The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Brett H. Neely Jr. has been named one of Poets & Quants 50 Best Undergraduate Professors for 2024, an annual recognition of the world’s top educators in business education.
Neely, an assistant professor of management in the College of Business, was selected after a rigorous evaluation process by Poets & Quants' editorial team, which scored candidates on teaching (70%) and research (30%). They assessed teaching through nominations, awards, college and departmental impact, and research by considering the volume of Google Scholar citations, media coverage, industry impact and awards for research and writing. The 50 professors recognized hail from 43 schools worldwide, including five international schools.
Since joining the College of Business in 2020, Neely made his mark teaching undergraduate and graduate students organizational behavior. Tailoring his courses to students' interests and goals, he incorporates real-world examples, activities, assignments and guest speakers to create an interactive learning environment.
“I wanted a career that would let me work to understand what makes people tick, especially in ways that improve their lives and well-being,” Neely said. “I realized that being a professor studying organizational behavior was a career path where I could pursue many of my interests all at once."
Jake Messersmith, chair of the Department of Management, noted that Neely uses a flipped classroom pedagogical approach, where students are introduced to the learning material before class and then in-class time is used for student engagement and application.
"Students routinely rank him among the best in the department as evidenced by the numerous nominations he has received for teaching awards in the college," Messersmith said. "His classes are well organized, and he works intentionally to establish a culture of mutual respect, which sets the context for open and engaging discussions. His unique emphasis on developing a growth mindset helps students grasp the content in his classes and also prepares them with the critical thinking skills they need to be successful."
Neely's research focuses on leadership and interpersonal dynamics, specifically on how leaders facilitate and empower positive outcomes for employees. His work has been published in the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Management and The Leadership Quarterly.
"I've extended my leadership research to focus on how work can improve people’s lives," Neely said. "For one project, we’re examining how people with a criminal record can increase their chances of getting a job by disclosing certain information about their backgrounds, reducing harmful stereotypes, gaining support and improving their job prospects. In another project, we examine the impact of pay gaps between different levels within organizations on employee well-being. Together, this work highlights how thoughtfully designed workplace practices can support both individual well-being and broader social outcomes."
At Nebraska, Neely served as a faculty adviser for two clubs on campus, Camp Kesem and Rotaract, and is a member of the Department of Management Curriculum Committee. He also was a therapy dog handler for the university.
"Brett has supported several Honors students with their thesis projects and is leading an undergraduate research project for a first-year student," Messersmith said.
Graduating with a bachelor's degree from the University of California-Los Angeles, he also earned a master's degree and doctoral degree from Pennsylvania State University. Neely said there are so many different paths to making an impact.
"I’m still working to figure out mine," he said. "I’ve been fortunate to have many great mentors along the way, which has reinforced the importance of having people who support you and care about you and doing the same for others."
He credited his former adviser at Penn State, Sam Hunter, now Regents-Foundation Professor of Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, for inspiring his career in academia.
“He has been a relentless advocate for me and so many others, which is something I strive to emulate with my own students,” Neely said.
Recently selected Faculty of the Month by the university's Chapter of the Delta Sigma Pi business fraternity, Neely hopes to inspire future business leaders to consider how organizations can positively impact both individuals and society.
