police dispatcher

corporal

assistant professor

data governance analyst

staff assistant

American University

I have a very long commute which is the major driver for seeking a job change.  The academic environment is as challenging as you choose to make it.  I have made it challenging by creating two courses from a blank sheet of paper that I teach each semester.  This has been very gratifying.  One course is the subject of a book that will be published in October called "Learn from Failure: The Key to Successful Decision Making."  The second course, "Peace Through Entrepreneurship Practicum," will be the basis of my second book to be called "The Business of Peace."

Having the opportunity to innovate and re-invent myself is very important to me.  So is operating in a challenge environment and having the opportunity to learn.  I have created those opportunities for myself at American University (AU).

Academia is a very malleable environment.  There are many areas of opportunity to step up to a challenge through innovation.  This is especially true because one gets to do this in a vacuum.  It is not a risk taking culture at AU.  Quite the contrary.  It is risk averse.

I would be very comfortable leaving academia for the right opportunity.  Working hard is in my genes.  I love it.  I love a challenge.  I am a high energy guy who want to get thoughtfully conceived things done.  I have a ton of successful experience in change management.  I have led a very large, international organization as President of American Express Bank, that operated in over 30 countries and had over 3000 employees with $16 billion in assets.   

I have also worked as consultant both for a firm (Lobue Associates) and stand-alone.  I expect my book, "Learn from Failure..." to serve as a platform for speaking engagements and consulting.  However, that will not be enough to satisfy my thirst for challenge.

AU is great place to work if you land in the right department. Big on benefits, annual salary increases, very open to flexible work schedules and is environmentally engaged, one might just consider AU to be the perfect job nexus. 

Human Resources values the staff and invests greatly in making available opportunities to improve one's professional skills and general learning. It employs training and development coursework to help one evolve to the best professional one can be. HR employs performance based software (PMP) on the intranet to monitor personal progress over several performance metrics, which under some job titles can be somewhat ambiguous for some jobs, as there may be little room to improve. The process includes mandatory performance reviews by the management teams. 

The unfortunate hook in this process is the management teams, which, depending what department one is hired, may or may be "on board" with the entire university program. The management culture is based on nine fiefdoms that all too often are not inclined to work in an circumspect manner, in sharp contrast to the university's stated program. This structure, in my experience, is too inclined to look the other way, e.g, if the head of your division doesn't care about training, only a few select individuals receive training. That being said, I suppose every university has its own management challenges to contend with, and AU can be an exceptional experience for the right candidate.

Working as a Teaching Assistant at American University was a truly rewarding experience. A typical day involved grading assignments, holding office hours, and occasionally assisting in class discussions. The workload was manageable and well-organized, allowing me to balance my academic responsibilities effectively.

I learned how to communicate complex statistical concepts more clearly, provide constructive feedback, and support students with diverse learning needs. The management was extremely supportive and approachable, always encouraging both academic and personal growth.

The workplace culture was respectful, collaborative, and academically stimulating. There was never a stressful or overwhelming moment—the environment made it easy to stay motivated and contribute meaningfully.

The hardest part was occasionally dealing with last-minute grading deadlines, but even that was manageable with proper time planning. The most enjoyable part was seeing students improve and express appreciation for the help I provided.

I'm very grateful to American University for offering this opportunity as part of my assistantship funding. It was not only financially supportive but also personally enriching.



A typical day can be and often is fast past requiring changing of plans to meet immediate needs without failing to meet scheduled expectations of routine operations. To be effective a successful manager must listen carefully, be prepared to change direction on any planned or scheduled assignments. Follow up and clarify with customers and management any questions or concerns around request or assignments. A successful manger must establish a consistent respectful working relationship with customers, management, and co-workers. At times the most challenging can be explaining to the end user reasons for delayed delivery of completed projects, materials, or equipment. The most enjoyable is exceeding expectations, a satisfied customer, and knowing I have used every tool available to accomplish the task assigned to me.

On a daily basis maintain security equipment throughout the University. Kept track of all vendors who installed large scale installations. Attended meetings and report weekly progress Advised onsite customers on type of security equipment needed for their space. Looked into new security equipment that will cover the needs of the University and the safety of all the students. Took onsite training on how to use equipment.

After a security system has been installed, the next step would be to train the customer on how to use their security system in their space.

Repair and replace cameras and adjust for clarity of picture.

Access Control -- checked all electronic locks for proper operation.

Working at American University was an incredibly rewarding experience. The sense of community and shared purpose across departments is inspiring. Leadership genuinely values input from staff and actively supports professional growth through trainings, mentorship opportunities, and tuition benefits.

The campus itself is beautiful and promotes a healthy work-life balance with its green spaces and wellness initiatives. I always felt respected and heard, and the inclusive, forward-thinking culture makes it a place where diverse perspectives are not just welcomed, but celebrated.

Whether you're early in your career or looking to take the next step, AU provides an environment where you can thrive both personally and professionally. I continue to be proud that I worked at American University and was able to be part of a university that not only values education but also truly invests in its employees.

Horrible, racist neoliberal institution. Obsessed with aesthetic politics with no real substance. The opposite of progressive. Never heard anything good about the university from students. The faculty treat the staff like indentured servants. KSB in particular caters to white staff and white students primarily, and punishes anyone who speaks out about the microagressions and racism. KSB also employs an incredibly misogynistic jerk as the head of OIT who has never been reprimanded or called out for his behavior towards women. Watch out. Don't waste your time. They won't pay you enough or see you as an equal if you have melanin, but they will salivate at the thought of having you in their pictures to promote their fake 'diversity and inclusion' aesthetic.

The American University is a safe environment with friendly staff, faculty and students. The equipment and facilities are satisfactory. The culture at American University promotes education and growth.  Dedication is rewarded with advancement and respect. It has a family feeling and my co-workers are self respecting professionals. 
The job is conducted like a regular police department, just on a smaller scale. Calls for service are dispatched via radio and consist of criminal investigations, medical assistance and general police assistance.
Management is very experienced with backgrounds in major law enforcement agencies. 
The best part of the day are the friendships shared in the Department.

Working at American University offers a unique blend of opportunities and challenges. On the positive side, the campus culture is vibrant and inclusive, fostering a strong sense of community among staff, faculty, and students. The commitment to diversity and social justice is evident, making it a fulfilling place for those who value these principles. Additionally, the benefits are competitive, with ample professional development opportunities.

However, there are downsides to consider. The bureaucratic structure can sometimes slow down decision-making, leading to frustration among employees. Additionally, while many departments are well-resourced, others may face funding constraints that impact workload and project execution. The pace can be demanding, especially during peak academic seasons, which can lead to work-life balance challenges.

Our number one goal is to assist customers in resolving issues within the shortest possible time.  We process award, loans and advise students on various loan options and also repayments.

I have learnt a lost about financial aid, loans and also federal regulations.

Management is great they ensure everyone is comfortable in their position.

I have a dynamic group of co-workers from different nationalities. I therefore learn a lot from each other.

The hardest part is dealing with customers who fail to accept they do not qualify for aid. We try our best to make them understand and also provide them options.

Most enjoyable part is working with students/customers. I come in contact with a wide range of personalities and also happy when a customers leaves with their issue resolved to satisfaction

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Police dispatcher 10 salaries reported	$25.52 per hour
Corporal 5 salaries reported	$32.58 per hour
Assistant professor 3 salaries reported	$101,000 per year
Data governance analyst 1 salary reported	$61,500 per year
Staff assistant 2 salaries reported	$48,725 per year

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