Associate Professor, Integrated Business
Posted on November 30, 2023
Ms. Ghada Baz is a world traveling paraglider who always looks to expand her business knowledge abroad through her network and soak in the aspects of new cultures. Learn more about Ms. Baz below:
How long have you been a Knight and what are some of your favorite memories? 12 years, I started in the Fall of 2011. The creative work I did with my colleagues to establish the Integrated Business department is one of my favorite memories. We started out as a small team from different departments, and we collaborated on every aspect of the new program from learning outcomes to branding. It was a fulfilling and fun experience.
What is your area of research? My interest areas in research include leadership, teams, diversity and individual differences, as well as workplace incivility.
What do you find love about what you do? The transformation in knowledge and skill that I see in my students every semester. I enjoy the moment they realize how much they have learned at the end of the semester when they put together their final reports and see the range of tolls and techniques they learned. When they stay in touch after graduation, I enjoy following their growth especially when they pursue careers in areas related to my class.
What do you find most rewarding about your field of study? My dual focus on management and industrial and organizational psychology gives me many opportunities to work on exciting and rewarding topics. Specifically, I find project management to be a universally useful platform for accessing a wide range of highly technical fields. It has applications in various industries and even in personal life. What I find exciting about industrial and organizational psychology is that it objectively quantifies psychological experiences at work, which makes it possible to study human behavior in ways that are not accessible otherwise.
Any professional awards or honors you’re proud of? I received the teaching incentive award twice, was recognized by Dean Paul Jarley for “Most Transformative Moment” and was recognized for promoting affordable course material and creating a course with no additional cost for students.
When you’re not in the classroom where can you be found? I enjoy paragliding and traveling with my family.
What’s a little known fact about you? I am only a few months away from earning a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the UCF College of Sciences. Also, my past work experiences span three different countries. I consider myself a citizen of the world and I always seek opportunities to expand my understanding of different cultures and build bridges through collaboration across my network.
What’s your advice for Business Knights? In this day and age, it is becoming increasingly important to possess technical and quantitative skills. Making data-driven decisions has become more accessible and those with relevant skills have an advantage over others. At the same time, it is important to recognize that every single day you interact with others, you are building your personal brand. Do not postpone presenting yourself in the best light. Your teammates in college may be your future coworkers, and every day is an opportunity to build a social capital that will help you in the future.