The Strome College of Business welcomed its first-year students with a movie premiere–themed College Connections event designed to kick off their business journey in style. Incoming first-year students walked the blue carpet and enjoyed classic movie theater snacks while connecting with faculty, advisors and fellow students. Movie posters with AI-generated titles featuring college faculty lined the atrium of Constant Hall. 

The event offered students a chance to learn about each major, meet mentors and build their network of peers — all in a fun, immersive environment. From behind-the-scenes information sessions to experiential activities, the evening celebrated the start of a blockbuster business education, emphasizing hands-on learning and problem-solving skills.

It was an afternoon where every student starred in their own business story, setting the stage for an exciting first year at Strome.

Dear Business Monarchs,

Welcome to a new academic year at Old Dominion University’s Strome College of Business!

There’s something special about this season, which includes a new burst of campus energy, the anticipation of new opportunities, and the chance to set fresh goals. Whether you’re beginning your first semester as a Business Monarch or returning to continue your journey, I hope you take a moment to pause, embrace this unique stage of your life, and explore everything it has to offer.

The summer months brought moments of growth and discovery across our community. 

Faculty advanced research, presented at conferences, and developed new ideas for the classroom. Staff focused on strengthening programs and initiatives to enhance the student experience. Many students pursued internships, engaged in study abroad programs, or explored personal passions to enrich their academic journey. Whether on campus or across the globe, these efforts reflect the curiosity, creativity, and dedication that define our college and Old Dominion University as a whole.

As the semester begins, our work continues to be guided by a commitment to academic excellence, experiential learning that connects knowledge with practice, and research that makes a meaningful difference. Together, these priorities prepare students for fulfilling careers while generating ideas and solutions that move business and communities forward.

The connections formed here—in classrooms, research projects and collaborative endeavors—foster innovation and prepare you to lead with purpose in a rapidly changing world. Every conversation, project, and discovery contributes to a learning environment that is both rigorous and inspiring.

Staying steadfast in our goals and embracing innovation in all that we do will continue to make a lasting impact. Together, we meet the challenges of today and shape the opportunities of tomorrow.

I’m excited to see all the opportunities that this year holds, and I’m proud to share it with such a vibrant, engaged community.

With my best regards,

Dean Erika Marsillac, Ph.D. 

This fall, the Strome College of Business proudly welcomed a dynamic group of new faculty whose expertise spans the fields of accounting, finance, marketing, business analytics, and supply chain management. From Wall Street leadership and Big Four accounting to groundbreaking research in artificial intelligence and healthcare technology, these educators bring impressive real-world experience into the classroom. Their arrival strengthens Strome’s reputation as a hub for innovation, preparing students to learn directly from scholars and practitioners who are shaping their fields. Please join the Strome College of Business in welcoming: 

Jacklyn A. Collins, Ed.D., CPA, is a lecturer with the Department of Accounting. She has been an adjunct with the department since spring semester 2021. Prior to joining ODU, she has taught at the University of Miami, Coral Gables Florida, and has taught online at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She holds Certified Public Accountant licenses in Florida and New York State.

Dr. Carrington Faulk is a Lecturer of Marketing at ODU’s Strome College of Business. A former award-winning high school marketing teacher and DECA advisor, he blends industry storytelling, innovation strategy, and human-centered leadership in the classroom. He holds a Ph.D. in Education (CTE/STEM) from Old Dominion University, is a Google for Education Certified Trainer, and a 2024 ACTE National Leadership Fellow.

Katie Patrick, CPA, is a wife, and mom of two young kids. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in Accounting and Information Systems and Minor in Psychology in 2007 and M.S. in Accounting in 2008. She is excited to watch the Hokies play against ODU again this fall in football! Who to root for?! She has spent the past 17 years climbing the proverbial "Corporate ladder" starting out in public accounting at KPMG and then working at three different real estate companies with the last being Harbor Group Management Co here in Norfolk as VP, Controller of Real Estate Accounting, for the past eight years.

Andrew Root is an Assistant Clinical Professor of Finance at Strome College. Prior to Strome, Andrew was an Associate Professor and DBA Program Director at Regent University. He is an experienced academic and investment research professional. For the past 27 years, Andrew has conducted Wall Street equity research, led large groups of research analysts, invested on behalf of hedge fund clients and conducted academic research in corporate finance and governance. He most actively researches non-market behaviors, including in his recent book with Vernon Press, “The Theory of the Kingdom: A Unified Model of Human Agency.”

Yi Tang recently joined ITDS as an Assistant Professor of Business Analytics. His research focuses on how health information technologies—like mobile apps, chatbots, and telehealth—can expand access and equity in healthcare delivery, particularly in mental health services for underserved communities. He primarily uses empirical methodologies and applied AI in my research. Tang earned his Ph.D. in Supply Chain & Operations and Master of Science degree in Statistics from the University of Minnesota, and his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from Tsinghua University.

Wei Zhou was born and grew up in Xiamen, China, an island in the Taiwan Strait. He received his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Maryland, College Park. Before joining ODU, he was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Tulane University. Wei's research interests include asset pricing, market microstructure and information economics. He will teach corporate finance in the undergraduate program at Strome.

A distinguished scholar in business analytics and supply chain management, Dr. Milton Soto-Ferrari earned his Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Western Michigan University (2017) and holds both M.S. and B.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from Universidad del Norte, Colombia. Prior to joining ODU, he served as an Associate Professor at Indiana State University (2017-2025), where he earned multiple teaching and research awards.

Meet Our International Visiting Scholars:

Sandrine Heitz-Spahn
Marketing, University of Lorraine (France)
Constant 2122

Takeshi Saito (Arriving Spring 2026)
Marketing/Management, Kanazawa University (Japan)
Constant 2120

Zhihua (Eric) Yao
Economics, University of Kitakyushu (Japan)
Constant 2179

Dr. Jay O’Toole, an associate professor of Management in the Strome College of Business has been named a 2025-2026 Provost’s Fellow for Faculty Development.

This program is a leadership opportunity for individuals interested in sharing their expertise and gaining a broad view of current issues in higher education and academic administration

The Strome College of Business is excited to welcome students back this fall with fresh cosmetic and technology updates to Classrooms 1002, 1005, 1024, and 2100 in Constant Hall. The renovations are nearly complete, and the rooms are looking fantastic — modern, inviting, and ready to support students’ academic success.

Stop by and check them out when you’re back on campus.

Old Dominion University has enhanced its safety services for the new school year, providing students, families, faculty and staff and the broader community with a range of tools designed to promote safety and well-being on- and off-campus. 

The University is expanding its reach with ODU Alerts, which notifies the campus community — including Old Dominion University’s Eastern Virginia Medical School campus and other auxiliary campuses. Visitors, ODU families and community members and vendors and contractors conducting work on ODU’s campuses will be able to sign up to receive alerts in case of campus emergencies.