School of Business and Information Technology
Purdue University Global
Faculty News
Issue: December 2024
Faculty News
Issue: December 2024
Four Key Pillars
Dr. Jeffrey Buck, Dean
College of Business and Information Technology
Our strategic focus is centered around four key pillars that align with the Purdue Portfolio. Through these strategic focuses, we aim to provide a meaningful educational experience for all stakeholders involved.
We prioritize Reputation, and recognize the importance of maintaining a strong standing in the academic community and beyond. Collaboration is crucial, as we foster partnerships and alliances that enhance our collective potential and promote innovation.
We are committed to Student Results and Support, ensuring that every student receives the guidance and resources they need to excel.
Program accessibility and Relevance are fundamental, enabling us to reach diverse audiences and offer education that aligns with current and future needs.
We emphasize Differentiation and Social Responsibility, striving to be distinctive in our offerings while remaining mindful of our impact on society and the environment.
New Degree Programs Could Be Coming in 2025!
It seems a bit cliché to say, but it is hard to believe that 2024 is coming to an end. This was an exciting year, and it provided SBIT the opportunity to thrive through change and innovation. As a result, I believe we are a much stronger school that is better positioned for the future than we were at this time last year. In the upcoming year we will continue to reap benefits and opportunities from our past efforts, confirming SBIT’s status among the nation’s premier online schools of business and information technology.
One specific opportunity that is likely to come our way in the coming year is the implementation of three new degree programs. We are currently in the final stages of approval for bachelor’s degree programs in Applied Computer Science, Applied Manufacturing, and Applied Supply Chain Management. If all goes as planned, these programs should be up and running in the summer of 2025. I am extremely excited to see the impact these new programs will have, and the continued influence and reputation enhancement this will provide SBIT … ready or not, 2025 here we come!
New SBIT Communications Channel:
New SBIT Communications Channel:
Introducing:
Dr. Orletta Caldwell, SBIT Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Orletta Caldwell is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Undergraduate School of Business and IT at Purdue University Global, where she has been teaching for 1.5 years. In addition to her academic role, she is the Executive Director of the Michigan Council of Women in Technology and brings 35 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Her extensive background includes a Bachelor of Public Affairs from Wayne State University, a Master of Science in Management from Cardinal Stritch University, and both a Master of Philosophy and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration, specializing in Nonprofit Management.
Dr. Caldwell’s expertise lies in nonprofit management, with a particular focus on African American-led organizations, capacity building, and governance. At Purdue University Global, she teaches MT140: Introduction to Management and is known for her thoughtful teaching approach, which she calls “Embrace Silence.” This method allows students the opportunity to pause and reflect, fostering deeper understanding and engagement in her classes.
A lifelong commitment to serving her community has been the driving force behind Dr. Caldwell’s career. Her dedication has earned her recognition, including the Salute to Women Award and acknowledgment for her work with women during her tenure at Grand Rapids Community College. Outside of her professional roles, Dr. Caldwell enjoys sports and mystery novels. She is also working on her first book, Legacies of Persistence: The Invisible History of African American Nonprofits, and has founded The Urban Nonprofit, an online platform supporting African American-led nonprofits.
Dr. Caldwell’s career reflects her passion for empowering others, whether through her teaching, leadership, or personal projects, inspiring those around her to make a meaningful impact.
Authors: Julie Dort & Mimi Gough
Do you have Industry field work activities you'd like to share? - contact Blake Escudier
Dr. Blake Escudier, SBIT Faculty
Working with the YLC (Young Leadership Council) of New Orleans
Every community has programs to develop leadership for the new career members of a community. In New Orleans the YLC (Young Leadership Committee) started 40 years ago.
The Young Leadership Council (YLC) of New Orleans is a nonprofit, nonpartisan civic organization that fosters leadership through community projects. Serving as a premier platform for young professionals, we envision a New Orleans where communities are empowered, leading to transformative social change.
As the organization approached the 40th year, the incoming Board President wanted to find a way to look at the history of the organization. Since I was a member back in the late 80s, and the YLC Executive Director is also a Loyola University Alumni, I presented an idea for the organization to gather and share from the past membership and supporters. The YLC has an annual program in which they select Role Models from the metropolitan area of New Orleans. These Role Models are honored at the Annual YLC fundraiser. One interesting aspect for Role Models is they are only selected once, therefore, over the past 40 years there are well over 400 Role Models representing the best of New Orleans business and society.
Through my counseling I have proposed a new program (with help from Marty McDermott) to accomplish this objective. Creating a YLC Podcast page on their website, they will use SpeakPipe to gather audio input from both Role Models and past Membership (Alumni). The use of SpeakPipe allows for an up to 5-minute audio message from individuals based on suggested topics by the program content manager.
The program will be initiated at the beginning of 2025.
New Book Published!
Rod Biasca, Adjunct Professor, Economics
Biasca, R. (2024). RENEWAL: An effective transformative change framework (1st ed.). Outskirts Press. https://outskirtspress.com/RENEWAL
R. E. Biasca has been a leading international business consultant and educator for nearly sixteen decades. He has written fifteen books in Spanish, and for the first time, Renewal: An Effective Transformative Change Framework brings his extensive knowledge to the English-speaking world.
Biasca's Model has come to be seen by many as a practical guide to business transformation. Using a medical analogy, the model guides company leadership from diagnosis of their organization's current situation through a focus on preparing for the next one:
R. E. BIASCA studied in seven countries. This is his 16th book on organizational improvement and change. He has had an intense professional life as an international expert, educator, executive, and management consultant in more than 250 organizations. He teaches at Purdue University Global (USA) and has taught at 68 universities in 21 countries.
Context changes have been sudden, unexpected, and unsettling in an uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, creating challenges and opportunities for business.
This book proposes rethinking business transformation again to renew the organization and sustainably improve its competitiveness. Although authors have written on the subject in the last 70 years, different studies have demonstrated that change efforts result in less-than-satisfactory results.
December 2024 Winter Break Information
December 2024 Winter Break Information
Purdue Global recognizes Wednesday, December 25, 2024, and Wednesday, January 1, 2025, as employee holidays.
Winter Break Information for Students
A and C track Academic Winter Break: Tuesday, December 24, 2024, through Wednesday, January 1, 2025.
B track will have a shortened Unit 10 week in the 2404B term. Student assignments are due Saturday, December 21, 2024, and final grades are due from instructors by Wednesday, December 25, 2024, to ensure that final grades are published by the scheduled date of December 27, 2024.
More information about the break is available in the 24/25 Thanksgiving and Winter Break Information for Faculty document. Information about the 24/25 holidays for module courses is available in the Module Course Faculty Best Practices Guide.
Academic Calendar Resources
· University Academic Calendars (University Catalog)
Purdue Global General Education Conference (Call for Proposals)
Have you been interviewed?
Conduct a podcast interview with PGs own podcast expert! (MMcDermott@purdueglobal.edu)
PG Library New Resource
Faculty Professional Development
Faculty Success Factors
Faculty Idea Exchange
CTL Faculty Idea Exchange (Using new approved 3rd party - Padlet)
From HR - Employee Support Emails
In an effort to offer conformity across all companies, we will discontinue the PGpayroll@purdue.edu email group effective October 31. Beginning November 1, questions should be routed to pghr@purdueglobal.edu. The appropriate team will be looped in as needed.
Employee support email groups:
hr@purdue.edu: Questions regarding general HR, benefits, healthcare, leaves and retirement
tax@purdue.edu: Questions regarding any tax withholding, accessing W-2 forms and general tax inquiries
timeadmin@purdue.edu: Questions regarding time, vacation/sick payouts, timesheets, time approvals
courtorders@purdue.edu: Questions regarding garnishments or child support
LOE@purdueglobal.edu: Questions regarding adjunct faculty payroll and letters of engagement
it@purdue.edu: Purdue login questions