Bishop thinks globally in business of teaching

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Submitted photo CSM professor Rex Bishop was named the 2009 Region 2 recipient of the Association of Business Schools and Programs' Teaching Excellence Award. Pictured with Bishop are students Catina Goldring, left, and James Payne. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story

Business education has a global connection for College of Southern Maryland Business and Marketing Professor Rex Bishop who won the 2009 Region 2 Association of Business Schools and Programs' Teaching Excellence Award. The award recognizes eight people who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom.

"Rex is a true professional and he contributes greatly to the college and our community. He is well-respected, energetic and one of the most student-oriented teachers we have on staff here at CSM," said Jeff Tjiputra, professor and chairman of CSM's business and technology division.

Bishop, who has been teaching at CSM for more than 24 years, said he enjoys "helping students discover the career of their choice and helping them learn the skills they will need to get into those careers.

"Employers are looking for the same skills in potential employees regardless of the economy."

He teaches five courses including introduction to business, human relations and business management at the Leonardtown campus.

"My teaching is application-based so in the introduction to business course, I focus on career projects with the students. We take career-interest inventories to discover what kind of jobs will be good for them. The students research one of those jobs and go through the whole process by creating a resume and cover letter. It may seem simple but a lot of students don't know what they want to do and going through the process gives them a direction to their studies," said Bishop. He encourages his students to take advantage of resources available at CSM's Career Services Center, including Destination Graduation and Beyond workshops that include mock interviews and career advice that Bishop participates in as a mentor.

For Bishop, preparing students means accepting who students are and doling out tried and true advice. "My motto is that students are where they are and you just have to encourage them to be their best self.

"Looking for a job is no different than it was before; you prepare yourself for the interview and sell yourself. Try to get the experience that you need through internships and cooperative education, take classes. Find jobs that are oriented toward your career even if you have to earn less money for a while. Business may be tough but you still need the same skills despite the competition," he said, adding that competition is no longer just local.

"Business is becoming an international operation. Soon, no matter where you work you are going to be interconnected with at least one other nation. Having international knowledge broadens the horizons of our students and shows them the world beyond their local perspective. I teach a lot of culture in relationship to business principles. Learning about culture is important because cultural background really influences how people conduct business. We take culture into perspective to discuss topics like how Wal-Mart operates compared to a traditional Chinese market. How NAFTA fits into the concepts of exporting and importing. How and why states, such as Maryland, attract international business. We also talk a lot about how the Internet has changed management practices and how we learn," Bishop said.

As for receiving the award, he notes that it is "always nice to get a pat on the back and be recognized" but that his greatest reward comes from his work. "ACBSP is the one organization that is really dedicated to business education. My love and interest is in teaching so I like going to the conference every year and learning how to be a better teacher and administrator," he said.

Bishop will be recognized along with seven other regional recipients at the ACBSP's 2009 annual conference in June in San Antonio, with one regional recipient to be announced as the recipient of the International Teaching Excellence Award. The ACBSP has more than 585 members in 25 countries and eight regions. Maryland is included in Region 2 with Delaware, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

A resident of King George, Va., Bishop previously taught at Germanna Community College. A graduate of Arlington High School, he is the son of John Bishop and the late Rhea Bishop of Heritage Manor in Findlay, Ohio.

He received both a bachelor's and a master's degree at Bowling Green State University in Ohio.