Remembering TOM Professor Joyce Kupsh

Retired TOM professor at forefront of business technology was author, respected colleague and friend

She authored 13 books on subjects like the electronic office, business writing, machine transcription and business ergonomics. For more than 30 years she taught technology and operations management courses while forging lifelong friendships with colleagues at Cal Poly Pomona’s College of Business Administration.

In November 2022, Joyce was promoting an update to, "Writing – A Survival Guide," a book she co-authored with fellow TOM faculty member, Rhonda Rhodes, when she was unexpectedly diagnosed with brain cancer. She fought for almost a year until Sept. 12 when her son Jim and husband Paul stood by her side as the battle ended.

Joyce’s legacy began long before joining the CBA faculty in 1975. She grew up a farm girl in Emporia, Kansas, attending a two-room schoolhouse until moving into town with her grandparents at the beginning of high school. Joyce graduated at 16 and stayed in Kansas, earning a bachelor’s in business from Emporia State. She taught high school while working towards her master’s before leaving the small town life to follow her sister, Marjorie, to Southern California.

The sunshine and palm trees were new, but Joyce’s enjoyment for teaching remained. She taught at Buena Park High School when an opportunity at the newly-formed Golden West College arose. As Joyce was building her professional career, helping create business curriculum and filling in as an instructor wherever needed, her personal life was about to change as she met he future husband, Paul.

Married in 1963, Paul’s support was pivotal in Joyce advancing her career by returning to college to work towards a doctorate in education from Arizona State University. As an individual, Joyce began writing books and guiding future business leaders. Together, Paul and Joyce founded a company called National Instructional Systems, which took the couple around the Western United States where she would speak at conferences while Paul sold her books and materials.

Traveling was one of Joyce’s greatest joys. Although she was officially retired, Joyce still taught the occasional course while attending and speaking at conferences all over the world, including Swaziland, Russia, Vietnam, Canada, Malaysia, Mexico and France. Her impact stretched beyond academia; she served for 18 years on the Beaver Run Homeowners Association in Breckenridge, Colorado where they appointed her as the first Director Emeritus where she continued to serve until late 2022.

Joyce will forever be cherished by her loving husband Paul, her sons Jim and Jerry (Kristin), her cherished grandchildren Dylan, Sydney, Ryan, and Taylor (great grandchildren Tessa, Freya). She is also survived by her older sister, Marjorie Pyle of Cedar Park Texas.

The family is planning A Celebration of Life of Joyce on November 4, 2023 at 11:00am that will be held in Henderson, NV. Those who cannot be there in person will be able to view it on Facebook/YouTube. Details will be posted on Facebook.