Meet Dr. Holly Syrdal

Dr. Holly Syrdal, assistant professor of marketing, started her role at the McCoy College of Business in 2019. Her areas of expertise focus on digital marketing and social media marketing.

Dr. Syrdal graduated with her bachelor’s in marketing from the University of New Orleans where she was mentored by Dr. Ray Fisk, former McCoy College professor and chair of the department of marketing. She spent three years as a marketing coordinator at Standard Service Coffee Company, the largest coffee supplier in the U.S. at the time, and two years as a graphic designer at North Oaks Health System while starting her MBA studies at Southeastern Louisiana University. 

After a few years of teaching post-MBA, she started her Ph.D. in marketing at the University of Texas at Arlington. Dr. Syrdal then spent a few years teaching at The University of Southern Mississippi before moving to Central Texas to join the McCoy College faculty. 

“Texas State’s Department of Marketing has great reputation for both scholarship and collegiality, two of the primary things that I was looking for,” said Dr. Syrdal. “Additionally, the department was looking for someone to teach the graduate-level class as part of the Master of Science in Marketing Research and Analysis program and that was very appealing to me. I also love Central Texas, so the location was the cherry on top.”

Dr. Syrdal current research focus is influencer marketing and analyzing content characteristics that drive social media engagement with influencer social media posts. She enjoys studying evolving topics in digital marketing, allowing her the opportunity to teach her current students about her research that is not yet discussed in their textbooks. 

“It’s great to be conducting these projects, researching influencer marketing, and teaching the students what I’m learning about digital marketing,” said Dr. Syrdal. “In turn, I think this makes them more competitive on the job market.”

Dr. Syrdal values collaborating with colleagues on research projects and appreciates the diverse skill sets her co-authors bring to the table. She has a knack for academic writing and editing, as well as designing methods to address specific research questions. 

When she is not researching digital marketing or teaching, Dr. Syrdal enjoys traveling with her husband and daughter. Her goal is to visit all 50 states — she has visited 37 so far. She is looking forward to visiting Oregon next summer and exploring Portland, as well as the national parks, beaches, and waterfalls around the state. ✯

For more information, email Twister Marquiss, manager of marketing and communications for the McCoy College of Business, at twister@txstate.edu.

About the McCoy College of Business

Established in 1970, Texas State’s business school officially became the McCoy College of Business in 2004 following a donation of $20 million by Emmett and Miriam McCoy. The college, which offers classes in both San Marcos and Round Rock, is accredited by AACSB in both business and accounting, and has graduated nearly 42,000 alumni.