Dr. Robert Hilton
Professor of Business & Management
Chair, Division of Business, Communications & Government
B.S., University of the Ozarks
M.B.A., University of Central Arkansas
D.B.A., Nova Southeastern University
Office: 103 Boreham Business Building
Phone: (479) 979-1203
E-Mail: rchilton@ozarks.edu
Dr. Robert Hilton joined the University of the Ozarks faculty in 1984 to share his business experiences with students so they might better apply, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the information they learn.
Growing up in a family business, Hilton came to understand the rewards and challenges associated with a career in business. It was during his early years that Hilton learned and practiced the family business philosophy to “treat customers as kings" no matter what their economic, religious, ethnic, or demographic backgrounds.
Hilton’s motivation for attending college was to pursue a career in business. As a student, he was blessed with the opportunity to directly apply the theoretical knowledge and concepts gained in his business classes to his daily work in the family business. As a senior in college, Hilton learned the secret of servant leadership through his experiences as President of the U of O collegiate chapter of the Phi Beta Lambda, a national business organization whose mission is to bring students and business professionals together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. In 1981, Hilton received the Hurie (Outstanding Senior) Award. The Hurie Award is given each year to a graduating senior by the U of O faculty.
While in college, Hilton adopted the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have them to do unto you if your positions were reversed) as his philosophy of management. Hilton believes the Golden Rule should form the basis of all business, professional, and personal relationships.
Hilton bases his teaching philosophy on a quote by Confucius, "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand." Hilton encourages students to move beyond rote memorization; he challenges students to critically think about what they are learning through hands-on experiential exercises and case studies.
In addition to his teaching duties, Hilton serves as Chair of the Division of Business, Communications, and Government. He also serves as a local chapter adviser to Phi Beta Lambda and to Students in Free Enterprise.
In 2003, Hilton was elected to the Board of Directors of the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education www.iacbe.org, a specialized business accreditation body through which
U of O business programs are accredited; in April 2004, Hilton was elected IACBE Chairman of the Board. He has attended IACBE’s annual meetings in 2004, 2003, and 2002. At the 2003 annual meeting, Dr. Hilton co-presented a session on international business education with Dr. Rickey Casey.
A member of the Academy of Management since 1990, Dr. Hilton co-authored and co-presented a paper, "A Study of Store Manager Leadership Style and Employee Satisfaction in the Retail Industry" with Dr. Robert H. “Bob” Sutton at the 2000 Southwest Academy of Management annual meeting. Hilton also attended the Academy of Management annual meetings in 1994 and 1991.
Hilton has served as Chair of an Arkansas State Board of Higher Education Recertification Committee in 2003, and as a committee member in 2002. Former Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Hilton to the Johnson County Quorum Court from 1997 to 1998. Hilton served on the Johnson County Election Commission from 1998 - 2000. He also served on Child Development’s Head Start Policy Council from 2000-2003.
Away from campus, Hilton values spending time with his family, working with his brother in a small business, riding roller coasters, and traveling.
