Feature article written by Susana Jaramillo – Updated (10/28/2023) -.

Dr. Hsiao-Ching Kuo, Associate Professor of Marketing at Washington and Jefferson College, served as the RAPSIG VP of Rewards and Recognition from 2022 to 2023.

Hsiao-Ching fascination with marketing developed unexpectedly during his undergraduate years. Although majoring in business, her heart belonged to the marketing field. When she was an undergraduate student, her favorite course was psychology, an elective course she took to fulfill her graduation requirements. She found studying how people think, feel, and act fascinating.

Unlikely most business areas, such as finance or accounting, marketing presented her with a  wonderful overlap with psychology, so she started taking more marketing classes, leading her to explore the fascinating world of this field further.

Hsiao-Ching (Jean) Kuo

Professional Title: Associate Professor of Marketing

Current University: Washington and Jefferson College

PhD Granting Institution: University of South Florida

RAPSIG Title: VP of Rewards and Recognition

Email: hkuo@washjeff.edu

Website:

Hsiao-Ching Kuo, Ph.D. – Washington & Jefferson College (washjeff.edu)

Hsiao-Ching’s research interest lies in the social environment of retailing, with a particular focus on social influence, which is evident in various research projects.

Hsiao-Ching’s advice for PhD students and junior scholars:

For aspiring PhD students and junior scholars, Hsiao-Ching shares valuable advice—find joy in what you do. Acknowledging his doctoral journey’s challenges and sleepless nights, she emphasizes the importance of passion as a driving force during the most testing times. She also mentioned the importance of having a supportive network of friends within the PhD program and beyond, like her church friends from the international fellowship. Both played a pivotal role in her academic success.

“I think it is so important to enjoy what you do. There will be a lot of challenges as a PhD student and as a junior scholar. I remember all those sleepless nights and endless revisions on my dissertation. Passion has pulled me through during those most challenging years.”

When Hsiao-Ching was asked about the non-academic activities she enjoys the most, she listed:

  • Reading (mostly with her kids)
  • Doing crafts (mostly with her kids)
  • Drawing and painting (mostly with her kids – She laughed-)

Fun fact:

The first concert she attended was by the Taiwanese band Mayday.

Hsiao-Ching can be reached at hkuo@washjeff.edu