New Faculty: Phillip Witt

This fall, the UNO College of Business Administration welcomed nine new full-time faculty members — one of the largest classes in college history.

Phillip Witt grew up in Provo, Utah, and received his bachelor’s degree and MBA in the same state before moving to Washington to pursue his doctorate.

Witt previously worked in the quality management field for an engineering firm and an aerospace manufacturing firm, so his dissertation naturally focused on an evaluation of Six Sigma, specifically how the personalities of team members affect project success. He is excited to continue research in this area as well as begin new projects in healthcare supply chain management and humanitarian operations management.

Outside of work, Witt says, "My wife and three daughters are my life." He enjoys spending time with them doing outdoorsy activities like biking, hiking, camping, and fishing.

A sports fan, Witt follows the NBA closely, especially the Utah Jazz. He also loves college football.

“I’ve also been told that in coming here [to UNO], I need to become a hockey fan, so I’m looking forward to my first game at Baxter Arena,” he says.

Read on to learn more about Dr. Witt.

Why did you decide to become a professor?

While I was working on my undergraduate degree, I had the opportunity to teach math and science at an all-girls boarding high school where all of the students were on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum. That’s where I developed my love for teaching. I have also always had an interest in business, dating back to my time growing up. My dad was an entrepreneur, and I was able to work in his businesses from a very young age. Combining those two aspects (my love for teaching and my interest in business), becoming a business professor made a lot of sense for me.

What are your impressions so far of UNO and the College of Business Administration?

I have loved it here so far at UNO and CBA! Everyone I work with has been incredibly supportive and has made me feel very welcome. I have also really enjoyed my students. I’ve told them a couple of times already how impressed I am with them. They have a high care factor. They want to learn. I quite often go home and tell my wife, “I love my job! I am living my dream!” Hopefully I’m here for a long time.

What is an interesting fact about yourself?

Not a lot of people know that I lived in Bulgaria for a couple years, so I also speak Bulgarian, and that’s where I met my wife. Speaking Bulgarian comes in handy as a parent, because my wife and I can speak it when we don’t want our girls to know what we’re talking about, although they’re pretty smart and they’ve picked up on a few important words, such as the word for ice cream.