Ashley Johansen is the new assistant professor of business and the director of degree completion. This semester she is teaching classes in management, organizational behavior and leadership. Get to know professor Johansen by reading her answers below.
What does a typical day as a professor look like for you?
A typical day consists of preparing for class lectures, working with other faculty, attending meetings, and more lesson planning at the end of the day. It’s a job that never really has an end time but there is so much meaning in the work that it doesn’t even matter.
Where did you work before coming to Bluffton?
A: I worked at UNOH [University of Northwestern Ohio] in Lima. I have been a university instructor since 2013. I also served in public accounting for many years.
Q: What is something that drew you to Bluffton University?
The people that work here; they seem to have that same mindset of wanting to help others succeed. Once I came here, I realized that the students were the same way.
What is the most fulfilling part of being an educator at Bluffton University?
Being able to discuss faith and life as a part of business education. These things are not separate entities– they are all connected in how we run a business, how we treat people, lead others and share decency and kindness to others.
Most interesting part of your job ?
Each day is different. When you first meet a class you don’t know the students but by the end you have these amazing working relationships with them. They start to open up and have this great connection with the class and their classmates. It’s an amazing thing watching students transform throughout a course and throughout their college education.
Favorite spot on campus ?
In the department with the other business faculty. There’s such a great group in this department. The conversations are great and there is always someone there to help out.
Hobbies?
I love to ride my bike in the summer and be a part of book clubs.
