What year did you start working at the NIU College of Business?
January 1994
Where do you live?
I currently live in Sycamore.
Where did you attend college and what degree(s) have you earned?
Ph.D., University of North Texas
In which department(s) do you teach?
Department of Accountancy
What do you like about working at NIU?
The best part of NIU is the people. The students are amazing, hardworking, talented and some of the best I have had the privilege to teach. The faculty are second to none, and it is an honor to work alongside some of the best and brightest in their fields. In addition, there are so many wonderful people who work behind the scenes to help NIU deliver the best student experience possible.
What advice would you give to students currently attending NIU?
Never give up; you can achieve anything you set your mind to. If you need help, don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you are trying, someone will help you.
Tell us about a research or engaged learning project you have led.
I am proud to be part of the team that developed the BELIEF Program (Building Ethical Leaders Using an Integrated Ethics Framework). This program has impacted thousands of students and made a difference in their lives.
What do you hope students take away from your class?
I hope students not only learn the technical content of my classes but also take away a deeper understanding of what it is to be a professional in accountancy. In our profession, your character, ethics and integrity are paramount to your success. Our students are the ethical leaders of the future.
What is your favorite campus event?
The BELIEF events where we celebrate ethical awareness and learn about how to be ethical leaders. Good people make bad decisions, and I want to do everything I can to arm students with the tools needed to navigate the ethical dilemmas they will face.
What is your favorite memory of NIU?
Any event where we celebrate student and faculty accomplishments. Our students and faculty are so amazing and accomplish so many things, we should celebrate them every day!
Who has influenced your professional path?
I have learned that no one succeeds in isolation. Every interaction, every event, every day is a learning experience and shapes you into the person you are.
What community organizations are you involved in?
I am a quilter, so I am involved with the DeKalb County Quilters Guild. My husband and I are licensed handlers of our therapy dog, so we are involved with the community by providing therapy for children (Reading to Rover) and those in nursing homes or hospitals.
What do you do to relax or recharge?
I love to be outdoors when the weather is nice – riding my bike, working in the yard or playing with my dog. When the weather is bad, I am in my studio creating quilts.
reposted from Huskie Spotlight; M. De Jean, Director of Marketing, NIU College of Business
