Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching

Pola Gupta

Pola Gupta, professor of marketing, has been selected as the recipient of the 2017 Robert J. Kegerreis Distinguished Professor of Teaching Award.

Gupta has won eight Outstanding Marketing Professor of the Year Awards and one Outstanding Research Award since 2006. He also received the 2017 SOCHE Faculty Excellence Award.

His teaching style encompasses an array of learning models with a student-centric approach that earns him the title of being one of the university’s most dynamic teachers.

“Dr. Gupta easily surpasses the criteria set forth by his outstanding skills as teacher and advisor as evidenced in student and peer evaluations, course development and scholarly publications in the area of teaching,” said Joanne Li, former dean of the Raj Soin College of Business.

Gupta’s students praise his level of commitment and the care he shows his students.

“What’s most admirable about Dr. Gupta is his dedication to his students, which goes beyond the walls of the classroom. He is committed to helping students, find opportunities and build lasting careers. His compassion and commitment make him more than a teacher. He is a support system, a cheerleader and a true mentor to his students,” said Heather Boyd, a marketing graduate.

“He has a level of commitment and care for students that cannot be said about many professors. Beyond just the day-to-day help for students, he is always looking out for their careers,” said Rhonda Hiatt, who is now executive director at Clear.

Gupta was one of the reasons 2016 graduate Madilyn Greenbaum loved marketing. “I felt so much more prepared going into my first job because of the skills he taught me. He is a professor that truly loves and has a passion for teaching and his students. It is hard to come across a professor this great,” she said.

Gupta co-chaired a university subcommittee that brought Qualtrics, an online survey software tool, to the campus. Learning how to use Qualtrics gave his students additional skills that many employers demand.

Samantha Stephenson, who graduated with an MBA, uses Qualtrics in her work. “I experienced an ‘aha’ moment when I realized that what I learned in Dr. Gupta’s class was actually applicable and current in the real world,” she said.

Stephenson said her peers from Wright State all talk about how wonderful Gupta is. “You often hear of teachers caring for their students, but for students to care so much about a teacher after graduation really speaks to the impact he has had on his students, both as a mentor and as a wonderful human being,” she said.

Tanya Hennen, a marketing graduate, said Gupta changed her life by encouraging her to pursue an internship at ACCO Brands.

“If it was not for Gupta, I would not be where I am today. Dr. Gupta will forever be the professor that I remember during my time in the Raj Soin College of Business. There are people in this world that are meant to be in the education profession and Dr. Gupta is one of them,” she said.

Wright State became an independent institution in 1967 and spent the next 50 years growing into an innovative leader in student success. In 2017, it celebrates its 50th anniversary as an independent public university, culminating with a special Homecoming celebration Sept. 29 through Oct. 1.