Students and Placements

Simply no better place to earn a Ph.D.

Training doctoral students is a top priority for the faculty in the management department, which sets them apart from the faculties in many other leading business schools. My five years in Michigan State’s Ph.D. program were among the most professionally rewarding and personally enjoyable years of my life.

The faculty excels at the mentoring of doctoral students and the planning and execution of doctoral seminars. Moreover, students learn from one another because the strength of the program creates talented cohorts that can serve as powerful role models for success. As a result, students learn more in MSU’s program than in virtually any other place.

Michigan State’s program does more than just impart knowledge and skill, however. The culture of the department and the mentoring styles of the faculty make students excited about becoming scholars. Every year spent in that program made me more and more excited about becoming a professor and a scientist. It’s impossible to overstate the importance of that sense of intrinsic enthusiasm, as one factor that unites the most accomplished scholars in our field is that they love what they do. MSU’s faculty members clearly love what they do — and that passion gets transferred to their students. There’s simply no better place to earn a Ph.D.

Dr. Colquitt’s research interests are organizational justice, trust, team effectiveness, and personality influences on task and learning performance.

He is the former editor of the Academy of Management Journal, and he has served (or currently serves) on the following editorial boards:

• Academy of Management Journal
• Journal of Applied Psychology
• Personnel Psychology
• Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes
• Journal of Management

The people make the place

Michigan State was the perfect place for me to learn, grow, and begin my career as an academic. As I reflect back on my years as a doctoral student, I am reminded of just how profound and developmental the experience was for me personally and professionally.

The faculty are not only among the world’s best and most productive researchers, but they are also deeply committed to doctoral education. Before I even arrived on campus, I knew the faculty at Michigan State wanted and even expected me to excel and that they were going to do everything in their power to support and enable me to achieve my dreams. This commitment lives on even today, as I continue to draw on Michigan State faculty for advice and support.

The students — your fellow doctoral students — are amazing. In my first year, I shared an office with Stephen Humphrey and he embodied for me the definition of a wonderful colleague. Stephen was a senior-level student; I was new to the field and had many questions. Stephen helped me to learn the art and science of research and academic writing, and I will forever be grateful. Similarly, I recall earning a low score on a paper in my strategy seminar. A senior student, Frederico Aime, offered perspective and guidance that I still remember to this day. Most importantly, the students at Michigan State created a culture focused on learning from each other, celebrating each other’s successes and supporting each other during the challenging times. Many of my fellow students remain both friends and colleagues.

The alumni — those who came before you — are deeply committed to Michigan State history, tradition and community. You will share a common bond and connection with some of the world’s best academics, and you will find the alumni network to be even more supportive that you can imagine. I find myself routinely calling on my fellow Michigan State alumni for advice, counsel and support — and I will forever be grateful to be part of the Michigan State community.

Ben Schneider was correct: “The people make the place.” And Michigan State has the people who make it one of the best places in the world for doctoral education.