Title: Full-Time Online Instructor, Colangelo College of Business
Years at GCU: 8
Academic degrees:
- B.S. – Business Administration, Management – California State University, Bakersfield, California
- MBA – Human Resources Management – University of Phoenix
- Ed.D. – Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Higher Education Leadership, GCU
What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important?
Receiving the Collegiate DECA Advisor of the Year Award – GCU chapter. I am thankful to have the opportunity to work with the outstanding on-campus GCU students and watch them grow and develop their leadership, critical thinking and presentation skills.
What are you most passionate about in your field and why?
I am passionate about both teaching and learning. I relish the opportunity to learn and grow, to share that knowledge with our students by promoting an inclusive environment in the online classroom for the open exchange of ideas and experiences. My goal is to personalize the online classroom by using Loom videos to individually connect with each student so they do not feel disconnected and like just a “name on a screen.”
What is a memorable moment you had in class, and what does that reveal about your teaching style?
My teaching style would be best described as fair, firm and consistent. I want students to find value in earning their degree here at GCU, so I provide students with all of the tools they need to be successful. But I also have high standards and expectations.
With that being said, there was one student in particular who began my class (literally on day one) with a litany of various excuses about why she would not be able to complete any work on time and basically told me that I would need to be lenient. We spoke on the phone for an extended amount of time and I listened to the challenges she was facing. My goal was to be empathetic but not sympathetic and to help her expand her focus from daily challenges to her future goals.
From there we were able to develop a time-management plan. By the third week of class, she was completing quality work not just on time but sometimes early! After successfully completing her final six classes, she earned her degree and called me in tears telling me that I said what she needed to hear and had I not helped her she likely would not have graduated. That is something that I will never forget!
What do you like to do for fun in your spare time?
I love to read and learn. My passion is American history, specifically understanding our Constitution and how that applies to the current political environment. The brilliance of our founding fathers and mothers is fascinating considering how relevant their words and deeds are today.
What is something interesting about you that most people don't know?
In addition to my daily Bible studies, I had a goal that I wanted to read every word in the Bible. It took me 750 days, but I completed that goal in November 2017.
