2019-2020 Annual Report: Engagement

Leading through community

Isatou Barry is a storyteller. After relocating to Portland from The Gambia five years ago — coming from an entrepreneurial family, and a community that didn’t have strong economic or business practices — she wanted to pursue a degree in business. But for Barry, a business education needed to go beyond the numbers and uncover the unique stories underneath.

“Numbers are interesting,” Barry said, “but spreadsheets are not — until you see the stories.”

She found the perfect fit at PSU where she is earning a dual degree in economics and finance.

“Finance helps you tell the stories of business and profits; economics helps you tell the stories of society,” Barry said.

Barry has applied that same search for meaning to her life as a student outside the classroom, maintaining full-time employment, starting student organizations and serving as a peer mentor, all while building lifelong friendships along the way. 

When Barry first started at PSU, she found herself “just coming in and out of class” to head to her day job at the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). At IRCO, she served as youth program coordinator, supervising a team of youth advocates who provided case management services to African immigrants and refugee youth in Portland Public Schools. In her last year at PSU, she left that job to concentrate on school full-time while also interning at Intel Corporation as a business operations intern.

Barry’s curiosity and desire for community pushed her to find ways to more deeply connect and engage. She started with her honors program cohort, taking advantage of the deeper dive into program coursework and professional development opportunities. Barry was also accepted to the Dean’s Future Leaders Group (DFLG), which she says has had a huge impact on her personal growth. She also joined ATMOS.

“So much of business school is about the grades, the internships, competition, and that’s ok,” she said. “It is something that I can handle, and it is good stuff, but these programs are about the whole person. You’re not just a business student, you’re an individual.”

Barry attributes her success as a student to these programs.

“Dean Wagner and my friends at the DFLG helped me to grow so much as an individual, leader and business student going out into the professional world. We laughed together, celebrated together, cried together, studied together — and inspired each other.”

Motivated to dig in more, Barry got involved with multiple student organizations. She served as president of the university’s Financial Management Association until the end of her term in June 2020, where she was instrumental in improving attendance at club activities and bringing in diverse speakers. Barry and her partners on the leadership team put significant time into launching a local finance case competition; they hope the new leadership team officially gets it off the ground in Fall 2020 after a delay due to COVID-19.

“This organization has been an opportunity for me to connect with some of the brightest finance minds on campus, and to work with a team of very professional student leaders,” Barry said.

She also co-founded a group for African and Black business students last summer.

“My co-founders and I wanted a space for us to connect and bridge the gap with our African American brothers and sisters,” she said.

The group brings international African students, African students who were born or raised in the United States and African American students together to share their stories, challenges and successes. They also engaged with Black and African business professionals on various topics. Barry is particularly proud of the mentorship and relationships that have blossomed as part of that experience, and is appreciative of the support the group got from The School of Business.

Barry is passionate about building a sense of community on campus that will last long after her own graduation. She served as a peer mentor, offering personal and professional development for new students at The School of Business. Off campus Barry also serves on multiple boards, and engages with community events. She was awarded the Skidmore Prize from Willamette Week for her efforts at IRCO where she mentored a group of high school students on leadership and community service. She is enthusiastic about any opportunity to work with the community, particularly young women who are interested in pursuing higher education.

“I am the first woman in my family to go to university, so I know what it’s like to take that leap,” Barry said. “I have a group of mentors who pushed me through.” She also coaches emerging entrepreneurs on how to write a business plan.

“I have skill sets I can use to give back. It takes just a small amount of my time to help others feel supported and connected.”

Barry said her busy schedule at PSU has enriched her life in a multitude of ways. For students considering a business degree, she encourages them to put PSU at the top of their list.

“The instructors are some of the most experienced anywhere, and they’re willing to support and guide you individually,” she said.

She noted that there are several scholarship opportunities including many for students of color, and that PSU makes getting students to graduation a priority. As Barry looks ahead to her own graduation — and a job offer in place for her in January — she hopes incoming PSU students invest in their own stories and those of the broader community.

“My time here has helped me show up as my own authentic self in the business world,” she said. “That’s especially important for a woman of color, and I am so glad PSU is a part of my story.”

Building bridges: international research engages with communities abroad to create global change

Professor Mellie Pullman and Associate Professor Ted Khoury both worked in engineering before moving into academia. Though the world of academic research may seem philosophical to many, Pullman and Khoury harbor a deep passion for bringing real-world meaning and impact to their research. Each is focused on international studies that enact change in communities around the world; a goal both say is achieved by true engagement with the people and places that bring their research to life.

“The School of Business has a unique research ideology that offers Mellie and me the opportunity to serve the university by getting outside of our immediate spaces,” Khoury said. “Through our work, we’re understanding how societies function in deeper ways, and we are truly connected.”

Pullman echoed Khoury’s sentiments, noting the immediate relevance of international research for PSU’s campus and beyond. Her previous career experience in engineering, restaurants and brewing, along with a lifelong love of travel, has influenced her academic work studying food supply chains. The communities she works with are varied: cattle ranchers, craft brewers, vintners and fishermen, among others. This year during her sabbatical, her projects have taken her to work with local colleagues in France to study winery innovation clusters and Wales to study craft brewery innovation.

“I realized I could make a significant impact, as the cohort didn’t yet have anyone with industry experience working to help these local brewers,” Pullman said. 

She worked with Ph.D. students to build the community’s business skills and improve the chances for long-term industry success through training videos and materials. In Spain, Pullman focused on supply chain management and job placement for migrants in the region. Her team studied how a café in Barcelona is building a more cohesive community with training and job placement for the migrant community, and how tensions that arise throughout the supply chain can be managed. 

“This type of project wouldn’t be possible in the United States, as we don’t have the same type of systems in place for supporting migrants,” Pullman said. “There is so much for us to learn from other parts of the world while building bridges.”

Similarly, Khoury’s current work is impacting global communities and uncovering important lessons for policy-makers across the world. His family background coupled with a strong sense of activism drives his focus on entrepreneurship and how it helps — or harms — more vulnerable populations in developing countries. Khoury challenges the romanticism of entrepreneurship as a catchall solution to the world’s problems. He has leveraged his research into African diaspora training programs hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in Vienna and various programs throughout the Middle East and North Africa supported through the European Commission. For Mercy Corps, he employs his research to help guide their design of humanitarian relief intervention programs.

“These global opportunities force me to own my research and communicate the findings in a way that they can make a difference,” he said. “ The human impact uncovers the true meaning of the work, and it’s great to see it resonate around the world.”

Both Pullman and Khoury are excited to continue their projects in the coming year and would love to see more professors at U.S. universities engage with international communities to enhance their research.

Reimagined class inspires future business leaders

Many business owners and executives develop their leadership and management skills through trial and error. Others discover early on the benefit of asking advice from those with more experience.

During Winter Term, a reimagined management course gave students the opportunity to directly learn leadership skills from a variety of local business leaders, CEOs, entrepreneurs, authors and coaches.

Portland-based investor and adjunct instructor Frank Reppenhagen (“Repp”) designed the class, titled Contemporary Leadership Issues (MGMT 464) to teach the things he wished he knew when starting out in business. He believes that leadership is a learned skill, not an attribute people are born with. Through teaching fundamental leadership characteristics and offering students access to community leaders, they can learn skills that could impact all areas of their lives.

“My leadership journey started as a 26-year-old community college student and finds me now as a partner in an investment fund, investor and board member of multiple businesses, and a strategic partner to CEOs,” said Reppenhagen. “What I learned along the way was that leadership can be developed just like any other skill. Every area of life offers opportunities to step into leadership, and my mission is to develop the next generation of leaders.”

Reppenhagen’s first experience teaching at PSU exceeded all expectations. He finds the students hungry for opportunity, introductions and tangible skills. Seeing the quality of the student leaders that are coming out of PSU gives him a lot of optimism for the future.

 A new generation of leaders

Business student Sasheen Turner sat front and center most weeks. She looked to each speaker as a potential opportunity to network and learn entrepreneurship skills.

“Being in the room with industry leaders outside of their office was an integral part of my growth as a young professional and has opened my network,” Turner said. “Our in-depth conversations circled around grit, commitment, vision and next steps.”

Guest speaker Carmen Rubio, executive director of Latino Network, described how personal grit enabled her to overcome challenges during her journey from a granddaughter of migrant workers to becoming a Portland City Council candidate. Like the other guest speakers, Rubio learned through doing.

“I’m here today to show you that not all politicians look the same or have the same journey,” Rubio said.

“As a fellow second-generation Mexican American, Carmen’s story really touched me,” said student Manuel Talamantes. “I found her purpose to be very powerful. I think so many other PSU students could relate to her.”

A large variety of advice

The students shared their biggest pieces of advice from each speaker. Below is a summary of their responses:

• Jordan Allen (CEO of Stay Alfred; PSU Alum): The power of vision and being able to start from the bottom.
• Kali Ladd (Founder of Kairos Charter School): Be enthusiastic and commit to your values. When faced with imposter syndrome, keep your eyes set on what you're there to accomplish.
• Lou Radja (Founder of Be More Give More; Executive Coach): Take responsibility for all your actions. It is never the mountain you conquer, it’s only yourself.
• Graciela Cowger (CEO of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt): Being true to yourself is important in fulfilling your vision.
• Patrick Criteser (CEO of Tillamook Cheese): You can compromise points without compromising your goals. Even if you don’t reach the heights that are possible, you’ll get somewhere new and find out more about how you got there.
• Peter Stott (Market Express, Columbia Investments): Every step of your journey matters. Work hard and look for new opportunities for growth.
• Michael Strasner (Author and Leadership Coach): Tell stories to engage your audience. Plan for failure so you can avoid or minimize it.

The power of caring

Damian Lillard, the final (and surprise!) guest speaker, told the class about his leadership journey to become an NBA all-star.

“How do you create leaders out of the young basketball players you coach?” one of the students asked.

Lillard contemplated his answer for a moment, before stating: “When they have a bad stretch, practice or game, I’ll text them and let them know, whether you play good or you play bad, I care about you and I’m thinking about you.”

Lillard also spoke about the power of being humble, accountable and consistent. See the good in people and say it to them, he added, and don't make excuses.

A deep impact

The class had a deeper impact on students than they initially anticipated.

“On the last day of class, I cried,” Turner said. “I wish it never had to end! It gave me the confidence I needed when I walked into informational interviews during the last week of my term.”

Turner was one of six students who earned a scholarship to take the course because of their involvement in ATMOS, a program that supports diverse and underrepresented business students of color. The scholarships were created by Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs Erica Wagner to provide opportunities for Oregon resident students who were interested in the course content but unable to justify taking an additional four credits not required for graduation.

With the diverse range of guest speakers, Reppenhagen demonstrated to students the power of leadership and the many different paths to success. Each of the 26 students accomplished a quarter-long leadership project where they led a team of at least three people and worked in the service of others.  

“When people step into leadership, they have the potential to change their lives — and the world — for the better,” Reppenhagen added. “The quality and variety of leadership projects, from working with student groups, to homeless services, to environmental cleanups, show the high ability and diverse interests of the students.”

All of the guest speakers created positive change in the world that would have otherwise not existed. Whether it is on an individual, community or national level, Reppenhagen believes that’s the definition of leadership. 

Berrin Erdogan appointed Personnel Psychology editor-in-chief

Management Professor Berrin Erdogan was selected for a three-year appointment as editor-in-chief of Personnel Psychology, a highly ranked, influential publication with international readership. The position is provided to an individual who is highly esteemed and has made a substantive contribution to the field through research

“Selection is a highly competitive process,” said Pam Tierney, associate dean of faculty and research at The School of Business. “Through her tenure with The Business School, Berrin has consistently exemplified quality and commitment to research, and we are extremely proud to have her as part of our research community.”

Erdogan joined the editorial board of Personnel Psychology in 2007 and served as associate editor 2014-2016. The journal focuses on applied research in the area of organizational behavior, human resource management and industrial-organizational psychology. 

“I am honored to have been chosen for this role,” said Erdogan. “Ensuring that articles submitted to the journal are treated with due process and receive timely and developmental feedback is crucially important for the future of our science and for the careers of scholars submitting to the journal. I realize the importance of this responsibility and I am excited about serving my profession in this capacity.”

Erdogan has worked at PSU since 2002 and has been acknowledged and honored for the contributions of her work through other highly selective appointments, including as a SIOP (Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology) Fellow and APS (Association for Psychological Science) Fellow.

A legacy of engagement, hard work and impact: Gerry B. Cameron, 1938-2020

The value of PSU business alumni cannot be overstated. PSU graduates go out into the world and truly change it for the better, and the alumni community is vital to the college’s evolution and growth. And yet, among such an incredible pool of contributors, Gerry Cameron managed to stand out.

Coming from humble beginnings, Cameron was no stranger to hard work and perseverance. He began a lifelong career in banking in 1956 with US Bank’s work-college program. Cameron met his wife, Marilyn, while at the University of Oregon and working at the bank. They married in 1961 before Cameron transferred to The School of Business at PSU. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1962 and stepped into various roles with US Bank, ultimately serving as CEO and Chairman of the Board from 1994-1998.

On June 7, 2020, Cameron passed away at the age of 82. His legacy at PSU will continue long beyond his years. Cameron believed in giving back to the teachers, mentors and community that gave him a hand up at the beginning of his career. He and Marilyn donated to the Karl Miller Center Building Fund; established the largest endowed scholarship at The School of Business, supporting at least eight students a year; and funded an endowed professorship that supports PSU's mission to attract exceptionally talented faculty and support their research. Most recently, the Camerons committed $1 million to kick-start a campus-wide initiative for Portland Professorships — annually expended faculty support that further celebrates scholarly excellence.

Cameron was involved with numerous civic organizations and boards throughout his career, including PSU Foundation, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Tektronix, United Way of the Columbia-Willamette, King County United Way and the Oregon Symphony. He also served on the Federal Reserve Board of San Francisco, as well as on the boards of its Seattle and Portland branches. The School of Business recognized Cameron’s extensive contributions with an honorary degree in 2017.

The School of Business community is deeply saddened at Cameron’s passing, and is forever proud and grateful to be a part of his lasting legacy. Cameron will be remembered for his humor, incredible storytelling, high integrity and love for his family, including his beloved wife, Marilyn. The Cameron family has been instrumental in our school’s evolution and Cameron’s support shows the impact alumni can have — we know he will continue to inspire students and faculty long into the future.