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Campus News - August 20, 2001 |
Spotlight
Stephens advances career with lifelong learning philosophy
By Steve Carr
Mimi
Stephens has a unique philosophy about education and it goes hand in hand with
her position as Department Administrator in Electrical and Computer Engineering
(EECE).
I think learning is a lifelong experience, says Stephens. It
doesnt stop when you earn a degree.
Stephens was raised and educated in Europe where she spent 21 of her most formative
years. Her father was an opera singer and her mother a writer. Stephens was
exposed to schooling in four different countries, learning French, German and
Italian. Adapting to each countrys educational system was the foundation
for her philosophy on lifelong learning. About every five years I had
to assimilate into a new culture, learn a new language, and adjust to a new
school system, Stephens explained. It was definitely an exercise
in flexibility!
Even though Stephens has a masters degree in business administration,
she feels the intellectual stimulation she receives from the classroom is a
benefit to her, the department she works in, and also to the University.
Stephens has focused much of her continuing education in business administration,
and continues to take courses in the field. She has taken nearly all of the
certificate programs from the Management Development Center (MDC) at the Anderson
Schools of Management including Leading and Coaching, Quality Management, Global
Management, Nonprofit Management, Advanced Management and Management Practices:
The Strategic Management of Human Resources.
Its stimulating to be surrounded by people who create knowledge
and work in the world of ideas. It helps me broaden my horizons both intellectually
and personally, said Stephens. I think that is the main reason I
enjoy working at UNM. Continuing my education is a combination of my own enjoyment
and intellectual curiosity. Plus, its also part of my job to stay current
with the latest practices in management.
Stephens has used the courses shes taken throughout her 13 years at UNM
to advance her career. She spent 11 years in the UNM Anthropology Department
before moving into her current position in EECE. One of the MDC courses, Strategic
Management, helped Stephens be an active participant in developing the EECE
departments strategic plan.
Shortly after I started in EECE, the new Chair, Dr. Christos Christodoulou,
said he wanted to create a strategic plan for the department, Stephens
said. I had recently taken the Strategic Management course with Dr. Linda
Stromei, who was such an exceptional teacher with a talent for educating adults
who are in full stride in their careers. I was ready to jump right in with two
feet and help the EECE department with the process.
I would encourage all staff to take courses. They are right at our doorstep for the taking, Stephens said.
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