Cheryl Wakslak’s research focuses on how people interact with others across various forms of distance. Much of her recent research looks at communication, exploring when people use more big-picture, abstract language versus more specific language, and how this influences the way they are perceived by others. Projects here focus especially on the role of gender, power, diversity, and perceptions of leadership and future potential. Cheryl is further interested in how these dynamics -- and other communication signals -- play out in the entrepreneurial space. She explores these interests using a variety of approaches, including experiments, field studies, and archival data analysis.
INSIGHT + ANALYSIS
Quoted: Cheryl Wakslak in Fast Company
Wakslak explains how exclamation point usage in emails doesn’t affect perceptions of confidence, contrasting with researchers’ assumptions.
Quoted: Cheryl Wakslak in Financial Times
Wakslak details her research into the positive and negative perceptions of exclamation point usage in work emails.
Research: Cheryl Wakslak in Harvard Business Review
Waklsak’s research explores how exclamation marks in business communication affect perceptions of the sender.
Cited: Nan Jia and Cheryl Wakslak in Mint.
In an article about the capability of using AI in mental healthcare, MINT cites recent research from JIA, Dean's Associate Professor in Business Administration, and WAKSLAK, associate professor of management and organization, finding AI-generated responses hold the potential for designing inexpensive scalable solutions for social support. (Paywall)
NEWS + EVENTS
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: September 2026
We are proud to highlight the many accomplishments of Marshall’s exceptional faculty recognized for recently accepted and published research and achievements in their field.
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: August 2026
We are proud to highlight the many accomplishments of Marshall’s exceptional faculty recognized for recently accepted and published research and achievements in their field.
USC Marshall Honors Faculty and Staff Excellence
At the 2026 Faculty and Staff Awards, the Marshall community recognized colleagues for their leadership, mentorship, and excellence in teaching and research.
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: April 2026
We are proud to highlight the many accomplishments of Marshall’s exceptional faculty recognized for recently accepted and published research and achievements in their field.
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: March 2026
We are proud to highlight the many accomplishments of Marshall’s exceptional faculty recognized for recently accepted and published research and achievements in their field.
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: April 2025
We are proud to highlight the many accomplishments of Marshall’s exceptional faculty recognized for recently accepted and published research and achievements in their field.
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: August 2024
We are proud to recognize the many accomplishments of Marshall’s exceptional faculty, including recently accepted and published research and achievements in their field.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Can Help People Feel Heard
New research from the USC Marshall School of Business reveals AI-generated responses can make humans “feel heard” but an underlying bias toward AI devalues its effectiveness.
Marshall Faculty Publications, Awards, and Honors: February 2024
We extend our congratulations to Marshall’s esteemed faculty for their recently accepted and published research and awards.
COURSES
