Brenda Sternquist

Brenda Sternquist, Professor at Michigan State University, is a specialist in International Retailing. She has conducted research throughout the world, but particularly focuses on China, India and Japan. This research is summarized in her most recent book, International Retailing 2nd edition published by Fairchild Press, New York in 2007. Her first book focused on the European transition, this book European Retailing’s’ Borderless World was published by Greenwood Press. She has also published more than one hundred research articles. She was selected as the first Outstanding National Retail Educator in 2004. The award is presented by the National Retail Federation, Center for Retail Studies Texas A&M and JC Penney. In 1999 she received the Michigan State University Distinguished Faculty Award, the highest award given at Michigan State University in recognition of an outstanding career in research, teaching and service, and was selected for the Alumnae Club of Mid-Michigan Quality in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 1997. She teaches undergraduate and graduate classes in International Retailing and graduate courses on Theories and Retail Strategy and Meta-theory and Retailing.

Sternquist’s achievements span three decades. She received recognition as a Centennial Leader Award from the University of Tennessee, where she earned her doctorate. She received recognition from the College of Human Ecology at Michigan State University as an Outstanding Faculty Member. She has been recognized in 1996 receiving the All-University Excellence in Diversity Award, cited by Phi Kappa Phi in 1994 for scholarly achievement, and was named Michigan State University CASE outstanding Professor in 1992. She was named the 1991 Outstanding Researcher by the College of Human Ecology at Michigan State University.

Dr. Sternquist is on the board of Tsinghua University, China Retail Research Center.

She has received external research funding from USDA National Research Initiative, USDA Challenge Grant, Hoso Bunko Foundation, Japanese Telecommunication Advancement Foundation and Isetan and Mauri Department Stores.

Sternquist is a past president and active member of Zonta Club of East Lansing, a women’s philanthropic organization. She coordinated the effort to bring professional women to an underprivileged school in the Lansing area, bringing a message of the possibilities of education. For her service to this organization she received the 2004 Woman of Achievement Award, the highest recognition given by this organization.

Sternquist grew up in the cornfields of South Dakota. Attended a one-room country school, and had time to ride horses and gaze at the clouds…wondering what would happen in the future. She graduated from South Dakota State University with a B.S.; University of Alberta with a M.S. and University of Tennessee with a PhD. She is still gazing at the clouds and wondering what is next.