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From Barranquilla, Colombia, to M.I.S.: Meet Dr. Carlos Paternina-Arboleda
As part of our April STEM series, we are proud to feature Carlos D. Paternina-Arboleda, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Management Information Systems at the Fowler College of Business, San Diego State University. Dr. Paternina-Arboleda’s work bridges technology, data, and decision-making, contributing to innovative research and education in the rapidly evolving field of information systems.
Tell us about your journey. (This encompasses both personal and professional aspects)
My journey began in Colombia, South America, where I completed my K–12 education and earned my bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Growing up in Colombia instilled in me both a deep appreciation for hard work and a strong sense of responsibility toward my community. In 1995, I came to the United States to pursue graduate education at the University of South Florida, where I earned my master’s and Ph.D. degrees. Those years were transformative—professionally and personally—and gave me the foundation to become the educator, researcher, and innovator I am today.
After completing my doctoral studies in 2000, I returned to my native Colombia with the goal of giving back to my country. I wanted to use what I had learned to elevate educational standards, mentor aspiring professionals, and contribute to local and regional development. I spent several years doing just that, working closely with students and institutions to foster innovation and academic excellence.
Eventually, I (along with my wife) made the decision to return to the United States. That decision was guided by two deeply held commitments. First, I wanted to give back to the U.S. education system that had given me the opportunity to grow and succeed. Today, I am proud to serve as a faculty member with international recognition, recently named a Business-Higher Education Forum (BHEF) Innovation Fellow in the U.S. I am also proud of being named Chair of research conferences with international outreach, and being part of the ASCM board of directors in the San Diego region giving my support to the industry's needs in supply chain. Second, I wanted to ensure a brighter future for my son. As the social and economic outlook in my native country grew more uncertain for future generations, I felt a strong pull to create a path where he could thrive with greater opportunity and stability.
Over the years, I have been privileged to mentor more than 15 former graduate students who have followed in my footsteps to become faculty members in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America. Additionally, more than 10 of my former students have gone on to build successful entrepreneurial ventures, and many more hold positions and successful careers in various companies around the world. Seeing their accomplishments is among the most fulfilling parts of my career.
My journey is one of crossing borders—geographical, cultural, and intellectual—with a consistent desire to empower others through education, mentorship, and shared growth. I remain committed to supporting students from all backgrounds and to fostering excellence, driven by gratitude and a strong belief in paying it forward.
What pivotal experiences shaped your current path?
Several pivotal experiences have shaped my path, both as an academic and as a mentor. One of the most defining was the realization of how critical it is to have access to the right support and resources at every educational level. Coming from Colombia, I experienced firsthand the disparities in access to advanced educational tools, networks, and research opportunities. It was only when I had the chance to study in the U.S. that I fully appreciated how vital institutional support, funding, and access to knowledge infrastructure are to a student’s success.
Equally transformative was the role of mentorship in my journey. I was fortunate to find mentors at every stage—from my early stages in my own family, during my bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. programs—who not only believed in me but also pushed me to go beyond conventional thinking. That mindset shift—toward creativity, innovation, and impact—has been a cornerstone of my work ever since.
These experiences instilled in me the responsibility to do the same for my students. I try hard to create a space where students feel supported yet empowered to take risks, explore new ideas, and develop solutions that push boundaries. Whether they go on to become researchers, educators, practitioners, or entrepreneurs, I want them to leave with the confidence that they can lead with both rigor and imagination.
My path was shaped not just by what I learned, but by who helped me learn it—and I carry that forward in everything I do.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?
My advice to anyone pursuing a path like mine—one that combines academia, applied research, and entrepreneurship—is to stay grounded in purpose and guided by curiosity.
First, never underestimate the value of education—not just as a means to an end, but as a platform to transform lives. Take your studies seriously, and use every opportunity to deepen your understanding and expand your worldview. Be humble enough to learn, but bold enough to challenge existing assumptions.
Second, find mentors who will stretch your thinking. The right mentor will not only support you but also push you to innovate, to question the status quo, and to think beyond what’s expected. Surround yourself with people who are not afraid to tell you when you’re playing it too safe—and who inspire you to aim higher.
Third, understand that impact comes in many forms. I’ve had the privilege of guiding students into academia, industry, and entrepreneurship, and each path has its own power. What matters is that your work contributes to something larger than yourself—whether that’s shaping minds, solving real-world problems, or creating opportunities for others.
Lastly, be generous. Share what you’ve learned. Help others rise with you. In my case, I’ve been able to support students from across the globe and help them find their voice, their purpose, and their professional path. That, to me, is the most rewarding part of this journey.
So be excellent—but also be accessible. Work hard—but stay kind. Lead—but don’t forget to lift others as you climb.
What drives your desire to contribute and make a difference?
What drives me, more than anything, is the joy of seeing my students thrive.
There is something incredibly fulfilling about watching someone you’ve mentored grow into their potential—whether that means landing a job they dreamed of, pursuing advanced degrees, building a startup, or simply discovering the confidence to pursue ideas they once thought were out of reach. That kind of impact stays with you.
But what humbles me even more is seeing the ripple effect. One of the most meaningful moments in my career was watching a former student of mine step into a mentorship role and begin guiding the next generation. That’s when you know your work is multiplying—that your support helped build someone who is now paying it forward. It’s no longer just about what I can do as a professor or mentor—it becomes about what we can do as a community of learners and leaders.
If you could go back and advise your younger self, what would it be?
If I could speak to my younger self, I would say this: being an innovator is important—but partnering with the right people is even more important.
Early in my career, I was so focused on ideas, research, and building new things that I didn’t always pay enough attention to who I was working with. Over time, I learned that innovation doesn’t happen in isolation—it thrives in environments built on trust, mutual respect, and shared values. So I would tell my younger self to be mindful, to choose collaborators thoughtfully, and to invest in building trust just as much as building projects. Trust isn’t something you ask for; it’s something you earn and nurture over time.
I would also remind myself that mistakes are part of the journey. Every challenge, every misstep, is an opportunity to learn and grow. What matters most is how you respond—how you reflect, adapt, and come back stronger. Building confidence doesn’t mean always being right; it means being willing to grow from the experience and carry those lessons forward with humility.
Looking back, I’m grateful for the experiences—both good and challenging—that helped shape who I am today. But if I could give that younger version of me a hand on the shoulder, I’d simply say: “Trust wisely, grow boldly, and never stop learning.”
How can GlobalMindED support STEM leaders and emerging STEM Leaders?
GlobalMindED can play a powerful role in supporting both established and emerging STEM leaders by continuing to do what it does best—creating visibility, fostering authentic connections, and building bridges across disciplines, backgrounds, and generations. For emerging STEM leaders, visibility is incredibly important. But beyond visibility, I believe the next step is cultivating meaningful mentorship and peer networks. It’s not just about having a role model from afar—it’s about creating open and supportive environments where emerging leaders can ask real questions, make mistakes, and grow alongside mentors who have walked that path. Pairing experienced leaders with those just starting out, across sectors and stages, can make all the difference.
And finally, we need to equip future leaders with not just technical skills, but also the mindset to lead ethically, collaboratively, and with a sense of purpose. GlobalMindED is uniquely positioned to help foster this by encouraging innovation with impact, and by supporting thought leadership that connects STEM to the greater social good.
In short, continue to be a convener of purpose-driven people and to serve as stepping stones for the next generation.
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