Brenda Merkel

Brenda Merkel is an Assistant Professor of Management in the Department of Management within the College of Business and Information Systems at Dakota State University. She joined the university in August 2022 and holds a D.B.A. in Management from Anderson University. With over 30 years of experience as a registered respiratory therapist, she integrates healthcare insights into her management teaching.

Dr. Merkel's educational background includes:

• D.B.A., Management, Anderson University, 2021
• M.S., Banking & Financial Services, Northern State University, 2016
• M.E., Guidance & Counseling, Northern State University, 2003
• B.S., Business Education, Northern State University, 2001
• B.S., Respiratory Care, Dakota State University, 1996
• A.S., Respiratory Care, Dakota State University, 1995

Her research focuses on strategic management, organizational behavior, and organizational culture, with a particular emphasis on the healthcare sector. She explores how gratitude and organizational commitment influence faculty retention in higher education, as well as the application of appreciative inquiry to engage Generation Y in the workplace. Her work bridges business theory with practical healthcare management challenges.

Dr. Merkel's recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on organizational behavior and management education. Her work frequently examines the application of appreciative inquiry in business and educational settings, generational dynamics in the workplace (particularly Generation Y), and the intersection of healthcare with management principles. Notably, her 2023 study investigates faculty retention through the lens of gratitude and organizational commitment in higher education institutions.

Dr. Merkel has been recognized with the following awards:

• Friend of CTE Award from South Dakota ACTE (July 2015) for dedication to business education programs.
• Outstanding Business Educator from the National Entrepreneurship Education Forum (November 2011) for innovative curriculum.

No specific information regarding graduate student advising or research grants was found in the provided materials.