Faculty Excellence at UMUC

Interviewer:

Please tell us about yourself—what made you decide to teach at UMUC? What kind of work do you do when you are not teaching at UMUC? What life experiences have influenced your teaching at UMUC?

Bob Horn:

I was a career Army officer occupying high level leadership and staff positions. I was involved with sophisticated weapon system training, earning a doctorate while on active duty. My bilingual doctoral dissertation was on education in South America. While in the military, I observed the tremendous job UMUC did in working with officers and enlisted men in addressing the educational needs for career enhancement. UMUC was always available offering quality programs that focused on the needs of the military.

A retired RA Colonel, I am currently a Collegiate Professor at UMUC and the President of a consulting company.

The life experiences that have influenced me are my experiences growing up in a small shoe town in MA, attending Rockland High School , and the University of Massachusetts on an athletic scholarship. A military career including assignments throughout the United Stated, Europe, South America, and Asia including Vietnam was followed with being the executive Director of a national certifying board. I have been a Dean of Business and taught at the graduate level at Johns Hopkins University , The University of Virginia, and George Washington University . My focus at UMUC has been teaching undergraduate courses.

Interviewer:

Please tell us if you teach face-to-face, online, or both and explain what made you choose that format of teaching.

Bob Horn:

I have taught face-to-face, online, video, voicemail, and combinations of format. I enjoy all formats. Currently I teach face-to-face and online courses. I enjoy the dynamics of face-to-face classes. I also enjoy the flexibility of teaching online.

Interviewer:

What do you find most satisfying about teaching in your chosen format(s)?

Bob Horn:

I enjoy the dynamic interaction of face-to-face. I like the honesty of students online. Their responses are realistic and allow others the opportunity to see how others think. In a multi cultural society it is important to see that others may approach situations from a different perspective. Effective leaders and mangers must understand the nuances of 21st century workplace dynamics.

Interviewer:

What do you find challenging about teaching in your chosen format(s)?

Bob Horn:

The challenges of face-to-face are less than online for me. I consider myself to be a dynamic communicator who loves the face-to-face interaction of the classroom. The key is to be prepared!

The challenges online are more because it is a more time consuming format. I have to expend much more time online to sustain the same level of excellence as in face-to-face classes.

Interviewer:

Please tell us about your chosen discipline—how long have you worked in or taught it? What made you interested in the area? What keeps you interested in the area?

Bob Horn:

My focus is Business and Management. At UMUC alone, I have over 600 hours of class time. I have been with UMUC since 1974 when I started teaching while in Korea. As a military officer I have always been interested in leadership processes. I am focusing now on HRMN and BMGT courses. I continue to maintain interest because it is such a dynamic environment.

Interviewer:

What joys do you experience in teaching in this area?

Bob Horn:

I enjoy working with adults that are working to excel! It is always a joy when I feel my students are performing at a high level!

Interviewer:

What challenges do you experience in teaching in this area? Please describe any special challenges you face if you teach online in comparison to teaching in a face-to-face classroom.

Bob Horn:

I like the thrill of the game—the dynamic atmosphere of influencing people. The challenges on line are more format than function. One has to develop classes that do not overwhelm either the student or the faculty member. In teaching online one must never promise more than one can deliver. One must be responsive—there is no room for one to procrastinate!

Interviewer:

How would you describe your teaching style or philosophy? What experiences or person(s) have influenced your style or philosophy?

Bob Horn:

My teaching style is proactive. I believe my adult students add value to the learning environment. Life experiences have influenced my teaching style. Having worked with HUMRRO in my early military career I was an early disciple of Mager's Performance Objectives and Bloom's Taxonomy of Objectives. On a focused basis, I felt Ted Williams set a standard of excellence for others to emulate. Likewise, I always tell my students to read the books of Dale Carnegie if they want a speed course on "Winning Friends and Influencing People." I would like to note the valuable assistance from my colleagues at UMUC. They helped broaden my horizons as we moved into distance delivery.

Interviewer:

Please explain if you do something special or unique in your approach and how you developed that approach. What do you think it is about your approach that appeals to students?

Bob Horn:

I like and respect adult students and enjoy the dynamics of interacting face-to-face and online. I believe in them and care for their success.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to students who are interested in majoring or working in your discipline?

Bob Horn:

I would recommend that they develop a persona that reflects care and professionalism. Technology is changing the way HRM is done. It is a dynamic time when compensation and benefits are changing in a significant manner.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to new faculty who are interested in teaching in your discipline at UMUC?

Bob Horn:

Be a competent professional and address issues in a timely fashion! Benefit from the programs offered by CTL and look upon mentoring as an opportunity to grow and develop. I always say, UMUC would not hire you if you were not competent. Therefore approach their professional enhancement programs as processes for growth and development as educators.