Management is one of the many degree paths offered through the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business & Technology and is becoming one of the most popular major choices among students. 

Juan Ling is a professor of management and the assessment coordinator for the College of Business & Technology at GCSU. 

Ling has been teaching for 20 years and is well-rounded in experience.

She is involved in programs that focus on women leaders in higher education, including the Higher Education Resource Services, or H.E.R.S. Institute and the Georgia College Women’s Leadership Faculty Fellows Program. 

Ling has received the University Award for Excellence in Scholarship as well as the College Award for Excellence in Scholarship, twice. 

Alongside teaching, Ling uses her management skills to work with the community. During the first week of February, Ling was a member of the planning committee for a Lunar New Year celebration in Atlanta.  

“I assisted city staff with stage management, vendor and sponsor recruitment, marketing and volunteer coordination,” Ling said. “The event was a huge success, driving a crowd of nearly 10,000.”

Before receiving a PhD in business administration from the University of Kentucky, Ling worked at Proctor and Gamble, where she focused on training and employee socialization. 

“This experience deepened my curiosity about management and organizational behavior,” Ling said. “It inspired me to further explore the field.”

Ling has utilized inspiration and curiosity to pursue her aspirations since childhood. 

Her teachers encouraged her to grow and inspired her to become an educator.

“When I was a child, I spent most of my waking hours at school, surrounded by teachers who played a significant role in my learning and growth,”  Ling said. “My teachers not only imparted knowledge, but also nurtured my curiosity; they encouraged me to explore new ideas.”

Ling has been teaching in the management program at GCSU for 16 years and is passionate about guiding her students. 

“Management focuses on planning, organizing, leading and controlling resources to achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively,”  Ling said.

The program is helpful to students integrating into the workforce. 

Students in the program develop necessary skills that will benefit them in their careers, regardless of the industry. 

“Strong management ensures smooth organizational operations, fosters innovation and creativity and helps organizations adapt to changes in the external environment,” Ling said. 

Management provides a skill set that can help anyone make a meaningful impact on their organization.

Ling is teaching two courses this semester; Organizational Behavior and Principles of Management.

“I hope the knowledge students gain in my class will enable them to become effective employees and increase their chances for success in their careers,” Ling said.

The management program at GCSU is a one-of-a-kind program that offers invaluable expertise.

“The program offers a diverse range of courses that equip students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to excel in the workplace,” Ling said.

Students can choose from specific fields in management, including human resources management, logistics and transportation and sales to define their skills and individual experience. 

Professors in the management program tailor their courses to focus on the success and proficiency of their students. 

“What truly makes the department unique is the dedication of its faculty,” Ling said. “The professors are experts in their fields; they are also deeply dedicated to helping students grow academically and professionally.”

In the ever-evolving job market, fundamental skills like management are becoming more and more important for students to possess.

The management field is continuously changing. New challenges and priorities are influencing how management handles different operations. 

“In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on management in remote and hybrid working environments, the integration of Artificial Intelligence and the DEI, diversity, equity and inclusiveness, in the workplace,” Ling said. 

Other current impacts on management are new emphases on employee well-being, following COVID-19 and company sustainability. To achieve long-term success, companies need to start prioritizing these areas.

“How to effectively manage and lead changes is a topic for all of us to consider,” Ling said. “Which makes management an even more important skill to have.”

Management is one of the fastest-growing job fields. Having the skills to organize, lead, and understand organizations will continue to be useful for students entering the workforce.