Highlighting inspirational women: Rebecca Neilson
During the month of March, we observe Women’s History Month, in which we remember and celebrate the great strides women have made throughout history and honor the work women accomplish daily. The UTA College of Business met with various women in leadership roles within the college and at their places of work to highlight the work they accomplish daily.
We met with Rebecca Neilson, UTA College of Business assistant dean, to hear her unique story and hear her advice for women beginning their college journey and professional lives.
As the Assistant Dean of the College of Business, Neilson is responsible for the operations of the college including marketing, technology, corporate relations, human resources and administrative functions. Neilson is also the editor of The Business Maverick, the college’s annual magazine. With responsibilities that affect the daily operations of the College of Business, Neilson’s leadership and guidance helps faculty, staff, and students prosper.
“People are people, and people have problems. I solve their problems. I’ve served in a lot of different leadership positions and worked with a lot of different people,” said Neilson. “You have to form relationships. My whole life is about forming relationships. If you’re willing to help someone, they’re more willing to reciprocate and work to help you in the future.”
Rebecca Neilson, UTA College of Business Assistant Dean, poses for a professional photo. (Courtesy Photo)
While Neilson currently serves as the Assistant Dean of the College of Business, she has also served in a variety of leadership roles in other industries. Prior to her time at UTA, she worked in HR at a nursing home, but most notably retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserve.
“Immediately after graduating college, I started out in the Army as a personnel officer and did that for about 14 years. I spent four and a half years on active duty and then went into the reserves. At one point, one of my commanders went to a civil affairs brigade. At the time, civil affairs was a part of special operations command, and there weren’t a lot of women. So he called me and asked if I’d consider coming over into the civil affairs career field, and I wanted to do something different, so I did.” Said Neilson.
In the U.S. Army, civil affairs soldiers work together with communities around the world to increase stability, enable local governments and improve quality of life for host nation populations through infrastructure and medical projects and a variety of other capabilities.
However, while Neilson was capable, she still had to overcome lingering stereotypes and obstacles because of her gender.
“My ex-boss, who was the chief of staff at the brigade at the time, recommended me for a primary staff position, but some of the leadership had concerns about me because I was a woman, because they had never had a female staff officer before,” Neilson explained. “But they hired me into the position, and I was given opportunities that I had never imagined.”
During one of her deployments, Neilson applied for a battalion command position and was selected due to her background and some of the connections she had made during her deployment. During her command, she hired soldiers who had more experience in combat arms to help her prepare the unit for combat.
Neilson explained that her military service is still one of her proudest accomplishments in her life. Neilson’s father was also in the military, as a senior enlisted leader in the U.S. Air Force. She explained that he acted as a mentor and inspiration for her career.
“My dad inspired me. I always wanted to make him proud. My dad was somebody I truly admired and wanted to be like. Several times, he pinned my new rank on me when I got promoted. He was truly special to me,” Neilson explained. “I always tried my best to be an officer that my father would always be proud to work with. I thought that if I could be that kind of leader, then I had achieved something.”
Retired U.S. Army Reserve Col. Rebecca Neilson, 321st Civil Affairs Brigade, Deputy Brigade Commander poses for a photo while waiting for transportation in front of a passenger terminal at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan. (Courtesy Photo)
Neilson explained that while she did have some hurdles as a woman in the military, she was fortunate to have the mentors necessary to help her overcome those hurdles and gave advice to women preparing to enter the professional workforce.
“I’ve had mentors everywhere I’ve gone and been blessed to have many people help me long the way. And I always did my best to make sure I didn’t let them down. I think you have to work hard,” Neilson explained. “Do what you need to do in order to set yourself up for the future. Go to school, get mentored, and build your toolbox for success.”
In giving advice to women taking their first steps into education and their professional journeys, Neilson also gave advice to a version of herself, fresh out of college and ready to take on the world.
“It’s going to be fine, don’t worry so much. Sometimes things will be stressful, and it’ll feel like the world is coming to an end. But it’s not. You can get past it. You can push through, and you will be able to figure out any puzzle or obstacle that stands in front of you.”
