Thought leadership is an important strategy as we seek to enhance our reputation and therefore our brand. Thought leadership ranges from placing opinion pieces and editorials in the media to keynote speeches, and panel and conference presentations, to sponsorships that advance our strategic goals and highlight our academic excellence.
Having our faculty and staff attend, present, and engage publicly assists with recruiting, partnerships, networking, and visibility. Here are just a few upcoming ways we are showcasing our talent and education leadership.
Saint Mary’s School of Business and Technology is sponsoring two events in December. On Friday, Dec. 3, the Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal’s “Leadercast Women” event is focused on “exceptional female leaders.” Michelle Wieser, Ph.D., dean of Business and Technology, will present on her MBA and gender equity research. On Monday, Dec. 6, Twin Cities Business will announce their “Person of the Year.” Each December, the publication shares its list of the 100 People to Know in the coming year. These newsmakers, innovators, and trailblazers will be featured in the December/January issue and revealed for the first time at a live event, culminating with the magazine’s choice for Person of the Year.
Wieser also just spoke to the Greater Rochester Advocates for Universities and Colleges about the next normal in higher education and business. This was an important visibility opportunity tied to initiative 6a of the strategic plan.
The ongoing WE Forum in Rochester brings together women in business to share knowledge and resources in support of new business creation and growth. This forum is a partnership between Saint Mary’s Kabara Institute, Collider, RAEDI, SCORE and the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce.
Amy Jauman, Ed.D., program director in the M.A. in Human Resource Management program, is emceeing the Ignite Session at the I.C.E. Exchange Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 17. The I.C.E. audience is credentialing professionals who are both potential Saint Mary’s students and professional partners.
Ann Schissel, Ph.D., assistant core faculty in the Psy.D. in Counseling Psychology Program, is presenting “Understanding Suicide: Approaches in Psychotherapy” virtually on Saturday, Oct. 30, free to all current Saint Mary’s University School of Health and Human Services students and faculty. The event is 7:45 to 11 a.m. RSVP.
Andrea Carroll-Glover, vice provost for online strategy and programs, and Carrie Wandler, Ed.D., manager of online learning product development, are speaking at three fall conferences during which they will be information sharing with other higher education administrators and those interested in micro credentialing:
- Association for Continuing Higher Education Conference 2021 on Oct. 12: Boldly Going Where No Catholic University Has Gone — Celebrating Student Success and Achievements Through Digital Badges
- University Professional and Continuing Education Association Regions 2021 (a joint session with Southern New Hampshire University) on Thursday, Oct. 21: Education Unbundled: Building Workforce Relevant Skills Through University Initiatives and Digital Badges
- Council for Adult and Experiential Learning on Wednesday, Nov. 17: Unbundling Education: Preparing Learners for Career-focused Self-Advocacy
“What’s really most important is we’re demonstrating that small places can do big things,” Wandler said. “Saint Mary’s is really on the cutting edge of credentialing because we are so student centered. We think not only about what students need to know and do in the classroom, but also what they’re going to need to know and do as they step out the door and enter into an increasingly competitive job market. Digital credentialing sets our Saint Mary’s students apart and gives them the tools to advocate for themselves in terms of skills they bring to day one of the job.”