Association for University
Business and Economic Research

A national association of regional
economic research centers

Committees

Current committee assignments are effective November 2026 – October 2027.

Interested in joining an AUBER committee? Use our online form to submit your name for consideration. For more information, contact the current AUBER president or the AUBER Business Office at auber@bsu.edu.

Artifical Intelligence (ad-hoc)

The purpose of the Artificial Intelligence committee is to develop a policy statement regarding AI use to be adopted by AUBER and shared with the membership.

  • Michael Hicks (Ball State University)
  • Yavdiel Mendez Rosario (University of West Florida)
  • Sarah Quintanar (University of North Texas) ♦
  • Andrew Woods (University of Nevada Las Vegas)

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.

  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State University)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State University) ♦
  • Brian Lewandowski (University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Rod Motamedi (University of Massachusetts Amherst)

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.

  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State University)♦
  • Jenny H. Liu (Portland State University)
  • Electronic Publications Award Winners:
    • 2026:  Morgan Tatum Cordle (The University of Alabama)
    • 2025:  Phil Dean (University of Utah)
  • Print Publications Award Winners:
    • 2026:  Murat Arik (Middle Tennessee State University)
    • 2025:  Jennifer Pullen (University of Arizona)
  • Websites Award Winners:
    • 2026:  Amir Borges Ferreira Neto (Florida Gulf Coast University)
    • 2025:  Phil Dean (University of Utah)

Conference Planning: 2027 - Las Vegas NV

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 University)
  • Nicole Gislason (University of West Florida) ♦
  • Lisa Goodpaster (Ball State University)
  • Monica Haynes (Univ. of Minnesota Duluth)
  • Michael Hicks (Shenandoah University)
  • Victoria Meldrum (Ball State University)
  • Rod Motamedi (Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • Angela Sanders (University of West Florida)
  • Andrew Woods (University of Nevada Las Vegas)

Conference Planning: 2028 - TBD

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.

  • Nicole Gislason (University of West Florida)
  • Lisa Goodpaster (Ball State University)
  • Monica Haynes (Univ. of Minnesota Duluth) ♦
  • Michael Hicks (Shenandoah University)
  • Victoria Meldrum (Ball State University)
  • Rod Motamedi (Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst)
  • Host director
  • Host assistant
  • Others as appointed

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.

  • Vanessa Fry (Boise State University)
  • Nicole Gislason (University of West Florida)
  • Monica Haynes (University of Minnesota Duluth)
  • Mitchel Herian (University of Nebraska Lincoln)
  • Michael Hicks (Shenandoah University)
  • Rod Motamedi (Univ. of Massachusetts Amherst) ♦

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 (University of Nebraska Lincoln)
  • Benjamin McKay (Georgia Southern University) ♦
  • Victoria Meldrum (Ball State University)

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.

  • Nyesha Black (The University of Alabama)
  • Rajeev Dhawan (Georgia State University)
  • Richard Hawkins (University of West Florida)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State University)

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.

  • Amir Borges Ferreira Neto (Florida Gulf Coast Univ.)
  • Nicole Gislason (University of West Florida)
  • Lisa Goodpaster (Ball State University)
  • Monica Haynes (University of Minnesota Duluth)♦
  • Brian Lewandowski (University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Sarah Quintanar (University of North Texas)
  • Manuel Reyes-Loya (University of Texas Tyler)

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 University)
  • Nicole Gislason (University of West Florida)
  • Monica Haynes (University of Minnesota Duluth)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State University)
  • Rod Motamedi (University of Massachusetts Amherst) ♦

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.

  • Amir Borges Ferreira Neto (Florida Gulf Coast Univ.)
  • John Deskins (West Virginia University) ♦
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State University)
  • Sarah Quintanar (University of North Texas)

Societal Impact (ad-hoc)

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 University)
  • Jennifer Green (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama)
  • Mitchel Herian (University of Nebraska Lincoln)
  • Michael Hicks (Ball State University) ♦
  • Brian Lewandowski (University of Colorado Boulder)
  • Sarah Quintanar (University of North Texas)
  • Manuel Reyes-Loya (University of Texas Tyler)
♦ denotes committee chair
View the Board & Executive Officers