Dr. Ayad Saknee came to the United States 10 years ago without any experience in teaching higher education.
But with support and determination, she now teaches at Grand Canyon University and Paradise Valley Community College and recently was inducted into the Eta Chi chapter of Delta Mu Delta, the international business honor society. She is the chapter's first doctoral candidate to be inducted in person.
“It was a struggle for me from the beginning,” said Saknee, who left Iraq in 2014. “I was too scared my first time teaching in a lecture hall. But GCU provided the support for me, and here I am today.”
Saknee earned her doctorate in business administration with an emphasis in data analytics from GCU in June. She already was serving as a full-time faculty member teaching computer information technology at PVCC since August 2022.
But that caused a minor problem. Saknee was an adjunct professor in business information technology at GCU, and her full-time appointment at PVCC created a scheduling conflict.
“I told them, by law, I cannot teach anymore (at GCU) until after 4:30 p.m.,” Saknee said. “But I really wanted to keep teaching at GCU.”
So accommodations were made so she could continue to teach classes, which started at 5 p.m.
“The community is very strong here,” said Saknee, who enrolled at the University of Phoenix and earned her master’s degree in information systems with a cyber security certificate shortly before teaching at PVCC. “I really like it here.”
Dr. Moronke Oke, chair of management for the Colangelo College of Business and the chapters advisor, was struck immediately by Saknee’s caring nature.
“She always arrived early so that she would be available to meet with her students,” Oke said. “I am thrilled to hear that she has completed her doctorate. But in addition to accomplishing that milestone, she also has marked another milestone for the Eta Chi Chapter.
“Even though we have inducted a few doctoral degree candidates in the past, it was done virtually. She is unique in that she is the first in-person doctoral inductee we have had.”
Saknee admitted she once had difficulty speaking in lecture halls of up to 100 students.
“When you teach small classes, like 20 students, it’s easy to keep them engaged and working together,” Saknee said. “But when you have 100 students, it’s hard.”
She soon sought fellow professors for advice, particularly on how to cover topics and keep a large group of students engaged.
“They (the staff members) helped me a lot,” Saknee said.
The current resources have enabled her to help students practice for emerging technologies.
Saknee also teaches classes online as well as in person, and her experience during the COVID-19 pandemic sharpened her teaching skills.
“I like all modalities,” Saknee said. “Each one has a specific advantage, but I like them all.”
She also has a strong support system from her daughter Lara, a high school dual-enrollment sophomore with straight A's, and son Yousif, a seventh grader.
To be invited to join the Eta Chi chapter, students must have at least 24 CCOB credits, be a junior or senior in the top 20% of their program and be in good standing with the university.
The other inductees at the fall ceremony were Colby Shields, Haley Wolsky, Chloe Baer, Cade Schilperoort, Chantelle Ufondu, Sara Kuijpers, Tammy Lynn Garza and Mark Petroff. Business college Dean John Kaites was inducted as an honorary member.
GCU News senior writer Mark Gonzales can be reached at [email protected]
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