“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” – St. Augustine
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Colin is a traveler at heart. He has traveled to all 50 U.S. States, 6 continents (Antarctica withstanding) and 38 countries, both for business and pleasure. Traveling has always been a passion of his, and he has been lucky to visit so many places since entering academia. The best part of his travel now is the excitement of taking a group of college students to a foreign country. There is something humbling and exciting about being part of an engaging and transformative learning experience that can only come from immersion in a new culture.
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In 2023, Colin taught a 3-week course in Madrid, Spain, in the Business Minor Study Abroad Program through the Harbert College of Business at Auburn University. Students spent 6 weeks in Milan, Italy, taking 3-week courses in Accounting and Finance. After a week for travel, they resumed the program in Madrid where they had my marketing course followed by management. These were 90 non-business majors.
These are future civil and mechanical engineers, nurses, doctors, forest managers, biosystems analysts, lawyers, lobbyists, chemists, coders, aerospace engineers, fashion merchandisers, and technicians, physical and speech therapists, public relations specialists, among others. Essentially, 91 experts in the room, of which I was just one, which made it super fun to teach. Excited to see where these bright young Auburn professionals go! Oh, did I squeeze in a sales role play activity (picture 2?), absolutely!! You can take the sales professor out of the country... |
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He is still finding his international footprint at Auburn University, but it was a big part of his identity while at Ohio University where he was Director of the Center for International Business. In this role, he managed all of the international programs offered through the College, including the Ohio International Consulting Program (OICP), the International Business Major, and the International Business Certificate, among other things. However, his passion was his role as Director of the Global Consulting Program, a position he held since 2016 to 2022.
The GCP is a transformative, immersive, international experience for students looking to step outside of their comfort zone and set them selves apart for their careers. Students spend the spring semester learning about global business consulting as well as language and culture for their in-country experience. Once in country, they collaborate with local college students to work on live, real-world business projects for firms in their host country. The result is a confident, well-rounded, experienced Business Bobcat who can handle anything when s/he returns to Ohio.
In May of 2022, he led a program to Vlerick University in Ghent, Belgium. In January of 2020, he led a program to São Paolo, Brazil, where students partnered with the Latin America Institute of Business. In June of 2018, he led a program to Bayreuth, Germany, where students partnered with the University of Bayreuth to work with Adidas. In July of 2017, he led a program to Ancona, Italy, where Ohio partners with the local university, UNIVPM. There, students worked on projects for four companies, including Clementoni toys. In May of 2016, he led the Barcelona program. Partnering with IQS, OU students worked as consultants for live international clients, delivering final presentations to executives on topics ranging from selling saffron in the United States to partnering with chemical refineries in Morocco. Oh, the students (and Colin) did manage to fit in some fun while in town.
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One challenge of international student travel is funding. With that in mind, Colin launched a charitable giving campaign for the GCP in 2019. The goal is simple: generate donations from Bobcat alumni to help support students that might not otherwise be able to embark on this incredible experience. If we can ease the financial burden, more amazing students will have this opportunity and we will increase our Global Bobcat Community. See the video for more. |
The Global Consulting Program is a "Work Hard--Play Hard" experience.
Ghent, Belgium, May 2022
São Paulo, Brazil, Dec 2019-Jan 2020
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Bayreuth, Germany - June 2018
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Ancona, Italy - July 2017
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Barcelona, Spain - May 2016
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In 2011, he assisted in a joint study abroad program between the University of Alabama and James Madison University, taking 30 students to Turkey and Greece. Teaming up with Bahçeşehir University in Istanbul, he taught Import/Export Management and Global Marketing. His students also did excursions to Athens, Greece, and other parts of Turkey. In 2012, Colin led another group of students to Antwerp, Belgium, with trips to Paris, Luxembourg, Ghent, Mykonos, and Athens.