Fairmont State University’s Dr. Rebecca Giorcelli Named as a Top Five Finalist for 2025 West Virginia Professor of the Year Award

Dr. Rebecca Giorcelli, Chair of Marketing and Management Studies and faculty member teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in the College of Business and Aviation (CoBA) at Fairmont State University, has been named a top five finalist for the 2025 West Virginia Professor of the Year Award. The West Virginia Professor of the Year Award, presented by the Faculty Merit Foundation, recognizes innovation, creativity, and excellence among faculty at West Virginia's public and private higher education institutions.

"We are very proud that Dr. Giorcelli has been named one of the finalists for the Faculty Merit Foundation Professor of the Year Award," said Dr. Timothy Oxley, Interim Dean of the College of Business and Aviation. "Working with Dr. Giorcelli, one constant stands out, her unwavering energy, focus, and commitment to student learning. Whether teaching undergraduate or graduate courses while chairing the largest department in the College, she consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to her students."

Giorcelli earned her Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, and Doctorate in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University (WVU). She was the first female WVU graduate to earn a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering. She is a Certified Expert in Cyber Investigations through the McAfee Institute, and holds multiple certificates related to data analytics. She is also certified as a program evaluator for the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

"I am incredibly honored to be selected as a top five finalist for WV Professor of the Year," said Giorcelli. "This recognition is especially meaningful because my mentor and doctoral advisor, Dr. Jack Byrd, received this award in 1986 which was the same year I began college. His influence continues to guide my work as an educator every day."

Before joining Fairmont State as an Assistant Professor in 2005, Giorcelli gained more than a decade of experience in research and development. She served as a Research Engineer in the Division of Safety Research at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and later as a Senior Scientist and Operations Research Branch Supervisor at the Institute for Scientific Research (ISR), Inc.

Since joining the College of Business and Aviation, Giorcelli has held numerous leadership roles, including Information Systems Management Program Coordinator, Director of Assessment, Associate Dean, Department Chair of Marketing and Management Studies, and Interim Dean. She has also served as the Faculty Advisor for Delta Mu Delta, the International Honor Society in Business Administration, since 2006.

Giorcelli is a full-time professor who teaches undergraduate project management courses for the Information Systems Management program, as well as operations management and data analytics graduate courses in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Risk Management (MCRM) programs. Her collaborative teaching style and extensive industry experience allow students to engage in meaningful, real-world workplace experiences.

Oxley added, "As a past sponsor of the interdisciplinary project management capstone course, I have seen firsthand how Dr. Giorcelli's collaborative leadership creates meaningful, real-world learning experiences, even amid the capstone's intensive planning demands."

Giorcelli's commitment to hands-on learning, mentorship, and student success continues to influence graduates long after they leave Fairmont State University. Students frequently credit her with helping shape their academic and professional paths through her innovative, experiential teaching approach.

Logan Davis, a 2021 Information Systems Management graduate and Systems Administrator at Agile5 Technologies, reflected on his project management capstone experience during his time as one of Giorcelli's students. "Dr. Giorcelli's teaching style stood out immediately for its balance of theory and practice. She transformed her classroom into a real-world learning environment. Instead of relying on hypothetical case studies, she partnered with actual organizations and had us manage real projects with real clients."

Lindsay Menas, an Agile5 Program Manager and 2018 MBA graduate, credits Giorcelli's hands-on project management training with helping her earn her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification early in her career and advance quickly to a Program Manager role within the federal government. "Her innovative teaching methods, mentorship, and leadership have had a lasting impact on my career and the careers of countless others," Menas said.

Chelsea Keezee, Associate Business Analyst at FirstEnergy and a 2015 Information Systems Management graduate, echoed that impact, "Because of her encouragement and mentorship, I decided to change my major, a decision that ultimately shaped my professional path."

Through her teaching, mentorship, and leadership, Giorcelli has become an integral part of Fairmont State University's faculty community. Her collaborative leadership style has contributed to the continued growth and success of programs across campus, while fostering strong relationships with colleagues and students alike.

"This recognition also allows me to reflect on my colleagues in the Information Systems Management program," said Giorcelli. "After the loss of Professor Cliff Jackson last semester, the celebration of Professor Gary Edwards' retirement in December, and the launch of a new graduate program in cybersecurity and risk management with Dr. Greg Cutlip, I see this moment not only as part of a shared legacy of mentorship and service, but also as a renewed commitment to teaching excellence for the future."

Faculty members like Giorcelli play a vital role in advancing Fairmont State University's vision and strategic plan to be "A Great Place to Learn, Work, and Call Home." As a regional public institution, Fairmont State strives to provide meaningful, grounded educational experiences shaped by personal relationships and holistic support, all qualities that Giorcelli exemplifies in the classroom.

Giorcelli will be attending the Faculty Merit Foundation Awards Ceremony to be held on April 9 in Charleston, WV, where the 2025-2026 West Virginia Professor of the Year recipient will be announced.