Q&A with the Dean

1. Your extensive experience in not only working with companies such as IBM, but in teaching is going to lend such an advantage to the College of Business. How do you plan on implementing your previous experience in this College?
   
   In marketing practice, customer satisfaction is critical to firm survival. Satisfaction rests squarely on the ability of the firm to meet customer needs. As the Dean of Business, an understanding of internal needs (students, faculty and university) as well as external needs (business community) provides a solid foundation for developing successful business programs. From my experience, a primary focus will be to develop curriculum and student programs for strengthening external relations, thereby addressing the needs of all constituents.
   
    
   
   
2. What brought you to ORU the second time? Will you still keep your connections with your prior university, continuing to work with them?
   
   I love ORU. The reason I left ORU was because I sensed the Lord’s direction to do so. I am returning to ORU for that same reason. I sensed the Lord’s direction and timing to return. At the time I left, I told my ORU colleagues that I did not think that my time with ORU was completed. I see the Lord’s wisdom and can confirm the value in “cross-pollination.” I have learned a lot from my most recent university experience and believe I will continue to benefit from the relationships formed there in my new role at ORU.
   
    
   
   
3. What do you hope to bring to ORU that you didn't bring in the prior 10 years you were here? How has your continued experience aided the development of your teaching?
   
   Since leaving ORU, I have been able to develop leadership skills in assessment and curriculum initiatives that should serve me well in this administrative role. The university where I most recently came from had a strong focus on student engagement and student learning. Both my ability to teach and mentor have improved significantly as a result of this “iron sharpening iron” experience. Based on this experience and nearly 20 years in academia, I am looking forward to continued “iron sharpening iron” experiences with ORU faculty.
   
    
   
   
4. What is your outlook for the ORU College of Business? What might be areas for improvement?
   
   The future is bright with possibilities. With God on our side and the Holy Spirit working through us, how could it be anything but bright?! Building on the strong business foundation that the ORU College of Business has to offer, my focus will be to build a greater awareness of these strengths in the business community both locally and globally.
   
    
   
   
5. Any final comments about joining ORU staff?
   
   I am excited about being back. It’s good to be home.