Zena Buser, Ph.D
Professor of Business/Agribusiness & Economics
Assistant Director, School of Business
zenabuser@adams.edu
BUS-234 (719)587-8166
I am the daughter of an eastern New Mexico ranching family and have thankfully spent my life and career in and around the agricultural industry. I hold a BS in Agribusiness from Northwestern Oklahoma State University (NWOSU), a MS in Agribusiness and Economics, and a PhD in Systems Agriculture from West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). During my career, I have been a research associate for WTAMU, cattle clerk for Hitch Cattle Co., office manager for Hitch Commodities, and assistant safety director for Hitch Enterprises, Inc. I enjoyed industry, the pace and the people, and greatly value what those experiences prepared me to do today in the classroom. I enjoy teaching and being a part of students’ undergraduate experience, that period in life where life-long friendships are forged, career paths are chosen, and students become professional agribusiness men and women.
Kyle Glenn, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
kglenn@adams.edu
BUS-209 (719)587-7752
I started teaching at Adams State University in 2017. I received a PhD in Economics from The New School for Social Research in 2020, a Masters of Arts in Economics from the University of Denver in 2014 and graduated with a Bachelors of Science from Portland State University in 2010. I have previously taught at CUNY College of Technology and have worked in business and market analytics for various industries in Colorado and Washington.
My current teaching includes: Microeconomic Principles, Macroeconomic Principles, Political Economy, Natural Resource Economics, Economics of Crises, Economic Policy, Managerial Economics, and Business Statistics. My current research and specialties encompass wage dynamics, education and skills, consumer behavior, Classical Political Economy, Post-Keynesian theory, and dynamics of technological change.
Ralph Hanke, Ph. D.
Assistant Professor of Business
rhanke@adams.edu
BUS-214 (719)587-7511
I am most interested in helping people learn. My preferred style in the classroom is to create a participative learning culture. I developed this attitude while working as a training consultant and change agent. I strengthened that approach while helping to develop the Entrepreneurship program in the business school at The Pennsylvania State University. I also completed the Ph.D. at Penn State in Business Administration and wrote a dissertation on team creativity. My current interest is to further develop my collaborative learning skills and help Adams State students attain their personal and academic goals.
On a more personal level, I am thrilled to work with Louise to further our relationship into the long term. I also want to spend more time in quiet places reflecting on how generally good life can be. I also see Louise and I spending some time travelling and that includes exploring both the Rockies and the West Coast where Louise was born. Frankly, I have seen enough of my birthplace—Ontario, Canada—to last a lifetime. Finally, I look forward to hearing a lot more music, reading more interesting books, going to more plays, and maybe writing a short philosophy book.
Brittany Harlan, M.T.
Assistant Professor of Accounting
bharlan@adams.edu
BUS-211 (719)587-7303
I am a native of the San Luis Valley and spent a lot of my childhood working in the potato fields. I attended Adams State University as a first generation and received a BS with an emphasis in Accounting. After my undergrad, I attended University of Denver Sturm College of Law and graduated with a Masters of Taxation. I absolutely loved law school! I spent 6 years out in public accounting specializing in high net worth clients with an emphasis in the oil and gas industry.
As with many of the students who attend Adams State, I grew up with meager resources and big dreams. Fortunately, I was surrounded by people who believed in me. I can remember reading and making lists. I wanted to travel to all 7 continents. I have been to quite a few but I spend the majority of my time under water. I am a certified scuba diver so you can find me 110 ft deep exploring a shipwreck or swimming in a school of turtles.
I am proud to be part of Adams State University. I believe everyone should follow their dreams. I am a product of a great education. I believe education is power. I am inspired by the students I get to work with. I want to inspire them in turn. I want to assist as many as possible in seeing their dreams come true.
Cecilia Ibarra Cantu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Marketing
ccantu@adams.edu
BUS-212 (719)587-7576
I was born in the city of Tehuacan in the state of Puebla, Mexico and obtained my bachelor’s degree in actuarial science at the University of the Americas, Puebla, an MBA in the Popular Autonomous University of the State of Puebla, and a PhD in Business and Management at University of Huddersfield, in the UK.
My professional background includes positions as a Marketing Manager in multiple private companies in Mexico, as well as fulfilling the roles of MBA Program Coordinator and Director of the Humanities and Social Science Institute at Technological University of Mixteca.
My academic portfolio includes authoring and co-authoring several articles, as well as active involvement in various international conferences. With a total of 26 years of teaching experience, I have instructed students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Since August 2022, I have held the position of Assistant Professor of Marketing at Adams States University, an experience that has brought me immense satisfaction.
Natalie Rogers, CPA, CFE
Assistant Professor of Accounting
natalierogers@adams.edu
BUS-215 (719)587-7316
I have spent over 25 years in public accounting as well as industry. I feel privileged to be able to give back to my profession by providing instruction and guidance to Adams State students. I teach accounting and some business core courses bringing my real world experiences into the classroom.
I pride myself in having an open and inviting environment in my classrooms as well as my campus office. Each and every student is important to Adams and important to me. I thrive on the inquisitive minds of our young scholars.
My degrees include a BS in Business Administration with emphasis in Accounting and Business Computer Systems from Adams State College (1985) as well as a Master of Business Administration with an emphasis in Leadership from Adams (2011). In addition I hold a Master of Science in Accounting from Grand Canyon University (2018). I maintain an active Certified Public Accountants (CPA) license in the state of Colorado as well as a Certified Fraud Examiners licensure.
If you have questions, come and see me. My door is always open!
Liz Thomas Hensley, Ph.D
Director, School of Business | Professor of Marketing | MBA Director
lthomas@adams.edu
BUS-110 (719)587-7477
I am very blessed to have found my dream job! I truly enjoy every day I come to Adams State and work with the students. I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area (I am a diehard SF 49er and SF Giants fan to this day).
I received my degree in 2005 from the School of Business (double emphasis in Management and Marketing). While I was there I was encouraged by two professors in particular to consider teaching at the college level. They are Julie Campbell and Linda Reid and are my mentors to this day!
I realized that my favorite part of my previous jobs was when I was able to train and coach staff and customers. There was a true connection between that and teaching. I decided to go for it. I then went to Arizona State and earned my MBA. (I have two degrees from two different ASU’s). I received my PhD from Capella University in Organization and Management with an emphasis in Management Education.
I began my teaching at Adams State in 2008. While at Adams State I helped create the MBA program and am now the MBA Director. I also facilitate the School of Business Internship program. I have truly found my calling and love being part of the Adams State community. I am blessed to be part of Adams State community and look forward to continuing my great story at Adams State University!
Alex Vernon, DBA
Assistant Professor of Business
alexvernon@adams.edu
BUS-213 (719)587-7906
Originally from Decaturville, Tennessee, Dr. Alex Vernon teaches quantitative and management courses. He came to Adams State from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois where he was Associate Professor of Operations Management. Before Millikin he was Professor of Business at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. He retired from Missouri Southern in 2000 after almost 30 years of service.
He has taught a variety of courses including statistics, operations management, spreadsheet modeling, statistical quality control, supply chain management, project management and organizational behavior at the undergraduate level and data analysis, managerial statistics, data analytics and research methods at the graduate level. During spring semester of 2000, he taught spreadsheet modeling and quality control to students at Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland.
He is an ASQ Certified Quality Engineer and has delivered statistical process control and project management training to several organizations. He has given presentations of his research at national and international conferences and has been published in national and international journals.
He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, an MBA from the University of Mississippi, and a Doctorate in Quantitative Analysis (Management Science) from Louisiana Tech University. Before pursuing a career in higher education, he worked as an engineer for a large utility company.
Anthony J. “AJ” Webb, MBA
Assistant Professor of Health Care Administration
ajwebb@adams.edu
BUS-235 719-587-7838
Originally from Arizona, I started attending Adams State in 2005 as a member of the football team. I contributed to the team from the 2005-2009 seasons earning scout team player of the year, team captain, and all RMAC Academic honors. Graduated in 2010 with a Business Administration Degree with an Emphasis in Healthcare with Marketing and Management minors. Participated as the Vice President of Medical Group Managers Association chapter at Adams State. Competed in Phi Beta Lambda and won state and national awards that were recognized by then Governor Hickenlooper. Worked in the local healthcare system as an intern, community organizer, project manager, prevention specialist, recruiter and wellness coordinator. Graduated from Adams State in 2013 with an MBA with an emphasis in leadership. Wife is Jolene, daughter Emily is five, and son Michael is two. Enjoy the outdoors and fitness.
Yusri Zaro,CAGS, MBA
Assistant Professor of Banking & Finance
yusrizaro@adams.edu
BUS-210 719-587-7676
At ASU, we are offering a top of the line Banking & Finance emphasis. At the undergraduate level, we have 10 different finance courses (Managerial Finance, Investment Analysis, International Financial Management, Advanced Finance Cases, Money & Capital Markets, Financial Institutions, Commercial Banking, Financial Analysis/Evaluation and Forecasting, Series 7 Preparation
course and technical analysis for stock trends). At the MBA level, we offer 6 courses (Global Business Prospective, Financial Analysis, Multinational Financial Management, Portfolio Management & Investment Analysis, Financial Markets & Institutions, and Finance Capstone).
Our strong Finance & Banking program provides our finance graduates with the necessary financial skills to prepare them for Chartered Financial Analysis designation (CFA), General Securities Representative certification (Series 7), Securities Industry Essentials (SIE) and the well-recognized Chartered Market Technician designation (CMT).
I graduated from California State University with an MBA in Finance in 1983 and in 2015, I completed my Doctoral level CAGS (Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies in Financial Management) at NCU. I also have 18 years of experience as an international corporate banker working with several global banks such as Bank of America, Arab Bank, and Hong Kong & Shanghai bank.
