VOL. 10
Fall - Winter
IMPACT
2023-2024
A SCHOOL OF BUSINESS NEWSLETTER
CONTENTS
TABLE OF
4 NEW FACULTY & STAFF 6 CONFERENCES 10 G U E S T S P E A K E R S BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD 12 15 E V E N T S & E N G A G E M E N T 22 M A S T E R O F A C C O U N T A N C Y P R O G R A M
24 S T U D E N T F E E D B A C K & I M P R O V E M E N T P L A N S 26 F A C U L T Y H I G H L I G H T S & P U B L I C A T I O N S
A MESSAGE FROM THE
DEAN
Dr. Chung-Shing Lee Professor & Dean Reflecting on this remarkable year, I am thrilled to acknowledge the Year of Discovery we have experienced together. It has been a time of immense growth and learning, marked by our faculty and staff's invaluable contributions and our students' remarkable engagement. Our faculty and students have showcased their dedication and expertise throughout the year through numerous conference presentations, engaging in community services, and sharing their innovative ideas and research with the broader academic community. The insights and knowledge exchanged during these events have been truly inspiring. We have hosted esteemed guest speakers who generously shared their professional wisdom and insights into career development with our students, whether in classes or engaging with students virtually. Their guidance has been instrumental in shaping our students' aspirations and understanding of the ever-evolving professional landscape. I sincerely thank our Business Advisory Board members for their unwavering service and invaluable contributions. Their guidance and support have been instrumental in steering our educational initiatives toward excellence and relevance in the business world. Moreover, we've celebrated the remarkable achievements of our faculty, highlighting their outstanding research contributions and publications that continue to elevate our academic standing. Our engagement with the business community has yielded significant results, highlighted by successful initiatives such as collaborating for the "Boss of the Year" event with the Thurston Chamber of Commerce and the inaugural "Business Leadership Conference." These initiatives have profoundly impacted the development of aspiring business leaders. These endeavors have strengthened our ties and fostered collaborations that enrich both academia and industry. As we conclude the Fall 2023 semester, I send my heartfelt wishes to everyone for a holiday season filled with joy and rejuvenation. May the warmth, happiness, and cherished moments be abundant for you. This year has been characterized by remarkable findings and progress, with anticipation for opportunities for innovations and engagements in the upcoming year.
NEW STAFF SPOTLIGHT Olivia Alvord The School of Business is excited to welcome Olivia Alvord (she/her) as the new Executive Assistant to the Dean of the School of Business. Olivia is a Saint Martin's Alumni ('20) who double majored in History and Secondary Education. Olivia is passionate about teaching others and leading an ecofriendly lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, reading, and working out.
INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT Troy Kirby & John Craighill Troy Kirby has worked extensively as a professional broadcaster, athletics administrator, and writer for over 20 years. He was instrumental in creating the inagural Business Leadership Conference this fall.
John Craighill worked 25 years as an internal auditor for the Liquor Control Board, Dept. of Social and Health Services, Washington’s Lottery, and Evergreen State College. He has been instrumental in developing the internal audit and risk management certificate.
2023 Fraud Conference Sept. 20, 2023
MAcc student, Reine Albite, reported: “This conference emphasized artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. The AI movement and its integration by the profession is advancing the use of technology. Cybersecurity risk is a growing field. Before the conference, I had no idea how prominent cybersecurity was in the internal audit profession. For example, in 2022, $10 billion in total losses were reported to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Ransomware, phishing emails, and social engineering are growing threats that target companies' financial health. As these risks grow, so does the need for advanced skills. Other interesting presentations included real stories of fraud investigations in business and government. Saint Martin’s offers a graduate certificate in Internal Audit & Risk Management. Undergraduate students can use the 4 + 1 program to start classes during their senior year. Overall, this conference offered many lessons and I encourage students to attend local conferences to network with professionals, learn about potential careers, and spark ideas on future career paths.”
Students in Professor John Craighill’s ACC667 Internal Audit class attended the 2023 Fraud Conference, hosted by the Nisqually Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors.
Emerging Leaders Conference Sept. 26, 2023 Bothell, WA
BY REINE ALBITE, MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY STUDENT
“The Emerging Leaders Conference theme was leadership in the workplace. However, a big lesson I took away is that leadership is not constrained to just the workplace. Leadership involves working with yourself to better understand your identity, skills, and your values. The four-part leadership workshop was presented by Nick Anderson who runs a business called CHOSEN LEADER. He teaches that leadership is a choice, a choice of the follower. Leaders need to be clear on their values and identity because it is those qualities that will inspire others. He covered topics about clean and clear agreement, the significance of clear communication in the workplace, and sacrifices that need to be made as a tradeoff for change. He also emphasized the skill of competence. He mentions “Competence does not mean knowing everything about the subject matter, it is about having the means of going after the knowledge and expertise to have a better understanding”. This was a very reassuring quote because as students, workplaces can seem intimidating in the way that students might be expected to know everything when entering the workforce. However, that is not reality and competence is a significant skill as an emerging leader. The other speaker we heard from was Pooja Sund, an engineering finance leader at Microsoft and noted in the Hall of Fame – Global Women in Tech 2023. She had a very inspiring presentation on navigating a multicultural environment for success. One of her lessons was that ‘leadership starts when they start believing in their capability.’ She stresses that diversity is a fact, it’s inherent and acquired. Where inclusion is an act, a demonstrated behavior. Both are important in the workplace to embrace inclusive leadership that respects all backgrounds and cultures.”
IMA Student Leadership Conference The Association of Accountants and Financial Professionals in Business
The 2023 IMA Student Leadership Conference was held in Detroit, Michigan November 9th - 11th. Professor Suzanne Chaille attended with Saint Martin’s School of Business students. There was a number of keynote speakers on current topics in accounting, finance, and technology. There were also numerous workshops to attend focusing on leadership, career development, and transitions from college to the workforce. Attendees also had the opportunity to network with business professionals and peers across the United States.
October 20-22, 2023
Pacific Lutheran Univesity, Tacoma
THE 28TH ACPSS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE STRENGTHENING COLLABORATIONS Dean Dr. Chung-Shing Lee participated in the 28th annual Association of Chinese Professors of Social Sciences in the United States International Conference held at Pacific Lutheran University in October. The conference revolved around the theme “Chine Confronting Greater Challenges,” encompassing various topics, including Chinese society and politics, history and law, China’s foreign relations, immigration, social theory and religion, information security, Chinese business and economic environment, and overseas Chinese education.
Dr. Lee presented the keynote address titled “Unraveling the Threads: U.S.-China Business Relations, Supply Chain Disruption, and Decoupling Strategies” at the ACPSS International Conference.
GUEST
SPEAKERS
Daryl Murrow, Thurston County Economic Development Council
Chief of Police, Robert Almada, Lacey Police Department
Ron Hanson, WA Department of Social and Health Services
CEO Darin Goss, Providence Swedish
Dan Jones, NorthAmericaTalk
Sean Moore, Thurston County Economic Development Council
IN THE
CLASSROOM
Jennifer Myers, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
Dr. Wendy Fraser, Fraser Consulting
Andrea Kwan, Washington State Department of Veteran’s Affairs
CEO Darin Goss, Providence Swedish
Ken Deans, Project Management of the Coachella Music Festival
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
ADVISORY Board
CEO, FushionZONE Automotive, LLC.
President, Fraser Consulting
ED BARTON
DR. WENDY FRASER
Ed Barton, EdD., owns Centerbridge Accounting & Tax LLC - a bookkeeping and tax firm located in Anacortes, Washington, but working nationwide, providing tax, accounting, bookkeeping, and outsourced CFO services. They offer opportunities for paid seasonal work during tax season and select full-time positions that can be worked remotely. Ed first became involved with Saint Martin’s when he joined the administration as CFO and General Counsel in 2016. He has continued to teach as an adjunct professor and volunteers with the university in several capacities
CEO, Clarus Eye Centre DR. BUFFY HOWARD Buffy Howard, PhD focuses on creating an atmosphere where employees have a supportive environment to provide the best care possible. Passionate about leadership, she earned a PhD in Leadership Studies from Saint Martin’s, demonstrating her commitment to honing the art of leadership in the healthcare industry. She looks forward to teaching for the School of Business in the future as a new adjunct faculty member.
Wendy Fraser, PhD has strong St. Martin’s roots as she graduated with her bachelor’s in management and finance from the School of Business. She has been active with the university over the years as a volunteer, former faculty member, and often gives her time to student and athletic teams to help them strengthen their relationships and performance. She teaches and certifies new Lean Six Sigma Black Belts and she has a passion for operational efficiency. If School of Business students are interested in consulting, organization development, Lean Six Sigma, or starting their own businesses, then reach out to Wendy for mentoring. Contact Information: Wendy@WendyFraserConsulting.com or WFraser@stmartin.edu
Client Executive, Deloitte Consulting CHEWON LEE Chewon Lee, MBA, studied and worked in the U.S., South Korea, and Europe, and speaks fluent Korean. He has worked at other global consulting firms as a healthcare management consultant serving health plans, health systems, and governments. He also advised U.S. and international startups and investors across diverse verticals, including digital health, with international expansion & GTM strategies, and served in roles such as Chief Growth Officer and VP of Business Development and Strategy.
Government Affairs Director, Association of Washington Business
Senior Vice President, Heritage Bank School of Business Accounting Instructor
AMY ANDERSON
KATE DIXON
Principal Consultant, MarketStrat Elevation
Chief Revenue Officer, TwinStar Credit Union
DAYA FIELDS
AARON PALMER
Executive Director, Washington State Board of Accountancy (ABC)
Human Resources Director, Sunset Air Inc. CHRISTINE PFEIFFER
MIKE PAQUETTE
Founder, The Business Examiner REGISTER NOW School of Business Lecturer
CEO and CFO, Panorama
JEFF ROUNCE
BILL STRADER
Director of Center for Business and Innovation, Thurston Economic Development Council CELIA NIGHTINGALE
BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
FALL SEMESTER MEETING RECAP
NEW MEMBERS:
Chewon Lee, MBA
Buffy Howard, PhD
The Business Advisory Board held its fall semester meeting on Friday, October 6th in the O’Grady Library Benedictine Reading Room. The board gained two new members this fall: Dr. Buffy Howard, CEO of Clarus Eye Centre right here in Lacey and Chewon Lee, MBA, of Deloitte in Bellevue - a global audit, consulting, advisory, and tax services company. One of the main focuses of the meeting was a discussion on student engagement and faculty support. Board members and School of Business faculty and staff engaged in small group discussion answering the question: How can advisory board members help support faculty in engaging with students?
Saint Martin’s University vs. Northwest Nazarene University Men’s Basketball Faculty & Staff Appreciation Night Saint Martin’s Athletics hosted a faculty and staff appreciation night on Thursday, November 30th to express their gratitude to the numerous faculty and staff whose contributions to this campus, the athletics’ program, and the student-athletes are vital parts of the distinctive identity as a close-knit campus community.
Faculty & Staff Honored: Sceni Foster - Event Services Sarah Haugh - Housing Irina Gendelman - Communications
Troy Kirby - Business Chung-Shing Lee - Business Tim Madley - Business Jamie Nixon - Health Center Nedra Robertson - HR Sharon Schnebly - Public Safety Dustin Zemel - Communications
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE The Saint Martin's School of Business hosted its inaugural Business Leadership Conference on Wednesday, October 11th. 3 separate panels composed of local business community leaders met to discuss affordable housing, small business, and finance. Panel discussions were followed by Keynote Speaker, Dan Young, from Edward Jones and a speed networking event. Affordable Housing Panel Moderator: Jamine Ezzell, Chicago Title Sales Manager Panelist: Christina Janis, Epic Reality/Rob Rice Homes Panelist: Jessie Simmons, Olympia Master Builders Panelist: Jan Himebaugh, Building Industry Association of Washington
Small Business Panel Moderator: Eric Zabala, State Farm Insurance Panelist: Mike Walther, APD Plumbing and Mechanical Owner Panelist: Mary Mays, 4th Dimension Computers Owner Panelist: Kennon Maurer, Ebony & Ivory Coffee Owner
Finance Panel Moderator: Dan Young, Edward Jones Panelist: Casey Kilborn, VP Retail Banking Manager, OlyFed Savings Panelist: Rocco Turpin, State Farm Insurance Panelist: Brendan Wood, Edward Jones
“It is interesting to be able to hear from various business owners and as to how they ended up in their current position careerwise. I feel as if the speakers did an amazing job connecting with the audience; they did so by providing various aspects of their everyday life in their field of work and what they must do to continue to build their business.“ - Abdwaan Scott, Business student
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE “One thing they touched on was the effect of COVID on their small business. A lot of local businesses were forced to close [due] to COVID, so it was great to hear about what it was like for a business that survived. Hearing how these small businesses dealt with supply chain shortages and issues during that time was interesting to learn as it is not something that was communicated well while it was happening. - Jazz Schmidt, Business student
“Given that all three businesses were a part of different industries, they all shared similarities but hearing about some of the differences they each had to go through such as certain lawsuits and design strategies of how they had to become a business was great to hear. It was fantastic to hear what goes on behind the scenes in a small business.” - AJ Killion, Business student
“When talking about long term goals, I noticed that not one of them talked about money or helping themselves. They all talked about wanting the best for their clients or the people they work [with].” -Maliki Dunlap, Business student
Dr. Chung-Shing Lee, Dean of the School of Business, and Dr. Linjun Wu, Professor of International Studies, with this year’s celebrity hosts.
Business Advisory Board member, Dr. Buffy Howard, and her daughter Niyah Tyorum.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tim Madeley and group with chefs Tom Douglas, Roy Breiman, and Italian butcher, Dario Cecchini.
Associate Professor, Dr. Lisa Power, with chefs Tom Douglas, Roy Breiman, and Italian butcher Dario Cecchini.
SMU Annual Gala November 4th, 2023
Over $2 million raised for student scholarships at the Saint Martin’s University annual gala. The black-tie event features a live auction, a 5course dinner, and an on-stage cooking demonstration with Seattlebased culinary celebrities.
Donuts on the Go with Campus Ministry The campus ministry office has taken their famous donuts on the road and over course the School of Business had to get in on the fun!
On Wednesday, November 8th the School of Business hosted the free donut event right outside the office and lounge area on the third floor of Old Main. Visitors were offered coffee and tea as well as donuts. They engaged in conversation about the Benedictine value of focus that day, listening. Thank you to all the faculty, staff, students, and alumni that came to visit and enjoy some donuts! This was a great way to engage with our community.
BOSS OF THE YEAR
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE The 14th annual Boss of the Year event recognizes exceptional leadership in the workplace through innovation, communication, vision, execution, ethics, services, and knowledge. Thurston County Chamber of Commerce CEO and staff, along with Express Employment Professionals staff pose with the 2023 Boss of the year winners (center). From left to right: Katie McMurray of Sensory Tool House, Roussa Cassel of Artisans Group Architecture & Planning, and Erik Johnson of Olympia Computer.
Dr. Lisa Power’s BA355: Management of the Sales Force class assisted the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce in interviewing the 12 nominated bosses and their employees. They then presented back to the chamber on their interviews to aid in narrowing it down to just three winners.
BOSS OF THE YEAR
THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERACE 2023 Boss of the Year Honorees Roussa Cassel, Artisans Group Architecture & Planning Katie McMurray, Sensory Tool House Erik Johnson, Olympia Computer 2023 Honorable Mentions Michael Cade, Thurston Economic Development Council Buffy Howard, Clarus Eye Centre Drew Philips, FORMA Construction
The School of Business would like to extend a special congratulations to our Advisory Board member, Dr. Buffy Howard in being nominated!
SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY CREATES ENHANCED CAREER PATHS FOR STUDENTS IN THE MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY PROGRAM Article by Nancy Krier, retrieved from ThurstonTalk
Saint Martin’s Master of Accountancy graduate Aman Lidder, second from left, joins Associate Professor Suzanne Chaille, Program Director Diana Bingaman, MAcc student Jan Francisco and Dean ChungShing Lee at the business school. Photo credit: Nancy Krier
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY BENEFITS WORKING ACCOUNTANTS AND ACCOUNTING UNDERGRADUATES Aman Lidder is busy putting his recent Saint Martin’s University Master of Accountancy (MAcc) degree to good use. This graduate degree has already created opportunities for him in the accounting profession, in his family’s business and in the community. Completing the degree means Lidder now qualifies to take the Certified Public Account (CPA) exam, paving the way for even greater career prospects. “I am well prepared for things now,” he said of his Saint Martin’s master’s degree. “It opened doors for me.” The Master of Accountancy program is offered by the School of Business. The MAcc degree is designed both for persons who already have a bachelor’s degree and are continuing their accounting education, and for undergraduates who want to obtain a master’s degree in accounting in just one additional year through the Saint Martin’s Business 4+1 Program. “It allows seniors to get a jump start on their graduate education,” explained MAcc Program Director Diane Bingaman of the 4+1 accelerated option. In evening classes held on the Lacey campus, the MAcc program teaches professionallevel information covering complex topics in accounting, tax, audit, business and ethics. “It’s a broad set of knowledge,” said Lidder. Evening classes are taught so working professionals can fit in the class time with their busy schedules. After receiving his bachelor’s in business administration at Saint Martin’s, Lidder obtained his MAcc in May 2023. He is already applying his graduate degree knowledge as a staff accountant at a tax and accounting firm in Thurston County. He is also employing what he learned in the MAcc program to help his family’s restaurant, the Curry House in Lacey. His skills are also serving the community in his role as treasurer for a board forming a new Sikh temple as a nonprofit corporation.
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY HELPS STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR CPA LICENSURE EXAM At the same time, Lidder is preparing to take the CPA exam. The University launched the MAcc program in 2018 to help students satisfy the 150 college credits required to qualify for CPA licensure. Bingaman added that while the MAcc is not a CPA exam preparation platform, the program offers both broad-based advanced topics as well as CPA exam classes. Bingaman explained that the MAcc program’s mission of preparing the next generation of CPAs is becoming increasingly essential, as about 75% of today’s CPAs are expected to retire in the next 15 years. This shift in the workforce is creating a demand by businesses, organizations and agencies seeking this expertise. She said approximately 40% of Saint Martin’s accounting graduates work in government, 40% work at CPA firms, and 20% are hired by other private companies.
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY PROGRAM CREATES EXPANDED CAREER OPPORUNITIES School of Business Dean Chung-Shing Lee, DSc, says the MAcc program expands students’ career prospects in other ways. The program gives students the opportunity to attend important conferences, meet with corporate and accounting organization directors, associate with partner professional entities like the Nisqually Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors, and receive valuable input from the business community. “We connect our students with business and industry leaders,” Lee said. Lidder was one of two Saint Martin’s students selected to attend a prestigious business conference last fall, joining approximately 130 students from around the country. “We were the smallest school there,” Lidder said. He shared the conference gave him a chance to meet with accounting leaders: “It shows that our students can compete with anyone.” Professional connections generated at Saint Martin’s are not limited to just U.S. contacts. Lee has traveled with students to the University of Southern Denmark, a global partner university. “The visit gave students a chance to visit with foreign companies,” he said. “They met with students from Germany, Denmark and Italy, giving them a broader global perspective and connection.”
MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY PROGRAM ACCEPTS APPLICANTS YEAR-ROUND Students can complete the required 30 credits in the full-time MAcc program in 12 months. With in-person classes of five to 10 students, students learn to: Identify and reasearch accounting principles and theories. Critically analyze and interpret accounting data. Become proficient in using accounting tools to make business decisions. Present information in professional written and oral communications.
Aman Lidder, left, is busy putting his Saint Martin’s University Master of Accountancy graduate degree to great use in working at a local accounting and tax firm, supporting his family’s business, and creating a new nonprofit. Photo credit: Nancy Krier.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS Fall 2023 Town Hall Survey WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS? FACULTY & INSTRUCTORS - SEASONED PROFESSIONALS WITH A LOT OF COLLECTIVE EXPERIENCE. VARIETY OF COURSES AND DEGREE OPTIONS AVAILABLE. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. RELEVANT AND RELATABLE COURSES. SPEAKER SERIES. A VARIETY OF EVENTS TO ATTEND AND THE PROCESS OF INFORMING STUDENTS OF THEM. WHAT ARE THE WEAKNESSES OF THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS? MAJORITY: NOTHING, N/A, TOO SOON TO TELL. CONFLICTING INFORMATION ON WHAT CLASSES ARE REQUIRED FOR ONE’S MAJOR. LACK OF CLASS ACCESS/LIMITED COURSES IN THE SUMMER. CONNECT PLATFORM. TOO MANY APPLICATIONS USED IN TANDEM WITH MOODLE. TOO MUCH BUSY WORK. LACK OF STUDENT AND BUSINESS CLUB INVOLVEMENT. COMMUNICATION FROM FACULTY ABOUT UPCOMING EVENTS, MEETINGS, ETC. WHAT IS THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DOING TO IMPROVE BASED ON THIS FEEDBACK? UPDATING THE SCHOOL WEBSITE TO MAKE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS CLEARER AND MORE COHESIVE. FACULTY MOODLE TRAININGS TO UTILIZE TOOLS AND MINIMIZE USE OF MULTIPLE PLATFORMS. RECRUITING STUDENT VOLUNTEERS TO BE EMERGING LEADERS IN THE BUSINESS CLUB, COMING SPRING 2024.
4 + 1 Program Interest (59 responses) Not interested 15.3%
Very interested 44.1% Neutral 20.3%
Interested 20.3%
What School of Business minor are you most interested in? (59 responses) None 15.5%
Accounting 36.3%
Bus. Admin. 17.9%
Marketing 20.2%
Finance 10.1%
GRADUATE STUDENT SURVEY RESULTS Fall 2023 Town Hall Survey WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS? PACE OF 8-WEEK COURSES. GUEST SPEAKERS. FLEXIBILITY WITH FULL-TIME WORK. ONLINE CLASS OPTIONS. CONNECTIONS MADE WITH FACULTY AND OTHER STUDENTS. SMALL CLASS SIZES. CERTIFICATE OPPORTUNITIES . 1:1 OPPORTUNITIES WITH FACULTY. WHAT ARE THE WEAKNESSES OF THE GRADUATE PROGRAMS? TOO MANY IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS. ALUMNI NETWORKING. LACK OF ENGAGEMENT FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS. NEED MORE CLASSES TEACHING FINANCIAL MODELING. NOT ENOUGH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS EVENTS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS. WHAT IS THE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS DOING TO IMPROVE BASED ON THIS FEEDBACK? DR. PRASHANT JOSHI WILL BE TEACHING ACC695: FINANCIAL MODELING IN THE SPRING, TUESDAYS 5:30 - 8:10 PM. OFFERING THE MAJORITY OF GRADUATE COURSES IN SESSION 01/10 AND 02/11 ONLINE IN SPRING 2024. PLANS TO WORK WITH THE ASSMU SENATOR OF GRADUATE STUDENTS TO OFFER MORE TAILORED EVENTS AT REASONABLE TIMES.
FACULTY PUBLICATIONS POWER THROUGH BY DR. MATONDO WAWA
SMU BOOK CLUB WELCOMES DR. WAWA AT NOVEMBER MEETING At the Saint Martin's University November book club gathering, I enjoyed sharing insights into my published book, "Power Through." As the author, I took the opportunity to introduce myself, providing a glimpse into the motivations and experiences that inspired me to embark on the writing journey. In discussing "Power Through," I delved into its central themes and key messages. The book explores the transformative power within individuals, emphasizing resilience, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges. Drawing on personal anecdotes and universal truths, "Power Through" inspires readers to navigate adversity with strength and purpose. Addressing how to write a book, I shared my creative process, highlighting the importance of discipline, dedication, and finding one's authentic voice. Writing a book, I emphasized, is not merely a task but a commitment to self-expression and storytelling. I candidly spoke about the challenges encountered during the writing process, acknowledging the moments of self-doubt, the struggle for clarity, and the persistence required to see a project through to completion. The book club participants engaged in a lively discussion and sharing their writing challenges and triumphs.
Finally, I underscored the profound power of writing a book. Beyond the personal growth attained through the creative process, a book has the potential to impact and resonate with readers on a deeper level. It serves as a vehicle for connection, fostering empathy, understanding, and a shared sense of humanity. The exchange at Saint Martin's University book club reinforced the belief in the transformative and unifying force inherent in the written word.
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT FINANCE AND MACHINE LEARNING INTEGRATION BY DR. PRASHANT JOSHI Educational Excellence: Dr. Joshi has always been at the forefront of educational achievements. A standout moment in their academic journey this year was completing the Post Graduate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at the University of Texas, Austin, not just with distinction but as the top of their class. This accomplishment underscores Dr. Joshi's dedication to integrating the latest technological trends with financial theories. A Journey through AI and ML: Currently pursuing a certification from the Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Institute (AIFI) in New York City, and Reinforcement Learning from University of Alberta, Canada. Dr. Joshi is committed to staying abreast of the rapid advancements in these fields. This continuous learning journey is not just a personal passion but also a way to bring the most current and relevant knowledge to our students. Editorial and Research Contributions: Dr. Joshi brings their expertise to a wider audience as a member of the editorial board of the Global Journal of Research in Management and as a guest editor for a special issue of Mathematics on Mathematical and Computational Methods in Economics. These roles highlight their thought leadership and influence in shaping the discourse in finance and economics. Current Research Focus: The fascinating world of Reinforcement Learning in Finance is Dr. Joshi's current research playground. This innovative area explores how reinforcement learning, a type of machine learning, can be applied to optimize financial decision-making and strategy. Through this research, Dr. Joshi is not only contributing to academic knowledge but also paving the way for practical applications in the finance industry. A Message from Dr. Joshi: "I am deeply passionate about exploring the intersection of finance and technology. In an era where technology continuously reshapes our financial landscape, I believe it's crucial for our students to be adept not just in traditional financial principles but also in understanding how AI and machine learning can be harnessed in this field. My goal is to equip my students with a comprehensive understanding of finance, enriched with the latest technological insights, preparing them to be the innovators and leaders of tomorrow." Dr. Joshi’s Classes at School of Business: Dr. Joshi has developed and introduced cutting-edge courses in Behavioral Finance and Intermediate Finance. These courses have empowered students with insights into the psychological underpinnings of the financial market and the complex financial theories that drive decision-making in the business world. In Spring 2024, Dr. Joshi will be leading a course on Financial Modeling, designed to master the art of building predictive financial models. This course promises to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in today's data-driven financial landscape. Whether you're just starting your journey in finance or looking to update your expertise, Dr. Joshi’s classes offer a rich blend of knowledge and applied learning
FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORSHIP BY TROY KIRBY Mentors are never chosen as much as they find you. In looking back at my educational career, I am reminded of how little I did by myself, and how much of an impact others have made upon me. Back in the stone ages of my entry into Centralia College in 2001, it was Professor Wade Fisher who proved me mentorship at a time when I didn't believe I needed it. I had been recently laid off from a data entry job inputting library cards for a nonprofit that closed in Olympia. My goal at Centralia College was to merely take a few communications classes for an entry point into local radio. It was Professor Fisher who casually suggested I take a nutrition class during the Fall Quarter, then an environmental class during Winter Quarter, then a math class by Spring. What I didn't realize until after the fact was that I was gaining my associates degree, simply by Professor Fisher suggesting I take requirements without me knowing it. That's what a mentor often does: Show you the light before you realize its brightening the room. This occurred to me again when, as I was beginning to look toward graduation at Centralia College, that Professor Fisher suggested I consider Eastern Washington University for a bachelors degree. After all, it was only two years, so why not? After entering into the journalism program at EWU, during the Spring Quarter, I met the former football coach Dick Zornes. I never played a down of football for him, but the things he has taught me about integrity and institutional knowledge have stayed with me since. One of his sayings stays with me: "It's not who talks but who is listened to" is both wisdom and horror wrapped into a single sentence. There are no two ways with Zornes, and the dividing line of how you carry yourself, whether people are watching or not, matters. At the end of my bachelor's degree, I stayed a bit at EWU for its masters program, but didn't enjoy it. Didn't find my place within its graduate school. So I sought out Seattle University's master's of Sports Administration & Leadership (MSAL) program. It is there that I found two mentors, both of the same mindset: Father Gerald Cobb who has over 53 years as a Jesuit and Dr. Dan Tripps. Fr. Cobb oversaw the MSAL program and told the first students in the first class on the first day that "if we feel that you aren't getting anything out of this program, we'll close it immediately." That set the tone for both delivery by the faculty and student expectations. Fr. Cobb also took on the frustrating automated SU phone system when I was there, which showed that even Jesuit priests have their limits on what they will tolerate. Dr. Tripps, who had a wonderful sports career himself, hired faculty that would help his students understand and engage sport administration fully; our classes were held at Safeco Field, our faculty included Bob Whitsitt (fmr. NBA president / GM of the Year), Garry Wright Jr. (Seattle Seahawks public relations VP) and the two architects who had built Qwest Field and Safeco Field. Again, a mentor sets expectations not only for those mentees but also their acumen and program. This is why I am thrilled to be a part of the Saint Martin's University School of Business. I am around industry leaders in the business world, who have decided to teach after practicing business for years. At my fingertips, I have the knowledge of working professionals turned professors, who have seen enough to showcase how to build an actual business, maintain its financial ecosystem and perform a forensic audit. There is a bit of jealousy seeing what our students have as resources. It also makes me proud of the resources and mentors that I had access to. Perhaps Zornes statement can be adjusted to. It isn't who talks, but who actual listens, that gains something. The beautiful part of mentors is that they are a resource that do not go away simply because you graduate from the institution where you met them. They stay around you, constantly, in your head, guiding you for decades to come.
MARCH 4TH-8TH
Advising Day P
MARCH 20TH
St. Benedict’s Day
MARCH 21ST
OCTOBER Dress For18 Success Event
MARCH 27TH 12-4PM IN THE TUB
P
OCTOBER 31
Easter Holiday
MARCH 29TH - APRIL 1ST
APRIL 22ND - 25TH
Finals Week
APRIL 29TH - MAY 3RD
P
Study Week
P
DECEMBER 22 P
Commencement
Japan Study Abroad Trip
EVENTS
Mid-Semester PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S DAY Break DAY
UPCOMING
P
FEBRUARY 19TH
P
President‘s Day
MAY 4TH MAY 16TH - MAY 26TH UNDERSTANDING BUSINESS IN JAPAN VISITS TO OSAKA, KOBE, AND NAGOYA ESTIMATED COST IS $4,500 PER PERSON CONTACT GINA ARMER WITH QUESTIONS, GARMER@STMARTIN.EDU
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Year of Discovery 2023-2024 CONTACT INFORMATION: BUSINESS@STMARTIN.EDU
360-438-4512 OLD MAIN 379
The School of Business is committed to developing leaders for tomorrow’s business world. Our undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs provide students with the necessary skills to succeed in today's fast-changing world.
