Dr. Ann Rensel

Biography

Dr. Ann Rensel joined the full-time faculty of the College of Business in August 2006 after teaching as an adjunct in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Niagara for a number of years. She holds an undergraduate degree in chemistry from the University of Delaware and an MBA in MIS and OR/MS from the State University of New York d at Buffalo. Dr. Rensel completed her Ph.D. in management science and systems with a major in MIS and minor in production operations management at SUNY Buffalo in 2006. Her dissertation research focused on the willingness of people to complete private transactions through publicly available computers. This multi-dimensional research project examined issues of the digital divide, and provision of computing resources particularly in public libraries. Her dissertation research was supported by a National Science Foundation dissertation support grant.

Prior to coming to Niagara, she has worked as an independent computer consultant and system analyst in the Buffalo-Niagara area and has worked as a bench chemist as well as a quality engineer in the carbon  graphite industry.

Focus of Teaching

Undergraduate Courses:

• Management Information Systems,
• Advanced Excel and Business Modeling

Graduate Courses

• Strategic Management of Information Systems
  Data and Knowledge Management

Current Research

Her research interests include technology adoption in underserved and economically disadvantaged populations and in very small businesses.  Her current research focuses on technology adoption and use in public access environments. Her work has been published in the Journal of the Association of Information Systems and the Journal of E-Commerce in Organizations and she has presented articles at the MISQ/RC Symposium on the Digital Divide, the Hawaii International Conference on Science and Systems and at the WNY Business Research Consortium.

Most recently her research has included the use of innovative assessment techniques in courses as well as several collaborations with Chinese scholars who visit Niagara University.

Current Involvement

Dr. Rensel serves as a member of the board of trustees for the Sanborn-Pekin Free Library, as well as on many committees within Niagara University.  She also serves as a reviewer for the BRC Journals as well as the annual ICIS conference.

At the university level she currently serves on a variety committees and taskforces, including the University Senate, Senate Taskforce on Graduate Programs Taskforce on Online Programs, and the Senate Policy committee.  In addition, she is a member of the University Planning and Resource Committee, serving on the taskforce examining microcredentials and certifications.

At the current time, she also serves as the Associate Dean for College Operations and Undergraduate Enrollment for the Holzschuh College of Business Administration.

Educational Background

• B.S. Chemistry, University of Delaware
• MBA Concentrations in MIS and OR/MS State University of New York at Buffalo
• Ph.D. Management Science & Systems Major: MIS, Minor: Production and Operations