Mike Pitcher’s Post

Are you moving onto college this September? Check out this blog from our Young Ambassador, Ryan, about his experience of 'heading out to college'👇 https://lnkd.in/eU4yWJDQ

Finding our focus and refining our purpose at OAA.

It was an honor to serve as Keynote Speaker for the Class of 2024 at Clarksburg High School. One key message I would like all to take with them along their journey, ... "Be who you are and be that well.” I have reminded every class of students of the following words:  “Be careful of your thoughts because your thoughts become your words; Be careful of your words because your words become your actions; Be careful of your actions because your actions become your habits; Be careful of your habits because your habits become your character; Be careful of your character because your character becomes your destiny.” But if you can’t remember all that, just remember four words.  Be Good. Do Good. BE – Good. DO – Good. Listen to the full speech here... (go to 1:36:00)

Did you know that SMU offers an Atlantic Canadian Studies master's program? It's an interdisciplinary program, and it may be the right one for you! Check out Grace Tarrant's article to learn what exactly this program is all about. https://lnkd.in/gPBv-G4g

I wish you way more than luck. Graduation season - the time of year that school board directors shake a lot of graduating seniors' hands! The funny thing is, hardly any of the students or families have any idea who we are. The emotions, excitement, Elgar, and aspirations for the future fill the air - and long-winded speeches, well-meant advice, dramatic eye-rolling, and open-mouthed snoozing. It's ALL of the traditions of a graduation. Amid all the advice given to graduates, there is one commencement speech that I make sure to revisit annually - David Foster Wallace's famous "This is Water" speech.  Wallace's speech is a poignant reminder that true freedom and fulfillment come not from external achievements, but from cultivating awareness and conscious choice in how we think and experience the world around us. He challenges graduates to break free from the "default settings" of self-centeredness, automatic judgments, and unconscious blind spots that so often cause frustration and unhappiness. Instead, Wallace calls for continually exercising the difficult work of adjusting our natural defaults - looking for new perspectives, considering others' unseen struggles, and being present to the "capital-T Truth" that lies in the most mundane moments. As he states, "The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them...every day." If you haven't listened to or read "This is Water," I highly recommend it as a challenging yet inspiring call to live. I'd love to hear your thoughts as well! What commencement speeches or advice have stayed with you over the years? My second graduation reminder to myself is linked in the comments. https://lnkd.in/eXjvjbrY

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be a part of Bay Path University and Cambridge College. Today is a transformational day for all of us here. I am incredibly proud of our fidelity to our missions, our commitment to the communities we serve, our teammates, and our impact on higher education. #StrongerTogether I am also grateful for you, Sandra J. Doran, Michael Giampietro, Kathleen Bourque, Natalia Blank, PhD, Stephen Healey, Niti Seth, Dennis J. Madigan, CMA, our Board of Trustees, and the rest of the teams that trusted me to lead Phase 1 of the acquisition. We did it! Special kudos to the Phase 1 project team; I am a better professional for working with you: Jeremy Anderson, Jessica Sabbagh (rock star), Brittany Riley, MBA, and Susan Poglinco, PhD (and the Core team). I am even more grateful for the continued confidence in me and our super-talented project team as we lead the next phase of this process: Tracy McLaughlin, Shirley Montovani, Madison McGrath, Jonathan Besse, and Susan Poglinco, PhD. Thank you for being tremendous partners, thought leaders, and accountability partners. I am super excited about the work ahead. Collectively, we will think holistically about what it means to serve students, how to continue to make a profound and lasting impact in our communities, and how to transform ourselves and our organization. #BayPathUniversityProud. #CambridgeCollegeProud. #Transformation.

What can TV shows and movies teach us about conflict in family businesses? A lot! Marco Mismetti visited my D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University family business class yesterday ("Examining Family Business Dynamics Through Film") to help us analyze families in shows like The Godfather, Bob's Burgers and CAKE BOSS SA and to teach the class about effective conflict management. Thank you Marco for a great day! I look forward to working together on our conflict in family businesses research! #entrepreneurshipeducation #familybusiness

Domenica Perrone’s Domenica Perrone pursuit of higher education is a story of determination, resilience, and the transformative power of learning. Born in Ecuador and immigrating to New Jersey at the age of two, Domenica was driven by a deep-seated desire to attend college, influenced by her family’s unwavering support and her own passion for knowledge. This article is a follow-up to Latinas and Education: Breaking Barriers and Shaping Futures to highlight the personal story of Latinas: https://lnkd.in/eJZA-YqH https://lnkd.in/e_9CUwti

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