Beyond the Classroom

November 20, 2025 | Hannah Buchanan

Get to Know UT Tyler’s Longest-Serving Faculty Member, Dr. Marilyn Young

Dr. Marilyn Young’s passion for her varied interests is just as strong as her dedication to UT Tyler and the Soules College of Business. Whether it’s swimming, reading, exploring new destinations or delving into the Spanish language, Young embarks on adventures outside of the classroom as often as she can.

Young grew up in Arkansas surrounded by the Natural State’s beauty. She gravitated toward the water at a young age. Her love of swimming and reading stemmed from her parents. “Father was an avid fisherman, so I found many places to swim among rivers and lakes,” Young recalls. “My mother, a fifth-grade teacher, instilled in me reading and the importance of education. I still remember being proud of my first library card.”

Throughout her life, she has traveled to numerous places in the U.S. and abroad, but her favorite is Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Her passion for Spanish began when she lived in Spain for two years, and she still enjoys practicing and studying the language today. “This early experience taught me that language is more than words but also learning about culture and history,” Young says.

She also enjoys audio books on U.S. history and biographies that provide inspiration and examples in overcoming challenges, like “John Adams” and “The American Spirit,” by David McCullough, and “The Achieving Society,” by David McClelland. She believes reading and learning go hand in hand, and both should be lifelong activity. This philosophy is carried over to her classes, where her students read popular books on management, such as “Good to Great,” by Jim Collins.

Supporting Success

Since the beginning of her career, Young has reached thousands of UT Tyler students who have become successful alumni. The most rewarding aspect of teaching, she notes, is when her students apply what they learn. “If they can take what they learn in the classroom and actually use it in the real world, that’s the most important thing,” Young says.

Aside from teaching, she continues to conduct academic research and work on economic development projects that make communities strong as a Hibbs Institute Fellow. Most recently, Young conducted a major study, resulting in the East Texas Council of Governments’ Veteran Friendly Community Designation for the city of Tyler and Smith County. Her work presented many initiatives in which the Tyler community surpassed expectations in supporting East Texas veterans.

“I was honored to conduct this research for the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Veterans Committee to show how Tyler has supported veterans over the years,” she adds. “The unanimous vote showed that Tyler MSA historically has gone above and beyond to honor and support our veterans.”

Lasting Legacy

Young is also ensuring UT Tyler’s future success, not only by teaching and conducting research, but also by her generous gift, created through her estate plan. The gift will provide significant additional funding to the Dr. Marilyn Young Endowed Scholarship in Business –– a scholarship established in her honor in 2018 that benefits Soules College of Business majors.

“Dr. Marilyn Young personifies the values of the Soules College of Business and The University of Texas at Tyler,” says college dean Dr. Krist Swimberghe. “Dr. Young always puts the students at the center of what she does and seeks to serve the community each and every day. Countless students have benefitted from her expertise, and many students will continue to benefit because of her generous gift to the college.”

Young hopes her legacy is filled with inspiration and positivity.

“I have felt that my purpose has been to empower students and serve the community through meaningful teaching and research,” she says. “Hopefully, the implications from my academic research on entrepreneurship and management will encourage others to add to the literature. For the students, I hope I have made a positive impact on their future.”