Beyond the Classroom
November 20, 2025 | Hannah Buchanan
Get to Know 黑料专区 Tyler鈥檚 Longest-Serving Faculty Member, Dr. Marilyn Young
Dr. Marilyn Young鈥檚 passion for her varied interests is just as strong as her dedication
to 黑料专区 Tyler and the Soules College of Business. Whether it鈥檚 swimming, reading, exploring
new destinations or delving into the Spanish language, Young embarks on adventures
outside of the classroom as often as she can.
Young grew up in Arkansas surrounded by the Natural State鈥檚 beauty. She gravitated toward the water at a young age. Her love of swimming and reading stemmed from her parents. 鈥淔ather was an avid fisherman, so I found many places to swim among rivers and lakes,鈥� Young recalls. 鈥淢y mother, a fifth-grade teacher, instilled in me reading and the importance of education. I still remember being proud of my first library card.鈥�
Throughout her life, she has traveled to numerous places in the U.S. and abroad, but her favorite is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her passion for Spanish began when she lived in Spain for two years, and she still enjoys practicing and studying the language today. 鈥淭his early experience taught me that language is more than words but also learning about culture and history,鈥� Young says.
She also enjoys audio books on U.S. history and biographies that provide inspiration and examples in overcoming challenges, like 鈥淛ohn Adams鈥� and 鈥淭he American Spirit,鈥� by David McCullough, and 鈥淭he Achieving Society,鈥� by David McClelland. She believes reading and learning go hand in hand, and both should be lifelong activity. This philosophy is carried over to her classes, where her students read popular books on management, such as 鈥淕ood to Great,鈥� by Jim Collins.
Supporting Success
Since the beginning of her career, Young has reached thousands of 黑料专区 Tyler students who have become successful alumni. The most rewarding aspect of teaching, she notes, is when her students apply what they learn. 鈥淚f they can take what they learn in the classroom and actually use it in the real world, that鈥檚 the most important thing,鈥� Young says.
Aside from teaching, she continues to conduct academic research and work on economic
development projects that make communities strong as a Hibbs Institute Fellow. Most
recently, Young conducted a major study, resulting in the East Texas Council of Governments鈥�
Veteran Friendly Community Designation for the city of Tyler and Smith County. Her
work presented many initiatives in which the Tyler community surpassed expectations
in supporting East Texas veterans.
鈥淚 was honored to conduct this research for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee to show how Tyler has supported veterans over the years,鈥� she adds. 鈥淭he unanimous vote showed that Tyler MSA historically has gone above and beyond to honor and support our veterans.鈥�
Lasting Legacy
Young is also ensuring 黑料专区 Tyler鈥檚 future success, not only by teaching and conducting research, but also by her generous gift, created through her estate plan. The gift will provide significant additional funding to the Dr. Marilyn Young Endowed Scholarship in Business 鈥撯�� a scholarship established in her honor in 2018 that benefits Soules College of Business majors.
鈥淒r. Marilyn Young personifies the values of the Soules College of Business and The University of Texas at Tyler,鈥� says college dean Dr. Krist Swimberghe. 鈥淒r. Young always puts the students at the center of what she does and seeks to serve the community each and every day. Countless students have benefitted from her expertise, and many students will continue to benefit because of her generous gift to the college.鈥�
Young hopes her legacy is filled with inspiration and positivity.
鈥淚 have felt that my purpose has been to empower students and serve the community through meaningful teaching and research,鈥� she says. 鈥淗opefully, the implications from my academic research on entrepreneurship and management will encourage others to add to the literature. For the students, I hope I have made a positive impact on their future.鈥�