The CoBA Connection

From Provisional Admissions to Leadership Success: Desmon Walker Reflects on SIU, Leadership, and Giving Back to CoBA 

Academic Handcuff 

That is how Earl “Desmon” Walker, recipient of the 2025 Emerging Saluki Leader Award (ESLA), sums up his rise from provisional admission at SIU to becoming an award winning entrepreneur and community leader. What began in Champaign, Illinois in what he calls a “a very humble situation” and a clear desire to change his circumstances , has grown into something far larger - a powerful testament to resilience, discipline, grit  and the doors CoBA and SIU open for students ready to put in the work.

Starting as an Underdog

A first-generation college student, Walker arrived at SIU with curiosity, ambition, a love for learning and what he jokes was “a knack for making some money.” He quickly discovered that CoBA was the perfect environment to bring those instincts together. “You got the class right,” he says, “but you also got the chance to really learn how to work the business of campus life through student organizations.”

From day one, Walker hit the ground running and dove into SIU’s campus leadership ecosystem.  As a freshman, he joined the Undergraduate Student Government (USG), starting as a senator before eventually becoming vice president. The lessons he learned were less about titles and more about character. “One of the biggest lessons I learned through student government,” he reflects, “was how to fall flat on your face and still show up.”

He ran for student government president and lost. That moment could have discouraged him, but instead it pushed him. “Even the most qualified person doesn’t always get the victory,” he says. “It takes work ethic. It takes coming back after a loss. That’s what USG taught me about leadership.”

Finding Purpose and Brotherhood

Walker also found a deeper sense of  identity and purpose through Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., where he served as chapter president. The fraternity sharpened his leadership style, pushing it to another level. “Leaders really have to lead the pack,” he says. “You have to be bold enough to break glass ceilings, even if it means you might get cut up a bit.” Between USG, Alpha Phi Alpha, and the Student Programming Council, Walker learned how to organize, influence, and serve — skills that now shape his professional life.

Despite the packed schedule, Walker managed to keep academics at the forefront. He laughs as he recalls that balance: “I still went to class, did the homework…and yeah, I partied a little too. I didn’t have a girlfriend, so that gave me some more time,” he jokes. Beneath the humor lies a key lesson: SIU taught him time management, discipline, and focus.

From Provisional Admission to Leadership Recognition

For Walker, winning the ESLA brings his journey full circle. Earning the recognition award is especially meaningful for him because of where he began. “When I got my letter from SIU, the top half said I was denied,” he recalls. “The bottom half said I’d be accepted under provisional circumstances.”

He jokes that it felt like wearing a pair of “academic handcuffs” his first year, knowing he had to perform or go back home. Instead of discouraging him, the pressure pushed him toward growth. “I consider myself an underdog when I first got to campus,” he says. “So, to now be honored as a leader, it’s a privilege.”

Leadership, he insists, is not about accolades, titles, awards, or social media. It is defined by what one create in others. “The most important characteristic of a leader,” he says, “is someone who can make other leaders.” ESLA, he hopes, reflects the impact he has made by uplifting, mentoring, and opening doors for those who come after him.

A Legacy of Gratitude and Giving Back

Walker is quick to credit those who poured into him along the way, especially Dr. Christopher Marshall (Mgmt 201?), his former academic advisor, now friend, fraternity brother, and director of Exploratory Student Advisement. “He was one of the first individuals at SIU who took me under his wing,” Walker says. “He mentored me as a freshman and sophomore, as a junior and senior, and even to this day.”

Their relationship reflects something CoBA values deeply: student support doesn’t end at graduation. It evolves into a lifelong network of leaders committed to lifting each other up.

Advice for the Next Generation of Saluki Leaders

When asked what advice he would share with current CoBA students who want to be future leaders, Walker doesn’t hesitate: “Be bold enough to walk down a road by yourself.”

His second piece of advice is just as powerful: “Do the work that no one else wants to do.”

That principle, he says, has served him both in school and in his professional life. “If you get lost in the crowd raising your hand for everything everyone else wants to do, you won’t stand out,” he explains. “Leadership comes from grit, not convenience.”

A Story That Reflects CoBA’s Mission

This moment wasn’t just about honoring one student — it was about connecting alumni back to campus, inspiring current students, and reminding our community that leadership often emerges from the most unexpected beginnings. As CoBA celebrates Desmon Walker as a 2025 ESLA Award Winner, the College also celebrates what his journey represents: potential unlocked when opportunity meets determination.

From provisional admission to campus leader, from underdog to award-winning entrepreneur, Walker’s story is a powerful example of what happens when talent is nurtured, when discipline meets opportunity, and when a college remains committed to its students long after they leave Carbondale. It is a reminder that leadership can emerge from the most unexpected beginnings and that SIU is a place where those beginnings can grow into something extraordinary.

SIU to the ESLA Stage: A Career Built on People, Not Numbers

SIU to the ESLA Stage: A Career Built on People, Not Numbers

When SIU College of Business & Analytics alumnus Joel Hundelt reflects on his 17-year career in public accounting, he does not start with spreadsheets, titles, or technical milestones. He starts with people, the clients he has guided for nearly two decades, the mentors who shaped him at SIU, and the student organizations that taught him that meaningful leadership is rooted in service. For Joel, success has always been defined by connection, not calculation. As a 2025 Emerging Saluki Leader Award (ESLA)recipient, he stands as a powerful example of what a people-centered career looks like in a numbers-driven profession.

A Career Rooted in Relationships

Joel’s workdays often take him from one client’s office to another, where conversations cover tax strategy, but also life milestones unfolding across generations. “I have had some of the same clients since the day I started,” Joel shared. “I have seen them become parents and then grandparents. I have watched their businesses grow and evolve with them. That’s the part of the work I value most.”

In a field known for turnover and rapid movement, Joel’s ability to nurture relationships across generations is rare and deeply meaningful to him.

The Foundation: SIU and CoBA

Joel credits much of his professional grounding to his time at SIU. As an active member of Beta Alpha Psi, the Accounting Society, and several RSOs, he gained early exposure to firms, professionals, and real-world expectations. He learned early that the accounting profession is not just built on ledgers—it is built on listening, communication, presence, and professionalism. .. “The student organizations gave us exposure you can’t get in a classroom,” Joel reflected. “You learn to talk to people, to understand the industry, to build relationships. Those experiences nurtured my skills and values in ways textbooks alone never could.”

These organizations taught him not just the mechanics of accounting, but the interpersonal confidence, communication, and professionalism that define the field.

Consistency as a Competitive Advantage

What sets Joel apart in today’s fast-moving accounting world is clarity that helped set the trajectory for a career marked by exceptional consistency, a trait Joel views not as a limitation but as a quiet strength. In a profession where many move from firm to firm every few years, Joel took a different path. While still at SIU, he interned with a firm. , After graduation, he accepted a full time offer, and has remained with the same organization ever since through name changes, leadership transitions, and industry shifts. What may look unusual from the outside is, for Joel, the very reason he risen to the top. “Staying in one place isn’t always glamorous,” Joel admitted, “but consistency matters. You grow deeper roots. You learn your clients. They trust you. And over time, that trust opens doors that titles alone never could.”

That long-term commitment helped him build a reputation for reliability and relationship-building, ultimately leading him to become partner.

The Long Game

Joel acknowledges that the journey has been long, steady, sometimes slow, but unquestionably worth it. “The process takes time,” he said. “But when you stay focused and keep showing up, you can look back and see how far you have come and how many people you have impacted along the way.”

His career proves that accounting is not just the management of numbers. It is the stewardship of relationships. To today’s students, his message is: careers are shaped not only by technical skill, but the values SIU instilled in him: humility, curiosity, consistency, and care for the people you serve. .

What the ESLA Award Means

Winning the ESLA carries deep personal meaning for Joel. Not because of the recognition itself, but because of the values it affirms. “Being honored with this award isn’t pressure,” Joel shared. “It’s inspiring. It reminds me why I do what I do.”

Listening to the Hall of Fame inductees describe their journeys gave him a renewed sense of purpose: to continue leading with humility, strengthening relationships, and mentoring the next generation of professionals. The ESLA Award is a quiet validation that the long, patient path he chose — staying loyal to one firm, nurturing clients across generations, and showing up every day with intentionality — has truly made a lasting impact.

A Guiding Philosophy

As Joel looks ahead, he remains grounded in the same simple philosophy that has guided him all along: “People come first. If you take care of them, everything else falls into place.”

His journey exemplifies what SIU and CoBA strive to cultivate: not just successful professionals, but leaders whose work strengthens the lives of others.

From Track Star to Tax Leader: ESLA winner Jeff Schirmer’s Life, Leadership, and Love Story

From First-Generation Freshman to All-American Leader: The Saluki Journey of Jeff Schirmer

Before he became a Senior Tax Manager at KPMG, a husband  and a father of three —before the certifications, the client portfolio, the long hours and the leadership responsibilities that define his career today — Jeff Schirmer was a first-generation college student stepping onto SIU’s campus with a dream and determination. He was the first in his family not only to attend college, but to graduate high school. That reality shaped everything that came after. “Those two diplomas on my desk,” Jeff said, “my bachelor’s and master’s degrees, they mean more than I can explain. They symbolize the opportunity SIU gave me.”

A Foundation Built at SIU

Southern Illinois University became the launchpad for Jeff’s academic, personal, and professional life. Professors, coaches, mentors and teammates built a support system around him that lifted him, challenged him, and encouraged him to believe in himself.  “There were so many faculty and leaders who kept me on track” he explained. “As a first-generation student, you rely heavily on the people around you and SIU surrounded me with the right people.”

Those people didn’t just keep him accountable or push him academically. They cultivated his potential and helped transform a determined young man into a scholar, athlete, and emerging leader.

Leading on the Track and in Life

A major source of that transformation came from athletics. Jeff was recruited to compete for SIU’s cross country and track teams, ultimately becoming an All-American and a team captain from sophomore through senior year. Balancing Division I athletics as a three season athlete with a demanding academic load was challenging, but defining.. “Being an athlete teaches you time management, discipline, communication, and resilience,” Jeff said. “Those leadership lessons stick with you forever.”

Today, when he recruits young talent at KPMG, Jeff still finds himself drawn to student-athletes who embody the same grit and determination he learned on SIU tracks and training fields.

A Love Story That Started on the Starting Line

Jeff’s SIU story is also a love story. His time at SIU didn’t just shape his career, it shaped his heart. It was during practices, on long runs, on bus rides to meets, and through shared triumphs and defeats that he bonded with Emily who was his highschool sweetheart, the woman who would become his wife. They trained together, studied together, competed together and supported each other during college. That foundation has carried them through life’s busy seasons side by side for nearly 20 years of marriage and into the lives they share today with three children. Jeff said. “We started dating in high school through our shared love of running and scholarships at SIU gave us the chance to grow even closer.” And in the family debate over who the better athlete is? Jeff admits, “I might hold a few more records, technically… but Emily had the drive, the discipline, and the work ethic.” Then he laughs and adds the line every married man knows well: “Happy wife, happy life.”

What the ESLA Award Really Means

Winning the Emerging Saluki Leader Award carries deep meaning for Jeff. “The word ‘emerging’ really resonated with me,” he shared. “It reminds me that I am still growing. This isn’t a finish line. It’s a checkpoint.”

For Jeff, the award represents the mentors who shaped him, the teammates who pushed him, the professors who guided him, and the coaches who invested in him. It also symbolizes the responsibility he now carries to mentor others, work with integrity, and create opportunities for people coming after him. “It pushes me to do the right thing even when no one’s watching,” he said. “This award reminds me that leadership is a work in progress.”

Dreams in Motion

Professionally, Jeff still holds onto one big goal: becoming a partner at his firm. “That was the goal back when I was in school,” he said. “At the time it seemed unrealistic, but every year, I feel like I get a little closer.” Many of Jeff’s personal dreams, however, have already come true: three children, a meaningful career, and a life built with the woman he bonded at SIU.

 A Saluki Spirit That Endures

If Jeff had to summarize what SIU means to him, he goes back to the chant shouted across generations: “Go Southern Go!” His journey from first-generation scholar to collegiate athlete to tax leader, husband, father, and ESLA recipient reflects exactly what CoBA strives to cultivate:  Character, perseverance, humility, and leadership grounded in relationships.

Mindset and Mergers: Dr. Danni Tu's Leads Breakthrough Research on How Psychology Shapes Billion-Dollar Decisions

For Dr. Danny Tu, assistant professor of finance, the world of mergers and acquisitions is more than numbers and negotiation tables, it is a window into how human psychology shapes the biggest decisions in business.  “What fascinates me about mergers and acquisitions is how much our mindset shapes the decisions we make,” says Assistant Professor of Finance Dr. Danni Tu, reflecting on the passion behind her research. “Investors think differently when they feel like they are winning versus when they believe they are losing, and those psychological shifts can influence billion dollar outcomes.” That intersection of finance and human behavior is what first drew her to one of the most competitive areas of corporate finance research and has made Dr. Tu one of CoBA’s rising research stars.

Bridging Research and Teaching

Since joining SIU’s College of Business and Analytics in 2022, Dr. Tu has embraced the faculty role — balancing teaching, mentoring, and rigorous empirical research. For her, the connection between teaching and research is essential as she approaches each facet of her work with equal energy  .. “My goal is not just to publish papers,” she explains, “but to translate that knowledge to students, especially those interested in data analysis and empirical methods. They learn how research is actually done.” Her projects often provide hands-on research opportunitie for Ph.D. students, giving them early exposure to specialized datasets, statistical tools, and the complexities of real world financial decision-making, a signature strength of CoBA’s research culture.

Behavioral Biases and Billion-Dollar Deals

Today, Dr. Tu’s research focuses on how investor behavioral biases shape market reactions to merger and acquisition announcements. Drawing from prospect theory, she studies how individuals become risk-averse when they perceive themselves in a “gain” position and risk-seeking when operating from a perceived “loss” position, patterns that mirror casino behavior.   “When people are winning, they often stop to secure their gains,” she notes. When they are losing, they keep gambling, hoping to break even.” Her work explores how these mindset shifts affect investor interpretations and reactions to corporate merger decisions, influencing market behavior and corporate strategy at the highest levels.

SFRG Support Fuels a New Research Frontier

Pursuing research of this scale requires time, resources, and focused support. Dr. Tu found that through the Dean’s Summer Faculty Research Grant (SFRG). The grant is enabling her to launch an ambitious project examining the hidden negotiation processes behind merger announcements. The work involves hand-collecting SEC filings, documenting bidder interactions, offer revisions, negotiation timelines, and deal structures — painstaking data collection that few scholars attempt. The SFRG allows her to gather and clean this specialized dataset, conduct complex empirical analyses, and present findings at major finance conferences. Her goal: produce rigorous research that advances academic understanding while training the next generation of empirical researchers right here at SIU.

Curiosity That Moves the Field Forward

For Dr. Tu, the most exciting moments are the unexpected ones, especially  when the data surprises her. “Sometimes the results go in the opposite direction of what theory predicts,” she says. “Those moments push me to dig deeper. Curiosity is what keeps me going.” It is the same curiosity she hopes to cultivate in every student who enters her classroom .

Shaped by Mentorship, Paying It Forward

A defining force in Dr. Tu’s academic journey is her mentor,, Professor Tingting Liu from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, one of her dissertation co-chairs during her Ph.D. at Iowa State University. “She guided me into the field of mergers and acquisitions,” Dr. Tu recalls. “She taught me how to conduct empirical analysis, how to write professionally, how to present my work at conferences, and how to respond to journal referees.” That mentorship, she notes, shaped not only her technical expertise, but the confidence and passion for academic research.

Driving CoBA’s Research Mission Forward

Dr. Tu’s story reflects CoBA’s commitment to investing in faculty who drive innovation and elevate the student experience. With support, mentorship, and the freedom to explore big questions, she is preparing students for data-driven careers, strengthening SIU’s research contributions, and pushing the boundaries of what we know about mergers and acquisitions. And as she continues expanding her research portfolio, one thing is clear: She’s just getting started. 

SSIF Marks 25 Years of Student Led Innovation and Impact 

The Saluki Student Investment Fund (SSIF), one of the College of Business and Analytics’ most distinctive experiential learning programs, celebrated its 25th anniversary this semester marking a quarter century of student leadership, financial stewardship, and academic innovation at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. 

Established in 2000 with an initial investment of $25,000 which was gifted by Omar and Carol Winter to CoBA, the fund has since grown to more than $4 million all under the management of SIU students. “This is a fund built by students,” said faculty advisor Dr. Tim Marlo, an original member of the founding student team. “They have full autonomy, and the performance is theirs. That’s what makes this program so powerful for employers and transformative for our students.” Nearly 500 undergraduate and graduate students have participated in SSIF since its inception. 

A Model of Experiential Learning 

During the SSIF25 event celebrations, Marlo underscored that SSIF mirrors real world investment management. Students use Bloomberg terminalsn for fundamental analysis, compete in national finance competitions, attend industry site visits, and present results to professionals and alumni. Most recently, SSIF students traveled to New York City for company visits and on-site Bloomberg training. “Our students operate like a professional investment team,” Marlo said. “They put in dozens of hours of research because they care about their work, and they care about representing SIU.” The program’s structure has high expectations, high autonomy, and meaningful responsibility that embodies CoBA’s broader commitment to hands on, career centered education. 

Alumni Success Highlights Long-Term Impact 
 
For alumni like Parker Moses, who served in SSIF from 2016 to 2020, the anniversary represents the enduring strength of a program that shaped his career path. “SSIF gave me the ability to analyze businesses, forecast financial results, and present complex information clearly,” said Moses, now a research analyst in St. Louis. “It’s a perpetually running case study where students learn through real outcomes. That kind of learning is rare.” Moses noted that the program continues to evolve, particularly through advances in data analytics and programming, and through the increasing diversity of student perspectives. “Different backgrounds bring different insights. That’s what keeps the fund relevant and strong.” 

Emerging Voices, Expanding Opportunities 

Current students are equally enthusiastic about the fund’s impact. Vasik Kadri, a new SSIF member involved, said joining the fund reaffirmed his decision to pursue business and analytics in CoBA. “SSIF gives you real responsibility and a real voice,” he said. “It pushes you to grow and that’s what makes CoBA special. You’re not just learning theories; you are applying them.” 

Honoring the Mentors Behind the Momentum 

The anniversary event also recognized SSIF’s past faculty advisors, including Dr. Mark Peterson, Dr.Jason Greene and Dr. Xiaxion Beardsley, for their enduring commitment to student development. Beardsley expressed confidence in the fund’s future. “SSIF’s success reflects the dedication of its students,” she said. “This program is a testament to what happens when CoBA empowers students to lead.” 

A National Reputation for Excellence 

SSIF is currently ranked 28th among student-managed investment funds nationally, though Marlo noted that few programs offer students comparable autonomy. “When you consider student driven funds that are not tied to coursework, SSIF stands much closer to the top,” Marlo said. “Very few universities entrust students with this level of responsibility.” SSIF students have successfully navigated multiple market cycles, including the dot-com downturn, the 2008–09 recession, and the COVID-19 pandemic—while maintaining strong long-term performance. 

As SSIF enters its next 25 years, its legacy extends far beyond portfolio returns. It has become a defining example of CoBA’s mission: developing leaders through real experience, rigorous learning, and meaningful opportunities. “This fund is a bridge between classroom learning and professional readiness,” Marlo said. “Its greatest returns will always be the students.” With nearly 1,000 alumni contributing to its history and new students joining each year, SSIF continues to stand as one of CoBA’s most powerful demonstrations of how ideas become impact at SIU. 

CoBA Sends Off Fall 2025 Graduates with Celebration, Support, and a Clear Message: Their Future Matters

The College of Business and Analytics (CoBA) celebrated its Fall 2025 graduates with a heartfelt Grad Bash, transforming the first floor of Rehn Hall into a space filled with gratitude, encouragement, and student-centered support. More than just a celebration, the event underscored CoBA’s commitment to walking alongside students not just during their academic journey, but as they transition into their careers.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., graduates stopped by to receive their parting gifts including CoBA’s signature padfolio and a meal ticket for the food truck stationed outside. True to CoBA’s student-first approach, the featured food truck was not selected at random. Director of the Business Placement Center, Kenea Lee, invited students to vote through a social media poll, ensuring the winning vendor reflected student preferences and who was brought in to serve the graduates. It was a small but meaningful reminder that their voices matter.

Inside Rehn Hall, the atmosphere was warm and celebratory thanks to a cozy hot chocolate bar and a crowd favorite apple nachos station. While gifts were reserved for graduating seniors, all CoBA students were invited to join the celebration, reinforcing the sense of community and belonging that define the college.

One of the event’s most meaningful features was the “Wish Wall,” where students penned handwritten messages for the graduating class. Notes ranged from practical advice (“Start that budget early, your future self will thank you”) to lighthearted humor (“Going to bed at 9 p.m. will be the new norm”). Together, these messages captured the spirit of peer to peer encouragement and the shared experiences that shape life at CoBA.

Throughout the event, graduates also stopped to snap celebratory photos, chat with faculty and friends, and complete the First Destination Survey, an essential tool that helps CoBA track career outcomes and contribute to national data through the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE). This information supports the college’s ongoing efforts to refine programs, strengthen career pathways, and better serve future graduates.

For Kenea Lee, who stepped into her role as BPC director in mid-September, this year’s event was especially meaningful. “This is our way of showing students that we care about them and their future,” Lee said. “We want to wish our graduates well, but we also want them to know we are here for them. Whether they need help reviewing resumes, preparing for interviews, or planning their next steps, the BPC is committed to supporting them.”

Lee also emphasized that even small decisions, like choosing a food truck, reflect CoBA’s core value of keeping students at the center. “Their voices matter,” she said. “If this celebration is for them, then their input should guide it.”

Grad Bash will return in Spring 2026 for the next cohort of graduates, continuing a cherished CoBA tradition of honoring student success with connection, encouragement, and just the right amount of sweetness. At its core, the celebration sends one clear message:

CoBA is invested in the success of every student today, tomorrow, and long after they cross the graduation stage.