I am honored to be your instructor and look forward to facilitating your journey.

Communication is the key to a successful experience. I encourage you to ask questions, make comments and engage in discussion and I will do the same.

My expectations of you are simple. Be present and participate, be focused and engaged in the process, be prepared and on time with your assignments. Take ownership of your work; make substantive and comprehensive contributions in and out of the classroom.

You will find greater success if you reach beyond the standard. This course is all about you. You will get out of it what you put in to it. The more you participate and honestly investigate your assignments, the more you will benefit. You have the potential to develop skills and acquire tools through the assignments and the readings in this course that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Take advantage of the opportunity to learn and grow.

I have lived in four states, which almost coincides with the phases of my life and career. Started life in NY -- born in Brooklyn, raised on Long Island (the early years phase). Moved on to CT for college and my first career as a school librarian (the school years phase) -- in case you're wondering about it -- had hair down to my waist, but no bun! Next stop was Massachusetts for the start of my career in business and a degree in business (the business phase). I am now in FL, which was quite a culture shock after living in the Northeast all my life. I told friends I was beating the Baby Boomer rush and trading in a bad winter for a bad summer. I was recruited for a position in FL, but after a few years, I started my own business (my entrepreneur phase) -- and went back to my first love --teaching (trading school kids for college students).

I have more than 25 years of marketing experience and 35 years of management experience in both the profit and not-for-profit sectors. Currently, I have my own marketing business, Mosaic Marketing on the Bay. I named my company Mosaic because I work with organizations to development and implement marketing strategies and tactics by pulling together all the pieces of their marketing. I am also a business coach. In August 1999, I began teaching college-level courses; in 2002, I started also teaching online.

Previously, I was Director of Marketing Communications and Events at AchieveGlobal (formerly known as Kaset International, Learning International, and Zenger Miller). I was also Director of Marketing at Organizational Dynamics, Inc in Burlington, MA and Director of Staff Development at the New England School Development Council in Sudbury, MA.

I started my career as a school library/media specialist in Simsbury, CT and quickly found myself the manager of all the school libraries. I had people on my team older than my mother, needless to say getting their respect was not easy. I also served as President of the Simsbury Education Association for four years where I implemented a new performance management system, negotiated contracts and resolved grievances. I was on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Education Association for four years where I chaired several committees, lobbied the state legislature on educational issues, and served as an elected state delegate to the National Education Association Convention.

My experience also includes: being a campaign manager for a winning state senate candidate, working on a successful US Senate campaign, and organizing an Executive Study Tour to visit Deming Prize winning companies in Japan.

I want you to know that I have two master's degrees, not to impress you, but as a way to illustrate that I understand the challenges of balancing work, school and life. My first master's is in Library Science. I started my degree immediately after graduating from college. Looking back, I believe I learned nothing. I just wanted to get through it and get the piece of paper. I started my MBA when I was 35 and working full time. I went to school four nights a week, for two years with a one-week break at Christmas and a two-week break in August. It was grueling. No books, no movies for two years -- and I love to read and go to the movies. But it is the best thing I ever did for me. And I learned two new methods for learning -- involving the student in the process and working in study teams. My love of life-long learning and personal growth began with my MBA experience.

When I realized I had earned a degree in every state I have lived (NY-- high school, CT -- BS and MLS, MA -- MBA) except FL, I decided I had better go back to school for another degree (DBA). 

In addition to running my business, coaching and teaching, I do volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House in Tampa and serve as a member of their speaker's bureau. I was previously the communications chairperson for the Tampa Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners. I served on the Board of Directors for the PACE Center for 8 years.

My newest hobby is Flash Mob dancing. I am a "chocoholic"

My BS in History and Masters of Library Science are from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven. My MBA is from Simmons College in Boston. My DBA is from Nova Southeastern University. My dissertation topic is Internal Branding in the Learning Industry.

I am available to you by phone or by appointment. Please reach out with any questions or concerns you may have. If you do not understand something, ASK! 

An educator (Neil Postman) said: children enter school as question marks and come out as periods. Go back to being a question mark and open your mind to learning!

Dr. Audrey

ellison.audrey@spcollege.edu