In The Spotlight: Jim Rogers

Associate Teaching Professor Jim Rogers is the chair of the Department of Business Administration and Economics. He taught his first class at Saint Mary’s in the fall of 2014 and hasn’t looked back. It’s evident that his students value his blend of academic knowledge and real-world application—he mentors over 100 per semester. Recruited by beloved economics professors Jerry McElroy and Richard Measell, he has also served as a Professional Specialist at ND’s Mendoza College of Business. “But nothing compared to the culture of Saint Mary's College in my mind, ever,” he says. “I like teaching, but I love teaching here.”  Rogers recently sat down with us to talk about his storied career.

Is it safe to say you’ve seen a lot of changes in your time as an educator?

Absolutely. I would say the biggest change is technological, particularly in the discipline of marketing. Marketing used to be mock ups and storyboards. The data component was built on ratings books, and data printed a couple of times a year. Now you can get all of that free. Then, there’s a digital component  separate from data. When I came here in 2014, we didn’t have a digital marketing class. We didn’t have a brand management class, a social media marketing class, or a supply-chain marketing class. We didn’t have an AI marketing class.  (Retired department chair) Mary Ann Merryman and Jill Vihtelic encouraged me to create these classes at  Saint Mary’s, and launch a marketing major.

What about other areas?

There hasn’t been a significant shift in what women study in terms of business and economics, international business, and finance. Technology has certainly impacted all these, it’s particularly big in finance. But I think there is opportunity in what women should study, what women could study. We need way more women CEOs, and we need to provide them with the same opportunities men have had. We’re talking about executive leadership skills.

Can you say more about this?

At Saint Mary’s, we are more intentional with training women as leaders. Organizations recognize that a single gender perspective is not really the best for their business. We’re educating women to come into a market that is much more aware that women in executive leadership is massively to their benefit.

How is Saint Mary’s preparing students for this?

One of the positive benefits of having women leaders in any business is that you get much more productivity and a more human-oriented approach to people development and problem solving. Much of that is because of the liberal arts education that comes with their business degree. Our graduates know how to positively differentiate themselves from competitors in their job search. Our students are women who are knowledgeable, and know how to apply that knowledge. They are the ones who get hired.

Operating your own successful ad agency for over 30 years is a great example of knowledge meeting real-world skills. How does this impact your classroom environment? 

Long before I taught a class, I gathered a lot of experience. I had—still have—my own agency, and I also worked for other companies. I started my business with an answering machine and a borrowed word processor in 1991 when technology was not really a big thing. And obviously it has radically evolved over this time to the point where I use artificial intelligence for the purposes of my industry. It was at one particular job that someone suggested I teach. That suggestion changed my life.

How are students networking? 

Last year we started a student-written digital newsletter to alumnae from our database from the business department, just shy of 4,000 graduates. This, like The Bridge alumnae networking platform, gives current students a way to let alumnae know what they’re working on. For example, we have students interested in collateral advertising, social media, etc. I want business/economics students to walk away from Saint Mary’s knowing how to be their own best advocate. I frequently say “find your voice and use it.” Don’t ever shy away from being assertive about your value. Helping them think about a career path, a trajectory, is a duty we all take seriously.

What can alumnae do to support students?

In the newsletter, we ask our alumnae to share opportunities with us. We are training students to be business ready on day one, which I would like to see translated into more internships and other career possibilities. I think they would be extremely pleased by the quality of the women that they’ll find. We also want them here, in the classroom. We want frontline information, and they’re the ones who can provide it.

What makes Saint Mary’s students stand out?

The positive, collaborative nature and energy of the women learning here is powerful. At my core, I’m a hardcore introvert, but my students would never know that because they’re tremendously energizing. They learn from each other; I learn from them; it’s part of the beauty of the small liberal arts environment.

Let’s talk about Off The Avenue. 

This is truly a highlight of my time at Saint Mary’s. A few years ago, Hannah Shoemake ’23 approached me with the idea for a project. She wanted to do something substantial, something lasting. She and six of her classmates landed on an idea to create a coffee shop in a former food service space in Spes Unica. Together we worked on a business plan, obtained a loan, established the board, bought materials and equipment, hired and trained staff, all of it. Despite my absence due to health issues, they did exactly what we want from all of our women here at  Saint Mary’s: they pressed on. They knew they wanted products that were ethically sourced and they knew they wanted proceeds to go to organizations that support women. For the past two years, they have presented a check to a local charity, and have plans to give back to the business department. I see the daily sales and the business is making good money, well beyond any costs. The initial loan made by the College was paid off after a year.

What will you remember most about your students? 

At the end of each year, when students are in their honors and hooding ceremony, they are one big sisterhood. They’ve all come a long way together, and it makes me emotional every time. I emcee that ceremony with tears running down my face because it’s so powerful. It’s about seeing the sum of their accomplishments, being mutually celebrated, everyone having climbed the mountain in their own way.

Let’s shift gears. You’re also a women’s hockey coach? 

It’s true. This year I became the head coach of Notre Dame’s club team. I used to play—I played in rec leagues for a long time. The daughter of a friend plays on the ND team and she invited me to her games. I noticed areas where there was room to improve, so I asked the coach if she would be open to me assisting the students. Nothing came of it until last fall when the coach left and they asked if I was interested in leading the team. A few times during the first season we had just six skaters and a goalie. This year, I believe our team is up to 16 players.

They want to compete. I’m happy to be their coach. On May 31, 2026, a change is coming. Can you tell us about it? 

I am officially retiring. It will be a big change. Yes, it’s frightening; it’s a lot of things. But it is promising, exciting. Not unlike when our students arrive on campus. It’s a big step forward in their lives. And so is this for me.

What will life be like in retirement? 

My wife Rita and I keep a boat on Lake Michigan. We are going to take somewhere between a six- and eight-week boat trip from New Buffalo into Canada to the North Channel of Lake Huron. Then, I have thousands of poems that I’ve written over the years that I need to catalog. I’m also going to get rid of my smartphone. Yes, I’m going full flip phone. 
 

November 18, 2025