"My PhD studies will prepare me to conduct original research and be a college faculty member," Laurie says. "I hope to start my dissertation proposal, titled 'Creation of roles in high technology start-up firms,' in the next few months. I am looking specifically at the evolution of a new research facility at Seagate Research in Pittsburgh, and their work with magnetic computer storage devices."

She says faculty members Sandra Morgan, Diana Stork and John Ogilvie in the Barney MSOB program had a big impact on her. "If not for them, I couldn't have survived the program. They gave me confidence and support. As a practical application, I have found the skills I learned under Professor Morgan very valuable in consulting with corporations about their internal reorganizations."

She joined EMS as a graduate student when it was founded in 1991 and went on to become director in 1995 and 1996. EMS gave her the opportunity to work with three Hartford public schools. "The job required me to know how to determine the needs of the schools and work toward satisfying them," Laurie says. "I am replicating that experience now in my study of start-up programs."

She also credits working with international students in the MSOB program for opening her eyes to her own prejudices and views and teaching her to work with people from different cultures. "At Carnegie Mellon there are many international students, and I found that experience very useful."

She hopes to obtain a college faculty position or research consultancy somewhere in northern New England. In addition to being from New Hampshire, she has another reason. She married Thomas Keith of Kittery, Maine, last July, and her husband currently works in Portsmouth, N.H.