Timothy Vogus

Assistant Professor of Management

Age: 36

Institution: Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management

Hometown: Grew up in St. Charles, IL; currently live in Brentwood, TN

Marital Status: Married

Children: 2 – Aidan, 8; Ellie, newborn

Education: University of Michigan, PhD, Management and Organizations

Michigan State University, BA, Political Economy and Spanish

Courses: Leading Teams and Organizations

Negotiation

At Vanderbilt Since: 2004

Before Vanderbilt: University of Michigan

Fun Fact: Has been known to rap about class topics as can be seen on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fOFGrgdMto&feature=related and Vimeo http://www.vimeo.com/5052868

It takes a lot of courage to stand in front of a group of MBAs everyday teaching them how to become better managers. It takes even more zeal to stand in front of the class and rap about it. Timothy Vogus is not your typical professor. Sure, he conducts valuable research studies that address widespread safety concerns in health care organizations. He even spent his former life working in the human resources department at the Ford Motor Company. But what makes this professor stand out is his Hip-Hop routine he’s been known to put on for his students.

In one song he wrote to encourage students to take his Leading Teams and Organizations (LTO) class, Vogus raps:

If you

Wanna know

The real deal about the teams

Well you get yourself to LTO

And we’ll bring you up to speed

Now check it out!

2009 – Tim Vogus Raps from Owen Follies on Vimeo.

(See “Tim Vogus: Rapping Out a Business Lesson“)

Students Say:

Tim Vogus is a fantastic professor – really gets the students energized about the subject matter. — Shannon Leigh Straube, Owen MBA Class of 2011

I have had the opportunity to get to know Tim both as a student in his Negotiations class and through an independent study.  He is a truly engaging teacher who is accessible to his students, full of energy and humor, and is focused on creating authentic learning experiences for students through a mix of theory and practice.  His reputation as a lively, hip hop professor precedes him, and his classes are always wait-listed, a clear testimony to his popularity and favor among tough business school students. — Jill Karen, Owen MBA Class of 2011

Professor Vogus continually goes over and above the call of duty. He works on his lectures ensuring they are both interesting and relevant, he asks for feedback and actually implements changes based on student suggestions. He provides in-depth individualized feedback to every student about their performance and deliverables, and makes himself available to us at any time. I am fairly convinced that Tim never sleeps. My business school experience was made immeasurably more valuable because I took all of his classes, and I am so thankful to have had a professor that cares as much as Professor Vogus. I owe him a lot. — Erin Anderson, Owen MBA Class of 2010

Timothy Vogus is among “The World’s 40 Best B-School Profs Under the Age of 40“