Elissa Shults

Elissa Shults Image
Assistant Professor
College of Business
Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Hospitality and Tourism

320 Forsyth Building

Biography

Dr. Shults is a consumer behavior researcher whose work explores how physical environments shape feelings of safety in retail and service spaces. Drawing on evolutionary psychology, she examines how individuals interact with built environments and how these interactions influence consumer experiences and decision making.<br>In the classroom, Dr. Shults is deeply committed to creating interactive, discussion-driven, and experiential learning environments. She values getting to know each of her students personally and is genuinely invested in their growth, confidence, and future success. Her courses emphasize hands-on application, helping students connect theory to real-world marketing practice.<br>Before beginning her PhD at the University of Alabama, Dr. Shults graduated with honors from Milligan University with a degree in Business and a minor in Economics. She later earned a master’s degree in Marketing Analytics from the University of Alabama. Following her graduation, she worked as a market researcher in both the Corporate Strategy and Innovation departments at Eastman Chemical Company, where she developed a strong foundation in applied research and data-driven decision making.

Education

  • Ph D, University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
  • MS, University of Alabama - Tuscaloosa
  • BS, Milligan College

Teaching Interests

Consumer Behavior, Principles of Marketing, Social Media Marketing

Research Interests

Consumer Behavior, Retail Environments, Decision Making, AI