Faculty Highlights

CSUMB Faculty Represent at INFORMS 2025

Dr. Mohamed Abouzahra and Dr. Sorouralsadat Fatemi, faculty in Business Analytics and Information Systems, recently represented the College of Business at INFORMS, one of the world’s leading conferences in AI, analytics, and operations research.

Dr. Abouzahra presented a research paper highlighting innovative applications of data analytics, while Dr. Fatemi served as a session chair, guiding discussions among global experts in the field. Their participation underscores CSUMB’s growing presence in the analytics community and the College’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge, data-driven research.

Dr. Mohamed Abouzahra

Dr. Mohamed Abouzahra, associate professor of Business Analytics and Information Systems, recently represented the College of Business at a Monterey Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting focused on innovation and technology in local business. During the discussion, Dr. Abouzahra shared insights on how artificial intelligence (AI) can help small and medium-sized enterprises streamline operations, improve decision-making, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace. The event also served to strengthen ties between CSUMB and the local business community—advancing the College’s mission to promote responsible, data-driven innovation and regional economic growth.

Organized and Ready: Professor Angel González Sees Sedona as a Helpful Tool

A Helpful Habit for RTP and Beyond: A Faculty Tip on Using Sedona

Updating Sedona can sometimes feel like one more thing on an already full plate—but Professor Angel González shared some helpful insights that might change that perception.

“I actually appreciate the Sedona reminders,” Angel said. “Once you make Sedona part of your routine, it’s not a burden—it’s just part of what you do.”

Angel explained that after a few years of use, Sedona became more than a compliance task—it became one of his best organization tools.

“Now, everything I do goes into Sedona first,” he said. “Then, when I need an updated CV for RTP, a conference, or even a bio, I go to Sedona automatically—boom, it’s all there.”

He also acknowledged that resistance is normal when new systems come along:

“At first, it’s hard to commit to something new because systems change. But now that Sedona has been around for a while, it’s easy—it keeps me organized and ready for whatever comes next.”

That’s exactly the goal. Sedona isn’t just a database—it’s a professional resource that helps you stay prepared for RTP, grant proposals, bios, awards, and accreditation reporting, all in one place. The more consistently you use it, the less time you’ll spend scrambling later.

“Once you make Sedona part of your routine, it actually becomes a helpful tool. I don’t use it just because I have to—I use it to keep myself organized. When I need to update my CV for RTP, a conference, or a bio request, I go to Sedona automatically. Boom—it’s all there.”

A message to faculty

If you’ve been hesitant, take it from Angel: once it becomes part of your rhythm, it works for you, not against you.

Thank you for all the work you do—your dedication, scholarship, and care for students continue to make a difference every day.

Honoring Service and Storytelling — Veteran and Educator Jamy Schaap Reflects on His Vietnam Experience

November 3, 2025 – As Veterans Day approaches on November 11th, the College of Business proudly honors Jamy Schaap, an adjunct faculty member whose lifelong dedication to service, learning, and leadership continues to inspire both inside and outside the classroom.

Before becoming a respected business educator, author, and radio host, Jamy Schaap served as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran—a member of the first combat unit deployed to Vietnam. His time in the military shaped not only his worldview but also his enduring commitment to reflection, integrity, and resilience—values that now guide his teaching and mentorship at CSUMB.

Capturing a Warrior’s Journey

In recent years, Schaap has channeled his experiences into deeply personal works that honor the sacrifices and courage of those who served. His books, Vietnam: My War – Over Five Decades Later and Ike and I: The Stories of a Soldier and a Warrior (both available on Amazon), offer powerful reflections on memory, healing, and brotherhood.

“These writings are about honoring the 58,000 soldiers who were killed and the 300,000 who were injured,” Schaap explains. “It’s also about making sense of what we lived through—and how those experiences continue to shape us today.”

Through these memoirs, Schaap offers readers a window into the lived realities of Vietnam veterans, striking a balance between unflinching honesty, gratitude, and compassion. His work serves as both a tribute and a teaching tool—reminding future generations of the human side of history. For participation in the first major battle of the Vietnam War, Schaap and his fellow Marines earned the Presidential Unit Citation. (Operation Starlite, The Battle for Chu Lai)

From the Battlefield to the Classroom

Today, Schaap brings that same sense of purpose and perspective to his teaching at CSUMB’s College of Business and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR). Drawing from decades of consulting and academic experience, he emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking, ethical leadership, and continuous learning.

Schaap also mentors CSUMB faculty members Angel González and Susan Harker, collaborating on academic research and co-authoring publications in peer-reviewed journals. His passion for mentorship reflects a lifelong belief that knowledge gains its greatest value when shared. Together, the team is currently updating an MBA student study Schaap 2015 titled “Who Wants Power More, Men or Women?” published in the American International Journal of Social Science. (View article here.)

Beyond the Classroom

In addition to teaching, Schaap co-hosts the weekly radio program Business Academics on KOH Radio (part of Cumulus Media), alongside business partner Jonathan Breiter, the marketing mind behind Wendy’s iconic “Where’s the Beef?” campaign. Together, they bring over a half century of combined experience of combined experience to the airwaves, offering practical insights on management, strategy, and marketing.

The duo’s latest collaboration—a forthcoming book titled Business Academics: Strategy is Not an Option, It Is the Job, to be published by Kendall Hunt—extends their mission to bridge business theory and real-world practice.

A Life of Purpose and Reflection

Even outside of business and academia, Schaap continues to write and reflect. He and his wife, Gale, are currently co-authoring "Falling in Love in Our Seventies: So, What Does That Look Like?", a heartfelt exploration of partnership and growth later in life, slated for publication in 2026.

From the jungles of Vietnam to the lecture halls of CSUMB, Jamy Schaap’s journey is one of service, resilience, and lifelong learning. His story reminds us that leadership takes many forms—and that sharing one’s truth can be an act of service in itself.

This Veterans Day, we honor Professor Schaap and all members of the CSUMB community who have served our country. We thank you for your service and sacrifice.

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