Lifelong Learning @Mays

Never before has there been as much data created as there is today. Though we are overloaded with information, we can easily be deprived of learning. Those who synthesize the firehose of data into action and activate their muscle of lifelong learning become an active part of the vision of Mays Business School: “To Advance the World’s Prosperity.”

“Individuals who are committed to lifelong learning take responsibility for their own future – they ‘own’ their future – rather than saying the future is going to have conditions that will dictate what they can or cannot do,” said Acting Mays Dean, Duane Ireland. “The person who is learning continuously through life is going to be one who proactively takes action to shape a career as well as their own personal satisfaction and fulfillment. This approach also enhances a leader’s skill in encouraging and showing their team how to take responsibility for their own individual growth and development.”

If 2020 taught the world anything it is that change is inevitable and that learning through change, whether personal or organizationally, is critical to changing successfully. “Change management is an integral part of lifelong learning through being able to identify, embrace, and adapt to change,” said Dr. Ben Welch, the Executive Director of Client Engagement at Mays Business School’s Center for Executive Development (CED).

Mays’ administrators, faculty, and staff seek to develop a passion for learning while understanding the role a posture of learning plays in navigating this rapidly changing world – and that higher education is at an inflection point. “To be successful in academia, faculty members need to be open to exploring new ideas, to think deeply about their work, and to communicate their understanding through research and teaching,” Ireland said. “This creates a continual feedback loop that offers rich insights that inform not only students in the classroom, but also business leaders, policymakers, and other interested stakeholders.”

To that end, this type of approach to lifelong learning is intentionally embedded into Mays Strategic Plan’s strategic initiatives and found at the core of every course, program, and activity. This commitment includes:

• Research: Seeking opportunities to advance knowledge by studying leading-edge issues and disseminating the findings widely.
• Teaching: Encouraging the activation of an attitude of learning through teaching and structuring the learning experience to offer maximum benefits to students.
• Transformational Leadership: Creating transformational leaders through various avenues, including Mays’ highly respected Center for Executive Development (CED), which provides leadership training and support to organizations and their people.
• Vibrant Learning Organization: Developing innovative learning environments that foster relationships and share knowledge, such as Mays’ Faculty/Staff Learning Community and future Business Education Complex.

Ultimately, the continual practice of learning throughout a lifetime provides the opportunity to reap great benefits. “Lifelong learning is important because it stretches us to expand our knowledge and makes us more grounded,” said Welch. “Whether we use this knowledge is ultimately up to us. However, no one can take this learning away from us.”