By Adriana Betancourt
Russell “Russ” A. Page is more than an award-winning instructor at NIU’s College of Business. His passion for teaching is felt both inside and outside the classroom, and he has become a mentor to many students along the way.
Since joining NIU, Page has built a reputation for deeply caring about his students, investing in their growth and creating an environment where they feel supported, challenged and prepared for success. His enthusiasm for teaching is clear in the way he connects real-world experience to every lesson and in the genuine pride he takes in seeing students reach their goals. With a professional background spanning military service, logistics, program management and international business development, Page brings hands-on experience into the classroom.
Q: How does being a first-generation student shape your work ethic, resilience and approach to leadership?
A: As a first-generation degree-holder in my family, I have seen the trajectory of my life and my family move from an expected blue-collar experience to a white-collar experience and beyond. While working for my degrees, a seed was planted and I knew I wanted to teach college one day. Through hard work, perseverance, many experiences and more than a little luck, I am here. I learned to become what I wanted to be, not what I was expected to be.
Q: You earned your MBA from NIU before returning as a faculty member. How did your experience as an NIU graduate shape the way you teach and engage with students today?
A: I was able to enjoy the experience of learning from the greatest professors in the College of Business. I learned from their knowledge and experience while forging lifelong relationships with them and my cohort. I have been able to observe and learn methods of teaching from various professors and apply that methodology as a foundation to build my own way of teaching.
Q: How did your varied career experiences prepare you for your role in academia?
A: For each class I teach, I use various textbooks and materials to afford the best educational experience I can offer to our students. Along with that, I bring personal, professional and observed experiences into the classroom. I feel this gives a realistic picture of what students can expect as they step into the “real world” after graduation.
Q: What lessons from your military career do you find yourself sharing most often with business students?
A: Of course, the first thing is service. Service above self. Also, discipline. And next would be the wonderful experience of doing things and going places with great people. My experiences in the military helped me to overcome my introverted nature and helped me engage in life to a much higher degree than I might have. It also instilled a desire to travel and experience many places in the world, and in doing so, expanded interactions with the people I met there. I have been blessed to live in six countries and travel and do business in more than 30 countries.
Q: As an instructor of international business, what do you hope students take away from your courses beyond the textbook material?
A: That business is people! And people are people wherever you go. Doing business internationally can be fraught with difficulty. I have found that if you prepare, keep an open mind and are willing to build bridges, you will do well. Some of my greatest experiences in life have been meeting and working with people from around the globe.
Q: You’ve mentioned that Associate Dean Sarah Marsh has had a strong impact on your career at NIU. What about her leadership that stands out to you the most?
A: It has been my observation that Professor Marsh is all about enabling success. She does this with students and colleagues. I learned that Professor Marsh helps both students and colleagues pave a path forward with her experience and guidance. I am a better person for knowing her.
Q: What has been the most fulfilling part of teaching at NIU’s College of Business?
A: It has been the experience of seeing change and growth in our students as they reach for their future. Seeing the spark when a new concept is caught and held onto. Seeing the joy, and sadness, as they depart upon graduation. Seeing them succeed, then reach back to let us know. It’s fulfilling to have made a difference in a life. Further, I very much enjoy working with and near the great people that make up the faculty and staff of the NIU College of Business. The exchange of ideas and mutual support is uplifting. These things, they keep me grounded here.
