Hushed excitement waiting to burst. Chairs creaking on lime green grass. Clear voices echoing over a crowd of successful students. One final speech of congratulations. The students throw their caps skyward, cheering for the future. Graduation day remains one of the most important days in students’ lives. Nearly every student remembers their day with familiarity and excitement, their smiles widened in nostalgia. However, many students also remember those that guided them to that moment. Their mentors, professors, and elders offered them wisdom to not only find the courage to graduate, but also to charge forward in the world and seek for change and progression.

Returning to Rosemont

At Rosemont College, students have the luxury of having many teachers who guide them toward success. For the business programs, students have the honor of receiving guidance from Dr. Michael Dawkins. A graduate of Rosemont himself, he found it difficult to leave Rosemont. He admits with a laugh, “Having been at Rosemont for over 20 years, it’s so amazing how many courses I’ve taught.” From organizational behavior to decision making in business, Dr. Dawkins works to provide as much information to students. He enhances their creativity and prepares them for the world beyond education. As a graduate of Rosemont, he understands the importance of opportunities and guidance. “I enjoy the teaching philosophy…when talking about the Holy Child of Rosemont…the philosophy is very important to make sure we take care of our community, our students, and to ensure we do a great job to educate them so they become good, productive citizens in society,” Dr. Dawkins says with a deep smile.

Steering Students Toward the Future

Dr. Dawkins continues to find ways to create opportunities for students. In the past, he often worked with SEPTA to inspire his business students. He explains with a fondness in his voice, “I was the liaison between SEPTA and Rosemont. I was able to introduce students to SEPTA employees that were later offered positions by attending college fairs through Rosemont. There were other networking opportunities, [and] the dean would come down to the organization and just talk with students and encourage them to participate.” Yet, Dr. Dawkins’ inspirations spread far beyond Philadelphia. Every summer, Dr. Dawkins travels to Africa to continue a partnership with a convent: the Sisters of Africa. Spreading across Kenya, Uganda, and Nigeria, Dr. Dawkins explains that Rosemont “partner with them with [a business research methods] course…I enjoy [doing] that, because it’s more of a cultural connection between Rosemont and the African continent.” Always finding ways to expand cultural importance across nations, Dr. Dawkins discovers new ways to extend his students’ understanding of international connections.

Encouraging the Next Generations

Each student that enters Dr. Dawkins’ class has the opportunity to feel heard and understood. He explains with a passionate voice that he wants to give students “an opportunity to go out into the world and change the landscape of society, especially in the leadership study. Going out and becoming that creative and innovative leader that can create change in not just the world, but also in people—the social change.” The world, however, is always changing and challenging those who live in it. Dr. Dawkins understands that, explaining, “I realize that life happens, and sometimes…you don’t know what [students’] experiences are. So, the greatest lesson [in teaching] is having patience [and] the greatest level is building that relationship with students so you establish a level of trust. As a result of that, the teaching process speeds up.” Constantly finding ways to connect with his students, Dr. Dawkins ensures that all of his students understand that though the world is harsh and difficult, there is always a way to succeed. Dr. Dawkins reminds students with a strong clarity, “Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is a process that will derail your success.” So long as students work tirelessly and charge forward in their aspirations, Dr. Dawkins says with a smile, “you will fully realize your dreams as you study and as you conceptualize what the world will be when you graduate—the value of yourself in society.”

Recycling the Positivity

Dr. Dawkins, just as he was graduating over twenty years ago, experienced an opportunity. At the graduation ceremony, Dr. Dawkins was given the opportunity to address the class as one of the top graduates. Even back then, Rosemont to him was “a school that gave the opportunity [to grow from] the grass roots level. I was able to live my own dreams, aspirations, and goals that propelled me into achieving a doctoral dream. Rosemont planted that tiny little seed that sprouted into an oak tree.” Since then, Dr. Dawkins worked tirelessly to spread that enthusiasm and optimism to many generations at Rosemont. What he experienced over two decades ago, he now provides with vigor and joy. Two mere years after his own graduation, Dr. Dawkins returned to teach an organizational behavior class. He says with a wide smile, “Starting with that one class, I am still here today! I’m still a professor teaching at the undergraduate and graduate level, working with students to make sure they can venture out into society and do great work.” Students venturing into the future of business have much to worry and consider; yet, the business students at Rosemont College have Dr. Dawkins to encourage them to see a bright, brilliant, and progressive future.