)
  • Nicole Gislason (Univ. of West Florida)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Mitchel Herian (Univ. of Nebraska Lincoln)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State Univ.) ♦
  • Brian Lewandowski (Univ. of Colorado Boulder)
  • Manuel Reyes-Loya (Univ. of Texas El Paso)
♦ denotes Committee Chair
∗ denotes prior year award winner
View the Board & Executive Officers