51°µÍø

What is your favorite thing about teaching students in the Cox School of Business?

My favorite thing is that I find our students to be intellectually curious. When students first walk into my Operations Management class, most have little idea what it involves. Some may even think it’s unrelated to their primary interests. But once they realize that operations management is about understanding some of the key business processes in a company, and how analytics can make them smart managers of these processes, they quickly lock in. In addition, while walking around the classroom, it is easy to notice that they have a contagious drive for excellence. They constantly push each other to be better. As a professor, it’s an absolute joy to be part of this kind of environment.

Tell us about some of the courses you typically teach. How do you integrate real-world business challenges into your curriculum?

I mainly teach Operations Management, which focuses on what makes a business run efficiently. While finance handles the money and marketing brings in customers, operations ensure that the product or service is actually manufactured and/or delivered. We cover everything from inventory and supply chain management to resource allocation, cost efficiencies and process effectiveness. Because the topics are so practical and relevant to business of all types and sizes, it’s straight forward to bring real-world challenges into the classroom. In fact, every class starts with a real-world scenario a company has faced, such as how Sony manages PS5 inventory or how a major local hospital schedules its nurses. These examples highlight the complexities businesses deal with, and we discuss how to solve these problems. This makes them eager to learn how they can use even complex models, since they can see how it add value to the business.

What are you working on in addition to teaching? Tell us about your current research and/or any other projects you have in the works.

One of my primary research interests is the intersection of business transactions and digital technologies. I’m fascinated by the opportunities and challenges posed by digital communication tools—social media, large language models like ChatGPT, and more—especially for firms buying and selling from one another. How and when can these tools help, and where might they fall short?

Beyond research, I’m deeply involved in building community on campus. I mentor students in the Connect program, which brings together students from diverse backgrounds to discuss their challenges and goals. Meeting with them regularly has been incredibly rewarding, as it allows me to support their personal and academic growth. I also advise the Data Analytics Club, which is committed to championing analytics and popularizing cutting-edge business tools.

What do you think sets the Cox School of Business, and its students and faculty, apart from other business schools?

One of the standout qualities at Cox is the culture of trust and responsibility. As a faculty member, I feel empowered to teach in the way I believe is most effective. There’s no micromanagement or overbearing administration—just trust that we know how to deliver the education our students need. And this extends to the students too. If you’ve made it into Cox, it’s because we believe in your ability not just to survive but to thrive here. The opportunities are plentiful, but it’s up to the students to seize them. It’s a community where growth comes from taking initiative and not being afraid to fail. We support each other, but we also recognize that the best development happens when individuals take ownership of their journey.

Would you mind sharing one of your favorite student success stories with us?

This is always a tough question because I hesitate to take too much credit for students’ success. We, as professors, facilitate growth, but the students are the ones doing the hard work. However, one story stands out. Last year, a student in my class was initially very quiet, and she struggled significantly on the first exam. When I reached out to her, I learned she was not only battling a serious illness but had also recently faced a major family tragedy. She was incredibly bright but overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Thanks to the flexibility I have as a faculty member, I was able to offer accommodations like shifting exam dates and providing recordings of lectures when she had doctor appointments. Her determination was inspiring—despite all her hardships, she never gave up. By the end of the semester, she had improved her performance on every test and finished with an A-. She’s since graduated and secured a position with a top firm in her field. I look forward to seeing her in future editions of Cox’s “Best and Brightest Alumni.”

What advice would you give to high school students who are considering a career in business? Why should they choose 51°µÍø Cox?

My advice is to ask yourself: what kinds of problems interest you? What gets you excited? Expose yourself to as much information as possible, whether it’s from an advisor, an online article, or a “day in the life” video on TikTok. When you start working, you’ll get paid to solve problems—so think about the kinds of problems you want to solve. And remember, the business world you will spend your career in is the one several years down, and to be successful, you will need to adapt.

As for why you should choose Cox? If you’re passionate about business, I truly believe there’s no better place. The Cox School’s faculty, deeply engaged in shaping the future of business, and our prime location in the dynamic DFW area, place us at the heart of some of the most exciting transformations in business and society. It has some of the best and brightest students, all driven by a shared passion for business. It’s a place where responsibility and ownership are valued, and everyone is working to be better. Growth is driven by those we spend time with - so why not surround yourself with the top talent in your field?

We’re so lucky to have you as part of the 51°µÍø Cox family, Professor Van den Steen! You are preparing our students for success in the classroom and beyond