Morningstar Institute aims to train our students academically, analytically and practically. Southern Nazarene University faculty from various disciplines aid and advise students toward their specific goals. Students are guided on a one-on-one basis at Morningstar Institute, and are given access to advisors and leaders in the field of international development. Morningstar Institute is led by Tom Herskowitz, Chair of the School of Business and the Director of Morningstar Institute.

Tom Herskowitz

Currently Dr. Herskowitz serves as the chair for the school of business at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. His greatest interest is dealing with issues concerning poverty eradication and development including microfinance and microenterprise issues. In addition to the chairmanship position, Dr. Herskowitz sits on several university committees including the International Studies Program steering committee.  He is also the Director of Morningstar Institute.

Fulfilling a life-long desire, in mid-2003 Dr. Herskowitz took his family to be volunteer missionaries in Uganda, Africa. He was the manager of New Hope Uganda, an orphan center in the Luweero District of Uganda located approximately 60 miles north of Kampala, the Ugandan capital, in “the bush.” New Hope cares for approximately 450 children. The time at New Hope was the genesis of Dr. Herskowitz’s interest in microfinance and microenterprise operations.

Prior to going to Uganda, Dr. Herskowitz was an executive at Mail Boxes Etc., a multinational franchising company. Other international experience includes being the President and owner of H & H Operations, the master franchisee for I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt and Java Coast gourmet coffees for the country of Mexico. Prior to owning his own business in Mexico, Dr, Herskowitz was the COO for the Robert E. Woolley companies, a hotel developer, with responsibility for the direction of all operations in the US and Mexico.

Dr. Herskowitz is a member of the California Bar.