Newest Class of Robins Teacher-Scholars

Robins School faculty are acclaimed business leaders, subject matter experts, and consultants. They are authors and scholars. And they’re here because they put students first. Robins School teacher-scholars are mentors both in and out of the classroom and we are proud to have seven new full-time faculty join us this year.

Marina Astakhova
Associate Professor of Management, Organizational Behavior

Marina Astakhova was previously on the faculty of Soules College of Business at the University of Texas at Tyler. She received her Ph.D. degree in Management from Kent State University. Her scholarly work and teaching have received numerous awards and she has been recognized for her outstanding teaching. Dr. Astakhova worked with TACIS, the program sponsored by the European Union, where she assisted local entrepreneurs with business plan writing and grant applications. She also worked as an HR specialist at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. She continues to provide consulting for-profit and non-profit U.S. organizations and involves her students in HR and OB client consulting projects.  

Little known fact: “I always refer to my work passion research as “mesearch,” as I am absolutely passionate about my work! When I am not “mesearching” I love traveling and have been to 36 countries, with New Zealand being my top choice. I also speak four languages: English, Russian, German, and Texan.”

Patricio Duran
Associate Professor of Management, International Business

Patricio Duran earned a Ph.D. in International Business from the University of South Carolina. His research interests include international business environment, strategic management, and corporate governance with an emphasis on emerging markets and global businesses. His research has been published in the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Management, Journal of International Business Studies, Journal of Management Studies, and Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, among others. Prior to joining Richmond, Dr. Duran was affiliated with Saint Louis University. He has also served in leadership positions in the U. Adolfo Ibanez in Chile. Patricio has relevant professional experience as a consultant in strategy for large corporations and finance executive for multinational enterprises.  

Little known fact: “I am a music lover!”

Xia (Summer) Liu
Assistant Professor of Finance

Summer Liu received a Ph.D. in Finance from the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma. Her research interests are in the areas of empirical corporate finance with focuses on executive compensation, state ownership, and venture capital. Her research has been published in the Journal of Banking and Finance. She teaches Principles of Financial Management and Corporate Finance at the University of Richmond. She is also a CFA charter holder.

Little known fact: “In my free time I enjoy cooking, baking, brewing espresso, and of course, spending time with my husband and three-year-old daughter.” 

Christine Mihelcic
Assistant Professor of Management, Organizational Behavior

Christine Mihelcic earned a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Tech, an M.S. in Public Policy from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in Business from Penn State. Her research interests lie at the nexus of stigmatized identities, disability, and social entrepreneurship. She has published research in Organization Science and the Annual Review of Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior. In addition, Christine has taught both Organizational Behavior and Diversity courses, which earned her a teaching award from Penn State in 2021.

Little known fact: “I am a certified barre instructor and I love animals (especially dogs—my husband and I are getting a Newfoundland).”    

Michelle Montague-Mfuni
Assistant Professor of Management, International Business

Dr. Michelle Montague-Mfuni has significant experience working with entrepreneurs, corporations, and public entities to achieve their operational business goals. For more than 21 years, she was involved in the financial and strategic management consulting sector in South Africa. Her research often utilizes the African context to explore and expand strategic, international business, stakeholder, entrepreneurial, and family business theories.

Little known fact: “I am a permanent resident and taxpayer in South Africa in addition to the U.S. I also claim San Diego as my childhood town.”

Tenace Kwaku Sector
Assistant Professor of Analytics & Operations

Tenace Setor is an Assistant Professor of Analytics and Operations at the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond. Tenace earned his Ph.D. in Information Systems from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. His research interests focus on how IT talents build sustainable technology careers, the deployment of business intelligence systems, and intelligent systems for patient empowerment and decision-making. His teaching interests are in the areas of data analytics, database management, systems analysis and design, applied statistical computing, and data science. 

Little known fact: “I like to foster dogs and care for them.”

Nhu (Nancy) Tran
Assistance Professor of Finance

Nancy Tran received a Ph.D. in Finance from Binghamton University where she also received a B.S. in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and Finance. Her research interests are in the areas of Municipal Bond Market, Climate Finance, and Behavioral Finance. She teaches Principles of Finance and Investments.

Little known fact: "I love cooking and fall is my favorite season of the year."

Learn more about all our faculty through the Faculty Directory.