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Linda Thornhill鈥檚 Work in Artificial Intelligence and Economics Shapes Student Learning While Gaining International Recognition from Academic Peers

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.鈥擶hen Linda Thornhill began 91茄子鈥檚 Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program in Summer 2024, she wasn鈥檛 just pursuing a doctorate鈥攕he was looking for a way to grow as an educator. Less than two years later, that decision is already transforming her teaching, opening doors to research and collaboration, and earning national recognition.

Thornhill, a business instructor at SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles, La., was recently named the Louisiana Association of Business Educators (LABE) Postsecondary Teacher of the Year鈥攁n achievement she said caught her completely off guard.

At the same time, her academic work gained attention beyond the classroom. Thornhill recently presented a concept plan at the Academy of Business Research (ABR), an international society that brings together scholars and practitioners from across the United States and nearly 50 countries. Although it was a proposal, 鈥淎I in Human Resources: From HR to the Future of Work鈥揟he Revolution is Here,鈥� won the best paper award. The work has since been edited and published .

For Thornhill, the DBA experience is not separate from her classroom鈥攊t actively shapes her instruction. The research-intensive nature of the program requires her to stay up-to-date with the latest developments, particularly within the past five years. 鈥淚f I see something in my research and I know it goes with a specific lesson, I’ll go in and I’ll update that lesson,鈥� she explained. 鈥淥r if I miss putting it into the PowerPoint, I bring it into the lecture.鈥�

This approach has changed how her students engage with course material, and this has been one of the most rewarding outcomes of the DBA program. Instead of passively receiving information, they are increasingly taking ownership of their learning. 鈥淭he ones that actually listen to the lecture and take it more to heart, they’re the ones that are starting to dive in a little bit even on their own,鈥� she observed.

Her students now return to class with their own discoveries, building on classroom discussions. 鈥淭hey’ll come back into the class for the next class period and say, 鈥楬ey, remember how you told us this was going on? Did you know this is going on?鈥欌�� Thornhill stated. 鈥淚t kind of gets them more involved in taking a little bit of ownership of their education.鈥�

Being in the DBA program has also reshaped how Thornhill relates to her students. As both instructor and student, she brings empathy, and credibility, into the classroom. 鈥淥nce they know that I’m a student too, it kind of like changes their perspective a little bit,鈥� she shared. 鈥淭hey are like, 鈥極K, she does understand. She gets it.鈥欌��

The rigor of the DBA program has been demanding, but she embraces the challenge and enjoys researching and compiling information. Thornhill鈥檚 scholarship reflects her dual focus on theory and practice.

Her award-winning and now-published research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence and human resource management. The work examines both the potential benefits of AI and the risks of unintended bias. Thornhill highlights how AI is reshaping the workforce鈥攏ot simply replacing jobs, but changing the nature of work. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI systems. 鈥淵ou have to have that human element to keep it in check鈥� otherwise you’re going to end up with biases in there,鈥� she commented. 鈥淲hen it comes to repairing them and keeping machines running鈥� you have to have a human.鈥�

Presenting her research at the ABR conference marked another milestone. Thornhill described the experience as both exciting and intimidating. The presentation led to new opportunities for collaboration, including interest from international scholars.

As Thornhill advances in the DBA program, she is turning her attention to her dissertation in economics. Her research focuses on the economic impact of data centers鈥攁n increasingly relevant topic as digital infrastructure expands. She is particularly interested in the long-term effects on local communities, including job creation, economic spillover, and infrastructure costs. Her work will explore whether data centers generate sustained economic growth or provide only short-term benefits. She is also examining broader implications, including energy consumption and cost distribution.

Thornhill said choosing 91茄子鈥檚 DBA program has been instrumental in her growth. The program鈥檚 flexibility and supportive faculty have made it possible for her to balance teaching, research, and professional commitments.

As she continues toward her expected graduation in May 2027, Thornhill is already seeing the impact of her work鈥攂oth in her classroom and in the broader academic community. For her students, that impact is immediate. For Thornhill, it is a reminder of why she started the journey in the first place: to become not just a better scholar, but a better teacher.

Become more in your career with 91茄子鈥檚 DBA program.

Take the next step by contacting Blake Elizalde at [email protected] or Dr. Christine Sutton at [email protected].

Apply by July 31 for fall admission.

91茄子 is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., 91茄子 prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at .