Brigham Young University–Hawaii is pleased to welcome Jenifer McGill as the new visiting entrepreneurship assistant professor in the Faculty of Business & Government, starting in the Fall 2024 Semester. With a background in entrepreneurial management and a deep commitment to service, McGill brings experience and enthusiasm to the BYU–Hawaii campus.
Raised in Gilbert, Arizona, McGill served in the Paraguay Asunción Mission. Her academic journey began at BYU, where she earned both her undergraduate degree and Master of Public Administration. Over the past seven years, she has been an adjunct professor, teaching entrepreneurial management courses at BYU–Idaho and BYU–Hawaii. Alongside her academic career, McGill and her husband have successfully managed their family business, the Energy Mill, all while raising three children and hosting seven others. This blend of practical business experience and academic insight has uniquely prepared her for her new role at BYU–Hawaii.
In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, McGill has dedicated herself to addressing economic barriers through her mission-driven work. Her missionary service profoundly influenced her perspective, igniting a lifelong passion for finding solutions to economic challenges. She has served on the advisory and executive boards of two nonprofits and is currently the director of Next Level Social Development, a 501(c)(3) organization.
McGill expressed her excitement about joining BYU–Hawaii, particularly because of the interdisciplinary nature of entrepreneurship. "Businesses are interdisciplinary; entrepreneurism connects to every academic discipline taught at BYUH," she shared. She looks forward to collaborating with students to identify interdisciplinary business opportunities, develop executable business models, and maintain long-term postgraduate relationships. Her enthusiasm for engaging with students both in the classroom and beyond is evident in her commitment to their personal and professional growth.
In her research, McGill focuses on the complexities of sustainable growth and prosperity. She is fascinated by the factors that enable some countries to thrive while others struggle, seeking to uncover patterns that promote economic stability and equitable opportunity distribution. McGill acknowledges the challenges of applying these principles across different cultures and political landscapes. "Beliefs and attitudes vary from nation to nation. Therefore, a simple economic model for all seems impossible. Or is it?" she ponders, highlighting the nuanced and thought-provoking nature of her work.
McGill's teaching philosophy centers on the power of questions. “I loved to ask questions that invite conversation. If I can persuade the student to care about a subject, then the student cares about the answer. Real-life examples provided by case studies, guest lecturers, and personal experience also help engage students. Storytelling helps students remember concepts and know how to apply the principles we teach regardless of their individual circumstances,” she shared, highlighting that by incorporating storytelling into her teaching, she aims to help students remember and apply the principles they learn.
Jenifer McGill's arrival at BYU–Hawaii promises to enrich the academic community with her unique blend of practical business experience, academic insight, and a profound commitment to service. Her passion for entrepreneurship and dedication to student engagement are sure to inspire and guide the next generation of business leaders at BYU–Hawaii.