Since Completing my MDE . . .
I enrolled in UMUC's dual MBA program. This program offered three focused MBA seminars (six credits each) paired with an existing master's degree in a select group of disciplines.
I successfully completed this program after taking these courses: "Ethical Leadership in Organizations and Society," "Effective Financial and Operational Decision Making," and "Marketing and Strategy Management in the Global Marketplace."
I successfully completed this program after taking these courses: "Ethical Leadership in Organizations and Society," "Effective Financial and Operational Decision Making," and "Marketing and Strategy Management in the Global Marketplace."
Smith Leadership Academy
I was accepted into the first cohort of the Smith Leadership Academy, a program for high-performing staff members at the Robert H. Smith School of Business. In a three month period we attended six full-day classes taught by our world-renowned faculty on project management, strategy, customer service, teamwork and negotiation, management and finance. Three groups were assigned an Action Learning Project (ALP). Our group researched and benchmarked current MS programs offered in business schools. We addressed issues of diversity, marketing the program, staffing it and overall management. Our ALP team focused on the MS in Supply Chain and made a presentation to the senior leadership of the Smith School with our recommendations.
Certificate for TESOL Training
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
For more than a year I tutored several people in English communication (a professor from China and a doctoral student) and reading (a young child). I found this to be extremely interesting and a rewarding sense of accomplishment. We have a large body of students from China, especially in our MS program, and many of them struggle with their English. As a way to combine my English Grammar for International Students with my tutoring, I enrolled in The American TESOL Institute's Advanced Course for certification as a TESOL instructor. I hoped to offer my professional services to the Smith School as a way of enhancing the student experience for our international students. I have used these skills as a volunteer speaking partner for the Maryland English Institute, offered by the University of Maryland, but the interest in teaching this didn't coincide with "surplus funding" for such a program.
. . . and finally . . .
. . . and finally . . .
Staff Excellence Award
I was honored at the Smith School of Business with a Staff Excellence Award. The criteria for this award are outstanding service to all constituents -- students, faculty, staff and external customers. Nominations must be from faculty, supervisors or colleagues in the form of letters of recommendation.
This was a great honor to have not only been nominated by numerous faculty and students, including my department chair, but also to have won the award, as judged by the selection committee. There were more than 40 eligible staff members nominated and only three winners. Oh, a cash prize of $1,000 accompanied the award!