Evening/Weekend Alumni Spotlight
Denise Smudla
Current Title: Director of Human Resources
Major/Degree: B.A in Business Administration, 1999 and Executive MBA2002
What was your goal when you first enrolled at B-W? How was B-W able to help you achieve your goal? When I first enrolled, I had been offered a position as a Product Coordinator in Product Management under the condition that I obtain a degree. I had taken a couple classes, but at that point I knew I needed to create a serious plan. I met with a B-W advisor and explained I needed to obtain my degree in 6 years or less, as a part-time student. B-W’s evening and weekend classes were a blessing for me – I was able to attend most of my classes on the weekend instead of after a long day at work. The counselor helped me map out a way that I could take all the classes required in less than 6 years, and it worked.
What has been the outcome of your experience at B-W? I earned a B.A. and was promoted to Assistant Product Manager at American Greetings. Some time after, I was asked to join National City Bank in the field of Human Resources. Driving business results through talent management felt like the right job for me. National City offered me the opportunity to attend the Executive MBA Program. That experience gave me the knowledge to start my own human resources consulting business, Dynamic Management Solutions, Inc., which led me to a client who offered me a position as Director of Human Resources at Jennings Center for Older Adults. I have a great sense of purpose now, developing and implementing human resource programs and services to attract and retain a talented workforce that provides quality care for those who live here.
I have also had the opportunity to share my business and human resources knowledge and experience as an adjunct professor and public speaker. Bottom line…the knowledge and experiences I gained at B-W helped me grow tremendously both personally and professionally.
What was the most important thing you learned while attending B-W? Leadership and systems thinking. Very few things work in isolation so it is critical that decision making, resources, goals, processes, and consequences are viewed in light of the whole environment – where emphasis is placed on improving the entire organization as opposed to improving a single department. I have found this to be valuable insight for all leaders wanting to achieve great results.
What advice would you give to current or prospective students? Talk to your advisor and take a career course before starting out, then job shadow, network etc. so you’re pretty sure you’ve found the career for you and a career that you will do well in – then plan your course and set the date you expect to graduate – keep on track and don’t give up on that date – it’s worth it in the end. Oh, and one more thing – it’s never too late to go back to school – work and life experiences enhance your college learning and your fellow students’ learning as well.
