Biography

Dr. Michael J. Rivera joined the Fox School of Business in September 2014 and serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Management. His breadth and depth of experiences spans scholarly research (A-level publications with a robust R&R pipeline), teaching excellence (strong evaluations across undergraduate, MBA, MS, Online MBA, Executive MBA, and DBA programs), current and relevant analytics consulting in industry (with companies such as Lockheed Martin, Mars Wrigley, US Bank, and Subaru of America), experience co-founding two analytics-based startups (DevelapMe and Thinaer), and service contributions (facilitator of global program partnerships and immersion leader/developer). Before joining Fox, Dr. Rivera held faculty roles at La Salle University, Drexel University, University of Notre Dame, Purdue University, and Indiana University.

With a strong focus on bridging theory with practice, Dr. Rivera’s classroom is an active, industry-connected one that prioritizes hands-on growth and development through live case studies and team activities. Additional time for self-assessment encourages each student to cultivate their individual growth. Dr. Rivera’s goal is for every student to foster the skills that employers find most valuable—the ability to think creatively, innovatively, and solve real problems—so that each is on a path to long-term, sustainable success.

Dr. Rivera’s interests include digital real-time feedback, feedback networks, digital nudges, factory of the future, strategy & people analytics, A.I./ML-driven human + machine (IoT / IoTT) feedback, and digital leadership & transformation. He contributes original research in these areas and shapes these fields in other ways through his consulting, speaking, and entrepreneurial activities.

Dr. Rivera, a lifelong Philadelphian, holds a B.S. and an MBA from Taylor University, an M.S. from Indiana University, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University. He lives in Montgomery County with his wife Rachel, son Michael, and daughter Viviana. He enjoys traveling, cooking, hiking, biking, and playing music in his spare time.