Eric Kirby
Assistant Professor of Management and Business Law | Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT, UNITED STATES
Specializing in student success strategies, civil litigation, and student retention and first year experience in higher education
Biography
Dr. Eric Kirby is an Assistant Professor of Management, Leadership, and Business Law in the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University.
Kirby brings over 20 years of leadership and managerial experience from the private and public sectors. He has developed a wide-array of leadership perspectives and managerial insights while practicing law, working in the construction industry and in the federal court system, managing numerous departments and employees at SUU, and starting businesses. Kirby successfully passed the bar exams in three states and interned, clerked, and worked in numerous capacities within the legal field. While practicing law for nearly a decade, Kirby’s practice primarily focused on business law, civil litigation, and construction law. More recently, Kirby served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at SUU where he managed a myriad of departments and helped create innovative campus-wide programs which increased institutional retention and completion rates to historical highs and garnered national recognition.
Kirby is the co-author of a management and leadership book focused on retention and persistence in higher education. He co-hosts a weekly podcast series discussing innovative management and leadership tools for higher education and interviewing industry leaders from across the nation to discuss their best thinking on the challenges and opportunities within higher education. His research interests include innovative and unique retention and completion practices, leadership development, and the success of marginalized student populations (with a particular focus on Native American students). He has given presentations, workshops, and consult with various organizations across the nation on leadership development, managing generational differences (Gen Z), management/leadership strategies, organizational restructure, employee retention, and shifting business culture.
Kirby is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for scholastic excellence, distinguished advising and mentoring, commitment to excellence, achievement in experiential learning, distinguished integration, distinguished service awards, and for being a campus influencer.
He has a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University, a Master’s degree in Administration and a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from the University of Denver, and a Ph.D. in Global Leadership from the College of Business at Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech).
Spotlight
Media
Publications:
Documents:
Videos:
Audio/Podcasts:
Industry Expertise (4)
Education/Learning
Research
Legal Services
Management Consulting
Areas of Expertise (10)
Non Traditional Students in Higher Education
Second Year Retention in HIgher Education
Student Success Strategies
Student Retention in Higher Education
Political Science
First Year Experience, Higher Education
Event Planning & Management
Constitutional Law
Civil Litigation
Administration in Higher Education
Education (4)
University of Denver: J.D., Law
Indiana Institute of Technology: Ph.D., Global Leadership and Academic Administration
University of Denver: M.S., Administration
Southern Utah University: B.S., Political Science
Accomplishments (8)
Commitment to Excellence (professional)
Southern Utah University Thunderbird Award
Five-time Legal Rising Star
Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers
Board of Trustees Award of Excellence
2016
Advisor of the Year (professional)
Southern Utah University
Outstanding Mentor (professional)
Southern Utah University
Gerald R. Sherratt Award (professional)
Southern Utah University
SUU Campus Influencer Award (professional)
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
SUU’s Distinguished Service Award (professional)
2020, 2021
Links (2)
Languages (1)
- Spanish
Media Appearances (6)
Sophomore Retention Rates Increase Through SOAR Program
SUU News online
2019-02-27
According to Eric Kirby, assistant vice president for student affairs (Completion and Student Success), “Southern Utah University increased retention of first-year students by 9% over the past three years.” Because retention for first-year students has increased by so much, SUU turned their focus to sophomores at SUU.
Solving the Retention Puzzle
SUU News online
2018-07-16
Colleges and universities around the country are struggling to keep first-year students engaged and enrolled year after year. Only 61% of first-year students who started in 2015 returned to the same institution in 2016, according to a report from the National Student Clearinghouse.
Utah Court of Appeals visits SUU
The Spectrum online
2016-01-28
This is the second time the Court of Appeals has come to the university and the sixth time to Cedar City to hear oral arguments. Eric Kirby, executive director of completion and student success at SUU, said the proceedings gave students an in-depth look at Utah’s court system. “This will provide an education opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to give them a unique perspective on our justice system,” Kirby said.
Utah Intercollegiate Legislature gives students hands-on experience
Higher Ed Utah online
2015-03-31
Twenty-two students from across the state convened in the Senate Building at the Capitol Complex for the inaugural Utah Intercollegiate Legislature (UIL) on Thursday, March 26 & Friday, March 27, 2015. Drawn from the most recent class of legislative interns and student leadership at participating campuses, UIL students participated in a day and a half long legislative simulation of the Utah State Senate. UIL delegates were encouraged to submit bills that were added to a reading calendar, considered in committees, and debated on the floor. Topics of UIL bills ranged from concealed carry provisions to air quality amendments and exploring the expansion of the Frontrunner.
Stewart, Robles have a lot in common in first congressional debate
Deseret News online
2014-09-25
Eric Kirby, executive director at SUU's Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics & Public Service, called the debate a success for both Stewart, who is pursuing a second term in Congress, and Robles, who has served in the Utah Legislature since 2008. Both parties "played it safe" as they gave polite, comprehensive answers, he said.
Alumni Spotlight: Eric Kirby
SUU Alumni Association online
2012-02-01
Eric Kirby (’03, Political Science) is an attorney at Murphy Decker Hensen & Cook-Olson, P.C. in Denver, Colorado. His education at Southern Utah University taught him that with hard work and dedication he could accomplish his goals.
Articles (1)
Retention challenges for indigenous Peruvian college students on Beca 18 scholarship and strategies to improve their experiences and academic success
Taylor & FrancisEric Kirby, Yulia Tolstikov-Mast & Jennie L. Walker
2020-03-16
This paper analyzes challenges indigenous Peruvian college students face in completing their studies, based on field research that included interviews with Peruvian higher education leaders, administrators, researchers, and faculty, and a review of published research. Since 2012, the government of Peru has sponsored Beca 18, a comprehensive scholarship designed to attract and support students from underrepresented populations, namely impoverished and largely indigenous communities.
Courses (10)
ACCT 3350 Business Law and Ethics
A study of our legal system including the Constitution, administrative law, torts, crimes, labor law, antitrust, consumer protection, environmental law, international securities, contracts, UCC Art. 2, property, bailments, business organizations, agency, and intellectual property. Also includes coverage of social responsibility and ethical issues as they relate to business within society.
UNIV 1020 Strategies for Success
This variable topics course explores subjects geared toward student success. Sample topics include career exploration, job search preparation, exploring vocabulary development, and in-depth academic skill development.
UNIV 1020 Peer Leadership Skills
This course was designed for orientation leaders to develop the new orientation system, Thunder Academy, peer-to-peer mentoring skills, and leadership/professional development.
UNIV 1050 College Student Success
This course focuses on student success through systematic exploration of values and skills that will assist student in becoming successful in their academic endeavors. It is designed to help launch students’ university careers successfully and to equip students with tools and abilities to increase their career and academic skills.
UNIV 1057 Student-Athlete College Success
This course provides SUU student-athletes with valuable knowledge and tools that will aid in their transition from high school to college. This course will focus on initiatives of the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Affairs Department, including: Academic Development, Personal Development, Service Development, and Career Development.
UNIV 4920 Leadership & Professional Development
This course introduces students to various leadership philosophies and professional development techniques and strategies to help prepare students to succeed in the professional world as interns, employees, and leaders.
UNIV 4920 State Legislature and Leadership
The purpose of this course was to introduce students to emerging leadership philosophies, trends, and managerial issues that they will confront as future leaders. Also, aspects of professional development techniques and strategies were discussed to help prepare students to succeed in the professional world.
MGMT 4200 Business, Government, and Ethics
A study of the interactions of business, government, and society with a focus on business ethics and the social responsibilities of business firms. Topics include the sociopolitical environment of business, government regulation, personal and organizational ethics, and national and international issues facing businesses today.
MGMT 6100 Managing People and Organizations
This course examines the principles of organizational behavior involved in managing people and organizations in a business environment. Topics include leadership, motivation, effective teams, conflict and negotiations, power and influence, organizational culture, and change management. This course focuses on the practical application of these principles in a meaningful and ethical manner.
MGMT 6150 Leadership
The purpose of the course is to enable students to prepare themselves to become leaders of organizations and to embark on paths of personal leadership development. The course requires personal curiosity and reflection from students as well as personal openness and sharing in class discussions. Leadership development concepts used in the course will be immediately applicable for students and useful for the rest of their lives.
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