Kelley School promotes two faculty members in marketing and accounting

Congratulations to Demetra Andrews and Diane Sturek for their recent faculty promotions at the Kelley School of Business Indianapolis.

Demetra is promoted to clinical professor in marketing, and Diane is promoted to teaching professor in accounting.

“Demetra and Diane are committed to their disciplines and devoted to their students. Their dedication to excellence in teaching and service has elevated not only their careers but also the stature of our institution,” said Kelley Indianapolis Vice Dean Julie Manning Magid. “Thank you for your relentless pursuit of knowledge and for inspiring your colleagues and students alike.”

Diane Sturek celebrates 40 years in accounting

Diane has worked in the field of accounting for more than 40 years. She began her career as an auditor for a multinational accounting firm and an internal auditor in banking. She served as a staff accountant in banking, insurance, and government before moving into teaching. Diane has taught accounting for 30 years, beginning at William Woods University and the University of Missouri at Columbia before joining Kelley Indianapolis in 2004.

In 2022, Diane served as board chair for the Indiana CPA Society. She was the seventh woman to serve as chair and was part of the first all-woman leadership team for the organization as she was the first woman chair to serve with a woman chair-elect. Diane was also the second academic to hold the position of chair of the board.

Diane says she’s grateful for her students and the support of her colleagues, including Liz Malatestinic and Kim Donahue, the first teaching professors at Kelley Indy who blazed a trail to this faculty rank, as well as professors Ken Carow and John Hassell. She’s also grateful for every student who has entered her classroom. And as an accountant, she has the receipts.

“I counted how many students I’ve taught over the years, and it’s more than 20,000. Everybody can think of the impact a teacher has had on your life, but I think the impact all those students have had on my life is truly incalculable,” Diane said. “These students have become my own colleagues and friends, and I certainly learn from them. We have great students at the Kelley School, and they work so hard to make their lives better. It’s an honor to be a part of their journey.”

Diane teaches Kelley Indianapolis students in the Undergraduate and Graduate Accounting programs. She received the Graduate Accounting Teaching Excellence Award in 2019 and the Schuyler F. Otteson Teaching Excellence Award in 2018 and 2015, which is given by student government to undergraduate instructors.

“We are fortunate to have faculty like Diane, who is a strong student advocate, encouraging and ushering Kelleys into in the world of accounting,” said Vice Dean Magid. “Her success as an inspiring educator is evidenced by the many accounting alumni who remain connected with her.”

Demetra Andrews combines love of marketing, education, and empowerment

Demetra began her career in domestic and international marketing for companies such as American Airlines and Mobil Oil before earning her PhD in marketing, which prepared her to research consumer choice confidence and teach marketing to college students. Although she initially planned to study law, Demetra fell in love with marketing during an undergraduate advertising class and switched schools to pursue her new passion. Originally from Houston, Demetra pursued a very Texan career path in oil and gas before transitioning to the airline industry.

Demetra was working in the airline industry on 9/11. When the industry slowed, she decided to pursue a desire to teach by starting a training program to help K-12 students plan for careers. This inspired her to earn a PhD, which led her to faculty positions at Florida State, IU Northwest, and finally Kelley Indianapolis in 2017. Demetra received the Trustees Teaching Award in 2022 and the Schuyler F. Otteson Undergraduate Teaching Excellence Award in 2023,  2021, and 2019. Two of her pedagogical research papers were honored by the Marketing Educators’ Association and the Marketing Management Association in 2022.

Demetra publishes applied research on internal and external factors that influence consumer confidence and readiness to act. When she isn’t engaged in research, teaching marketing courses in the Undergraduate and Physician MBA programs helps her combine the two things she loves: marketing and teaching.

“I love everything about marketing: the psychology behind it, the overlay of consumer behavior, and the fact that it changes all the time. As soon as we think we’ve got a handle on consumer marketing, some new technology or consumer value changes, and we have to do something different. It’s never dull,” Demetra said. “My favorite part about teaching is when my students come back after my course and tell me how much they’re using these lessons in their jobs or future classes. It’s such a privilege.”

Demetra is also the faculty coordinator for Access, Empowerment, and Inclusion at Kelley Indianapolis, working ensure that all students are seen, heard, affirmed, supported, and celebrated. By understanding the importance of having all voices at the table, Kelley students can bring valuable perspectives to their future employers.

“Demetra brings a wealth of marketing and industry experience to her research and the classrooms at Kelley Indianapolis,” said Vice Dean Magid. “We are proud to have her as a faculty leader who ensures our students’ voices are valued and that there are no barriers for them to have a safe space to grow and be their best.”