Rachel M Vigness

Title
Associate Professor of the Practice, College of Business; Assistant Dean of Student Success and Accreditation, College of Business
Email
Department
Department of Business Administration
College
College of Business

Office Hours

Tuesday & Wednesday, 11:00am-1:00pm(ET) & By Appointment

Areas of Expertise

  • Service Marketing
  • Digital Marketing
Rachel M Vigness


Dr. Rachel Vigness is an Associate Professor of the Practice in the Marketing discipline. She also serves as the Worldwide College of Business, Assistant Dean of Student Success and Accreditation.  She has over 20 years of experience in a variety of industries including: financial, automotive, higher education, and public service. 

Education: Rachel Vigness earned her Bachelor of Arts in Management with a minor in Economics from the University of Minnesota - Morris. She then went on to study at Florida Atlantic University earning a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing. In 2010, she completed a Master of Science in Project Management program at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and subsequently became a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). She most recently completed a Ph.D. in Business Administration, specializing in Marketing. 

Organizations: Rachel Vigness is a member of various industry and professional organizations, including the American Marketing Association (AMA), Academy of Marketing Science (AMS), and the Project Management Institute (PMI).   

Awards and Experience: Previous to her faculty appointment at Embry-Riddle, she held the position of Associate Dean of Academic Support within the Eastern Region of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide from 2007-2013. That position followed her role as the Director of Operations at the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Robins campus. Throughout her career, she has worked on various projects including new campus launches, strategic marketing campaigns, and product development/design. She has received various commendations throughout her years of service at Embry-Riddle, including the Teacher of the Year (Worldwide College of Business) and was selected as Employee of the Year for her successful marketing contributions at ANSA Automotive. Named to the Dean’s List during her undergraduate studies, she excelled at the graduate level achieving the honor of “with distinction” in the MS in Project Management program. 

Interests: Rachel Vigness enjoys spending time with her family and in her spare time enjoys traveling and staying active! 

  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration: Marketing, Northcentral University
  • M.S. - Master of Science in Project Management, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • M.B.A. - Master of Business Administration in Marketing, Florida Atlantic University

  • Certified Digital Marketing Expert/PCM Advanced Digital Marketing - Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) & American Marketing Association (AMA)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) Certificate - Project Management Institute
  • Post-Crisis Hospitality Management Certificate - University of South Florida
  • Introduction to Google Analytics - Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Using Social Media in Business - Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Marketing Your Business on the Internet - Florida State College at Jacksonville
  • Achieving Top Search Engine Positions - Florida State College at Jacksonville

  • MKTG 633: Digital Marketing
  • AVM 5101: Strategic Mktg Mgmt in Avia

  • MKTG 311 – Marketing
  • MKTG 450 – Airline/Airport Marketing
  • MKTG 449 – Strategic Marketing Management
  • MKTG 633 – Digital Marketing 


  • National Organization for Student Success, Member, 2022-present
  • Academy of Marketing Science, Member, 2017-present
  • American Marketing Association, Member 2017-present
  • MBAA International – Business, Society, and Government, Member, 2017-2019
  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools & Programs, Member, 2014-present
  • Project Management Institute, Member, 2013-present
  • Council for Undergraduate Research, Member, 2013-present

  • 2021: Certificate of Appreciation (ERAU-W, 15-Year Service Recognition)
  • 2020: Teaching Award (ERAU-W College of Business, Faculty of the Practice)
  • 2020: Lifelong Learning Award (ERAU-W College of Business, Faculty of the Practice)
  • 2018: Student Research Award (MBAA International, BSG Consortium)
  • 2018: Teaching Award (ERAU-W College of Business, Department of Decision Sciences)