Roel Galvan MAOM '01
From student to teacher, Roel Galvan, is still learning. Galvan is a graduate of Bluffton鈥檚 first Master of Arts in Organizational Management cohort. Now, alongside his position as director of employee relations and training at Sauder Woodworking in Archbold, Ohio, Galvan teaches four classes in Bluffton鈥檚 degree-completion program for working adults.
What might come as a surprise to some of his students is that Galvan鈥檚 most nerve-wracking experiences from his time as a graduate student revolve around public speaking. He remembers being videotaped and critiqued while presenting in front of his cohort.
鈥淎lthough it was intimidating at first, it helped me to stand in front of a group and to be able to confidently speak,鈥 said Galvan.
He certainly benefited from the support of peers and professors.
鈥淲hat鈥檚 great about Bluffton鈥檚 program is it isn鈥檛 cutthroat. It鈥檚 about learning from each other鈥攚hether you鈥檙e in the bachelor鈥檚 or master鈥檚 program鈥攖here are no right or wrong answers,鈥 said Galvan. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not as much about tests and memorizing, it鈥檚 what we learn from each other that sticks, and I鈥檓 still learning from the students I鈥檓 teaching now.鈥
Looking to bolster his resume, Galvan enrolled in Bluffton鈥檚 newly envisioned program in 2000 and earned his MAOM in 2002. He鈥檚 worked at Sauder for the last 27 years and was promoted while he was earning his master鈥檚.
鈥淚 could have been satisfied with my bachelor鈥檚 degree, but I wanted to go to the next level.鈥
Life was hectic for those two years. Galvan had an 8-year-old and a 4-year-old when he entered the program and by the time he graduated, a third child had been added to the family with a fourth on the way. But he was adamant about finishing.
鈥淚 drove down to Bluffton for two years. I left my job at 4:30 in the evening once a week to have class from 6-10 p.m. and I wouldn鈥檛 get home until 11 or 11:30 p.m.,鈥 said Galvan, 鈥渂ut the outcome was obviously a positive for me.鈥
Galvan also uses the leadership skills obtained at Bluffton as a member of the Archbold School Board and the Archbold Chamber of Commerce.
鈥淲ithin the community, I鈥檝e become more involved in different programs. I think going through Bluffton's program and earning my master鈥檚 has expanded my horizons,鈥 said Galvan who often hears from the community when difficult decisions are made on either of the boards.
鈥淵ou have to know how to navigate situations with a certain temper and you have to understand people,鈥 he explained. 鈥淢ost of the time you have to learn to listen first before talking.鈥 Looking back on the last 15 years, Galvan said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 opened a lot of doors and for that I鈥檓 grateful.鈥