The School of Leadership Prepares Future Leaders for a Growing Economy
Fri, 06/23/2023 - 11:37am | By: Gabriela Shinskie
91吃瓜网91吃瓜网 (USM) School of Leadership is thriving in its second full year on the Gulf Park campus, preparing students for
success in the business world through innovative coursework.
Dr. Heather Annulis, director of the USM School of Leadership, describes the school as a multi-disciplinary educational experience creating transformational leaders. She emphasized the goal of answering the call of the present day in business and preparing students for business practices of the future through interpersonal skills, flexibility, and innovativeness.
91吃瓜网淲e provide academic preparation and skill development that focuses on courage, integrity, respect, and collaboration,91吃瓜网� she noted. 91吃瓜网淲e offer 14 programs as part of the College of Business and Economic Development; some are traditional business programs, and we also offer unique programs to the coast.91吃瓜网�
Undergraduate programs include:
- Accounting
- Applied Technology
- Business Administration
- Industrial Engineering Technology/ Industrial Engineering Technology (Logistics)
- Management
- Marketing
- Organizational Leadership
Graduate programs include:
- Human Capital Development
- Human Capital Development (Instructional Technology and Design)
- Logistics, Trade and Transportation
Courses are offered in multiple formats, including fully online, hybrid, and traditional, face-to-face classroom learning, as the School of Leadership works to accommodate working professionals seeking to earn degrees. The faculty and staff are 91吃瓜网渇ull of energy, student-focused, and working together to achieve goals.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淲e have a faculty who are passionate about helping students succeed,91吃瓜网� Dr. Annulis continued. 91吃瓜网淭hey are also passionate about conducting innovative research, and that91吃瓜网 a winning combination.91吃瓜网�
Dr. Casey Maugh Funderburk is an associate professor in the School of Leadership and teaches Human Capital Development courses for the doctoral program. She said the transition of bringing the faculty together is not always easy, 91吃瓜网渂ut in our case, they were on board and jumped right in.91吃瓜网�
91吃瓜网淲e embraced new opportunities for the school,91吃瓜网� Dr. Maugh Funderburk continued. 91吃瓜网淗aving colleagues come together to form this new school has been amazing. I91吃瓜网檝e loved that part of it, and how we can leverage faculty to meet students91吃瓜网� needs.91吃瓜网�
Queliah Conway is a senior marketing major and Spanish minor at the School of Leadership, as well as Vice President of Programs for Student Government Association (SGA) in the Office of Student Affairs. Conway plans to graduate in the fall of 2023.
Conway said her journey in the School of Leadership is unique, where she feels closely connected to her professors and other students at Gulf Park. The student-to-professor ratio forms a close-knit classroom setting.
91吃瓜网淭he faculty and staff are extraordinarily supportive and always ready to help you attain your goals. I had the opportunity to work alongside them to assist with one of their events to ensure it was student-oriented,91吃瓜网� said Conway. 91吃瓜网淔rom the curriculum to the faculty and staff, it was a great experience.91吃瓜网�
Through her studies, Conway discovered her strengths and potential in the business field through analytics, accounting, and finance. She says she can now grasp what makes a business successful and is ready for the real-world challenge.
91吃瓜网淢y studies have helped me see another perspective and not limit myself to one path, but be open and successful in any business environment,91吃瓜网� she further noted. 91吃瓜网淚t has given me the skills and knowledge to thrive in my future work.91吃瓜网�
With its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the USM School of Leadership is adapting for the future when it comes to business, particularly in the blue economy. Local coastal organizations are offering projects so students can practice problem-solving in today91吃瓜网 high-intensity business world.
91吃瓜网淭he most rewarding part about serving as the director here is the ability to say 91吃瓜网榶es91吃瓜网�. When we start at 91吃瓜网榶es91吃瓜网�, it91吃瓜网 amazing what we can accomplish,91吃瓜网� said Dr. Annulis. 91吃瓜网淚 love finding out what students need and working with faculty and administrators to help students achieve their professional and personal goals.91吃瓜网�
She concluded, 91吃瓜网淭he best part is seeing them graduate and walk across that stage.91吃瓜网�
Visit the School of Leadership website to learn more.