Faculty members Heather Harris, MFA, and Kimberly DeSimone, Ph.D., have been selected to present their research at the upcoming Academy of Business Research Conference, to be held Oct. 29–31 in Marathon, Florida.

Their presentation, “Credibility in the Classroom: Student Perspectives and the Scholar-Creator Model™,” examines how undergraduate students define and evaluate professor credibility in an era shaped by both academic tradition and digital influencer culture. The study draws on survey responses from 475 students and applies the Scholar-Creator™ Model, a framework developed by Harris and DeSimone, which contrasts traditional academic expertise with creator- and influencer-based credibility.

By analyzing students’ own language and values, the research provides insight into how evolving definitions of expertise are reshaping classroom dynamics. The findings underscore the relevance of the Scholar-Creator™ Model in understanding student expectations and offer practical guidance for educators seeking to strengthen engagement with today’s learners.