Gardner-Webb Doctor of Business Administration Student Transforms Classroom Through Research and Innovation

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

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—When Linda Thornhill began Gardner-Webb University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program in Summer 2024, she wasn’t just pursuing a doctorate—she 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—an 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, “AI in Human Resources: From HR to the Future of Work–The Revolution is Here,” won the best paper award. The work has since been edited and published internationally.

For Thornhill, the DBA experience is not separate from her classroom—it 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. “If 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,” she explained. “Or if I miss putting it into the PowerPoint, I bring it into the lecture.”

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. “The 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,” she observed.

Her students now return to class with their own discoveries, building on classroom discussions. “They’ll come back into the class for the next class period and say, ‘Hey, remember how you told us this was going on? Did you know this is going on?’” Thornhill stated. “It kind of gets them more involved in taking a little bit of ownership of their education.”

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. “Once they know that I’m a student too, it kind of like changes their perspective a little bit,” she shared. “They are like, ‘OK, she does understand. She gets it.’”

The rigor of the DBA program has been demanding, but she embraces the challenge and enjoys researching and compiling information. Thornhill’s 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—not simply replacing jobs, but changing the nature of work. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI systems. “You have to have that human element to keep it in check… otherwise you’re going to end up with biases in there,” she commented. “When it comes to repairing them and keeping machines running… you have to have a human.”

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—an 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 Gardner-Webb’s DBA program has been instrumental in her growth. The program’s 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—both 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 Gardner-Webb’s 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.

Gardner-Webb University 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., Gardner-Webb 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 gardner-webb.edu.