Eric Kirby

Assistant Professor of Management and Business Law Southern Utah University

  • Cedar City UT

Specializing in management, leadership, generational nuances (Gen Z), student success strategies, business law, and student retention

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Biography

Dr. Eric M. Kirby is a distinguished award-winning educator, attorney, and thought leader in the fields of leadership, management, and student success. With a dynamic career spanning academia, legal practice, and consulting, he has cultivated a reputation as an expert in fostering generational engagement, developing leaders and managers, providing strategic innovation, and creating organizational success.

Dr. Kirby holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Global Leadership from the School of Business at Indiana Institute of Technology, a Juris Doctor (J.D. - law degree) and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Legal Administration from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science with a minor in Business Management from Southern Utah University.

In his diverse leadership roles within higher education, including Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, Acting Director of the MBA Program, and Director of a Political Center, Dr. Kirby has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have driven remarkable results. His strategic leadership has helped lead departments and organizations to historic improvements in student retention, persistence, and graduation rates, setting new benchmarks for institutional success and earning national recognition for innovative approaches to student engagement and achievement.

A prolific consultant and sought-after speaker, Dr. Kirby delivers keynotes, workshops, and corporate trainings nationwide. His expertise in management, leadership, organizational behavior, generational nuances, and student success has made him a trusted advisor to organizations navigating the complexities of the twenty-first century. Dr. Kirby also co-hosts a podcast (ASCEND) and has authored multiple publications, including an Amazon Top New Release Leading Gen Z: Insights and Strategies for Managing, Parenting, and Teaching Generation Z. His diverse work has been featured in peer-reviewed journals and national conferences, solidifying his position as a thought leader in organizational management, leadership, law, generational dynamics, and student success.

Dr. Kirby has taught numerous courses in business, law, leadership, management, political science, student development, and criminal justice at the MBA, MPA, and undergraduate levels.

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Industry Expertise

Education/Learning
Research
Legal Services
Management Consulting

Areas of Expertise

Leadership
Generation Z
Student Success Strategies
Management
Organizational Behavior
Employee Development and Retention
Business Law
Student Retention in Higher Education

Education

University of Denver

J.D.

Law

Indiana Institute of Technology

Ph.D.

Global Leadership and Academic Administration

University of Denver

M.S.

Administration

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Accomplishments

Commitment to Excellence

Southern Utah University Thunderbird Award

Five-time Legal Rising Star

Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers

Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

2016

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Languages

  • Spanish

Media Appearances

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.

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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.

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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.

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Articles

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations: To Statutorily Organize or Not?

Wyoming Law Review

2024

This Article explores the evolving concept of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) in the context of Web3 technology. It raises critical questions about whether DAOs truly represent a step forward in limiting liability in entity governance structures or if they risk centralizing the decentralized. The text discusses the potential of DAOs to address regulatory and tax challenges while also highlighting concerns about their legitimacy and security. It compares the governance structures of traditional entities to DAOs and contemplates the reasons for formal organization pursuant to state statute.

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Retention challenges for indigenous Peruvian college students on Beca 18 scholarship and strategies to improve their experiences and academic success

Diaspora, Indigenous, and Minority Education

2020

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.

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Courses

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.

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