Assistant Professor, Management/ International Business

Education:
Ph.D., George Washington University
M.B.A., George Washington University
B.B.A., George Washington University

Research/Teaching Interests: Refining strategic purpose and direction; management processes; facilitating formulation and execution of implementation approaches

Professionally Speaking: “The Executive MBA students energize me and drive me to be a better teacher.”

Personally Speaking: “Loyola is a very positive place to work and to teach. The environment is supportive with a balanced approach to teaching, research, and service.”

Spotlight
Jeff Cummings’ Executive MBA classes frequently mirror the strategy sessions he facilitates for his management consulting clients. He uses the same tools, frameworks, and agendas to guide his students through the subject matter at hand, identifying strategic priorities and objectives and executing detailed tactical approaches.

“There are very tight connections between my teaching interests, my research, and my consultancy practice,” he explains. “In the EMBA classes, I am teaching professionals who strive toward executive positions and I treat them as such.”

In Cummings’ classroom, students learn the realities and responsibilities of executive level management. Projects are designed in ways that make delegation an important ingredient of success and students must focus on the translation and dissemination process that will ensure that middle managers can execute their plans.

In the ensuing discussions, Cummings is impressed by the vast pools of knowledge that his students can tap into.

“I learn in every class,” he says. “The students are able to share keen insights and knowledge with one another. I’m there to give structure to the exchange.”

Loyola’s Executive MBA program has a reputation for building a strong sense of camaraderie and creating networking opportunities for its students. For Cummings, this experience is pervasive throughout Loyola.

“As you might imagine, I adopted a strategic approach when I was considering teaching positions,” he says. “Loyola has an intangible quality; a different atmosphere and attitude. It has what I was looking for.”