Influential Woman · Education

Gladys S.

PhD

Assistant Professor of Business & Business Division Lead, Warner Pacific University

Portland, OR

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Her Story

About Gladys

I come from a family of teachers - my mom was a teacher, my grandparents were teachers, and my younger sister is in education too. After earning my PhD, I asked myself where I could use this wealth of information and how I could share it with others. I wanted to influence and encourage young women to go all the way and not assume that a high school education or first degree is the end. Education seemed to be the natural way for me to go, and I also wanted something different that I would retire into. I work for Warner Pacific University, a Christ-centered institution, and one thing I really enjoy is that there's no judgment on me talking about my faith and being unapologetically Christian. I teach global business and bring real-life experiences from my corporate sector background into the classroom, showing students that what they're learning is not just theoretical but things that people live through. I'm focused on getting them ready for the workforce and showing them that the person responsible for their success is themselves. I also run an in-home care agency called Nissi Care, which I started in my second year. My focus is on companionship because loneliness is real, especially when people grow old. I love being there for people, the same way I'm there for my students. I'm currently writing my own book on global business and have been invited by Africa University in Zimbabwe to write a chapter called 'The Future of Education, AI Pathology and the Future of Teaching and Learning in Africa.'

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Gladys

01What do you attribute your success to?

My boys. I have two boys, and I want them to grow up to be good partners, good husbands. They must understand that a woman is as good as they are, and they must respect success whether it's a woman or a man. They must also be good leaders. Being the eldest girl in my family, I also had that pressure from my parents, and I'm glad I had that pressure, because the responsibility of making sure that my siblings were walking the straight and narrow was on me.

02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Faith is incredibly important to me. I work for a Christ-centered university, and one thing I really enjoy is that there's no judgment on me talking about my faith and being unapologetic about being a Christian. I always make reference to God and the Holy Spirit and how it plays a big role in my life. Being a good role model in everything I do is also very important - that's a big responsibility. I believe in showing students the reality of life, that life is not a movie, and you've got to be genuine and honest about who you are. I love helping people and being around people. Whether it's my students or the people I interact with through my entrepreneurship, being there for people is what matters to me.

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