Giving Time, Talent, and Treasure | Dr. George Marakas

Visit http://www.phdproject.org to learn more. Episode Highlights: 1:16 – From Rock Star Dreams to Academia Dr. Marakas shares his unconventional career journey, from aspiring rock musician and stadium sound engineer to becoming a leading scholar in Information Systems. 4:13 – “There Are Professors, and Then There Are Professors” A conversation with a University of Miami professor opened his eyes to the opportunities available in academia and ultimately changed the course of his career. 5:52 – Choosing the Right Doctoral Program Why culture and mentorship mattered more than prestige when selecting a PhD program—and how FIU's approach made all the difference. 7:53 – The Power of Mentorship Dr. Marakas explains why doctoral students are the “only handcrafted product” in academia and how mentors shape the next generation of scholars. 9:29 – Chairing More Than 70 Dissertations Reflections on mentoring doctoral students, supporting them through personal and professional challenges, and helping them achieve success. 11:08 – A Remarkable First Doctoral Student The inspiring story of Isaac Agbula, a deaf doctoral student who became Dr. Marakas' first dissertation graduate and later a dean at Gallaudet University. 16:43 – The Role of Tenacity Why persistence is one of the most important traits for doctoral students and why “the easiest thing in the world to do is quit.” 23:51 – Understanding Why People Do What They Do Dr. Marakas discusses his fascination with human behavior, technology adoption, and how those interests shaped his research career. 26:06 – Rethinking Artificial Intelligence A thought-provoking discussion on AI, intelligence, human-computer interaction, and why Dr. Marakas questions the term “artificial intelligence.” 34:32 – Giving Time, Talent, and Treasure Dr. Marakas shares his philosophy on philanthropy, why he supports The PhD Project, and the importance of making a difference through generosity.