September 2010
Administrative News
Message from the Dean
 Dear Willamette MBA Community,
Welcome to the 2010-2011 academic year! I hope you all had an enjoyable and restful summer vacation. The hard work and dedication of the staff and faculty at Atkinson have resulted in an outstanding group of new students joining our MBA programs this fall. I am delighted to welcome these new MBA candidates to our community and look forward to working with them as they pursue their personal and professional objectives.
This edition of ATKINSONews contains a number of exciting announcements. A few highlights to note:
- The Willamette MBA program's accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) was reaffirmed – continuing our commitment to preparing graduates for the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
- The Willamette MBA program has partnered with the Peace Corps through the Fellows/USA program, allowing returned Peace Corps volunteers to receive financial assistance as they earn an MBA at Willamette. We are the only MBA program designated as a Peace Corps Fellow in the northwest.
- A total of 97 new students joined the Early Career and MBA for Career Change program this fall, representing 20 states and 19 countries.
- The MBA for Professionals program in both Salem and Portland this September is finalizing admission decisions for a wonderful group of students who work in the business, government and not-for-profit sectors.
- It's a pleasure to welcome Carol Houston as our new Visiting Professor of Accounting.
- Monica Nelson is also a welcome addition to our staff, housed in the Portland Center and serving as the Senior Program Assistant for the MBA for Professionals program.
- Our Executive Development Center, lead by Director, Anne Murray Allen, is pleased to present the Certificate in Career Management and Coaching this fall and the Certificate in Business Laywering and Sustainable Enterprise Certificate in late winter.
- The Willamette MBA program will host a number of events this fall and invite our alumni and friends to join us. First Thursday sessions in Portland will start again on October 7. Our admissions team for the Early Career MBA and MBA for Career Change will begin their travels domestically and internationally later this month.
Thank you for your submissions to ATKINSONews and your continued support of our people and our programs. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about our programs, people or upcoming events.
Best Wishes,
Debra
 Debra J. Ringold, Dean and JELD-WEN Professor of Free Enterprise
Alumni News
Nuptials
  Michael Robinson '05, MBA'07 married his college sweetheart Melissa (Dean) Robinson '07 on July 10, 2010 in Honolulu, HI. The Best Man was fellow Atkinson alum Mike Armstrong '05, MBA'07. The couple had a small family wedding that was oceanfront, five minutes from where Michael grew up.
Kirsten Changstrom MBA'06 became engaged to Adam Eades on March 27th in Sonoma, CA. "He did a great job of surprising me!" said Kirsten. "We will be getting married next year in Vail, CO." Kirsten was also promoted to a Manager for OEM iPhone Business at Apple Computer, Inc. Kirsten will be managing a team that handles the relationship with iPhone business partners.
Family Additions
  James Bailey '88 M'95 and his wife Karen welcomed twins, Alyvia Mae (18.7 inches 4 lb 12 oz) and Annabella McCormick (17.6 inches 4 lb 4 oz) on May 10, 2010. The couple resides in Boise, ID.
Updates
 Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon recently named Donald L. Krahmer, Jr. '81, JD/MBA'87 to its Board of Directors, where he will help guide the company's strategic direction as it strives to transform health care. Krahmer is a highly respected lawyer who brings more than 20 years of professional and community experience to his new role. He is highly respected by Northwest businesses, investors and entrepreneurs for his knowledge and experience in corporate and securities law, with special emphasis on technology and growth companies. Krahmer currently serves as co-chair of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt's Technology and Business Practice. Before joining Schwabe in 2002, Krahmer was a partner at Black Helterline LLP, as well as advisor to Endeavour Capital, a regional investment company focused on Pacific Northwest companies. He has also served as a senior business analyst for Pacificorp, and as a commercial banker for U.S. Bancorp and U.S. National Bank of Oregon. Krahmer also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of Pacific Continental Bank (NADAQ: PCBK) as well as chairman of the Bank's Audit Committee and a member of its Corporate Governance/Nominations Committee. Krahmer has been honored by the community with numerous awards, including being named in 2006 and 2007 by his peers as a "Super Lawyer" by Law & Politics Magazine, a recognition only given to the top five percent of Oregon lawyers. He is also deeply involved in his local community, where he currently serves on the Boards of Directors of the Portland Business Alliance, Greenlight Greater Portland and Jesuit High School, on the Steering Committee of the Greater Portland Metropolitan Area Regional Business Plan and a technical advisor to the Oregon Innovation Council. Krahmer completed his education in Oregon, where he earned his undergraduate degree in economics and political science, an MBA and Juris Doctor degree from Willamette University.
 Jason Cody MBA'95 recently formed an intellectual property and internet law firm, Mod Law, to provide strategic counseling, protection, and litigation services to domestic and international companies. Mod Law focuses on trademarks and unfair competition, copyrights, trade secrets, internet law, false advertising and related business litigation. After several years at a large AmLaw 100 and Global 50 international law firm, Jason decided to put his AGSM skills to use as an entrepreneur. Learn more about Mod Law: http://www.mod-law.com.
AJ Nash '05, MBA'06 was promoted to Sales Manager with Willamette Valley Bank, Salem, OR.
Gary Duell '74, MBA'77 and his firm, Duell Wealth Preservation, have just partnered with Hal Fliegelman of Nationwide Elder Service Associates - Medicaid asset protection specialists - and, family law attorney Jim Shikany. Our mission is to educate couples and families about the risks to their estates, provide detailed plans to avoid those risks and then actually implement the detailed plans.
Robert (Bob) Anderson MBA'99 was promoted to the position of Line of Business Controller for the Financial Solutions and Services Group at Xerox Corp. His online daylily nursery, Midnight Gardens, was also highlighted in a Portland Tribune article by Barbara Ashmun on August 12th. Read the article here.
Michael Eber MBA'97 and family are on the move. "After 5+ years in Washington, DC we packed our things, loaded the car, and made our way cross country to Denver." writes Michael. "We are thrilled to be here and establishing a new home and life, and welcome visitors." Michael works with a small private investment firm automating their business processes, implementing new technology, assisting with organizational change and reading a 100+ year old historic building for occupancy.
Chris Newhouse MBA'92 and his wife, Jennifer, reside in Salt Lake City with their four kids, Madeline (20), Abigail (17), Olivia (15), and Christopher (12). Chris is the District Sales Manager for Staples, Inc.
Pete Schonebaum MBA'08 was recently promoted to team leader within the Private Client Reserve of US Bank. With the promotion, Pete relocated back home to Minneapolis, MN from Portland, OR. The Private Client Reserve offers various services including private banking, financial planning and investment banking.
 As a part-time writer, Eric Lin MBA'99 published his first horror/sci-fi novel, "Mecha of the Dead," in Hong Kong this July. It has been serialized in a local magazine for the past two years, and is now published in book form. The e-book version was also just released last week.
Two Atkinson alumni proudly support the Spirit Mountain Community Fund, which donates about $5 million each year to local programs and services that benefit citizens striving for self-sufficiency. Tribal member, Camille Mercier MBA'10, is one of eight trustees of the Fund and Tribal member Shelley Hanson MBA'96 is the Fund's Director. Like other funders, Spirit Mountain Community Fund supports programs that address the roots of problems rather than focusing on fixing symptoms. The Community Fund is very interested in finding creative solutions, new partnerships and new ways of addressing issues. Spirit Mountain Community Fund is the philanthropic arm of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. The fund was established as a way for the Tribe to give back to its neighbors and citizens and support their goal to be nurturing and supportive community citizens. Spirit Mountain Community Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Grand Ronde Tribe, is celebrating over $50 million in giving this month. At the $50 million Celebration of Giving in September, Willamette's Zena Farms will receive a special celebration grant of $5,000. These grants are voted on by the board of trustees and recognize projects that hold a special place in our trustee's hearts for the contribution they are making to our communities.
Atkinson News
Willamette MBA Welcomed as a Peace Corps Fellows/USA Program
 The Peace Corps welcomed Willamette University to its Fellows/USA program. Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management will offer Peace Corps Fellows the opportunity to earn a master's of business administration. In a special feature of the Willamette MBA, students will participate in the PACE (Practical Applications for Careers and Enterprises) program which partners student teams with area public and not-for-profit entities. "Willamette University makes a wonderful new partner in the Fellows/USA family," said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. "Many of our returned Peace Corps volunteers seek to apply the experiences they have learned abroad to business settings in the United States, and the Atkinson MBA will allow returned volunteers to expand their professional skill-sets into new areas."
The Fellows/USA program offers returned Peace Corps volunteers financial benefits in advanced degree programs at over 50 participating colleges and universities. In addition to their academic studies, Fellows/USA participants apply the experiences they acquired as volunteers abroad to service projects that benefit underserved American communities.
"The Willamette University MBA program is delighted to partner with Peace Corps Fellows/USA," said Debra Ringold, Dean and JELD-WEN Professor of Free Enterprise at the Atkinson Graduate School of Management. "We look forward to working with Peace Corps Fellows as they immerse themselves in the Willamette MBA program, explore their career interests, and collaborate with fellow students on experiential projects."
Read the full story here.
PACE Partnerships Expand to Include Government, Out-of-State & International Partners
The 2010-2011 PACE Partners provide a variety of opportunities within the Not-for-Profit and Government sectors. The Partners were selected based upon the scope of proposal and learning opportunity for the Atkinson MBA candidate. Twelve PACE partners were selected and the teams will approximate eight candidates each. The Partners meet several enumerated objectives produced from the 2009-2010 PACE review: the number of international partners was increased to two (from one), the number of government partners was increased to five (from one - including Chicago, Albany, BPA, and two state of Oregon agencies), the program will pilot virtual delivery through two out-of-state organizations (San Diego and Chicago), and the program will 'up the ante' with respect to project scope and complexity. Geographically Portland has seven projects, Salem two, Albany one, Chicago one, and San Diego one. For inquiries about becoming a PACE partner, contact Larry Ettner, Professor of Management Practice.
2010-2011 PACE Partners
- Friends of the Children – Portland (NFP)
- Mercy Corps Northwest – Portland (Social Entrepreneurship NFP)
- Children's Justice Alliance - Portland, OR (NFP)
- Springboard Innovation – Portland (Social Entrepreneurship NFP)
- New Avenues – Portland (Social Entrepreneurship NFP)
- Oregon Public Broadcasting – Portland (NFP)
- City of Albany (Municipal Government)
- Department of Land Conservation and Development – Salem (State Government)
- Bonneville Power Administration – Portland (Federal Government)
- Burundi Friends International – San Diego / Burundi (International NFP)
- Oregon Department of Transportation – Salem (State Government)
- Chicago Children's Advocacy Center (state of Illinois, city of Chicago, and Cook County partnership)
Willamette MBA Accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) Reaffirmed
 The Willamette MBA program is pleased to announce re-accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration (NASPAA). Accreditation from NASPAA ensures the institution meets the highest standards for preparing graduates for careers in the public sector.
The Willamette MBA is only one of two programs in the world dually accredited for business (through AACSB International) and public administration (through NASPAA).
The mission of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration's is to ensure excellence in education and training for public service and to promote the ideal of public service. NASPAA is the membership association of graduate programs in public administration, public policy and public affairs.
Willamette MBA Hosting Recruiting & Alumni Events Around the World
Recruiters for Willamette's MBA programs will be traveling around the US and internationally representing the institution at fairs, conferences and events. From Denver to Dubai, Willamette MBA continues to build on its strong Northwest reputation and expand its recognition around the world. Check the Fall Recruitment Schedule to see if Willamette MBA will be in a city near you this fall: http://www.willamette.edu/agsm/full-time/admission/meet.htm. If you are interested in helping at an event by speaking to prospective students about your MBA experience, please contact Director of Recruitment, Aimee Akimoff at aakimoff@willamette.edu.
In addition to recruiting events, we will also be hosting alumni events in several of the same cities. The following alumni events are planned for New York and Washington, DC, with more events to come:
Willamette MBA Alumni Gathering: New York City
 Friday, September 17
5:30 - 8:00 PM
The Breslin Bar in the Ace Hotel
20W 29th Street New York City, NY 10001
http://www.thebreslin.com/
RSVP at willamettealumni.com/mbanyc
Willamette MBA Alumni Gathering: Washington, DC
 Friday, September 24
5:30 - 8:00 PM
RFD Washington DC
810 7th Street Northwest Washington, DC 20001
http://www.lovethebeer.com/rfd.html
RSVP at willamettealumni.com/mbawashingtondc
Events
Upcoming Events
First Thursday Empowerment in Action Series Return in October
Thursday, October 7, 2010
5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
Living Room Theaters - SW 10th and Stark
What are some of the most pressing issues facing today's managers and how do they deal with them? Join us every First Thursday in Portland as members of the Willamette University community lead discussions, share expertise and present research. Staff will be on hand to answer your questions about the MBA and Executive Development offerings at Willamette.
Next First Thursday Events:
November 4, 2010
December 2, 2010
Learn More and Register Online
Executive Development Center Certificate in Career Management and Coaching Reception
How do you engage your employees, excite them about their work and inspire them to add maximum value to your organization?
Periods of economic recovery require greater attention by employers to the training and development needs of their employees. The Willamette University Executive Development Center has developed a unique program in Career Management and Coaching.
Learn more about the Career Management and Coaching program at a special reception at the Arlington Club in Portland (811 SW Salmon Street) hosted by Anne Murray Allen, Director of the Executive Development Center, and Debra Ringold, Dean and JELD-WEN Professor of Free Enterprise.
RSVP Online or contact Judy Hampe at 503.370.6791 for more information. See the Executive Development section or information about upcoming Career Management and Coaching workshops.
POWER Lunch SERIES: Learn. Interact. Connect.
Join Willamette University MBA faculty, staff, students and alumni for an interactive conversation with one of our distinguished Power Lunch presenters.
Oct 27 - Sarah Severn, Director of Stakeholder Mobilization: Sustainable Business and Innovation, Nike
Time: 12:00p.m. - 1:00p.m.
Location: Willamette University Campus Salem, Oregon
Additional Upcoming Power Lunch Dates:
Dec 1
Feb 23
Mar 30
Learn More and RSVP Online
Calendar
| Sep 8 |
Dean Debra Ringold's Birthday |
| Sep 8 |
Professor Mark Ahn's Birthday |
| Sep 10 |
Professor Mike Hand's Birthday |
| Sep 19 |
MBA for Professionals Commencement |
| Sep 20 |
Director of Recruitment Aimee Akimoff's Birthday |
| Sep 22 |
Mentorship Program Kickoff |
| Oct 1 |
Career Management and Coaching Certificate |
| Oct 5 |
Professor Polly Rizova's Birthday |
| Oct 7 |
First Thursday Empowerment in Action Series |
| Oct 15 |
Career Close-up: Informational Interviews |
| Oct 18 |
Director, MBA for Professionals Tina Alexander's Birthday |
| Oct 20 |
MBA Power Lunch - Salem |
| Oct 22 |
Director of Career Management Beth Ursin's Birthday |
| Oct 26 |
EDC Director Anne Murray Allen's Birthday |
| Oct 27 |
Director of Marketing Russell Yost's Birthday |
| Oct 29 |
Career Management and Coaching Certificate |
| Oct 29 |
Professor Fred Thompson's Birthday |
| Nov 3 |
Recorder Karen Arthur's Birthday |
| Nov 4 |
First Thursday Empowerment in Action Series |
| Nov 5 |
Career Management and Coaching Certificate |
| Nov 5 |
Professor Rob Wiltbank's Birthday |
| Nov 23 |
Professor Nicole Thibodeau's Birthday |
| Nov 30 |
Professor Steve Maser's Birthday |
alumni events calendar
atkinson events calendar
Career Management
Update from the Career Management Team: Beth Ursin & Shelby Gould
  Update: The job market continues to be challenging for the class of 2010. We appreciate that so many of you have forwarded us job openings from your organization and volunteered to talk to students and help expand their networks. Please continue to keep us in mind as you hear of opportunities. Having students return to campus is always a fun time of year. This year, we have received 69 applications for the mentorship program, far more than any past year. The students, I think realize how valuable it is to build a relationship with a professional outside the academic setting. If you haven't been contacted already, we have several things brewing on campus from mock interviews to site visits to speaking on campus and a career advisor program. If you're thinking that your career may be of interest to current students – we'd love to have you get involved. The simplest way is to be available for informational interviews with students who are interested in hearing your story. If you're open to that or coming on campus as a mock interviewer or something else – please email me at eursin@willamette.edu, we'd love to have you continue the connection.
What is your brand? Everyone has one…
When I say, Donald Trump or Angelina Jolie…what comes to mind? I'm sure you have a vivid picture of who they are and some distinguishing features (hairpiece, 'you're fired', tattoos, pouty lips). You might associate them with their TV/movie personalities but you probably know something more about them also, don't you? They have very strong personal brands not unlike major brand slogans like Coca Cola – "It's the real thing" and Nike's "Just do it". If your friends, co-workers or family were to describe you…what words would they use? Do you send a strong brand image? Is it the image that you want?
Recruiters and hiring managers have been debating over the last few years as social media becomes more widespread, whether or not it's appropriate or allowable to check out someone's Facebook page before making an offer. So far, there's no precedent setting lawsuits or legislation and I hear repeatedly from about half of them that they absolutely check the profiles and about half that say no, it could open a can of worms for potential discrimination lawsuits. Which camp do you fall in?
I recently asked for a student volunteer in my class to let us look at his digital personality. He was surprised when one of the faculty members in the room said, "Based on your profile photo – I'd never hire you". His photo was really not that bad, in my mind – no beer mug, no illegal drugs or saucy poses – but he did have a baseball cap on backwards and straggly hair, which to this particular faculty member reeked of gangs. I then explored his uploaded and tagged photos and asked the students the same questions…"What about this photo – what would an employer think?" They began to see how taken out of context, a party shot could give an employer the impression that they weren't serious about their work. Many of the students felt like Facebook profiles should be kept private or somehow disassociated with their work persona, yet few have anything but public profiles and employers are clamoring onto Facebook trying to get fans for their products. As you give KPMG or Coke a 'thumbs up' or a wall post, don't you think they're going to check you out?
How does your online personality translate to the workplace? Does it? Should it? Would you want a doctor operating on you whose license-plate said "Luv2Cut" and Facebook wall-posts indicated all he cared about was a boat payment? Or worse yet that he was potentially a drunk? Could you trust an accountant who clearly stretches the truth in his wall-posts? On the flip side, when you choose a movie or a restaurant, don't you read the reviews? Is it appropriate to check out your accountant or doctor's digital dirt before making an appointment? Or perhaps giving them a large chunk of money to manage? I've found that checking out LinkedIn profiles and Googling people is becoming a routine task before meeting a professional colleague. Just yesterday, someone called me and mentioned that she'd checked my LinkedIn profile. Earlier this week, a colleague of mine researched a few potential board members by reviewing their profiles and then prioritized based on what she found. If you're not doing it, chances are your colleagues are checking yours before offering projects or committee positions. It only makes sense to use the data that's available before making decisions, whether it's who to date, what contractor to choose or who to hire.
I encourage you to check out your online persona, put your RECRUITER or DATE glasses on and Google yourself….would you hire YOU?
Executive Development Center
Career Management and Coaching Empowers Alums, Current Students and Local Executives
The Executive Development Center's Career Management and Coaching Certificate included Willamette alumni, current students in the MBA for Professionals program and local executives during its first segment, held this past spring. Each of the eight sessions encourages self reflection and professional analysis. The result is a deeper understanding of career interests and a personal roadmap to success at work.
Sessions will be held in Portland this fall and in Salem next spring. Those interested in participating are encouraged to contact the Executive Development Center at 503.370.6791.
Upcoming sessions (full details and list of sessions available online): October 1: Getting Results through Productive Conversation
October 29: Managing Yourself and Harnessing Your Passion
November 5: Maximizing Mentoring & Coaching Relationships
Learn More and Register Online
Calling All Attorneys – Certificate in Business Lawyering Program Announces 2011 Dates
The Willamette University Executive Development Center presents the 2011 sessions of the Certificate in Business Lawyering (CBL). Designed for both in-house attorneys and attorneys at law firms, the CBL pairs important management topics with legal advice. The result is more informed attorneys who are able to better understand and communicate the needs of clients and organizations.
Dates for the 2011 CBL program are available online. Participants may earn CLE credits in both Oregon and Washington through participation in the program.
CBL website: http://www.willamette.edu/agsm/cbl/
How much of your time do you spend in conversations?
If you add up your meetings, your one-on-one conversations, conversing on the phone and on email, you'll probably find that conversations take up 60% to 90% of your workday. We get our work done, solve problems and make things happen through conversations. We create and align strategy through effective conversation and we take coordinated action to implement that strategic direction based on our ability to listen, think, and talk together. Yet conversation is also the arena in which most of us run into the toughest challenges. We are expected to get the best thinking and produce quality results with little understanding of how to talk together effectively and call on our collective intelligence.
Consider joining us at the Willamette University Portland Center for:
STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT
The Discipline of DIALOGUE AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION
November 16, 17 & 18, 2010
International experts in the field of dialogue and engagement teach this lively and engaging workshop. Come alone or better yet, bring a team who are interested in improving their ability to get the best out of working together.
Space is limited and the early bird special registration ends September 30th.
For more information see:
http://www.willamette.edu/agsm/executive/Strategic_engagement.htm
Or contact the Executive Development Center at: edc@willamette.edu
503.370.6094.
Faculty News
Willamette MBA Welcomes New Accounting Professor - Carol Houston
 Carol Houston, PhD, has joined the Atkinson Graduate School of Management as Visiting Professor of Accounting. Carol earned her Ph.D. from the University of Washington and has taught at Thunderbird, University of California at San Diego, and Pacific Lutheran University. She is an award winning teacher of accounting and has been selected for inclusion in Who's Who in American Education, Who's Who of American Women, Who's Who in Finance and Business, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who Among America's Teachers. Her research has been published in the Journal of the American Taxation Association, the Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting, Financial Management, the Journal of Accounting Literature, and the Journal of Accounting Education among others. Carol has worked in public accounting, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), and international banking in Europe and the U.S. She has also worked with nonprofit organizations in a variety of roles including Treasurer, external reviewer of financial statements, and an instructor for Taxaide.
   AGSM Emeritus Professor G. Marc Choate and Professors Mike Hand and Fred Thompson published an article entitled "The Influence of Income Tax Rates on the Market for Tax-Exempt Debt" in the Municipal Finance Journal (Volume 31, Number 01, Spring 2010, pp.41-60). Following the presentation of this paper last fall at the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, it was the subject of articles in TaxProf Blog (October 6, 2009) and the Bond Buyer (Tuesday, October 20, 2009, p.7). Fred has served on the Municipal Finance Journal's Board of Editorial Advisors since 1994.
 Professor Lisbeth Claus is one of three keynote speakers (with Professor Paul Evans from INSEAD and Professor Peter Capelli from the Wharton School) at the AHRMIO annual conference hosted by the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank in Thessalonika, Greece on September 14. She will be talk about "Creating a duty of care and loyalty culture in global organizations." Professor Claus will also present a paper at the World Congress of the WFPMA (World Federation of People Management Associations) in Montreal, Canada on September 26. The paper will be presented in French and is entitled "Les risques des employés en mission internationale et le devoir de protection de l'employeur: Le rôle des ressources humaines."
 Mark J. Ahn (with co-author Ofer Zwikael) published "The Effectiveness of Risk Management: An Analysis of Project Risk Planning Across Countries and Industries" in Risk Analysis. Mark also presented "From Biotechnology Insights to Breakthrough Commercialization" at the West Coast Research Symposium on Technology Entrepreneurship.
 Maralynn Maltz, wife of Professor Elliot Maltz, and award-winning mosaic artist, will be showing her mosaics in an exhibit titled "Emotional Perspectives: In Mosaic?" at Cascade Baking Company, located at 229 State Street in Salem until September 28th. The photo to the left is of one of her pieces titled "Lost". "It is about the feeling, the terror, of being lost and not finding the way back before dark," says Maralynn. "I have been contemplating for a long time the challenge of portraying emotions using mosaic." View more of Maralynn's work on her website.
Staff News
We are happy to welcome Monica Nelson Devlin in her new role as MBA for Professionals Senior Program Assistant. Monica is a graduate of Linfield College. She recently returned to Oregon from Arizona where she worked at Arizona State University's Carey School of Business Undergraduate Program as Student Academic Specialist. Monica lives in Tualatin with her husband Ryan and their dog Angel. Monica and Ryan were married in July of 2010 in McMinnville. Monica enjoys football (she's in the process of converting to a Bearcat) and outdoor activities including hiking and visiting the Oregon Coast. Monica's hours at the Portland Center are Monday through Thursday, 9am to 6pm and Friday 8am-5pm.
Student News
Atkinson SHRM Chapter Receives Award
On behalf of the Society for Human Resource Management, the AGSM SHRM student chapter was awarded the 2009-2010 Student Chapter Superior Merit Award. The award recognizes outstanding achievements in chapter operations and a commitment to providing meaningful programs and services to your members. By receiving this award, the AGSM chapter distinguishes itself as an outstanding organization dedicated to serving the needs of their members and to the advancement of the human resource management profession. Throughout the year, the national Society for Human Resource Management will continue to recognize the chapter's achievement as a Superior Merit Award chapter.
Early Career MBA and MBA for Career Change Programs Welcome a New Class
 Willamette's Early Career MBA and MBA for Career Change welcomed a class of 97 enthusiastic students to the incoming class of Fall 2010. The class hails from 20 states and 19 countries, is 44% female and 36% international. More than 50% of the class is fluent in at least 2 languages. With an average age of 25, there are students who entered Willamette MBA directly from their undergraduate experience, as well as those who have already obtained professional work experience in a variety of business, government and not-for-profit organizations. Among the incoming students are entrepreneurs who have already started and run their own businesses, founders of not-for-profit organizations, consultants, campus leaders, volunteers for organizations such as AmeriCorps, several dancers and musicians, marathon runners, and a variety of successful athletes. These students represent a dynamic MBA class that will learn and grow together over the next two years. Pictured above: Willamette MBA Students working as a team on a ropes course during Compass Week, the first week of orientation.
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty."
Winston Churchill |
