In the fast-paced Full Time MBA (FTMBA), students often transition directly from undergraduate studies into the high-stakes world of business leadership. Success in this environment requires more than just a textbook, it requires a guide who has lived the “real world.”
Shaunn Mattingly is that guide. With a professional background spanning aerospace strategy, hedge fund administration, startup operations, and corporate acquisitions, Mattingly doesn’t just teach business; he has lived through its most complex puzzles.
Mattingly’s passion for business started early, growing up around family entrepreneurship. Before entering academia, he found he thrived on the constant “restarts” and fresh challenges of new business problems. He now brings that same high-stakes energy to the FTMBA.
“Every class, every discussion is a little different and every student is unique; nothing is better than seeing when something, especially strategy, clicks for students”.
On day one, many students assume strategy is a lofty concept reserved for top executives. Mattingly quickly dismantles this myth. He defines strategy simply: figuring out how to win in a world of constant change. It’s about creating value that competitors can’t easily copy and aligning resources to drive real results.
His expertise is constantly sharpened by his dual role as a researcher and consultant. By focusing on how organizations make decisions under uncertainty, he brings a cutting-edge perspective to the classroom that reflects the modern market. As Mattingly puts it:
“The thing that interests me the most about strategy is that it is never done, there is constant need for change and improvement”.
Because many FTMBA students are early in their careers, Mattingly prioritizes hands-on practice over rote memorization.
- Real-World Analysis: Students dive into real company financials to solve open-ended problems.
- Building Confidence: By linking external changes to internal choices, students learn they can contribute to “messy, ambiguous situations” from day one.
- Connecting the Dots: His class helps students see how different business functions—like finance, marketing, and operations—fit together to shape a company’s performance.
Mattingly’s teaching style shines when he pushes students to move beyond the search for a single “right” answer. He recalls a moment when a top student challenged a quiz question, arguing that multiple perspectives were defensible. Instead of dismissing the challenge, they worked together to unpack the nuance of how corporate choices shape cost structures.
“Strategy isn’t about perfection, it’s about sound judgment in imperfect situations”.
Ultimately, Mattingly wants his students to walk away as confident, strategic thinkers who trust their ability to identify problems and make clear decisions in an uncertain world. The transition from smokejumper to a well-rounded investment advisor serves as a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Boise State MBA.