College of Business and Technology
College of Business and Technology
UNK Becomes Home for Kearney’s Newest Power Couple
Dr. Christopher Bryton Neck and Dr. Rebekah Chiasson may be new faces on the campus of the University of Nebraska at Kearney, but this power couple goes way back. In fact, when they met in one of their Ph.D. classes, it was because they were part of the same group project. Neither could have guessed back then that they would one day, as an engaged couple, bring their love of experiential teaching to UNK’s College of Business and Technology.
Bryton explains that “UNK checked all the boxes” for him. During his interview process, he made sure to mention that his future wife, who was at the time a professor at Sam Houston State University, would be an excellent addition to the CBT faculty. Having recognized that UNK offered them “everything (they) could possibly want” as they had been “looking for somewhere that (they) could both find a home and be embedded long term,” he was thrilled when Rebekah accepted a CBT faculty position as well.
Rebekah, who is grateful for the “stepping stone” she received while working at West Virginia University and Sam Houston State University, believes she and Bryton will “thrive together” in their new positions. She shares that “UNK offered (them) the world” as they make plans to settle down in Kearney and become part of the CBT faculty.
While both professors have been enjoying all Kearney has to offer since their arrival this summer, their future students have a lot to look forward to as well. This couple brings with them years of combined experience in the classroom, a clear understanding of the experiential style of teaching that is the hallmark of CBT, and a belief in the need for a strong connection between the university and the community.
Bryton explains how he “will always show up to class with enough enthusiasm to spark motivation in all of (his) students.” Not only is his teaching style focused on sharing his fire for learning with his students, but his research in self-leadership will be used in his classrooms to encourage students to gain more than just knowledge. He understands the connection between how “individuals lead themselves in the workplace” and how these self-regulatory efforts will affect their future organization. This understanding will provide building blocks for his students to excel in the classroom and to take that knowledge with them long after they graduate from UNK.
Rebekah, whose “teaching style is rooted in experiential learning,” plans to give her students opportunities to be “actively involved” and to “connect class concepts to the real world.” As an instructor, she encourages her students to enter her classroom with a goal because she understands “finding personal meaning” in what is being taught will lead to a long-lasting positive impact on not only their future careers but also their overall lives. Her research interests help her to bring a “communication-focused lens to questions of employee learning, motivation, and interpersonal dynamics.” Not only does she believe she will help students improve their learning outcomes, but she is confident these skills will help her students achieve workplace success.
Even though they just moved to Kearney this summer, Dr. Neck and Dr. Chiasson already feel like they have found their home. To engage with the community, both professors have reached out to local businesses to become class champions. This connection is something they plan to build on through class activities as well as extracurricular opportunities for their students. They understand students need to be exposed to the community to ensure they not only do well in their current classes but also make a strong connection between what they are learning and what they will eventually contribute to society as a whole.
We extend a warm welcome to Bryton and Rebekah. Not only are we excited about their upcoming wedding, but we recognize the powerful academic couple they will be as part of UNK’s College of Business and Technology’s faculty. Bryton believes every interaction he has with a student should include “the same energy, engagement, and effort” that he expects from them. We are looking forward to his self-proclaimed “edutainment” style of instruction. As Rebekah explains, “every class can be a step toward (a student’s) future.” We are grateful to have Dr. Christopher Bryton Neck and Dr. Rebekah Chiasson counted as among the newest Lopers to help CBT students take those important steps.
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