Biography: John Whims is an economist with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning and business development consulting in both the private and public sectors having worked with Fortune 500 food and agriculture businesses, investment firms, and numerous federal, state, and local government agencies.

Prior to joining MSU, John was a Senior Consultant in the consulting division of the firm Informa Economics from 1999 to 2009 and was a Senior Commodity Analyst from 1996 to 1999. Currently Dr. Whims is a fixed-term assistant professor in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Economics with an additional appointment within ISP’s Global IDEAS where he is involved in data analytics. Growing up in the shadows of Michigan State University, Whims received his B.S. degree in business from Greenville College, Greenville, Ill., his M.B.A. from Central Michigan University, and his Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics from Michigan State University.

Biography: Ms. Laura B. Wise is the career development manager with International Studies and Programs at Michigan State University (MSU). Her position focuses on the career and professional development that prepares students to be competitive candidates for internships and long-term employment.

Previously, Ms. Wise worked for the Michigan House of Representatives as well as at MSU’s Office for International Students and Scholars where she was an international student advisor and experiential learning coordinator.

Ms. Wise holds a bachelor of arts in philosophy and a bachelor of science in communications from Grand Valley State University and a master's of higher, adult, and lifelong education from MSU, which she completed in 2010.