International Business Instructor Russell Page understands what it takes to motivate his students. In his MGMT 468 (Strategic Management in a Global Economy) classes, his passion for empowering students academically and professionally is contagious. With his guidance, business students learn what they are capable of while completing their final capstone projects.
The Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award (EUIA) encourages and honors outstanding teaching at NIU. Each department nominates a teacher, and the colleges then select nominees for consideration by the Committee for the Improvement of Undergraduate Academic Experience (CIUAE). The committee chooses the award recipients based on nomination materials used to evaluate nominees.
Kevin Sanchez is a senior in Page’s MGMT 468 course and nominated him for this distinguished honor.
“Throughout his time at NIU, Professor Page has demonstrated that not only is he able to keep a class fun and engaging, but also that he designs his classes to challenge his students to go beyond their limits and get out of their comfort zone by making sure that students participate and make contributions to the conversation,” Sanchez said, adding that Page’s care for his students is unsurpassed.
McKayla Fitzpatrick agrees that Page’s investment in his classes makes him an inspirational instructor.
“His goal is to make sure that with every class he teaches, the students are learning beyond the classroom and get a sense of what the real world is like,” Fitzpatrick said in her nomination. “By setting high standards, he motivates students to push beyond their limits, building both their confidence and their competence. Professor Page is deeply invested in the success of his students by providing constructive feedback, encouraging critical thinking and consistently seeking innovative ways to enhance the learning experience.”
Page earned his Executive MBA from NIU in 2004 and his B.A. in management and leadership from Judson University. His teaching areas include multinational management, operations management, entrepreneurship and experiential learning.
Before coming to NIU in 2015, Page was a senior manager at Northrop Grumman, a defense and space manufacturing company in Virginia. His varied professional experiences, both abroad and in the United States, have played a role in helping prepare students for different industries and roles.
“Professor Page’s teaching approach has led me to reevaluate my global citizenship,” said Amy Gawlik, senior management major. “As a business student, I realized I had an unconscious bias when thinking about international business. Before his course, my perspective on international business was limited to Western partners or large trading nations like China. However, Professor Page’s sharing of his professional experiences in the Middle East, coupled with assignments on less-commonly discussed countries like Uzbekistan, broadened my understanding and awareness. His teaching methods helped me see the connection between the success of professional businesses and how they impact international social issues.”
Senior Abigail Callinan attested to Page going the extra mile in her class.
“Russell Page is the kind of instructor who will have students going up to him at the end of the semester to shake his hand and send him thank you emails for a unique and enriching learning experience. I was one of those students for the first time in my college career, specifically for Professor Page, and that speaks a lot,” said Callinan, who submitted a recommendation letter for Page. “I could see his ability to cultivate an inclusive and inspiring classroom on the first day I walked into the room. I am confident that he has and will continue to impact his students on both a personal and academic level, and that he truly deserved the Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award.”
For Page, this kind of personal connection and investment comes naturally.
“Engaging with our students — our customers — is of utmost importance. It tells me I am making a difference in preparing them for life after NIU,” Page said. “When teaching, I try to bring personal business experiences into the class alongside the published curriculum — applying real experiences, showing that there are ups and downs, and so many rewards in doing business nationally or internationally. I teach them that ‘business is people’ and that meeting and working with people across the globe is truly rewarding. Opening doors and windows into another world for our students and seeing a new awareness arise is hugely rewarding.”
While Page may know many of his students well, he was astounded and surprised by their many efforts to put forth his nomination.
“It humbles and amazes me that my students went through the effort required to make this [award] happen. Having been selected by the students for this honor means much to me and brings a validation to my efforts to reach them in the classroom,” Page said.
