Developing a Global Mindset

A recent workshop at Tiffin University exemplifies the University’s continuing dedication to global education.

Dr. Mansour Javidan, Garvin Distinguished Professor and Director of the Thunderbird Najai Global Mindset Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, conducted a workshop for TU professors interested in becoming certified to administer, interpret, and debrief the Global Mindset Inventory (GMI) that Javidan developed as part of his work for the Institute. Eight TU professors and two professors from Indiana Tech participated in the day-long training session that included an analysis of their own GMI’s prior to the workshop.

“GMI is the ability to influence people who are different from you,” says Javidan. “It is a person’s attitude toward diversity of thought and action.” THE GMI emerged as a means to measure a person’s intellectual, social, and psychological capital in this regard.

Dr. Lillian Schumacher, Dean of TU’s School of Business has previously worked with Javidan. “I invited him to train the TU faculty to understand what a global mindset is in general, and encourage us to understand our own global mindset,” she says. “This way, the faculty will be better positioned to develop and expect a global mindset in our students. With faculty who are certified to administer the GMI, our students have an additional measurement tool to test their international business and cultural savvy.”

“Getting a chance to meet and work with Dr. Javidan, a world renowned expert in the area of international business was an honor,” says Dr. Teresa Shafer, Dean of Assessment and Accreditation and Professor Sociology at TU. “As Associate Dean of International Business programs, the very nature of my job requires that I broaden my global perspective. So going through the certificate program was important for the work we’re doing at TU.”

“The process leading up to GMI certification helps you to understand where you are in the terms of your own global mindset and how this mindset influences your ability to work with people from other cultures,” says Dr. Laura Mays, Assistant Dean of International Academic Programs and Associate Professor of Management. “Most important, the GMI certification process helps you to build on your strengths in this area and focus on changing your misconceptions and faulty preconceptions.”

Assistant Professor of Management and Director of Institutional Diversity Dr. Sharon Perry-Nause participated in the workshop to continue to enhance her awareness. “The training unambiguously enhanced our knowledge related to cultural sensitivity and the importance of global competencies,” she says. “It is strongly believed that enhanced awareness will be a true asset as we prepare students as global leaders for the real world.”

Ron Schumacher, Vice President for Enrollment, hopes that TU can continue to integrate more of the individuals who deal with the University’s international populations so that everyone at TU can benefit from a well-rounded global mindset. “I participated to gain a better understanding of the global mindset of our current students and our potential students in order to better comprehend and satisfy their needs,” he says.

Javidan praised Tiffin University’s increased commitment to its own globalization process by remarking on the number of international students on main campus as well as the reach of TU’s MBA program in Eastern Europe and Asia. Both Javidan and Lillian Schumacher emphasize the importance of embedding international business as part of every course in the business school curriculum. Schumacher notes the University’s new Global Leadership Honors Program as one way TU is increasing student awareness of the globalization of business.

In March, TU’s affiliation with Thunderbird will continue when the School of Business hosts Dr. Robert Hisrich, Thunderbird Garvin Professor of Global Entrepreneurship and Director of the Walker Center for Global Entrepreneurship. Hisrich, who has visited TU’s Bucharest campus, will be the speaker for the first Diane M. and George Kidd Jr. Endowed Fund of Lecture in Business on Thursday, March 1. He also will be the keynote speaker for the first Business Club Summit on Friday, March 2.

While in Tiffin, Hisrich also will meet with the Graduate Senate, and will work with the School of Business Faculty as they continue their implementation of international business throughout the business curriculum.

For photo:  Tiffin University GMI Certified Group:  From left:  Assistant Professor of Management Dr. Sharon Perry-Nause; Assistant Professor of Marketing Danielle Foster; Associate Professor of Management Dr. Teresa Shafer; Dr. Gretchen Carroll; Associate Professor of Economics & Finance Dr. Vinnie Gajjala; and Vice President for Enrollment Ron Schumacher. Sitting from left:  Garvin Distinguished Professor and Director of the Thunderbird Najai Global Mindset Institute Dr. Mansour Javidan and Dean of the School of Business Dr. Lillian Schumacher. Not pictured, Associate Professor of Management Dr. Laura Mays.