CFBC: Tell us a little bit about your department?

Jaclyn Jensen: I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Management. My department is comprised of faculty with expertise in organizational behavior, human resource management, entrepreneurship, operations management, business ethics, and leadership. We teach and interact with students at the undergraduate and graduate level and a number of faculty are very involved in outreach with the business community. I personally teach classes that focus on organizational behavior and human resource management and conduct research on employee misbehavior in organizations. I’m interested in understanding more about why employees misbehave and mistreat others, and what organizations can do to curb hostility and aggression in the workplace.

CFBC: Tell us why you chose to come to DePaul

JJ: I joined DePaul University in Fall 2012 after spending 6 years as a faculty member at George Washington University in Washington, DC. DePaul impressed me as a university that had great respect for both teaching and research, which are two of my passions. I also felt that DePaul valued interactions with the business community, and I hope to be able to build a network of business contacts in the Chicago area. This type of network helps me stay current on how organizations and managers are thinking about issues I discuss with my students, for example employee motivation or ethical decision making, and is also valuable to my research on employee misbehavior in organizations.

CFBC: What was your first impression of DePaul?

JJ: I was impressed with the quality of teaching and the faculty’s dedication to their students. I regularly hear about faculty who spend time meeting with students outside of class, whether to provide career advice or serve as an informal mentor. I was also very impressed with the vast network of alumni who are very enthusiastic about DePaul and generous in their support. For example, just a few weeks after I came to campus, the school celebrated its re-dedication as the Driehaus College of Business. There was a sincere appreciation for all the College has accomplished so far, and a great sense of energy around where we are headed in the future.

CFBC: What do you wish CFBC members knew about DePaul or your department, and why?

JJ: I wish that CFBC members knew that the members of my department can be a great resource to you for organizational issues you may be dealing with. There are a number of ways to connect with my department, whether through individual faculty members, or through the department’s Center for Creativity and Innovation which regularly sponsors programming that might be of interest to CFBC members.

CFBC: How could you serve as a resource for the CFBC members, and how could they serve as a resource for you?

JJ: I would gladly be available for speaking or consultation to CFBC members, particularly in the areas of human resource management and employee behavior. If there is an employee issue you are struggling with, and could benefit from an outside perspective, please let me know. As I work to build my network of Chicago area business contacts, I am also always looking for guest speakers for my classes, which would allow you the chance to get to know some of our students and connect with the university further.

CFBC: Tell me about someone who has influenced your decision to do the work you do?

JJ: There have been a number of people who have influenced my work, but I would say the primary influence was seeing a former colleague be really poorly treated by her boss. The treatment was completely unwarranted – the boss was an ignorant jerk and had no problem putting others down and making inappropriate remarks. I saw how it negatively affected her personal well-being and disposition at work, and despite being a great performer, how she started to withdraw and was never quite the same afterwards. Ever since I have been really passionate about fair treatment and justice in the workplace and making sure that people are treated with respect and dignity.

CFBC: What would you tell our members who are thinking about working with DePaul?

JJ: There are a number of resources available to you through CFBC’s relationship with DePaul, whether access to faculty experts or other business contacts, which may be relevant to issues you are facing or ideas you are considering for the future. I welcome the opportunity to get to know you and learn of ways that I might be able to assist you and your organization.

CFBC: What do you do when you aren't working?

JJ: My husband and I enjoy running and scuba diving. Fortunately Lake Michigan has great running paths, but the water is much too cold to enjoy diving in!

CFBC: What are your plans for the future?

JJ: I’m looking forward to getting to know more of my colleagues in the College of Business as well as connecting with external groups such as the CFBC. I’m also excited to meet more students and introduce them to the field of management and the potential it holds for their future careers.

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