Eric Kirby profile photo

Eric Kirby

Assistant Professor of Management and Business Law

Cedar City, UT, UNITED STATES

Specializing in student success strategies, civil litigation, and student retention and first year experience in higher education

Biography

Dr. Eric Kirby is an Assistant Professor of Management, Leadership, and Business Law in the Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business at Southern Utah University.
Kirby brings over 20 years of leadership and managerial experience from the private and public sectors. He has developed a wide-array of leadership perspectives and managerial insights while practicing law, working in the construction industry and in the federal court system, managing numerous departments and employees at SUU, and starting businesses. Kirby successfully passed the bar exams in three states and interned, clerked, and worked in numerous capacities within the legal field. While practicing law for nearly a decade, Kirby’s practice primarily focused on business law, civil litigation, and construction law. More recently, Kirby served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at SUU where he managed a myriad of departments and helped create innovative campus-wide programs which increased institutional retention and completion rates to historical highs and garnered national recognition.
Kirby is the co-author of a management and leadership book focused on retention and persistence in higher education. He co-hosts a weekly podcast series discussing innovative management and leadership tools for higher education and interviewing industry leaders from across the nation to discuss their best thinking on the challenges and opportunities within higher education. His research interests include innovative and unique retention and completion practices, leadership development, and the success of marginalized student populations (with a particular focus on Native American students). He has given presentations, workshops, and consult with various organizations across the nation on leadership development, managing generational differences (Gen Z), management/leadership strategies, organizational restructure, employee retention, and shifting business culture.
Kirby is the recipient of numerous awards and honors for scholastic excellence, distinguished advising and mentoring, commitment to excellence, achievement in experiential learning, distinguished integration, distinguished service awards, and for being a campus influencer.
He has a Bachelor’s degree from Southern Utah University, a Master’s degree in Administration and a Juris Doctorate (law degree) from the University of Denver, and a Ph.D. in Global Leadership from the College of Business at Indiana Institute of Technology (Indiana Tech).

Spotlight

Social

Media

Publications

Image for publication on ASCEND to Higher Retention Rates: Practical Strategies for Increasing Student Retention, Completion, and Student Success

Documents

Photos

Dr. Eric Kirby, assistant professor at SUU Image for photos on Dr. Eric Kirby, assistant professor at SUU at TedxSUU 2019 Image for photos on Dr. Eric Kirby, assistant professor at SUU

Audio/Podcasts

Image for podchaser audio on Episode 1: Introducing the ASCEND podcast

Video

Image for vimeo videos on Why Choose SUU - Personalized AttentionImage for vimeo videos on ConnectED: Dr. Eric Kirby, Southern Utah University, The Tavi Way to Student SuccessImage for vimeo videos on The eyes of leadership: elephants in the forest | Eric Kirby | TEDxSUU

Industry Expertise

  • Education/Learning
  • Research
  • Legal Services
  • Management Consulting

Areas of Expertise

Non Traditional Students in Higher EducationSecond Year Retention in HIgher EducationStudent Success StrategiesStudent Retention in Higher EducationPolitical ScienceFirst Year Experience, Higher EducationEvent Planning & ManagementConstitutional LawCivil LitigationAdministration in Higher Education

Education

University of Denver

J.D., Law

Indiana Institute of Technology

Ph.D., Global Leadership and Academic Administration

University of Denver

M.S., Administration

Southern Utah University

B.S., Political Science

Accomplishments

Commitment to Excellence | professional

Southern Utah University Thunderbird Award

Five-time Legal Rising Star

Thomson Reuters Super Lawyers

Board of Trustees Award of Excellence

2016

Advisor of the Year | professional

Southern Utah University

Outstanding Mentor | professional

Southern Utah University

Gerald R. Sherratt Award | professional

Southern Utah University

SUU Campus Influencer Award | professional

2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

SUU’s Distinguished Service Award | professional

2020, 2021

Languages

  • Spanish

Media Appearances

Sophomore Retention Rates Increase Through SOAR Program

SUU News  online

2019-02-27

According to Eric Kirby, assistant vice president for student affairs (Completion and Student Success), “Southern Utah University increased retention of first-year students by 9% over the past three years.” Because retention for first-year students has increased by so much, SUU turned their focus to sophomores at SUU.

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Solving the Retention Puzzle

SUU News  online

2018-07-16

Colleges and universities around the country are struggling to keep first-year students engaged and enrolled year after year. Only 61% of first-year students who started in 2015 returned to the same institution in 2016, according to a report from the National Student Clearinghouse.

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Utah Court of Appeals visits SUU

The Spectrum  online

2016-01-28

This is the second time the Court of Appeals has come to the university and the sixth time to Cedar City to hear oral arguments. Eric Kirby, executive director of completion and student success at SUU, said the proceedings gave students an in-depth look at Utah’s court system. “This will provide an education opportunity for students, faculty, staff and community members to give them a unique perspective on our justice system,” Kirby said.

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Utah Intercollegiate Legislature gives students hands-on experience

Higher Ed Utah  online

2015-03-31

Twenty-two students from across the state convened in the Senate Building at the Capitol Complex for the inaugural Utah Intercollegiate Legislature (UIL) on Thursday, March 26 & Friday, March 27, 2015. Drawn from the most recent class of legislative interns and student leadership at participating campuses, UIL students participated in a day and a half long legislative simulation of the Utah State Senate. UIL delegates were encouraged to submit bills that were added to a reading calendar, considered in committees, and debated on the floor. Topics of UIL bills ranged from concealed carry provisions to air quality amendments and exploring the expansion of the Frontrunner.

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Stewart, Robles have a lot in common in first congressional debate

Deseret News  online

2014-09-25

Eric Kirby, executive director at SUU's Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics & Public Service, called the debate a success for both Stewart, who is pursuing a second term in Congress, and Robles, who has served in the Utah Legislature since 2008. Both parties "played it safe" as they gave polite, comprehensive answers, he said.

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Alumni Spotlight: Eric Kirby

SUU Alumni Association  online

2012-02-01

Eric Kirby (’03, Political Science) is an attorney at Murphy Decker Hensen & Cook-Olson, P.C. in Denver, Colorado. His education at Southern Utah University taught him that with hard work and dedication he could accomplish his goals.

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Articles

Retention challenges for indigenous Peruvian college students on Beca 18 scholarship and strategies to improve their experiences and academic success

Taylor & Francis

Eric Kirby, Yulia Tolstikov-Mast & Jennie L. Walker

2020-03-16

This paper analyzes challenges indigenous Peruvian college students face in completing their studies, based on field research that included interviews with Peruvian higher education leaders, administrators, researchers, and faculty, and a review of published research. Since 2012, the government of Peru has sponsored Beca 18, a comprehensive scholarship designed to attract and support students from underrepresented populations, namely impoverished and largely indigenous communities.

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Courses

ACCT 3350 Business Law and Ethics

A study of our legal system including the Constitution, administrative law, torts, crimes, labor law, antitrust, consumer protection, environmental law, international securities, contracts, UCC Art. 2, property, bailments, business organizations, agency, and intellectual property. Also includes coverage of social responsibility and ethical issues as they relate to business within society.

UNIV 1020 Strategies for Success

This variable topics course explores subjects geared toward student success. Sample topics include career exploration, job search preparation, exploring vocabulary development, and in-depth academic skill development.

UNIV 1020 Peer Leadership Skills

This course was designed for orientation leaders to develop the new orientation system, Thunder Academy, peer-to-peer mentoring skills, and leadership/professional development.

UNIV 1050 College Student Success

This course focuses on student success through systematic exploration of values and skills that will assist student in becoming successful in their academic endeavors. It is designed to help launch students’ university careers successfully and to equip students with tools and abilities to increase their career and academic skills.

UNIV 1057 Student-Athlete College Success

This course provides SUU student-athletes with valuable knowledge and tools that will aid in their transition from high school to college. This course will focus on initiatives of the NCAA’s Student-Athlete Affairs Department, including: Academic Development, Personal Development, Service Development, and Career Development.

UNIV 4920 Leadership & Professional Development

This course introduces students to various leadership philosophies and professional development techniques and strategies to help prepare students to succeed in the professional world as interns, employees, and leaders.

UNIV 4920 State Legislature and Leadership

The purpose of this course was to introduce students to emerging leadership philosophies, trends, and managerial issues that they will confront as future leaders. Also, aspects of professional development techniques and strategies were discussed to help prepare students to succeed in the professional world.