Purdue University Global

School of Business and Information Technology

Faculty Newsletter

Issue: March 2024

SBIT Dean's Office

SBIT Strategic Focus

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.

Meet SBIT Advisory Board Member: Michael Good

SBIT Faculty Updates

Industry

Subject Matter Experts

February: Dr. Martin McDermott

Martin J. McDermott, a professor at Purdue Global specializing in Marketing, Marketing Management, Social Media, and Digital Marketing, recently earned the distinction of a Top Podcasting Voice badge on LinkedIn. Initially hesitant, he turned down the opportunity in 2006 when WorldTalkRadio invited him to transform his newsletter into a podcast. Eventually, McDermott decided to give it a try, emphasizing that hosting the podcast opened the door to numerous opportunities.

With over 850 interviews conducted to date, he has engaged with prominent figures in franchising and entrepreneurship. Boasting a substantial LinkedIn following of almost 13,000, McDermott regularly imparts business insights gleaned from the podcast to his students. The podcast has proven invaluable for personal branding, academic pursuits, and scholarship.

Last year, McDermott clinched a contest victory sponsored by The College of Business and the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville with a best-written case study derived from one of his podcast episodes. The case study was subsequently published in The Small Business Institute Journal. For those interested, all the interviews may be accessed at https://www.franchiseinterview.com.

Community

In their Community

February: Dr. Blake Escudier

Dr. Blake Escudier (Full Time Marketing Faculty) is working with the Acadiana Veteran’s Honor Guard, a local not-for-profit that provides military honors at funerals for veteran’s families. The group also presents military honors for various local events on Memorial and Veteran’s Day within the Lafayette, Louisiana region.

The consulting work Blake is driving for the organization (in a volunteer capacity) is planning the start-up for an annual Golf Tournament to be held around Veteran’s Day. The event will partner with a local hospice, multiple local businesses, and provide a fundraising channel for the Honor Guard. https://www.avhonorguard.com/

Academic Development & Publications

SBIT Faculty Publications Home

Professional Academic Development

February: Dr. Teresa Lao

Dr. Teresa Lao was awarded the Fulbright Specialist Grant by the Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board. She will be working at Universidad de Concepción del Uruguay in Argentina in March.

She will work as a Subject Matter Expert for the Communication and Journalism Department/Communications and Education Services. She will collaborate with other educators to develop the Communication and Artificial Intelligence Module. The main goal is to contribute to the use of AI in social media and to find ways to reduce misinformation.

SBIT Steering Committee News

SBIT DEI and Belonging:

LinkedIn Learning training contest results

The School of Business and Information Technology (SBIT) is thrilled to announce the winners of the SBIT LinkedIn Learning Diversity Training contest. The winners were the first to complete all five LinkedIn Learning Courses. Contest winners will receive gifts of PG Swag from the Purdue Global online store. We appreciate the commitment to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where we learn and work with a sense of belonging and inclusion for all.

SBIT LinkedIn Learning DEIB Contest Winners:

● Platinum-level winners:

○ Hailey Askew Batchelor

○ Stacie Phillips Hughes

○ Stacia Rae Smith

○ Derrick Christophe Proffitt

○ Cassie Longhart

● Gold-level winners:

○ Dennis Lee

○ Pam Delotell

○ Dora Finamore

○ Angela Even

○ Lisa Hone

● Silver-level winners:

○ Miriam Gough

○ Siamak Michael Pouraryan

○ Brandon Bischof

SBIT New Programs and Offerings Committee:

SBIT New Offerings and Programs Request

The SBIT New Programs and Offerings Committee is asking that you consider discussing our committee's function and method of data collection at one of your upcoming faculty meetings or Kick Offs.

The SBIT New Programs and Offerings Committee is tasked with identifying and vetting suggestions from staff or faculty for new programs in either the Business division or the IT division of the School of SBIT.

Anyone with a proposal can complete the form at the link below.

Please note that the form requires some significant forethought, for example:

How does the suggested program fit with the goals of PG? With the goals of our partners such as Guild, Military, Community Colleges, etc?
What is the projected enrollment?
Do we have the talent available to develop the program?
What is the market demand for the program? We do not have the luxury to create courses with small enrollments.
What similar programs exist at other Universities?
What collaborative opportunities with the greater Purdue System exist?

New Programs or Offerings Form

SBIT Steering Committee links

SBIT Faculty / Staff Website