Adjunct Faculty
“Earning a graduate degree gives you a step ahead of people competing for the same career positions. You will be better prepared to solve the complex problems that you will face in your business career.”
Degrees Held:
Career Highlights:
In which online Pittsburg State program(s) do you teach?
What do you want students to take away from your classes? What do they learn?
In my international business and international marketing courses, I want students to expand their global worldview and develop a deep understanding of how business operates in an increasingly interconnected world. In an era of rapid globalization, businesses, governments, and individuals are closely linked across borders, and success depends on the ability to think and act globally.
Students learn to see themselves as global citizens—active participants in global economic and social processes. They explore how global successes and global challenges are shared responsibilities and how business decisions can have far-reaching impacts across countries and cultures.
A central outcome of my courses is cultural intelligence. Students gain an appreciation for the importance of understanding, accepting, and respecting cultural differences. They learn how values, worldviews, and local contexts influence consumer behavior, management practices, and market strategies, and why adapting to these differences is essential for sustainable international business success.
Ultimately, students come to understand that the purpose of business is to meet real needs—to supply demand and address the needs of consumers and organizations worldwide. Doing so effectively requires sensitivity to local cultures, ethical awareness, and respect for the people and communities a business serves. My goal is for students to leave my classes prepared to operate thoughtfully, responsibly, and successfully in the global marketplace.
What types of projects do your students do in the online courses?
My online international business and international marketing courses emphasize active learning, real-world application, and collaboration. Students engage with lectures, current textbooks, and curated multimedia content created by global business professionals. Weekly discussions encourage students to exchange ideas, analyze global business issues, and learn from diverse perspectives. Students work with international case studies, conducting independent research to understand how culture, markets, and strategy shape business decisions across countries. Team-based and individual projects allow students to design international marketing strategies for specific regions or countries. These projects strengthen virtual collaboration skills through communication via Zoom, phone, and digital platforms—reflecting how global teams work today. Peer learning and reflection are also central to the courses. Students recognize meaningful contributions from classmates and reflect on how collaborative learning enhances their own professional growth. Knowledge mastery is assessed through applied assignments, quizzes, and exams using up-to-date course materials.
What advice would you give to those considering your online program?
Approach the course with curiosity, openness, and a positive mindset. Focus on learning and personal growth rather than simply earning a grade—when students engage deeply with the material, strong performance naturally follows.
Online learning requires strong time management and organizational skills, as well as a willingness to go beyond the minimum requirements. The most successful students are those who think critically, explore case studies from multiple perspectives, and continuously deepen their understanding of cultural differences in global business.
Open communication is essential. I encourage students to engage with their peers and to communicate honestly with me if challenges arise. My role is not to punish, but to support, guide, and encourage students’ learning and professional growth throughout the course.
What is the value of a higher degree in the field in which you teach? What are some of the skills students gain in this program?
A graduate degree in international business provides strong professional value in today’s global economy. MBA graduates with an emphasis in international business are in high demand by organizations that operate across borders and manage culturally diverse markets and teams. This degree prepares students for leadership and management roles in global companies and international organizations.
Students in the program develop essential leadership and managerial skills, including the ability to work effectively with diverse teams, understand organizational and national cultures, and navigate cultural differences across countries. They learn to become transformational leaders—professionals who support employee growth, lead ethically, and make responsible decisions in complex global environments.
Key skills gained include global and strategic thinking, cultural intelligence, ethical decision-making, and critical thinking. Students learn to see the big picture while also paying close attention to detail, recognizing patterns and issues others may overlook. A central takeaway of the program is the ability to “think globally and act locally”—applying global business strategies with respect for local cultures, values, and expectations.
Why did you start teaching?
My decision to teach naturally stemmed from my intercultural background and early exposure to diverse cultures. From a young age, I developed a strong interest in understanding people, cultures, and ways of thinking across the world, and I felt a desire to share that knowledge and perspective with others.
I began teaching immediately after graduating from Voronezh State University, working with international students from many countries who came to the former Soviet Union to study at Soviet universities. This experience shaped my passion for cross-cultural education and global understanding.
During the period of major social and economic transformation following the collapse of the Soviet Union, I also provided training for business leaders and community leaders across seven regions of Russia. Later, after moving to the United States, I continued teaching while I was a graduate student at Eastern Michigan University, working with culturally diverse groups, including educators and social workers.
Over time, my focus shifted to international business and international marketing. I have taught these courses for multiple universities. I am honored to serve as an adjunct faculty member at Pittsburg State University, where I bring my global experience, practical knowledge, and enthusiasm for teaching to support students’ academic and professional growth.
What is the one book you think everyone should read?
“Leading with Cultural Intelligence” by David Livermore – A highly relevant and practical guide to developing the cultural intelligence (CQ) leaders need today to work across diverse teams, negotiate globally, and lead in multicultural environments. It’s updated with current research and real-world examples.
Tell us something interesting about yourself that your students may not know about you.
My husband retired early so we could travel the world in a more meaningful way—through house-sitting. Because I teach online, I joined him on these assignments, and over the past three years, we have lived for a month or longer in places such as Panama, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Malta, and Australia, as well as across the United States, including California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, and Michigan.
House-sitting allows us to live like locals rather than tourists. In exchange for caring for a home or pets, we stay in local communities, often with access to a vehicle, which allows us to explore daily life, connect with local people, and experience cultures from the inside. I find this way of traveling deeply enriching and closely connected to how I teach global awareness, cultural understanding, and international business.
Links to share?
What are your preferred pronouns?
She/her/hers
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