Bryant University faculty fast-track course in response to COVID-19 pandemic

Successful "Navigating a Crisis" course reflects Bryant's culture of innovation

Smithfield, RI (03/24/2021) — If one thing is clear in these unprecedented times, it is that every organization must be able to quickly and effectively adapt to a changing marketplace - and world. Higher education is no exception.

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Bryant faculty and leaders recognize that the fast-changing world and unpredictable future demands more of graduates than ever before. They understand the importance of creating an organization nimble enough to allow for more rapid and effective responses to the demands of the marketplace and society. Bryant's culture encourages continuous innovation and creativity in developing courses and programs to better serve students.

Meeting the moment

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryant faculty teamed up last summer to develop a new course designed to prepare students to face the many obstacles caused by a global health crisis, or any other unexpected crisis. They created Navigating a Crisis in just eight weeks to be ready for the fall semester.

In addition to addressing the events of 2020, the course tackled the leadership, communications, economic, and financial challenges associated with an unexpected crisis. An interdisciplinary group of faculty members (listed below) each led an in-depth discussion based on his or her area of expertise.

"We looked at the pandemic from many angles, from a range of disciplines," said Michael Roberto, D.B.A., Trustee Professor of Management, who led the development of the course.

One of the many distinctive elements of the class was students and alumni took the course together. Each student was paired with an alumnus who, in addition to participating as a student, served as a mentor throughout the semester. "There are a lot of ways that alumni interact with students, but this was different," said Roberto.

Innovating by example

In his recent article "Innovating by Example," for the March issue of AACSB Insights (Formerly BizEd), a digital publication of AACSB International, Roberto wrote that the Navigating a Crisis course "explored how leaders can cope with and learn from adversity."

"The pandemic has made it clear that higher education must adapt to and confront societal challenges in real time, rather than simply examining and analyzing past situations long after the fact," says Roberto. "Business schools can't wait for months or years to adjust our curricula in the face of a turbulent world. We have to respond nimbly to disasters and other events so we can show students how leaders react to emergencies."

"An overwhelming success"

The response to the course was exceptionally positive. One student called it "an overwhelming success" that "needs to be taught more often." Other feedback included, "The current application of this course in real time was fascinating." "We are living during unique times, and it was great to see a course that highlights this." "I loved this course. I really enjoyed each and every discussion and the exposure to different disciplines and perspectives from both alumni and students."

Navigating a Crisis faculty:

The course instructors represented diverse industries, including labor markets, banking, financial technology, supply chain, and leadership.

• Laura Beaudin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics
• Allison Butler, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology
• Lori Coakley, Ph.D., Professor of Management
• Robert Massoud, MBA, Lecturer of Management
• Teresa McCarthy, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing
• Peter Nigro, Ph.D., Professor of Finance and Sarkisian Chair in Financial Services
• Kathryn Ostermeier, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Management
• Michael Roberto, D.B.A., Trustee Professor of Management
• Edinaldo Tebaldi, Ph.D., Professor of Economics

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