Cheryl Nakata, PhD
Associate Professor
Marketing

Degree: PhD, University of Illinois at Chicago
Courses: MKTG 571: International Business Operations; MKTG 572: International Marketing; Global Technologies for PhD students
Areas of Interest: International Marketing and Business, Technology and Innovation
Research Specialties: International Marketing, Product Development, Culture and Marketing, Global Marketing Strategy, Information Technology, Innovation Management

Which class do you enjoy teaching the most and why?
MKTG 571: International Business Operations. It is the broadest of the classes I teach. It touches on the areas of finance, human resources, marketing, ethics and many more. All areas are integrated into this one course with a global aspect to it that makes it very interesting.

From all your years of teaching at UIC, which student or story is the most interesting? Why?
Two come to mind. First, in my MKTG 571 course, students work in teams to profitably start and operate an international business through a Web-based simulation. Through this project, which replicates many aspects of real-world international business, they compete in an international competition with students all around the world. One year, a group in my class won first place, beating more than 100 teams worldwide. When they were presented with their awards, there was a celebration with the dean and the creator of the simulation software. I remember how happy and excited the students were. In another year, a team from this course placed second and generally UIC teams do very well.

Second, I enjoy working with students who have struggled to get where they currently are and aspire to learn, excel and move their careers forward. There was a particular student who I worked very closely with that did not believe he could do much more than he was currently doing --working at a shoe store. Seeing this student finish the program and graduate was very gratifying. He went on to land a great job to an embassy commercial sector office doing exactly what he had only dreamed of doing, combining his interest in political science, foreign affairs and business.

What is your most interesting research project?
It is an organizational ethnography project where I study a company's daily routines and actions. I analyze how they do their marketing, looking at culture related differences that affect how the employees function with one another and problem solve. I study individuals working for the same company but in two different locations (United States and China).

What is your favorite aspect of UIC?
The diversity and the multilingualness of the student body is my favorite aspect of UIC. I also appreciate that many students work while going to school. Few students have silver spoons in their mouths. They are sincere and willing to learn, and do not take things for granted.

How has the Liautaud MBA program progressed since you started teaching here?
It is more focused. It is finding its niche in competencies (e.g. entrepreneurship and innovation). The student body is improving. I have noticed that more are prepared when they enter the program. The program is also now more recognized and has a clearer identity as compared to the past.

What do you do on your days off?
I enjoy cultural activities such as foreign films, live performances, ethnic restaurants and the various arts, such as attending the CSO. Chicago is an amazing city because of its rich cultural offerings.

What is one interesting fact about you?
I was born in the prune capital of the world: Fresno, California.

Why do you feel an MBA is essential in the business world?
An MBA gives tangible and useful tools to graduates that they can apply well into their careers. It provides critical thinking skills, enabling students to recognize a problem and find the best solution. Students are exposed to various disciplines and learn to integrate them as well as focus on concentrations that interest them. An MBA provides students or graduates with highly useful mental models, guiding them to think rigorously.

What drew you to UIC? What made you want to teach here?
The students and the diversity. The students here also go out and make a difference in the Chicago community and world beyond, having learned essential business skills and appreciate and work with other cultures.

What advice do you have for students?
Take advantage of the many resources available at UIC and within the city of Chicago. Learning takes place outside of the classroom as inside classroom. Expose yourself to different people and businesses. Don't be passive about it. Find what you are passionate about and make it happen.

What do you enjoy most about Chicago? Do you have a favorite spot in the city?
I like the various cultural neighborhoods such as Roger's Park, Pilsen, Devon Street. The world is in Chicago, our backyards. Why not explore and learn from that?


CONTACT THE LGSB:

Liautaud Graduate School of Business
815 W. Van Buren (MC 077) Suite 220
Chicago, IL 60607

Phone: (312) 996-4573
Fax: (312) 413-0338

E-mail: mba@uic.edu