University Magazine Issue 1

V I R G I N I A I N T E R N A T I O N A L U N I V E R S I T Y
UNIVERSITY
M A G A Z I N E I S S U E 1
PREPARING
GLOBAL LEADERS
15 Years of Excellence
16. A Day in the Life of a VIU Student
KOHEITA NAGAI
37. Experience
MEETING OBAMA
46. Technology
SMART GADGETS
www.viu.edu

TABLE OF CONTENTS
VIU.EDU
Spring 2014
Contents
SPOTLIGHT
ON
Rising Cost of Education
54
With education prices soaring and new online
programs starting daily what will happen to the
cost of education?
14
25
44
BEYOND MARKETING:
Power of Logo
We know how much companies are worth, but
what is the real value of the corporate logo?
Get a Mentor!
What’s the best career step
you could possibly make?
Choosing the right mentor
OVERCOMING OBSTACLES:
Manar Alhazmi
Read the inspiring story of a
young Saudi Arabian girl who
beat the odds to study in America
p25
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
No Boundaries
Learn about VIU’s global network
A Letter to
My Friend
Scholarship student Tamara
Strupp shares her story
MBA
Purple Cow:
How to differentiate
yourself from the pack
and get hired!
FAQ:
Everything you ever
wanted to know
about VIU
p32
32
36
40
62
UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
Volume 1, 2014
PRESIDENT
Dr. Isa Sarac
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Katherine Magalif
PUBLISHER
Ariunaa Dashtsogt
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Emily Leighty
CONTRIBUTING STAFF
John L. Bennett
Dr. Michael Ross
Dr. Mark Robinson
Dr. Stephen Onu
Dr. Johnson Kinyua
Dr. Rebecca Sachs
Niler Mutlu
Qurat Zameer
Connie Lee
Claire Gimble
Lauren Pollard
Shilpa Sainath
Busanee Kithararak
Yannal Rawashde
Prashish Shrestha
Kevin Martin
Dr. Joseph Huber
Christina L. Koonts
Pornkamol Prinyaruk
Alifuzzaman AHM
DESIGNERS
Ling Chich Lee
Idris Ulas
Piyawut Kidmungtangdee
MARKETING MANAGER
Leon Liu
EDITORIAL OFFICE
11200 Waples Mill Rd Suite 360, Fairfax, VA,
Phone: 703-591-7042 Fax: 703-591-7048
For advertising, please contact
magazine@viu.edu
A NOTE TO READERS
The views expressed in the articles are the authors’
and not necessarily those of University Magazine or
Virginia International University.
No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photo copy, recording, or any information
storage and retrieval system, without written permission.
Copyright © 2014 Virginia International University. All rights reserved.
4 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014
Printed in the U.S.A.

FROM THE PRESIDENT
VIU.EDU
Dreams Made Possible
Dear Readers,
When I founded Virginia International University 15 years ago, it was with a goal
to prepare young people to be global leaders by providing them with the highest
level of excellence in education in a safe and diverse environment. I am so proud
of the achievements of all of our students and alumni, and for the support of dedicated
faculty, staff, colleagues and friends who made my dream possible.
DR. SARAC
Today, I am especially honored to present to you University Magazine, just in
time for our 15 year anniversary. This special edition will show you a picture of
VIU life, both inside and outside the classroom, as well as the latest hot topics in
education, business, technology and international affairs.
During the last year, I traveled to several Asian countries Taiwan, Mongolia and
Japan to meet with educators and expand our collaborations with other institutions
throughout the world. You may read more about VIU’s collaboration efforts
in “VIU Goes Global” pg. 58. As I was traveling, one of the most common questions
asked was what a student’s daily life is actually like in America. In this issue,
you will get your answer in “A Day in the Life” pg. 16, where our team followed
Koheita Nagai, a Japanese VIU student, as he went about his daily routine.
Elsewhere in this issue, some of our leading professors share their views on HR
strategy “Bad Apples” pg. 38, college education “Sustainable Success” pg. 6 and the
latest technology “Smart Gadgets” pg. 46. One of my most rewarding experiences
this semester was sitting down with one of our students who overcame great odds
to continue her education; you can read all about her journey in “Overcoming
Obstacles” pg. 44.
Again, it is truly gratifying to see that achieving my dream of creating an excellent
educational institution makes possible the dreams of so many of our students. I
look forward to seeing what they will achieve and how VIU will grow in the next
15 years.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy this first issue of University Magazine.
Sincerely,
Dr. Isa Sarac
President
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
5

HIGHER EDUCATION
As a lifelong advocate of education and higher education
and as a university professor and dean, when asked by
students, friends, or anyone else if a college education is
still necessary for achieving success, my answer is always a
resounding YES!
Although popular culture has disillusioned millions into
thinking a college education is a thing of the past, and
like any Kardashian, LeBron James, or even Bill Gates,
it is possible to be widely successful without a college
degree, what the media, television, and pop culture cannot
reimage is how the success of these few individuals
represents only a drop in the bucket in comparison to
the number of individuals who have realized success
because of their college education.
Additionally, in spite of all their fame and fortune, too
often individuals who gain meteoric success through
their talent, notoriety, or infamy often experience
greater difficulty maintaining their acquired, perhaps
even unearned, success or effectively managing their
success. Clear examples of this are lottery winners,
child celebrities, or athletes who at one time accumulated
great wealth and fame but were unable to
maintain or manage the many trappings associated
with the money or fame. Hence the old saying
“A fool and his money are soon parted.”
Though successful people who gained success
through their educational endeavors are not immune
to failure, because of their academic training and
exposure to a comprehensive education inclusive
of the humanities, arts, economics, and sciences,
college-educated individuals are more equipped in
handling the nuances of success.
By Dr. Michael C. Ross
WHEN YOU KNOW BETTER,
YOU ARE ABLE TO DO BETTER.
© JENNY SCHUCK | DREAMSTIME STOCK PHOTOS
6 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014
The ability to manage success and all its trappings
because you are better equipped to do so can even
be seen among those whose success may not be
based on their education. Among professional
athletes who have experienced great deals of
financial success, those who manage to retire financially
stable and to develop revenue streams
other than their player earnings and avoid serious
legal, financial, ethical, and moral issues are
more likely to be college educated than not.
Is a college education still necessary for achieving success?

VIU.EDU
Dr. Ross is the Dean of the School of Business at VIU. He received his Ph.D. from the University
of Alabama. Prior to coming to VIU, Dr. Ross was with George Mason University.
REDEFINING SUCCESS
Large salaries, expensive cars and homes, and
other accessories typically associated with having
money are only a few of the commonly accepted
indicators of success. Others may consider being
well known and having national and international
notoriety as aspects of success. What few
correlate with success is the aspect of sustainability—being
able to maintain one’s existence,
redevelop, and even redefine your existence as
necessary. Unlike some of the other paths to
success previously mentioned, success gained
through a college education represents a truly
sustainable form of success.
The first message college graduates emit is
their ability to be trained. Through earning a
college degree, employers are aware of your malleability
and that your talents and abilities can be
used in many different ways. College graduates
have demonstrated they possess a spectrum
of knowledge and understanding. The breadth
of knowledge achieved through earning a college
degree affords college graduates an added
advantage in the analysis, comprehension, and
problem-solving of complex issues non-college
graduates typically lack. The process of earning
a college degree is as valuable as the knowledge
gained from the process.
In the U.S., having a college degree places graduates
in the unique position of representing less
than 27 percent of the entire population who are
of age to be college educated. When examining
the college- graduate trends among minorities
and women, this percentage is commonly
reduced to mid-range single digits.
As with most rare and highly valued objects such
as diamonds, gold, and oil, a college degree is a
commodity that is not only rare but one which
also improves the student holistically. And for
those who are considering the odds and looking
to place a safe bet, statistically speaking, earning
a college degree is more likely to provide you
with a lifetime of security than having your own
reality TV show, marriage, or even hitting the
lottery.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
7

AT A GLANCE
Preparing
Global Leaders
15 Years of Excellence
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
15th Anniversary
ESTABLISHED 1998
Global leaders possess an exceptional set of characteristics which make them stand out and enable them to succeed.
Three key factors help educate young people and empower them to become future global leaders. First, it takes a special
vision and a visionary who can guide those young people and all those impacting them. Second, it takes a unique
environment that challenges students and feels safe at the same time. Finally, it takes a culture of success, in which
leadership skills are nurtured in a practical way. VIU has been preparing students to be global leaders from its very
founding 15 years ago. Here is the story of our accomplishments at a glance.
THE VISIONARY
VIU founder Dr. Isa Sarac, has been involved in the
higher education field for most of his life. Holding
multiple graduate-level degrees, Dr. Sarac has
been a professor, a researcher, an education publisher
and a university founder. Having already
started a successful university in London, he wanted
to replicate and improve on that experience in
the United States. When Dr. Isa Sarac founded Virginia
International University (VIU) in 1998, he did
so with a set of core values that still serve as the
foundation of VIU today. Those values of openness,
diversity, innovation and peace-building
come out of Dr. Sarac’s conviction that education
is the main tool to build peace throughout the
world. By founding an institution of higher education
wherein students can come from diverse national,
cultural, and social backgrounds and study
alongside each other in the classroom, Dr. Sarac
has truly made this vision a reality. Today, VIU is
a place where there is real freedom to exchange
ideas and grow together.
THE GROWTH
Since 1998, when VIU officially opened its doors
and began achieving the goal of providing the
highest quality of education, it has shown consistent
growth. An institution that began with a
handful of students in the Fall 1999 semester had
25 times more students by Fall 2005! In 2010,
VIU’s students more than doubled again, representing
more than 50 countries across the globe.
In this same year, VIU opened the School of Online
Education. Students can now enroll in, study,
and earn a degree or certificate from all over the
world, both here on our campus in the Washington,
DC metropolitan area, and through our online
classrooms. Many new in-demand programs
have been launched along the way as numbers of
students, faculty and staff increased.
UNIVERSITY
TIMELINE
8 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014
VIU was granted authority
to start an MBA
Program by SCHEV.
1998
VIU was incorporated
as a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization and received
authorization to
offer programs in business
and computer science
by SCHEV
1999
VIU opened BBA and
BCS undergraduate degree
programs.
VIU was authorized by
SCHEV to offer an MS in
Information System.
2000 2003

VIU.EDU
Cover students with Dr. Isa Sarac, Founder and President of VIU (From the left: Taylor
Harry, Anu Tsogtbayar, Dr. Isa Sarac, Laetitia Damase, Ali Dahmani)
THE COMMITMENT
VIU is committed to providing a better education
for a better world. Through a student-centered
approach, we provide the most positive environment
for learning available anywhere. Our
programs are structured to allow students great
flexibility in the design and direction of their own
studies. As part of our commitment to give back
to the community, students are encouraged to
apply for a variety of scholarships and to work in
the university as student representatives in their
field. This provides them with practical, hands-on
knowledge that they can take with them into the
real world.
THE GLOBAL SUCCESS
Throughout their time at VIU, our students’ leadership
skills are developed and nurtured, and they
graduate fully prepared to make a positive difference
in their communities as they enter the workforce.
Our success can be seen in the success of
our alumni: so many of them are leaders in their
fields, some staying in the local area and others
going back to make positive changes in their
home countries.
VIU alumni are leaders in many areas: several of
them head various government agencies around
the world, from leading communications in the
embassy of a Middle Eastern country to strate-
VIU held its first commencement
ceremony.
2006
VIU was granted accreditation
by ACICS,
which is recognized by
the US Department of
Education and CHEA.
2008
The Virginia General
Assembly presented
the university with a
letter “Commending
Virginia International
University on the occasion
of its accreditation
and 10th anniversary.”
2008
VIU launched two new
programs: Master of
Arts in TESOL, and
Graduate Certificate in
TESOL.
2009
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
9

AT A GLANCE
gic planning at the
Ministry of Mineral
and Energy Resources
of a Central Asian
nation. Others work
in large multinational
corporations like
Deloitte and Ernst
& Young, in international
organizations
such as the International
Monetary Fund
or the World Bank, or
in large technology companies like IBM, Cisco and
Google. Entrepreneurship also runs strong at VIU;
after graduating with prestigious VIU MBAs, several
alumni have started their own businesses: a school
in the Far East, a textile mill in South Asia, a technology
firm in Africa. And yet other alumni surprise us,
becoming executives in fields as varied as American
media and the European air and space industry. One
thing remains certain: wherever our alumni end up,
they are well equipped to lead with the preparation
and practical experience they have gained at VIU.
THE APPRECIATION
The year 2013 marked an important milestone for
VIU, as our doors have been open for 15 years. For 15
years we have been providing education to a diverse
student body, making educational dreams come
true, and building the future together.
Our president Dr. Sarac would like to highlight many
great people who have been instrumental in VIU’s
growth and development. Starting with his own family,
the initial investors in his dream, as well as Richard
J. Ernst, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis, Jennifer Watts,
Dr. Bishnu Poudel, Dr. Habib Khan, Mr. Tarik Celik, Mr.
Hasan Karaburk, Dr. Laura Hills, Dr. Gail Whitaker, and
Dr. Masha Vassilieva, and so many more individuals
VIU Growth
1999 - 2015
whose contributions are unparalleled. We would
also like to express our deepest gratitude to all the
wonderful staff, current and former, alumni, students
and friends and supporters that have helped VIU
succeed. We have become more than we could have
ever dreamed, because of them.
THE BRIGHT FUTURE
In the last 15 years, VIU has not only broadened its
brand and global reach but expanded physically,
growing to four campuses. VIU has also been a continuous
innovator, providing superior education
through faculty and staff who go to the latest conferences
and participate in research in their fields
as well as the latest technological advances, including
the VIU mobile app and even an electronic textbased
student alert system.
As we look back on these 15 years of excellence, we
see our alumni becoming successful global leaders in
business, technology and education sectors and we
see our current students excel in their fields. In looking
toward the bright future, all of us here at VIU are
excited to see what the next 15 years of excellence
will hold for our institution, and we firmly believe
that the best is yet to come.
School of Online Education
established.
2010
10 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014
New TOEFL testing center
opened.
2011
ACICS formally approved
all VIU Online
programs.
2012
New Student Center
opened.
2013
School of Education,
School of Public and International
Affairs and
the Center for Democracy
and International
Affairs established.
2013

THE COLORS OF VIU
VIU.EDU
a Worldwide
Affair - Commencement
Ceremony
El
BY EMILY LEIGHTY
Mahdi Hajouji Idrissi, Morocco, MBA in International
Business Management, is one of many graduating
students reunited with their families.
IN 2012, VIU BEGAN
PROVIDING A LIVE
FEED OF THE
CEREMONY VIA
THE INTERNET
FOR PEOPLE WHO
ARE NOT ABLE TO
ATTEND THE EVENT
IN PERSON. IN THIS
RESPECT, VIU’S
COMMENCEMENT
HAS BECOME A TRULY
WORLDWIDE AFFAIR.
Commencement is a day of celebration,
achievement, recognition, and emotion. After
all of their hard work to complete assignments,
projects, debates, and reports, students finally
are able to enjoy all they have accomplished.
Commencement at VIU is a high-spirited event
organized by countless university staff, faculty,
and student volunteers. Like all universities,
VIU’s ceremony consists of traditions and rituals
which make the day unique to the school
and its community.
VIU’s commencement celebrations have grown
over time with its student body. The very first
commencement ceremony was held at Fairfax
County Country Club, with 20 graduates in attendance.
Since then, commencement has been
held every year, and the venue as well as the
number of attendees grew with the number of
graduates.
One portion of the ceremony which has not
fluctuated over the years has been the inclusion
of distinguished speakers who give valuable
advice to graduates. The university’s focus
in bringing in speakers has been to encourage
graduates with advice from leaders in the fields
of education, politics, journalism, and business.
Students have called the speakers “inspiring”
and have described hearing from such eminent
public figures as “an absolute pleasure.”
Remarks from VIU’s president, Dr. Sarac, have
been another constant. Dr. Sarac encourages
graduates to continue growing and learning and
reminds them not to forget their time at VIU or
the connections they’ve made as students of the
university.
One distinct pleasure for guests of the VIU
commencement ceremony is the breathtaking
display of diversity. A mere glance at the ceremony
program book, where students’ countries
are listed next to their names, is a testament to
the diversity of the graduating class.
With such a graduating class, it must follow that
the guests of the VIU commencement ceremony
are equally diverse. The overwhelming joy
of the day is multiplied by the fact that many
fortunate students are reunited with friends and
family from overseas after as long as two or four
years. Their shouts of excitement fill the room
in an array of languages as graduates cross the
stage to receive a diploma. In 2012, VIU began
providing a live feed of the ceremony via the Internet
for friends and family who are not able to
attend the event in person. In this respect, VIU’s
commencement has become a truly worldwide
affair.
Ask anyone in the university community and
they will tell you that commencement is a day
that feels distinctly like VIU. The work of staff,
faculty, and administrators to foster creative and
intellectual students who will make an impact
on the global community culminates in this celebratory
event. An outsider looking in on this
gathering of friends and family from so many
countries, cultures, and languages would see a
picture of tolerance, peace, and even collaboration
in our turbulent world.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
11

ONLINE EDUCATION
ESL
EDUCATION
Professors are
involved in every
area of university
life, from teaching
to research and
even in student
clubs and activities!
Students and
alumni repeatedly
comment on how
engaging and
dynamic the
DR. CHANDRA RANADE
PROFESSOR
Online learning teaches
students the importance
of communication and
self-discipline. Despite
living in different time
zones around the globe,
VIU Online students
work together on group
projects. I am so proud
of their achievements;
with many responsibilities
at home, as parents,
business people or
military, they are still
excellent students. VIU
Online is very affordable,
and several of my
students are even scholarship
recipients!
CLAIRE GIMBLE
TEACHER
For many of our students,
it is their dream
to come to the U.S. and
to earn an American
university degree. For
other students, it is their
dream to improve their
English so that they can
take advantage of new
opportunities. VIU is
a school that knows
how to dream big and
to make those dreams
come true. We believe
that dreams are important,
and we provide
our students with all
the support they need
to make their dreams a
reality.
KEVIN MARTIN
DIRECTOR
The learning community
offers an invigorating,
vibrant, and highly
collaborative environment
that both challenges
and immensely
rewards its members.
The VIU difference is
one that is personal,
tailored, and focused on
student success. I find
working with students
in the School of Education
to be very fulfilling.
It is a distinct honor and
pleasure to work with
such a diverse student
population at VIU.
faculty are and
on their caring
and warmth.
Dr. Ranade received his Ph.D. in
International Agricultural Development
from Cornell University, his Master of
Statistics in Econometrics and Planning
from the Indian Statistical Institute and
his Master of Arts in Teaching from Johns
Hopkins University.
Ms. Gimble received her Bachelor
of Arts in Social Communications from
the University of Ottawa and her TESOL
certification from Carleton University.
Professor Kevin Martin received
his Master of Science in Theoretical
Linguistics from Georgetown University,
his Bachelor of Arts in French from the
University of Dayton and his Bachelor of
Science in Biology from the University
of Dayton.
12 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

BUSINESS
TESOL
COMPUTER
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
PUBLIC AND
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
DR. TERRY CAMDEN
PROFESSOR
I was immediately impressed
with the quality
of students that I have
worked with and their
absolute dedication to
learning and self-improvement.
They take
nothing for granted and
are dedicated to making
their experience at VIU
as fulfilling as possible.
The variety and magnitude
of student support
offered by the school are
also exemplary. Whether
mock job interviews and
resume reviews, cultural
awareness exchanges,
or simply counseling
regarding schedules and
post graduate work and
education – the University
is there for students.
DR. MARIETTA
BRADINOVA
PROFESSOR
What attracted me to
Virginia International
University five years
ago and has kept me
inspired ever since is its
strong sense of community
and commitment to
academic excellence.
I deeply believe that
teaching is an art and
science in one. My role
as a teacher educator is
to facilitate, model, and
promote the fusion of
a firm knowledge base,
multifarious pedagogical
skills, and passion
for teaching.
DR. SAIID
GANJALIZADEH
PROFESSOR
Joining VIU full time
was a great decision
for me and in fact, a
privilege to be able
to work in a multinational
higher education
environment, full
of unique perspectives
from around the world.
From what I’ve seen so
far, VIU students have
sacrificed a lot to pursue
higher education and
become better global
citizens. It is an honor
to be a member of the
VIU community and
to serve our students. I
look forward to the new
challenges and learning
experiences that lie
ahead.
DR. KLARA BILGIN
PROGRAM CHAIR
It is so rewarding to
work with such a diverse
group of students
especially in the field of
International Relations
and Public Policy. They
constantly reference
their own experiences,
their family stories and
their countries’ politics.
We are so lucky to have
this kind of international
exchange of ideas
here. They are also so
beautifully amazed and
intrigued by American
politics that it’s a joy
to provide them with
firsthand experiences,
like meeting President
Obama.
Dr. Camden received his Master
in Business Administration with an
emphasis in Finance from Northeastern
University, his Master in Accounting
from George Mason University and his
Education Doctorate from the School
of Organization and Human Studies at
George Washington University.
Dr. Bradinova received her Ph.D.
in English at Indiana University of
Pennsylvania and earned her MA in
English Linguistics and TESOL Certificate
at George Mason University.
Dr. Ganjalizadeh received his Ph.D.
in Information Technology from George
Mason University and his M.S. in
Management Science from the University
of Tennessee.
Dr. Bilgin received her Ph.D. in Political
Science from Johns Hopkins University
and her MA in International Relations
from the University of Delaware.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
13

BEYOND MARKETING
message. The typical cost of hiring a professional design studio
is between $40,000 and $50,000. Today, it is not uncommon to
have a logo created for you by an Internet company in as little
as 24 hours costing only $19!
LOGO LAWSUITS
BY DR. MARK ROBINSON
The Real Value of the Corporate Logo
It is often said that “a picture is worth a thousand words,”
and this statement also rings true when it comes to corporate
logos. Who among us doesn’t recognize Apple,
Nike, Coca-Cola, or McDonald’s from just
their logo?
In their truest sense, corporate logos are a
type of shorthand, allowing consumers to
instantly recognize the company and its
product. However, logos do not act alone
but are part of a company’s visual brand
identity program which includes the logo,
the design, the colors used and the marketing
message. As an example, consider the company that, in
my opinion, is the most widely known company brand in the
world: Coca Cola.
From its inception more than 120 years ago,
the Coca-Cola logo has used the stylistic
handwriting of Frank Robinson – no relation
to the author – as part of the logo. The wavy red
letter writing over a silver background is instantly recognizable
whether it is on a can of soda or the cardboard packaging.
COLOR IS EVERYTHING
So, what components make up a powerful logo? At their most
basic, logos are made up of color and design. An image shown
in vivid reds and oranges gives a completely different feel and
meaning (excitement or anger) from the same image shown
in pale blues and greens (restfulness and peace). Depending
on the product, black typically indicates a premium product
which allows the company to charge a higher price for the
product when compared to competing brands that use a different
color.
CHOOSING THE LOGO
Perhaps the most expensive activity in creating the logo is hiring
a professional graphic studio. The studio can help in choosing
the right colors, the right design, and the right marketing
Wherever creativity is involved, lawsuits over logos, corporate
trademarks, and other forms of intangible intellectual property
are not far behind. One of the largest lawsuits involving
logos involved Apple Computer (now Apple Inc.) and Apple
Corps (the holding company owned by the 1960s British rock
group, the Beatles). Between 1978 and 2007 there were numerous
legal disputes between the organizations over competing
trademark rights: an apple.
1
3
In 1978, Apple Corps, the Beatles-founded holding company
and owner of their record label, Apple Records, filed a lawsuit
against Apple Computer for logo / trademark infringement
which involved the use of an apple as a logo. The suit was settled
in 1981 with an undisclosed amount being paid to Apple
Corps. This amount had been estimated to be US$50–250 million.
As a condition of the settlement, Apple Computer agreed
not to enter the music business, and Apple Corps agreed not
to enter the computer business.
In 1991, another lawsuit and another settlement involving
payment of US$26.5 million to Apple Corps were reached.
Outlined in the legal settlement were each company’s respective
trademark rights to the term “Apple.” Apple Corps held
the right to use Apple on any “creative works whose principal
content is music,” while Apple Computer held the right to use
Apple on “goods or services ... used to reproduce, run, play or
4
2
14 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Dr. Mark Robinson serves as a Professor in the School of Business
at Virginia International University.
otherwise deliver such content,” but not on content distributed
on physical media. In other words, Apple Computer agreed
that it would not package, sell or distribute physical music materials.
In 2010, the parties reached a final settlement that included
the launch of the Beatles’ music catalog being made available
on the iTunes platform. It is hard to believe that after almost
20 years of legal action, the central issue of the case involved
the use of an apple as a corporate logo. This is why it is so important
to protect one’s corporate logo through legal means.
Marketing 2.0:
The USE
of Social
MEDIA
BY DR. JOSEPH HUBER
5
6
8
Social media is significantly changing the
world of marketing. Companies such as Facebook
and Google inundate us with information
about products and services. These social media
networks extend the reach of company brands
by improving brand awareness, increasing customer
loyalty, and influencing potential markets.
In fact, social media is quickly becoming
an important part of most marketing strategies.
7
WHAT IS THE VALUE OF A
CORPORATE BRAND LOGO?
While it is difficult to separate out the actual monetary value
the logo adds to the company’s profitability, Interbrand, the
global brand consultancy, conducts an annual ranking of
the value of the corporate brand, which includes logos. After
excluding all of the company’s physical assets such as office
space, real estate, manufacturing plants, etc., what is left over
are the intangibles such as logos, trademarks, and other intellectual
property.
CONCLUSION
Other than the mission, vision, and core values, the corporate
logo is perhaps the most important weapon in a company’s
visual identity arsenal, especially when the logo uses the appropriate
design, color, and marketing message.
9
10
According to DeMers (2013), Google+ will become
a major factor as the second largest social
media network, reaching 343 million monthly
users behind Facebook’s 1.15 billion. In addition
to brand recognition and brand positioning,
social media networks also collect an incredible
amount of useful data on potential consumer
markets. But the data collected in its raw form
is not very efficient. Only 36% of companies
say they routinely use data-driven marketing to
customize messages and offerings, and just 18%
of marketers routinely have a single view of the
customer across marketing channels (Teradata,
2013). These percentages would indicate room
for improvement to use collected data in a systematic
way.
As debates rage on regarding the right to privacy,
social media networks continue to collect valuable
data. But utilizing social media to collect
data comes at a cost. In 2010, 83% of consumers
named “transparent and honest practices” as the
most important element of brand trust (Advertising
Age, 2012).This reveals that data used is
less important to consumer relationships than
the way it is collected. At any rate, data collected
from social media will continue to change the
marketing landscape into the future.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
15

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A VIU STUDENT
MONTHLY SPENDING
I pay $525 for housing, $250 for groceries and
dining out, $30 for transportation. I spend
approximately $850-950 every month.
KOHEITA
NAGAI
BY ARIUNAA DASHTSOGT
When Koheita Nagai arrived in the
USA from Japan in May 2013, the only
English words he knew were “Hello” and
“Good morning.” At first, life was difficult
– no English, no friends, nowhere to
settle down. However, after six months,
his life in America has improved dramatically;
he improved his English, found a
great place to live and made friends from
all over the world. As we followed Ko, as
he is affectionately known, around for a
day, we learned many more things about
him and what it’s like to be a VIU student
in the USA. So, get comfortable and
ride along, as Ko shows us how he goes
about his daily life.
“I SAVED MONEY TO
STUDY IN AMERICA.”
In Japan, I delivered pizzas on my motorbike
to save money to come to America.
It was my dream to study abroad in
the USA and I worked very hard toward
my goal. Life here is exciting because everything
is new for me; even the things
that would not be special to me back in
Japan are special to me here just because
they are American! Finding a great
school, especially the best ESL program,
was one of my goals. A friend of mine
suggested VIU to me because of its affordability
and quality, and I am so glad
I chose it.
“SOMETIMES MY ROOMMATES
WAKE ME UP!”
I used to live with an American host family
to improve my English, but they were
not around enough for me to improve
much. Shortly after, I moved to another
accommodation, provided for students
by VIU. My roommates are from India
and Ethiopia. I usually wake up at 7 am
to prepare for school, but sometimes my
roommates have to wake me up, to be
honest. I take a bus from Fair Oaks Mall
at 8:00 am and arrive school by 8:20 am.
Class runs from at 8:45 am– 3:00 pm.
During my short break time, I usually eat
a sandwich, salad or pizza with my peers.
16 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
“THE ESL PROGRAM HELPS ME ACHIEVE MY ACADEMIC GOALS.”
The very first week, classes were kind of scary; I felt that my classmates’ English proficiency
was better than mine. But, it got better because of the excellent instructors and
my own efforts. The teachers always give good examples, answer questions thoroughly
and help us speak English in class. I developed these skills and also practiced my English
during ESL Club activities, such as the Hiking Club. All in all, I have found studying
English in VIU’s ESL Program to be a helpful step toward achieving my academic goals.
“BOWLING WITH FRIENDS IS FUN!”
I am not fan of staying at home; instead I love to explore new things. Playing billiard
with my roommates at the apartment is one of the favorite things to do. When I was in
Japan, I didn’t cook by myself. In contrast, here I often cook food like Japanese curry,
a pizza called “Okonomiyaki” and other food that my Indian roommates taught me
to make. We usually eat together while talking and watching TV, and do assignments
afterwards. There is a gym in my apartment building where I go twice a week. On weekends,
I usually wake up at 10:00 am if there are no school activities. We spend the weekend
watching movies, listening to music and going bowling, which is fun!
“LIVING ALONE ABROAD HAS
MADE ME MORE CONFIDENT.”
VIU’s multinational students opened my eyes to the various
cultures and religions of the world. Having all of us here gives
us a chance to compare our cultural practices. For instance,
whenever I meet people in the USA, I need to say “Hello,
how are you” whereas in Japan, I would never say that to a
stranger. Furthermore, it was very uncomfortable for me to
keep my shoes on at home. I had to get used to them. I have
gone everywhere by myself in the USA, which is good for
me; it helped me gain confidence. Coming to VIU and the
United States on my own made it possible for me to learn
how to live alone and how important friends are!
Where Have All the Hours Gone?
HOW WE SPEND OUR TIME
Today, the average American can expect to live 690,000 hours
or 79 years. How do we spend this time? We spend almost
28 percent of it, or approximately 22 years, in bed. Work, a
distant second, accounts for over 10 years of our life and we
spend another half a year commuting to and from our jobs.
Another five years are spent in the drudgery of housework.
Almost 4.5 years are spent eating and over 1.5 years are spent
in the bathroom.
How do we spend our leisure time? Not very productively.
Typically we spend more than 50 percent of it, or nine years,
sitting slack-jawed in front of the television and an additional
five years on the Internet. Americans, especially, younger
Americans, now spend more time using their electronic
devices than watching TV. In contrast, we spend less than a
year reading, about a year involved in sports, exercise, and
recreation, and two years socializing with others.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
17

STUDENT ACTIVITY
AWARD FOR
INDEPENDENCE
DAY PARADE
This past summer, VIU participated in the 47th
Independence Day Parade in the City of Fairfax.
Along with many other participants in colorful,
creative, and fun costumes, VIU students, faculty,
and staff marched while carrying a giant blue balloon
alongside the VIU Tiger mascot. Everyone
enjoyed being part of the celebration and hearing
the cheers from community members gathered to
watch the parade. Judges awarded VIU 2nd place!
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The Office of Student Affairs at VIU organizes Orientation for new students
to prepare them to fit well into the VIU community. It also provides
a wide variety of student activities designed to mold students into wellrounded
individuals with unique skills and proficiencies gained through
workshops, clubs, seminars, field trips, and other events. Student clubs at
VIU stem from regions or cultures, academic interests, and extra-curricular
interests.
Thrills and Chills: HALLOWEEN
Student volunteers and university staff work hard each year to prepare
a terrific, scary Halloween event which includes games, music, refreshments,
and lots of opportunities for networking. The biggest thrill of the
night is the Hall of Fear which features costumed staff and volunteers
ready to spook and surprise guests.
Celebrating Our VIU Family:
THE THANKSGIVING LUNCH
Thanksgiving is traditionally a time to celebrate with family and friends
and give thanks for the blessings of life. Since 2007, VIU has held an
annual Thanksgiving lunch, complete with turkey, mashed potatoes,
pumpkin and apple pies and all the trimmings to celebrate our VIU
family. Each year, students, staff, and faculty gather for a time of food,
fun and laughter.
18 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Supporting Students:
THE STUDENT UNION
The main goal of the VIU Student Union is to support students. If
students are having challenges with housing, healthcare or in other
matters, the Student Union is there to help and guide them. The
Student Union also supports all other student clubs and activities
in organizing their events, working in conjunction with Student
Affairs to help organize and volunteer for event set up. Their next
big goal is to create a life coach system for students.
LET’S GO
HIKING!
The Hiking Club at
VIU often hikes to
Hemlock Overlook
Park in Clifton and
to Great Falls Park.
Students love to see
nature and refresh
their minds.
CULTURE SHOW
In a university setting ripe with diversity, culturebased
events are favorites among the VIU community.
Students especially love the Culture Show event
as it gives them a platform to share their home countries’
music, food, and customs with their classmates
and colleagues. This fun and educational forum fosters
solidarity and understanding to create a community
dedicated to promoting tolerance and peace.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
19

VIU NEWS
TOASTMASTERS
ARRIVE AT VIU
Are you a looking to develop public
speaking and leadership skills?
Ace a job interview? Ignite your
career? If so, then you should consider
becoming a member of the
VIU Toastmasters Club. One of the
critical communication and leadership
skills necessary to advance a
student’s career is the act of public
speaking. Many people have a fear
of public speaking, that is, standing
in front of an audience, whether it
be in a corporate setting or in the
classroom. These skills are, in many
cases, not taught in the classroom,
nor are they part of academic programs.
To learn these skills, join
Toastmasters!
VIU AWARDS HUNDREDS OF
SCHOLARSHIPS
VIU enjoys awarding scholarships to its
students. To date, hundreds of students
from over 50 countries have already
received scholarships. We are happy to
see our students happier and more motivated
to study as a result of this tuition
assistance. These students encourage
their peers to study harder. To enable
our students to succeed, scholarships
are awarded for many reasons: for academic
excellence, for career growth and
for special achievements, among others.
Also, student staff members receive
special on campus scholarships while
working. All students, both current and
prospective, on campus and online may
apply for VIU scholarships several times
a year.
STUDENT
MENTORING
Students at VIU have many beneficial resources
at their disposal, one of which is
the Student Mentoring Program. Mentoring
services, while focused on students
new to the school, are available throughout
a student’s term of study at the university.
The driving goal of the program is to
provides students with information and
advice they may not receive from academic
advisers or professors in areas related to
day to day life as a student in the United
States. Both students and staff enjoy the
opportunities to get to know each other
through the program. Most importantly,
students benefit from the individual attention
to their specific needs.
20 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
The Writing, Research, and Media Center
(WRMC) at VIU serves to enhance the success
of students in support of their written work and
communication skills. Students learn life-long
skills that help them advance in their eventual
careers and professional lives. The goals of the
center are to promote and foster professionallevel
communication in
support of students’ academic
preparation. The
WRMC provides suggestions
for students with their
written work. Students can
meet with a Writing Center
Coach in 30 minute blocks
to discuss any problems or
questions that they might
have.
IMPROVE
YOUR WRITING!
VIU staff and students participated in a
“feed the homeless” volunteer event at
Bailey’s Crossroad Community Shelter
in Falls Church, Virginia. To raise funds
for the event, the Office of Student Affairs
arranged a yard sale to which students,
staff, faculty, and community
members contributed clothes and other
goods to be sold. Staff also collaborated
with local restaurants to collect food donations.
Participants in this event came
away with the desire to do more volunteering
of this kind. “Seeing the happiness
of those we helped was priceless.
We believe that happiness will increase
more when you share,” a VIU student
said while volunteering.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY:
FEEDING THE HOMELESS
JANE BONDARENKO
FEATURED ALUMNI
JANE HEARD ABOUT VIU: September 2008
APPLIED TO VIU: October 2008
RECEIVED HER I20: November 2008
ENROLLED AT VIU: January 2009
STUDIED AT THE SCHOOL OF ELS: Spring 2009
STARTED MBA IN INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS: Fall 2009
GOT ON-CAMPUS JOB: January 2010
RECEIVED ON-CAMPUS SCHOLARSHIP: Fall 2010
GRADUATED FROM VIU: Spring 2011
GOT OPT (OPTIONAL PRACTICAL TRAINING) AT VIU: 2011-2012
HIRED AS A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE AT VIU:
2012 – to present
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
21

TEST STRATEGIES
How to
Succeed on the
BY REBECCA SACHS
The TOEFL® is the epitome of a highstakes
test, used for purposes ranging
from college admissions to professional
certifications to the satisfaction of visa
language requirements. According to
the website of the Educational Testing
Service (ETS) (www.ets.org/toefl), it is
recognized by over 9,000 universities
and other institutions as a measure of
the ability to “use and understand the
English language as it is heard, spoken,
read and written in the university classroom.”
Hundreds of thousands of people
take the TOEFL® every year at a cost
of $160 to $250 each time.
The ESL Program at VIU offers a variety
of TOEFL® preparation courses.
Recently, I sat down with two full-time
instructors, Claire Gimble and Lauren
Pollard, who kindly
shared several
pieces of
tried-
and-
true advice regarding how to succeed on
this very important gatekeeper. Among
the themes emphasized repeatedly by
both was the centrality of quick thinking
and strategic time management. In
short, you may have an impressive level
of English proficiency, but if you do not
manage your time well enough to demonstrate
it, you will not get credit for
your ability. Here are some of their recommendations.
1. Repress the urge to understand
every detail—be strategic.
On the reading section, managing your
time strategically may mean temporarily
forgetting some of what you have
learned about deep reading comprehension.
You will
likely find that it
is simply not
possible to
read all of
the texts
on the
TOEFL® thoroughly; thus, even more
so than usual, you will need to read
with a clear purpose in mind. In many
cases, it may help to skim a passage and
take in its organization so that you will
know where to look in order to answer
the questions. With practice, you may
realize that you can answer questions
despite having grasped only the gist of
large chunks of the text.
2. Limit your planning time.
On the writing section, lightning-fast
planning is of the essence. If you are
given 30 minutes to write an essay, you
should spend at least 20 minutes writing
your answer and should devote 5
minutes at the end to editing your work.
That leaves only a few minutes for initial
planning. One way to streamline
the planning process is to internalize
the structure of a standard 5-paragraph
essay. Having that organization in mind
can make it very quick and straightforward
to plug your ideas into a predetermined
template.
22 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
3. Develop your ability to think—
and type—quickly.
For many students, common roadblocks
on the TOEFL® include a lack of
experience with impromptu speaking
under time pressure and choppy, errorprone
typing skills. To improve your
ability to speak extemporaneously in
a well-organized manner, have friends
ask for your opinions on random, unexpected
topics, and practice saying as
much as you can in 45 seconds. Devoting
20 minutes a day to free writing on
a computer can kill two birds with one
stone, helping you to increase your typing
speed while also becoming more
comfortable with getting your ideas out
as quickly as possible.
4. Do not worry too much about
conveying your true opinions.
Being contemplative and insightful may
have benefits in other areas of life, but
on the TOEFL® these qualities take a
back seat to communicating as much
as you can as effectively as possible. The
scorers do not care what you think; they
care how you express it in English. Considered
in a certain light, writing and
speaking on the TOEFL® can be liberating!
If you are asked to argue in favor
of one of two options, identify which
side would be easier to speak or write
about, and choose that one, even if it
contradicts your actual opinion. Your
main goal should be to let your English
proficiency shine.
5. When practicing, simulate the testing
circumstances as closely as possible.
Gain confidence by familiarizing yourself
with all sections of the test, proactively
planning out exactly how you will
approach them, and enacting your plan
until it becomes second nature. Decide
how much time you will devote to
thinking vs. writing vs. editing, for example,
and be very strict about holding
yourself to the designated restrictions
so that you internalize a sense of what
the various time limits feel like. Since
the TOEFL® is internet-based, practice
in front of a computer. The more you
can simulate the exact testing circumstances,
the better.
And last but not least, considering the cost of the TOEFL®, take the test when you
are ready. There are many ways to practice in the meantime!
The Full
TOEFL
Package
VIU helps students succeed on the TOEFL exam by providing superb TOEFL
prep classes as well as having an onsite test center. As an ETS authorized
TOEFL iBT® Test Center, VIU holds four to eight TOEFL iBT® test sessions in a
month. Our Test Center can accommodate 19 students in each of our TOEFL
iBT® test sessions. The test center is open to both VIU students and the general
public.
VIU’s ESL program also offers TOEFL iBT courses for those who need satisfactory
TOEFL scores to meet their academic and professional goals. Students who are in lower levels and
select the TOEFL track may take intro TOEFL courses in which they learn the structure of the test and
basic test-taking strategies. This is where they are exposed to different topics that often appear on the
TOEFL. Those that have already demonstrated sufficient English proficiency to be in the two highest levels
are allowed to take intensive TOEFL courses, two of which can be taken per term. However, for those
who are interested in pursuing a degree at VIU without taking the TOEFL exam, VIU does not require
standardized test scores such as TOEFL or IELTS for admission. Students can easily enroll in their courses
after taking the English Placement Test provided by VIU.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
23

THE WRITTEN WORD
Book
Club
The END of Books?
The Impact of the e-Reader
SOME OF THE MOST
COMMON COMMUNITY
FORUMS IN AMERICA
ARE LOCAL BOOK CLUBS,
WHERE MEMBERS MEET
TO DISCUSS THOUGHTS
ON THEIR LATEST READS.
IN AN EFFORT TO IM-
PROVE STUDENTS’ ENG-
LISH READING AND SPEAK-
ING SKILLS, THE VIU ESL
PROGRAM HAS ESTAB-
LISHED A BOOK CLUB.
THE BOOK CLUB CON-
Electronic readers and apps are on the rise
and brick-and-mortar bookstores are closing
around the US, but does this really mean the
end of the printed (on paper) word? And will
books now be obsolete in colleges and universities?
Our answer to both is a resounding no. While
bookstores may be closing, this has more to do
with the still struggling economy as well as the
rise of internet giants like Amazon. Electronic
readers such as Amazon’s Kindle and Barnes
and Noble’s Nook are quite popular, indeed, as
are electronic books. The e-books are popular
for several reasons – first, they tend to be
less expensive than paper books, since many
of the costs of both printing and publishing
are eliminated. Second, a reader can store and
access hundreds of books on a device. Finally,
with many new apps and programs, these
books can be accessed and read on a multitude
of devices, including computers and phones,
while keeping place, highlighting sections and
making notes. There is much to be said for being
able to replace a suitcase-full of books with
one small device as well as the instant gratification
of buying or borrowing a new book at the
touch of a button. However, readers still keep
buying physical books, as well. For some, it is
the feel, smell and look of the physical book
which keeps them attracted. Others enjoy having
favorite volumes in several media, both
electronic and paper.
As for books within universities, they will continue
to be important. Of course, students are
also assigned many journal articles to read,
videos to watch and internet research to do,
all of which are available online at the touch of
a button. Nevertheless, professors continue to
assign books on relevant subject matter as part
of the reading materials. The only difference is
that now college students can choose whether
to read the books in hard copy or as e-books.
DUCTS MEETINGS WITH
LIVELY DISCUSSIONS ON
A review of Malcolm Gladwell’s David & Goliath
THE NEWEST BOOKS.
THE STUDENTS AND FAC-
ULTY ENJOY THE OPPOR-
TUNITY TO SHARE SOME
COMMON
INTERESTS
WHEN THEY MEET UP.
24 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014
Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, David and Goliath, looks at the
complex and intriguing ways in which the weak can defeat the strong,
how the small can compete and win against the strong, and how our
goals, orientation and socialization (often culturally determined) can
affect and make a huge difference in our ultimate sense of success.
David & Goliath is based on the Biblical story in which a shepherd
boy defeated a mighty warrior with nothing more than a stone and a
sling. David’s victory was improbable and miraculous. He shouldn’t
have won and yet David did. How could this have happened? The overarching
thesis of David and Goliath is that for the strong, “the same qualities
that appear to give them strength are often the sources of great weakness,” whereas
for the weak, “the act of facing overwhelming odds produces greatness and beauty.” Drawing
upon examples from the world of business, sports, culture, cutting-edge psychology and
an array of unforgettable characters around the world, David and Goliath is in many ways
the most insightful, practical and provocative book Malcolm Gladwell has ever written.

VIU.EDU
Dr. Stephen Onu holds a doctorate degree from the University of Phoenix, as well as
the following certifications: PMP, Harvard Business Roundtable, System Test Engineer
(CSTE), Quality Assurance (CQA) and CMMI.
development tool. Organizations are
experiencing dramatic improvements
in efficiency, productivity and retention
through their mentoring programs.
Get a Mentor!
BY DR. STEPHEN ONU
There is a story of a king who had
three sons. To determine his successor,
he asked them this simple question:
How do you avoid making a serious
mistake? The first son answered,
“by making the mistake at least twice
and then learning from it,” but the king
called him foolish. The second son answered
that he would learn from making
a mistake just once, yet the king
also called him foolish. The third son
answered that he would learn from
others that have made mistakes before,
so that he would not make the same
mistake, and the king made him the
prince. This is why you need a mentor;
he/she prevents you from making the
same mistakes that they have already
made.
Most of us can look back on our
lives and identify a person who had a
significant and positive impact on us.
Mentorship is not only
limited to your career;
you could have a spiritual
mentor, a relationship
mentor, or a financial
mentor.
This person may have been a teacher, a
boss, a spiritual leader, or a parent, and
somewhere on our journey this person
acted as a mentor. Not surprisingly,
many companies are embracing the
concept of mentoring as a professional
A mentor is an individual with
more professional experience in your
field who offers you career guidance,
counsel, advice and assistance from
a real point-of-view based on his/her
lived experiences. Mentorship is not
only limited to your career; you could
have a spiritual mentor, a relationship
mentor, or a financial mentor. An effective
mentor is reflective, wise, understanding
and willing to share his
or her knowledge and experience in
order to help you avoid mistakes and
become successful. Having a mentor is
like having a wonderful trusted ally to
go to whenever you are feeling unsure
or in need of support. A good mentor
can also help you set and achieve career
goals, make smart business decisions,
overcome workplace challenges, learn
new skills or simply offer an outside
perception, network, discover new opportunities,
as well as prepare you for
an interview.
Finding the right mentor is probably
one of the best career decisions
you will ever make. There are lots of
ways to find a mentor. If you are already
working at a company, check to
see if your company has a mentoring
program, and if you’re not working,
ask your friends and family members
to introduce you to potential mentors.
Organizations like SCORE (Service
Corps of Retired Executives) has a
database of retired executives from diverse
industries and backgrounds who
are willing to mentor. The easiest way
to look for a mentor is to look around
your workplace or your industry. Look
for a person you admire and respect, a
person whose insight, experience and
perceptiveness you value. Most people
are flattered to be asked to mentor, so
go ahead and ask. When you are unsure
of your decisions, when you need
someone to simply encourage you, or
to lean on – you need a mentor.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
25

GIRLS IN EDUCATION
educate
a Girl
educate a Nation
Much has been said lately about women’s access to education around the world, especially in traditionally strict religious
societies. The latest media frenzy has surrounded Malala, a young Pakistani girl who stood up to the Taliban to defend her right
to learn. However, Malala is not alone – there are many young “Malalas” around the world who have little to no access to education
and who face tremendous difficulties in getting education within their societies. As we sat down with several students, we
learned that education is still denied in many areas due to poverty, early pregnancy, and political or economic concerns. Below
are their stories.
Qurat ul Ain Zameer:
“I EXPERIENCED A BOMB
BLAST IN SCHOOL”
Pakistanis are divided on the Malala issue.
The ones who are pro-Malala know
that she stood up for a good cause and
got injured. The ones against Malala
think that the story is just a hoax cre-
ated to defame Pakistan to the rest of the
world. Pakistan is a nation which actually
supports women’s education in most
areas. There are many good universities
and colleges, but their fees are so high
that many citizens can’t afford them. In
rural areas, most girls are not allowed
to go to school, but things are starting
to change from the past decade. People
are finally beginning to see the need for
education, especially for girls.
UM: People have lately been afraid to visit Pakistan
because of Taliban activity. Is it really a scary
place to live, with bombs and death threats?
Qurat: In some places, people go
through this torture daily. They hear
gunshots and bombs or find the dead
bodies of their beloveds. No one knows
who the bad people really are, what they
want or where they come from. I have
actually experienced a bomb blast once,
when I was in school. In the middle of
class, we suddenly heard a loud noise that
took our breath away. After it, there was
a scary silence. My friends and I looked
at each other, with our eyes full of tears,
our hearts beating fast and thinking that
this was the last day of our lives and we’d
never get to see our parents again. We
were so scared, but our teacher escorted
us to the exit, and our parents came to
get us. We all ran towards our parents,
hugging them tightly. Whenever I recall
this incident, I get goose bumps. I felt
happy because we were safe but sad
because other people got killed in this
bad incident. I pray to God to show
those people the right way and awake
humanity in them.
26 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
UGANDA: EARLY
PREGNANCIES
Nancy Kugonza, MBA
in HR
Uganda is a very beautiful East African
country also called the “Pearl of Africa.”
Education for girls has come a long way,
from way back over 40 years ago when
only boys were sent to school leaving the
girls back home to prepare for marriage
at an early age. Girl child education now
has many advocates, especially as a way
to encourage more female graduates at
Makerere University. In Kampala, one of
the biggest universities in the East African
region, each girl is given extra points
to be able to qualify for admission.
In general, Uganda is one of the very
fortunate countries in the world where
girls have equal rights as boys to be in
school and follow their career paths. The
government, alongside many Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) actively
encourages even more girls to go to
school especially in some communities
(in rural parts of the country) that still
possess the olden day biases of having
only boys go to school.
However, there are also many untold
stories of lack of exposure or access to
the government provisions or the services
availed by NGOs that are helpful
for girls or young women in general.
Despite the availability of some free
early/elementary education, many girls
are not able to attend school because of
early pregnancies and lack of motivation
due to inadequate exposure to success
stories that some of the organizations
offer. Being so far away from the main
cities, and having not so many passionate
representatives for these girls leaves
them hopeless of ever having an education,
and this is where I believe I can fit
into the puzzle. My passion is to get in
touch and work with organizations that
share my dream and belief in the potential
of these less-privileged young girls. I
am a strong believer in the idea educate
a woman, educate a nation because these
girls are future mothers and if they are
educated, they will pass on their knowledge
and influence their children, creating
a better world.
NEPAL: POLITICAL
PROBLEMS
Anila Bindukar, BBA
in Finance
Modern education in Nepal began with
the establishment of the first school in
1853 which was only for the members of
the ruling families. Schooling was provided
to the general public from 1951
after the Rana regime ended. The education
system has progressed a lot; however
it has remained limited to the urban
areas and in rural parts of the country,
girls are deprived of getting any kind of
education. About 57 percent of Nepali
women above age 15 were illiterate as of
2009, according to a Central Bureau of
Statistics report.
The problem exists because the coun-
try’s political problems overshadow other
priorities, including education. Campaigns
are being carried out to get girls
enrolled in school, but beyond it nothing
major has been done to keep them
in school. The major reasons for this are
cultural beliefs, child marriage, the belief
that education for girls is unnecessary,
the school environment, a lack of
awareness and affordability, plus lack of
motivation in parents to promote girls’
education.
TANZANIA: POVERTY
Alex John Luketa, MBA
In the early 90s, there
was a tendency in some families in
Tanzania to prefer to send their sons
to school and leaving their daughters
at home to take care of domestic activities,
since it was believed that only
sons can take care of the family while
girls might end up married. Most girls
were denied the opportunity of attending
schools, while others finished school
before being forced into marriage. Some
even managed to attend university. Now,
there are efforts made to end this myth
which leads more women to continue
their studies.
Tanzania is facing a challenge in education
whereby most of the citizens in rural
areas and some from urban areas are failing
to send their children to school due
to poverty, which leads them to prefer to
use their children to work so as to enable
them to meet their daily basic needs.
Education Around the World
As the world enters a new stage of development, education is
becoming increasingly important around the globe. However,
there are many countries still lagging behind in their literacy
rates and school accessibility for children, especially those in
poor and rural areas. Gender inequality is also still rampant
around the world, with many girls unable to attend school due
to societal demands and cultural norms. As part of the United
Nations’ Millenium Development Goals, two major goals have
been set to equalize access to education internationally. One
of them states that governments should ensure that, by 2015,
children everywhere, boys and girls alike, will be able to complete
a full course of primary schooling. The other one aims to
eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education,
preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later
than 2015. Much has been accomplished in the last decade to
bring societies worldwide closer to those goals, but should we
actually expect these goals to be accomplished by 2015? We
can only hope that with the combined efforts of governments
and international organizations, there will be better and more
equal access to education across the globe.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
27

COUNTERCULTURE
BY CHRISTINA L. KOONTS
It is no secret to my family, friends, or colleagues
that I am attached to my smartphone.
That phone is practically an added body part.
I know for myself that I do not leave the house
without the phone, and frankly, sometimes
don’t leave a room in the house without it. I
love that I can have instant access to whatever
news article or question pops into my head,
or place an order for dinner, shoes, and even
groceries without speaking to a single person.
Mostly, I love the connectivity and sense of
community I gain from things like my personal
blog, and following along with my high
school and college classmates on Facebook
and Instagram. But when I sit back and really
think about these “relationships” I am forging,
I realize that I am not forging a relationship at
all. Sure, I am following along with the lives of
others, exchanging similar experiences with
other moms through my blog, and cheering
on my one-time friends in all of their endeavors,
but am I really interacting? I’m not shaking
the hands of these people, engaging them
in conversation about their latest conquest at
work. I am not sharing experiences about parenting
or writing and talking about how great
it is to succeed at work when I click thumbs
up button on a social media site. This all begs
the question: are we really helping ourselves
by being so connected, or are we missing out
on the face-to-face contact that the world has
been built on for so many decades?
Beyond all of the networking that we might
actually be missing out on is what we miss out
on at home. If I sit on my couch and browse
Facebook all night, play some mindless game,
and read the news, while I am next to my
family, I am disconnecting from reality. All of
this culminates in the fact that last night my
very own two year old, Jackson, woke up at
2:30 AM – and instead of asking for water or
to be read to, he asked to watch videos on the
iPad. Now, I pledge that I will take a step back
and unplug from all of the technology a little
bit to share ideas and feelings with my family
and friends instead of doling out a hundred
thumbs up.
Photo by Ali Caudill Photography
Information Overload!
3 Tips to Help You Cope
Working on an iPad with the TV on in the background, while periodically checking a phone – sound familiar? This has become the
lifestyle of millions of Americans. Not only does our technological multitasking overload us with information, but we are also constantly
bombarded by information wherever we go. How can we deal with the information overload aside from dropping everything to hide in
the woods à la Thoreau’s Walden? Here are three tips to help you deal with all that excess.
FOCUS
Some research suggests that multitasking actually decreases productivity by as much as 40 percent. Instead
of multitasking, try focusing on one task, with only one device turned on at one time. Likewise, try meditation!
Are you having visions of monks sitting cross-legged on a mountaintop in Tibet? Have no fear! This meditation
requires no extra effort. Just take some time to yourself in a space free from technological distractions.
SLEEP
Everyone says it, from experts and researchers in top universities to your grandma in the village – you need to
get enough sleep to be happy, healthy and wise. If you want to feel healthier, more energized and actually
able to accomplish your tasks faster, sleep well!
INTERACT
Taking a simple 20 minute walk every day while taking the time to look at the sights around you will calm
your mind and refresh it from technological fatigue while getting your body in shape at the same time. Also,
take the time for personal interaction – get together with friends and have a good laugh! Both laughing and
in-person communication are known to decrease stress levels and boost immune response.
28 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

HOBBY
VIU.EDU
Mila Ushakova is a current Masters of Arts in TESOL student at VIU. While pursuing her
education, Mila also models for American companies.
When Mila was 16 years old, she was noticed by
a model agent in her native Siberia. She was thrilled
to try modeling, especially since her very first photo
session was for a jewelry company. “It is not a secret
that girls love jewelry, and I am not an exception!”
jokes Mila. The fact that she loved the product made
her debut even easier, and, even though her childhood
dream was to become a school teacher, Mila
fell in love with modeling at first pose.
However, Mila quickly learned that modeling is
not just a fun hobby, but that it is hard work which
takes a lot of time, energy, patience and creativity.
For Mila, seeing that she managed to embody the
photographers’ ideas in photos is the main reward.
“We live in a time when women are capable of handling
several professions simultaneously – I consider
myself one of them,” she states.
Mila’s latest project is shot at the Innovation
Barn in Manassas, in which Mila features two different
fall fashions. “I had so much fun chasing the
sun as it set!” Mila gushes. The images are currently
being used for both VivoPhoto and Studio Hair as
advertisements for their services in America.
Mila looks forward to other modeling opportunities
in the area. However, no matter how much
she loves fashion and modeling, Mila is still fond of
linguistics and teaching. She plans to devote the next
few years to her studies, graduating from VIU with a
MA in TESOL and continuing on to do a PhD in Linguistics.
Her dream is to teach English to children.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
29
Photo by: Denise 'Saca' Viveiros

VIU CALENDAR 2014
30 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Inspired by the amazing diversity of our University, we created
the first VIU International Calendar for the year 2014.
The calendar features VIU students from countries all
around the world posing in their traditional attire. Travel
the world from the comfort of your living room as you join
our students on their global adventure. Every month features
a different country with fun facts and interesting descriptions
of local food, dress and the best places to travel.
Various VIU programs, schools and departments are also
featured in the calendar, along with inspiring educational
quotes and dates of holidays and National celebrations
from around the globe. Many students and staff members
worked on this innovative project and even shot a behindthe-scenes
video of the process.
Our models were thrilled to share their cultures with
us. Khanittha Chombanphaeo told us the history of her
costume, initially worn by the Thai Royal Family as well as
sharing Thailand’s nickname, “Land of Smiles.” Anastasia
Sudarikova was proud of the diversity and sheer expanse
of Russia, a country covering 9 different time zones. Ishita
Sagar talked to us about the ancient Indian civilization
and its beautiful architectural monuments, like the Taj Mahal.
Jacobs Damilola and Chimeuma Opuwari were proud
of Nigeria’s unity when over 300 different languages are
spoken in the country. Hilary Kozikowski talked about her
experience horseback riding when she was younger and
loved the endless opportunities given to all who come to
America. All the students who participated in the project
were very excited to learn about other cultures and to
share their own. Curious? Pick up your own copy of the
2014 VIU International Calendar and travel the world in
one year!
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
31

VIU GLOBAL NETWORK
France – Eylem Sel Japan – Yoshimichi Ouchi Germany – Agnes Nawalaniec Brazil – Camilla Tashira
Korea – Kim Taegue Ethiopia - Hamdia Mohammed Vietnam – Trang k Huynh
Egypt – Ahmed El Dahmy
The VIU Global Network extends to all the above countries, and counting!

VIU.EDU
NO BOUNDARIES
VIU students and alumni come from all over the world, from Brazil
to Japan and from France to Nigeria – over 70 different countries!
Angola – Ana Karina Silva
With the many different cultures, ethnicities and viewpoints
represented, all VIU students and alumni agree that no matter
where they come from, they immediately feel welcomed into
the VIU family. Even after graduation, when alumni travel across
boundaries and settle in different countries around the world,
they keep in touch with this global network of VIU friends and
colleagues, which continues to welcome and support them.
Italy – Rossella Vitiello
Studying in France is a bit different from here, where there is a clear
distance between student and professor. At VIU, we have more
chances to interact with our professors in a very personal way. At
VIU, I met many people from other nationalities that I had never
imagined. We can have nice conversations about our different
cultures and get our minds even more open to the world, which is
amazing!
Eylem Sel, France
Studying at VIU made my experience even more meaningful in
the United States. I found best friends from every continent of the
world and I communicate with them constantly! In my university, I
didn’t only learn English, but I also learned about various cultures,
diversity, and the meaning of everlasting friendship, of which I am
proud.
Rossella Vitiello, Italy
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
33

MELTING POT
America is truly a nation of immigrants
with over 99 percent of the population
being immigrants or descendants
of immigrants. The first immigrants
arrived in the United States in 1565
when Spain founded St. Augustine,
Florida and they have continued to
arrive – in recent years at the rate of
over a million immigrants per year.
Immigrants have come to North America for
many reasons – in search of land and economic opportunity,
to escape hunger, in search of religious
freedom, or to flee racial or ethnic discrimination.
In 1492, the year Columbus arrived in the
New World, there were perhaps 10 million Native
Americans in what is today the United States.
However, up to 90 percent of these people died
from Old World diseases, against which they had
no resistance. Over the subsequent centuries,
many more died or were displaced in violent conflicts
with the colonists. This left a huge landmass
largely empty of people and accounts, in large part,
for the fact that the U.S. is a nation of immigrants.
The earliest European colonists in North
American were from England and Spain. The first
English settlements were on the East Coast while
Spanish settlements were established in Florida and
the Southwest. In addition to England, a number
of other European countries – France, The Netherlands,
Denmark, and Sweden – established colonies
in Eastern and Central North America. For example,
the Dutch founded what is today New York
City. However, the Dutch, Danish and Swedish colonies
were taken over by the British by 1674. The
Spanish and French colonies in North America,
while enormous, never attracted the large number
of colonists that the English colonies did.
a History of
American
Immigrants
BY JOHN L. BENNETT
Following American independence, a steady
stream of immigrants, mainly from the British Isle
and Western Europe continued to arrive. However,
the great period of immigration was the period
1850 to 1950 when 50 million people from all parts
of Europe settled in the U.S. Immigration from Ireland
reached its peak in the 1850s when almost a
million Irish immigrated to the U.S., largely as a
result of the Potato Famine that killed more than
a million people in Ireland. In the same decade almost
a million German immigrants arrived, many
fleeing political persecution after the Revolution of
1848. However, German immigration peaked in
the 1880s when almost 1.5 million arrived. During
the first decade of the 20th Century, around two
million Italian immigrants arrived, most fleeing
poverty. During this same period, large numbers of
immigrants also arrived from France, Scandinavia,
Russia, Poland, and Greece among other countries.
34 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
John L. Bennett, M.L.S, is the Director of Library and
Associate Vice President of Learning Services at VIU.
The 19th Century also saw a significant
amount of non-European immigration. Numbers
of Mexicans immigrated to the U.S. in the 19th
century to work in railroad construction. The 19th
Century also saw the first substantial immigration
from Asia when Chinese began to arrive in the
1840s as laborers.
In the second half of the 20th century, patterns
of immigration to the U.S. changed radically – immigration
from Europe slowed while immigration
from the rest of the world grew rapidly. Of the
eight million Chinese, Indian, Vietnamese, Korean
and other Asian immigrants to the U.S., more than
75 percent have arrived since 1950. Similarly, 80
to 90 percent of the millions of immigrants from
Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and
South America have arrived during the same time
period.
The greatest number of immigrants has entered
the U.S. through New York City, and, with
the exception of California, more immigrants have
settled in New York State than anywhere in the
U.S. Immigrants arriving in New York City since
1886 have been greeted by the Statue of Liberty. A
plaque in the museum at the base of the Statue contains
these famous lines “Give me your tired, your
poor, [y]our huddled masses yearning to breathe
free …”. From 1892 until 1954, over 12 million immigrants
entered the U.S. through the immigrant
inspection station on Ellis Island in New York Harbor
less than a mile north of the Statue of Liberty.
Today Ellis Island is part of the Statue of Liberty
National Monument and features a museum of immigration.
Today, the U.S. still attracts large numbers of
immigrants though most are from Latin America
and Asia. According to the 2010 Census, approximately
40 million Americans, or 13 percent of the
population, were born overseas. Of these, almost
12 million were from Mexico. Another seven
countries each accounted for more than one million
immigrants. It’s clear that the U.S. will continue
to be a country of immigrants for the foreseeable
future.
Statue of Liberty, NY
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
35

EXPERIENCE
“VIU believes that everybody deserves a fair chance no matter where they are from.”
A Letter To My Friend
By Tamara Strupp, a scholarship student
To all my fellow students, no matter if you are already at VIU or planning to go to VIU
soon. I wanted to share my personal story, which might give you some thoughts or motivate
your future success.
I am originally from Germany. I came to the United States in 2008 as an au pair. I had
a very interesting year with many ups and downs and decided I wanted to continue my
life in the States as a student. Generally, I love to speak English; it is almost easier for
me now than my own language. The first semester was a bit tough, since I had never gone to a university
before and it was all new to me. After the second semester I started achieving straight As, of which I am
very proud. I graduated in December 2011 with my Associates Degree in General Studies. I had mainly
taken hospitality classes but wasn’t sure if that was what I wanted to pursue later on. In order to find
out what I wanted to study, I applied for an OPT, which I pursued from January 2012 to December 2012.
I worked at an animal hospital as a receptionist and nurse. I loved the experience. I learned how to draw
blood, how to hold pets safely, and I followed the manager around learning her responsibilities. At the end
of my year, I took over the manager’s responsibilities when she was not at work. I learned a lot, got more
confident and professional and figured out what I wanted to study: International Business. With International
Business I can basically work in any field, anywhere in the world. I applied and started studying
at VIU in the Spring of 2013. I really like my experience at VIU. The teachers and students are very nice
and I feel like they actually care about the students and not just the money as a non-profit university,
which is the opposite of so many other universities.
My future goals are to travel the world, make enough money to live comfortably, find the love of my life
and have a successful career. For now, I want to graduate from VIU with a high GPA and learn as much
as I possibly can. I am thinking about maybe opening my own animal clinic or pet-friendly hotel one day.
After I graduate, I would love to work for a German-American company like Audi or BMW. I would love
to be a communications manager that is responsible for communication between Germany and the USA.
My family does not have that much money. They are helping me with what they have but I have always
been independent and relied on myself. Most universities do not provide scholarships for international students,
especially not from Germany. But VIU does. Prove you are worth being supported and show it with
hard work and dedication. VIU believes that everybody deserves a fair chance no matter where they are
from. They value students’ ethnicities and are proud to be an international university which supports their
students financially and by assisting students like me. I received a scholarship for the Fall 2013 semester,
which helps me to achieve my goals. Now I am so close to graduating, and I am proud of what I have
achieved so far. I will continue showing how determined I am to be a successful student at my university,
VIU.
I did it and so can you. It’s your turn!
From your friend, Tamara
36 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Meeting
President
OBAMA
BY CANAN AYDIN
There were many people waiting for President Barack Obama’s
speech, and I was one of those lucky people. It was a great moment
for me, as well as my fellow students who study at Virginia
International University (VIU). After passing through the tight
security measures, we entered the building. There were media
and journalists everywhere, and the auditorium was full of Democrat
supporters, and everyone was waiting for Obama. Immediately,
the atmosphere changed with President Obama’s entry,
and he received a huge round of applause and cheers. He praised
Terry McAuliffe, Democratic candidate for Virginia Governor,
and Obama wanted people to support Terry McAuliffe. It was
exciting for me not only to meet the American President but also
to understand the prevalent political issues and hear the expert
perspectives on the current situation in the USA. Outside, Republicans
were protesting against Obama and others. For me,
it was a new experience to see the way in which they expressed
their opinions, with no aggression! In my view, all the countries
in the world should adopt a focused approach towards solving
social, economic and political issues; an approach which is currently
practiced by the US political system.
VIU MBA student Ibrahim Elnems had
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to volunteer
at the FIFA World Cup 2010 in
Johannesburg, South Africa. “It was so
amazing to be there with all the players,
journalists, visitors and other volunteers!” gushed
Elnems, excitement in his eyes. “I worked in
the Media Center checking press credentials,
interacting with journalists and photographers
and making sure everyone
knew where to go on match
days.” As one of the most active
volunteers, Elnems
Met Superstar Player
Messi
Ibrahim Elnems
DEBATING WITH
Future
World
Leaders
BY BARKHAS TSOLMON
In October 2013, I participated in
the National Model United Nations
conference with a delegation
of 650 fellow participants from all
over the world. Every single issue
in the conference was decided by
vote. This is where students’ presentation,
communication and
leadership skills were tested. As it
was my first Model United Nations
conference, I was sometimes overwhelmed
by the process and by
the proficiency of many of the delegates
present. I noticed that each
and every delegate took the conference
very seriously, acting like
real diplomats, which made me
feel like I was sitting with future
world leaders. International students
at VIU have such chances to
improve their skills by participating
in world class events, as I did.
got a chance to participate
in the closing
ceremony
rehearsal,
where he
even got to
hold the World Cup itself – 14
kilos of pure gold! When asked
about his favorite moments, he responds
that meeting superstar players
Cannavaro (Italy), Messi (Argentina)
and Ronaldo (Portugal) and especially
getting to hold the actual trophy were the
most incredible experiences. Elnems is now
in the process of interviewing to be a volunteer
for FIFA 2014 in Brazil.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
37

WORKPLACE
APPLES
DEALING WITH A DIFFICULT EMPLOYEE
BY DR. VICTORIA ASHIRU
Every employer’s ultimate goal is to attract and retain valuable employees in their workforce through acquisition of the right
talents that would help them attain their strategic objectives. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some employees may end
up exhibiting counterproductive behavior, which could hinder the company’s productivity as well as interfere with interpersonal
relationships with fellow employees. So what should an HR Manager do in such a situation?
TYPES OF DIFFICULT EMPLOYEES:
- The hostile worker, who is verbally abusive and destructive
- The whiner, who complains just about everything
- The pessimist, who never believes there will be any good
outcome and as such can affect others with his negativity
- The sniper, who constantly criticizes others
- The impatient, who doesn’t care about policies and procedures
- The know-it-all, very smart and an expert in his field but
can be very exasperating
- The arrogant worker, who will never admit that he doesn’t
really know anything
- The indecisive worker takes too long to make a decision,
thereby causing unnecessary delay in productivity
- The silent employee takes an offensive position and simply
does not contribute to any decision
- The “yes” worker that will agree to anything without really
intending to carry it out
If you look at this list, you would agree that some
of them may appear to be difficult depending on
the circumstances. Since dealing with difficult
employees is not as simple as it sounds, we would
need to look at several factors, which will help us
shed some light on steps that will result in a positive
outcome for the company, the employee, and
the co-workers.
ADDRESS THE SITUATION USING
THE FOLLOWING STEPS:
1. Open a line of communication with the employee
to investigate fully the nature of the problem.
At this point, the policies of the organization
will be revisited to ensure that the employee is
on the same page with acceptable behavior, rules
and regulations, as well as the strategic goal of the
company. Employees may become unhappy if they
are not linking their responsibilities to the goals
of the organization and also their responsibilities
are not challenging or their talents not fully uti-
38 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Dr. Victoria Ashiru has been a member of the VIU Advisory Doctorate Committee since 2010.
She has over 20 years’ experience working with international organizations in several capacities.
lized. This may result in boredom and we know that an idle
mind is a devil’s workshop. Should such a situation arise, the
HR Manager should address it right away so that it doesn’t get
out of hand. It would be good to have a one-on-one with the
employee. Also, the employee may prefer to discuss the issue
with their own peers, and there has been proven success in engaging
a respected co-worker to speak to a difficult employee.
2. Plan a course of action based on the findings in the first
step. One of the actions would be to assign a mentor to the
employee that seems to be struggling with work or interactions
with his/her team members. A mentor should also be
able to assist the employee with both personal and company
goals. An employee may engage in counterproductive behavior
due to inadequate knowledge and experience required
to successfully complete their daily tasks. If this is the case,
the employee should be assigned to take appropriate training
programs to enhance their skills and competencies. The HR
Manager would need to properly look into the circumstances
surrounding the situation and address them, making sure to
separate opinion from actual behavior.
3. Reach a positive outcome/resolution that will benefit
the company, the employee, and co-workers. The decision has
to be closely monitored to ensure desired results. If after applying
the interventions mentioned in step #2 above the problem
still persists, disciplinary action may be considered.
If the employee’s misconduct is considered serious in nature,
it may lead to immediate discharge. Otherwise for minor offenses,
HR may impose several levels of penalties as follows:
- First offense—oral warning
- Second offense—written warning
- Third offense—second written warning
and suspension without pay
- Fourth offense—termination
In summary, the key is not only to address the person’s behavior
but also what may have contributed to the employee acting
in an unfavorable manner. Often times the so-called “difficult
employee” may actually be the most creative in the company.
Companies want to retain their most valuable employees, and
employees, on the other hand, do not wish to lose their jobs.
BY IDRIS ULAS
Personal growth at my workplace
was amazing; in the past 9 years,
I have grown so much at VIU! I
learned from eminent professors,
worked with amazing colleagues,
met thousands of bright students and
traveled to many countries to help
hundreds of students study in the US.
I had great experiences in each position
I held at VIU, progressively
improving over the years. My colleagues
and family have also been
excited to see my growth. I consider
myself lucky to have been one of
the VIU alumni offered a position by
VIU, which has become my second
family. VIU President Dr. Sarac has
given me such great opportunities
over the years, of which I am proud,
including traveling abroad to attend
seminars, workshops and help potential
students who want to study at
my university. I especially enjoyed
Indonesia, for its kind and friendly
people, Thailand for its delicious
green curries, and Morocco, for its
beautiful architecture.
Currently, in my role as Associate
Dean of the School of Online Education
(VIU Online), I am able to
combine all of my experiences as
a student, a designer, a marketing
professional and an administrator to
better serve our students. Working
alongside my colleagues, specialists
in their fields who are all so passionate
about education, I am thankful
for the opportunity to compete with
and learn from them. Here in the
US, opportunities abound, and everyone,
both American and international,
works hard.
It is a priceless experience to have
been able to participate in the
growth of VIU alongside my own. I
look forward to seeing VIU continue
to expand its programming and be
able to give other students the same
life-changing experiences I had.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
39

SPOTLIGHT ON MBA GRADUATES
Dr. Stephen Onu is a Professor at the VIU School of Business.
He is currently working on his next book.
According to the Digest of Education Statistics, more than 250,000 students are currently
enrolled in MBA programs and about 157,000 MBA degrees are awarded annually, thus
making MBA graduates one of the most competitive conferred classes in the marketplace.
The
Purple
Cow
BY DR. STEPHEN ONU
How do you stand out amongst the vast numbers of MBAs? How do you get potential
employers to notice you over others? You need to be remarkable and unique. Being good
is, well, not good enough. You need to be the purple cow. Imagine going home on Route 66
East heading towards Washington D.C, you suddenly noticed 20 cows and one of them happens
to be purple. (Cows are normally black, brown, white or mixed colors). What would
you do? Let me guess – you will take a second and look again just to be sure you’re not
hallucinating, you will probably take out your phone and snap some pictures, and you may
even post the picture on your Facebook, rush home and tell your friends. Why? I assume it
is not because you have never seen cows before but because you have just seen a unique cow
– a purple cow. Yes, the purple cow is not like its brethren, though a cow; it is a remarkable,
unique and different cow. The uniqueness (purple color) is the magnet that attracts attention
and gets this cow noticed from the rest. You must be a purple cow MBA to be noticed
in the marketplace. So, how do you become an MBA purple cow?
First, recognize that you’re uniquely different, there is no one like you and identify what
makes you unique. Maybe you have a style, a way of perceiving ideas; it could your background,
or your experiences. Whatever it is that sets you apart must be identified. You can’t
present yourself as remarkable and innovative if you’re eating the grass like other cows or
mimicking what other people are doing.
Second, leverage your uniqueness by using this formula: YOU + Other person + The Situation
= Uniqueness. Successful MBAs are those that take advantage of the opportunity the
first time. In most cases, it’s the combination of your interaction with a recruiter or a potential
client and how you handle the encounter (situation) is what makes the experience
remarkable. Common interests, a shared sense of humor, a way of connecting emotionally
– the more you can capitalize on your uniqueness, the more memorable you will be. I
remember, once, at Booz Allen Hamilton, we had invited about 25 new MBAs for project
management positions for our London Office. None of these MBAs has less than 3.5 GPA,
and all of them knew how to apply SWOT, cost/benefit analysis, competitive analysis and
all that, but one student was remarkable – Mohammad Abere. Mohammad knew all the
soccer teams in England, all their historical scores and standings, and he knew the championship
history of the English premier clubs. The Booz interviewing team hired Mohammad
because of his uniqueness that had the potential of increasing the firm’s market share. The
Booz consulting business is relationship based, and nothing builds better relationship in
London than football.
How to
Get Noticed by
Employers
40 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014
Third, let your uniqueness to be an asset. Gone are the days when corporations would hire
you and train you - no more. Many organizations expect you to be ready on the first day to
contribute to organizational growth. The most effective way to be an asset is to know the
organizational problems and propose solutions. Companies hire because there is a problem
that needs some degree of solution. If you don’t know the problem, you can’t solve it and
therefore you’re not an asset. One of our MBA graduates was recently hired by BlueCross as
an Operational Manager because he successfully identified some of the problems in the billing
department and showed how his unique experience would help speed the billing cycle.
In reality, being a purple cow is not a one-time activity; rather it is a constant way of thinking
creatively about the individual interactions you have every day. So what are you reading?
What are you thinking? The only way to become remarkably different from other MBAs is
for you to know your uniqueness, leverage your uniqueness and turn that uniqueness into
an asset.

TESTIMONIAL
VIU.EDU
“ ”
After my graduation from Virginia
International University and
spending several years in the States,
I returned to my homeland, Thailand.
Here, I opened a language
center for young learners using the
experience and knowledge that I
acquired at VIU. Today I am a business
lady, thanks to VIU.
Non Permpoontaweesap, a 2012 VIU alumna, earned her Master of
Science in Information Systems degree. Since Thailand participates
in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), she believes it essential
for the new Thai generation to learn English. By her work, she
would like to empower Thai children to achieve a more prosperous
future by learning English.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
41
GUARDIANS SURROUNDING GOLD TEMPLE BANGKOK

HAPPY MEMORIES
LIFELONG
FRIENDSHIPS
BY MARIYA KOLECHYNA
Friendship built at VIU is incredible. The test
that it is put through is difficult to describe,
but the multiple benefits that you get out of it
are even harder to comprehend. I have met my
absolute best friends at VIU. They are literally
from all over the world: Democratic Republic
of Congo, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan,
Mongolia, Russia, India, Germany, Thailand,
Angola, Brazil, Morocco, Nigeria, Poland,
the United States, Turkey, Eretria, Japan,
Egypt, Algeria – the list goes on! Two years
may not seem a long enough time to make
these amazing friendships, but not for international
students. My friends are
all a part of me; thanks to them,
I am who I am today! They had
an enormous influence on me.
They are my strength, my support,
people in whom I have unshakeable
trust. They are also my best
teachers. Our friendship is built
on a different level of appreciation
for each other. Because we are so
different, our friendship is now
strong, I think. We were able to
bond despite the common dissimilarities.
It feels as if you just look
through the person and find the
points that you relate to. It is hard, at times, to
comprehend that we met at VIU. It feels as if I
have known them all my life! We had amazing
times together during studies and created unforgettable
memories outside the classroom.
We celebrated holidays, travelled, participated
in events, drove planes, skydived, prepared for
interviews, moved, cooked, organized events,
surprised each other, made jokes, danced,
sang, laughed until we had tears in our eyes,
We may not
see each other
as often, talk
less, but we are
always in each
other’s hearts.
cried until we fell asleep, supported each other
through the happiest and the saddest moments
of our lives, argued, but made peace fast.
They are the ones you share everything with.
Our friendship ties are still strong even today.
Most of my friends have graduated and left the
States. This is hard to deal with, but we keep
in touch. We are a part of something bigger
than friendship; I would dare to call it family!
Those of them who stayed are doing very well
in the country; some are building careers, others
build families, have children, are married.
Not a day goes by when I don’t have images of
all those special moments flooding
my mind when I pass classrooms
or drive through the familiar
streets that once felt like home.
Being away from each other now
feels gloomy, but at the same time,
there is a pride in knowing that
distance does not stand between
us! We may not see each other as
often and talk less, but we are always
in each other’s hearts. We all
know that we can always count on
one another.
VIU teaches us to embrace friendship.
Moreover, the environment we are exposed
to creates an invisible prism through
which you are not able to see anything but a
human’s soul. This is where the connection
happens; the strongest friendships become
possible. My friends brought out the best in
me! Jess C. Scott said, “Friends are the family
you choose,” and I owe Virginia International
University for the best family of which I could
only have dreamt.
42 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
BY NOMIN BAYARMUNKH
After studying in Malaysia, I wanted to continue to improve
my English in another English-speaking country. Fortunately,
in 2009, I got a chance to come to the USA, a leading country
in the world. Time flies so quickly; now that I am an alumna,
it is hard to imagine myself speechless and overwhelmed with
joy on those first days at VIU. Students from all over the world
surrounded me, and there were so many exciting activities and
opportunities, which is probably why the time passed so quickly!
Every student was going through same thing when it came to the
language barrier, but we always helped each other.
VIU has not only impacted my world views, my education and
my career, but also my personal life! I met my lovely husband,
Manduul, here at my university. We have been together for four
years and will hopefully live happily ever after. I’m not going to
lie that it was love at first sight or anything. But it was real love
and still is. This made my life at VIU much more interesting as
my love was blossoming (still is). It started out slowly – often, I
had some language problem with which Manduul would help
me. He had been in the States longer than me and his English
was better. As we spent more time together and got to know each
other, we realized we were compatible in so many different ways.
He also gave me the most beautiful gift ever – our son! By the
time I graduated, I was also married and a mother! I always tell
myself how blessed I am, and I could not ask for more.
In these last four years, my life has completely changed. From an
international student who tried to learn English to opening the
door to motherhood. I am very proud to say I graduated from
Virginia International University with a Bachelor’s Degree in
Business Administration in 2013. I am very happy and appreciative
of everything that VIU has done for me. I truly believe that
VIU is one of the best universities; it is very dear to me and has
impacted my life in so many ways, especially in starting this new
life chapter!
By the time I graduated,
I was also married and
a mother! I always tell
myself how blessed I
am, and I could not ask
for more.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
43

44 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

MY STORY
VIU.EDU
Overcoming Obstacles:
Manar Alhazmi
BY ARIUNAA DASHTSOGT
We recently sat down with one of our students,
Manar Alhazmi, who is currently completing the
elementary level of VIU’s ESL program. Her talent,
determination, and personal story have made
her family, teachers, and peers admire her, and I
was eager to meet her myself. As a genuinely open
person, Manar is strong enough to share her life
with us, and she hopes that her story will inspire
and motivate others.
It’s not Manar’s first time in America; in fact, when
she was seven, her family lived in Los Angeles for
nine months. By the time she went home to Saudi
Arabia, Manar had already fallen in love with
America, its people and environment. Her favorite
aspect is everyone’s friendly smiles and greetings.
Manar is now back with a big vision: to improve
her English and earn her MBA degree in Healthcare
Management.
Manar’s longtime dream has been to become a
hospital manager, and she continues to overcome
many obstacles to reach it. At the age of 10, Manar
suffered from a serious illness and fell into a coma,
staying in a hospital for many months. Although
Manar’s loved ones were next to her and she had
excellent medical care, she was still shocked at the
sudden change in her life. Because she could no
longer take care of herself, Manar started to give
up hope of ever being a “normal” person able to
walk, run, work or even hang out with friends.
I was curious as to her turning point and how she
came from that low point at the hospital to being a
healthy, energetic student in America. Manar credits
her parents for her incredible improvement,
and her “second chance at life.” When Manar was
in the coma, “it was a very rough time for her parents
to see her staying in bed day and night.” After
six months, Manar finally left the hospital to continue
her treatments at home. Her dad demanded
that she continue her studies and stay strong and
to “battle the disease in order to become a healthy
and successful girl.” Manar completed high school
and received her Bachelor’s degree from a university
in Saudi Arabia. “Now I can do everything
with my walker and my wheelchair,” she says. “I
am always thankful to my parents for holding my
hand and teaching me to fight for life. Without
them, I would not be here today.” Her eyes turn
tearful when she talks about her mother, Hanan Al
Ahmadi, and her father, Faisal Al Hazmi, a policeman
who works tirelessly for his family of seven.
Her passion is helping children who suffer from
illness. To make that dream come true, Manar
pushes herself harder than ever. “I want to make
new things which I didn’t find when I was in the
hospital. It was very boring, and I had a hard time.
Even though parents and friends come to visit you,
something is still missing there. No matter how
sick children are, they need time to play. There are
no activities to make children happy!”
For Manar, learning from her VIU professors
means not only speaking English better but having
more confidence in herself. “I was very shy
when I first spoke, but today, because of my great
teachers, I love to interact with others. VIU is
helping my dreams come true!” Manar also enjoys
the wheelchair access available on campus at VIU,
on the streets and even on buses which, she says
makes it easy for her to get around. “Some people
beg for food or money in the street. They are
healthy, they can walk, run, and work. They can do
anything they want, earn enough to buy food or
even a house,” Manar says seriously, from the bottom
of her heart. “Right before I came to the USA,
I worked at a hospital as a receptionist. The manager
told me to study and come back, that I will be
the hospital manager, and I will do it!” Manar is
so positive and motivated that her attitude is contagious
“In the near future, I will walk without a
walker, run, even travel all over the world. Nothing
is impossible. I will make it happen.”
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
45

TECHNOLOGY
Smart Gadgets
Innovations in Information Technology
BY JOHNSON KINYUA
The computing discipline has always been a very exciting
and rapidly developing technological field, and phenomenal
developments in the field continue to take place. These developments
have been translated into products and services in the
real world that have made work more efficient, decreased the
need to travel, reduced costs, improved the quality of life, improved
manufacturing processes, created smart offices, given
birth to many smart gadgets and increased connectivity. In
the near future we shall have all devices at home and in the
office and connect to the Internet, the so-called “Internet of
Things”. The consequence of all these developments has been
a proliferation of technology buzzwords, the creation of inno-
vative smart gadgets and connectivity anytime and anywhere
as discussed in the following sections. There are many new
technology buzzwords that have emerged and some common
buzzwords include iPhone, cyberbullying, googling, hacker,
spyware, botnet, botnet Herder, cloud computing, blog, wiki,
cyber-terrorism and e-learning.
Innovations in information technology have resulted in the
development of many smart gadgets which can be found almost
everywhere: at home, in the office, in businesses, in cars,
and even on planes and ships.
THE TRAKDOT
The Trakdot knows which airport is holding
your misplaced luggage. It is a distressingly
common scenario: you have successfully
landed at your port of call but your luggage
cannot be found because it ended up somewhere
else. Trakdot is a tracking device that aims to make the
stress more bearable by knowing where your luggage ended
up. The black and orange, GSM-equipped gadget is slightly
larger than a deck of playing cards and powered by AA batteries.
It is programmed to power down once the airplane it is
on reaches certain speeds, but once on the ground, users can
check their bags’ location via an app, text message or email.
BONE CONDUCTION HEADPHONES
Panasonic bone-conduction TV headphones
connect to a TV via the Bluetooth wireless
standard and attach to your head like a normal set of
headphones. But instead of using your ears, the headphones
work like hearing aids by transmitting sound waves through
your skull.
YOUM
The bendable ‘Youm’ OLED display of
Samsung uses thin plastic instead of glass,
thereby making it unbreakable.
GOOGLE GLASS
Google Glass is a real-time GPS, a video camera, and Internet
browser. The unit is perched on the bridge of the user’s nose
like eyeglasses. The user just says “OK, Glass” or gestures with
hands and Google Glass responds instantly, showing the results
in a small display that floats just above the right eye.
Google Glass isn’t
even on the market
yet, but smart glasses
like Google Glass are
already expected to
bring major changes
to the workplace.
Smart glasses have the
potential to improve
workplace efficiency
in numerous industries.
For example
smart glasses in field services will bring about big savings from
diagnosing and fixing problems more quickly and without
needing to bring additional experts to remote sites. If used in
manufacturing and other heavy industries, the glasses could
be used for tasks like on-the-job training or assisting with
repairs. The impact on industries like retail and healthcare is
also expected to be significant. Those industries would use the
smart glasses mostly for looking up information, for example
searching the inventory.
46 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Johnson Kinyua, PhD is the Dean of the School of Computer Information Systems at VIU.
He has been published widely in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences.
OCULUS RIFT
Rift is a head-mounted,
virtual-reality device designed
specifically with
gaming in mind. The
idea behind the gogglesand-headphones
style
contraption is to immerse
players in a 3D world that is as close as possible to the
real one. Rift could be a real-world step toward the Star Trek
“Holodeck;” a chamber which could simulate any environment.
SOCCKET ENERGY BALL
The Soccket may look like a
soccer ball, but it is an energy
source. Kick it around for 30
minutes and the kinetic energy
is converted to about three
hours’ worth of electricity by
some internal mechanisms,
enough to charge a basic
cell phone. A full charge,
72 hours, can be realized after 16 hours of play. The idea is
to bring electricity and light to parts of the world that are
power-poor and often make do with toxic, fume-producing
kerosene lamps.
BOUNCE IMAGING EXPLORER
This gadget is intended to save lives.
The Bounce Imaging Explorer contains
six cameras in a rubber ball the
size of a baseball, along with a Wi-
Fi transmitter and sensors to detect
things like temperature and air quality.
It also includes a microphone to
transmit audio. The design of this
gadget allows users such as firefighters, soldiers and the police
to throw it into a hazardous area that they would not ordinarily
enter for safety reasons. The data it picks up can be
beamed back to the user via a smartphone or tablet. For example,
soldiers in battle or police in pursuit of an armed suspect
could use it to scout out an enclosed space before getting
in harm’s way. Disaster responders can toss it into earthquake
rubble to look for survivors. Firefighters could find out how
hot or smoke-filled a building is before they enter.
In Fall 2012, VIU created the VIU App to enhance students’ learning
experience. The goal of the app was to make it easy for students
to access all relevant VIU information from their mobile devices.
It is available on both Apple and Android devices. Through
the VIU Mobile App, students are able to access their VIU Email,
the event calendar, pictures, health insurance, financial information
and even check the VIU Facebook page. Students can
access their accounts in the Student Portal and learn and complete
class assignments on Moodle. They can also access the
Career Center and Library databases. The VIU App is an easy
and fast way to access information on the go from anywhere.
As we want to provide our students and faculty with the latest
technological innovations, all VIU websites are also fully mobile
compatible. To download the VIU Mobile App, search “Go VIU”
in the Apple Store or Google Play.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
47

EXPERIENCE
DIVERSITY in my
UNDERSTANDING
Coming from mono-cultural societies, it is challenging and exciting for many of our
students to be immersed in all the different ethnicities, religions and diverse viewpoints
present at VIU and the United States as a whole. At VIU, students are educated not
only academically, but also socially, learning and sharing cultures with other students
who do not always share the same views. However, the focus at VIU is always on
finding common values and celebrating the differences our students have. As a result
of VIU’s respectful “mini-United Nations” environment, students learn patience and
tolerance and acquire a new appreciation for other cultures.
DIVERSITY HAS NO
“THEM” AND “US”
While living in Russia I never thought about
diversity, even though it does exist. There are
lots of different ethnicities that adopted Russian
culture and behavior. Lately, people of
different ethnicities, races and religions started
entering the country and relations between
them and us seem to be more complicated.
Here in the United States, and at VIU in particular,
I got a chance to learn how to live a
meaningful life by accepting people the way
they are. It wasn’t easy in the beginning; I’d
say it was quite a challenge. And I’m sure
there are even more aspects to explore. VIU
helped me to understand that there is much
more in the world than I could ever imagine. I
wish everyone would understand that diversity
is the norm, not a problem, and then people
wouldn’t divide into groups like “them” and
“us” but see a completely new diverse world.
Liubov Rom, Russia
VIU CHANGED MY
PERSPECTIVE
Ever since I was in college, we
were taught that we should respect
and understand other nationalities’
cultures and religions.
But it wasn’t until I started studying
in VIU that I encountered a
very diverse environment. It is
very exciting to talk to someone
who comes from a country you
have only read about or seen on
TV. All of us coming from different
backgrounds and cultures,
we learn to respect and understand
each other’s beliefs.
Ana Maylin Dy,
Philippines
WE HAVE A LOT
IN COMMON
When I was enrolling in VIU,
the mix of different cultures impressed
me. Students, faculty,
and staff of different nationalities
can exchange experiences,
points of view and share stories.
At VIU we celebrate the holidays
of different countries and religions
such as Muslim Eid al-Fitr,
Hindu Diwali or Christian Christmas.
It helps us learn and gives
us a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to experience and take part in
all those celebrations. Each of us
is different, but at the same time,
we have a lot in common.
Agnieszka Kowalewska,
Poland
I AM SHARING MY
CULTURE WITH OTHERS
I came to the USA from Korea,
not an ethnically diverse country,
to study and travel. At first,
I was a little bit afraid of meeting
people from different cultures
because I only had been around
people of my own ethnicity for
my entire life. Now, I am grateful
for the dynamic and colorful cultural
experiences that the DC/
Metro area and VIU offer. I am
also happy to share my Korean
culture with my fellow VIU students!
An Young,
Korea
EXPERIENCED CULTURES
WITHOUT GOING FAR
When I first came, I had to take
English classes for several months
with students from all over the
world. It was how I experienced
different cultures without having
to travel to each and every single
country. I was very glad to find
that people here in America are
very multicultural and strive to understand
each other. They move
beyond simple tolerance to embracing
and celebrating the rich
dimensions of diversity contained
within each individual, and the
cultural differences are respected
and even encouraged.
Enkhzaya Jigjidsuren,
Mongolia
48 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

SPECIAL STUDIES
VIU.EDU
“English is the most commonly taught
foreign language in the world, with over
10 million teachers, according to the British
Council. At least 375 million people
speak English natively, and an even larger
number speak it as an additional language,
with estimates ranging from 470
million to over a billion depending on how
proficiency is defined.”
Students in VIU’s MA in TESOL program
hail from countries all over the
world, including Bangladesh, Bolivia,
Greece, Iraq, Mongolia, Poland, Russia,
South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam,
Uzbekistan, and many more. They are
quite a multilingual group, speaking a
wide variety of languages in addition
VIU TESOL prepares the
best educators in the market
By Rebecca Sachs
to their native tongues and English,
and they range in age from their early
20s to their late 60s. As undergraduates,
some majored in areas related to
TESOL, such as English literature and
applied linguistics, but others have
backgrounds in fields as diverse as law,
library science, computer science, and
media. What brings them all together
is a desire to teach English as an additional
language.
Other reasons for choosing a career in
TESOL are more personal. Many love
languages and are drawn to language
teaching for the opportunities it presents
to travel the world, broaden their
horizons, and immerse themselves in
different cultures. Others, looking for
new challenges, see TESOL as a way of
making positive contributions to people’s
lives and decide to pursue it as a
career change. Still others want to gain
exposure to different styles of pedagogy
so that they can help to improve how
languages are taught in their countries
of origin. It can be argued that some of
TESOL’s greatest strengths as a dynamic
and thriving field derive from the
diverse experiences of the people who
decide to become TESOL professionals.
These are some of the many reasons
why VIU established its superb MA in
TESOL program, which prepares some
of the best educators in the market.
Center For Democracy
& International Affairs
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
New VIU Center Draws
International Attention
The VIU Center for Democracy and
International Affairs (CDIA) operates
with a mission to promote global
understanding of democratic governance
as well as to establish an
international dialogue for cultural,
political and economic exchange to
aid in resolution of current international
challenges. The CDIA offers
programs and seminars on global
democracy, international affairs, and
intercultural dialogue. The founding
events of the Center in the Fall 2013
semester were very successful. The
first Democracy in Action event centered
on political campaign organization
and featured Evan Feinman,
Policy Director of the winning Terry
McAuliffe for Governor Campaign,
VA. Another event brought Dr. Alicia
Campi, expert on Mongolian-
American diplomatic relations, to
talk about Mongolia’s development
strategy as a landlocked Eurasian
nation. Finally, the CDIA’s first major
research project on Russia’s role in
APEC garnered international media
attention, being featured in eight different
international media outlets
within three days of publication.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
49

ONLINE EDUCATION
MOOCs
ATTACK!
What's
next in
Online
EDUCATION?
BY KATHERINE MAGALIF
Over the last decade, there has been a
tangible shift in education towards online
programs. While online programs
have not replaced the on-campus experience,
they have come a long way from
their beginnings, both in terms of technology
and culture.
In the early days of online or distance
education, students would read some
material, send in their coursework via
email, and visit a local testing center for
their exams. Despite the recent rise and
popularization of distance learning, it
is not new – it has been around for several
decades, with mail-in courses and
lectures on VHS tapes that long-time
professionals in the field still remember
sending to their students. The recent
rise of Massive Open Online Courses
(MOOCs), however, has prompted major
research universities around the
world to quickly increase their numbers
of online offerings and has led to a
cultural change in the way that society
now views online learning. While online
learning is still not as widely accepted as
regular on-campus education, attitudes
are changing for the better – after all, if
Harvard has online courses, it must be
okay, right?
MOOCs: What, Where and Why?
Now, what are these MOOCs that have
education leaders worried? MOOCs
stands for “Massive Open Online
Courses” and they are just that – online
courses that are open to all, which usually
makes for a very high number of
registered students. These courses are
usually free, which provides the access
to all, with occasional option to pay for
an extra certificate. In the past few years,
several large companies and non-profits
such as Coursera, EdX and Udacity, have
arisen, making MOOCs even more popular
and accessible, offering interesting
courses in various fields from professors
at top world institutions. These courses
are user-friendly and can be attended by
anyone from anywhere, as long as they
have a good internet connection. To
give an idea of just how massive these
courses (and companies) have become,
we can look at Coursera alone, which
boasts 5,592,076 students, 543 courses
and 107 partners. And this is what has
the traditional education community
worried – that students will now opt for
free MOOCs instead of the traditional
college degree. However, the MOOCs
do not actually provide college degrees!
And the vast majority of people taking
these individual courses are doing so
only for their own professional development
or amusement. There is no need to
fear MOOCs; in fact, they actually serve
the entire field of distance learning in
popularizing online education and making
it more mainstream and, therefore,
acceptable, as well as in forcing institutions
to spend more time, money and effort
on their online classes ensuring the
continued high quality of online education.
I am not alone in my view; at the
19th Annual Sloan Consortium International
Conference on Online Learning,
which took place in Lake Buena
Vista, Florida on November 20-23, 2013,
Daphne Koller, Co-founder of Coursera,
stated that most “Courserians” are taking
courses to further their own professional
development. “I don’t know
about your field, but a lot has changed
in my field of computer science since I
received my degree,” Koller joked.
ONLINE EDUCATION GROWTH
So, if the MOOCs will not take over online
education, what will happen? Well,
there is a lot of great news. First, it has
shown consistent growth over the last
ten years. According the 2012 Survey
of Online Learning, conducted by the
Babson Survey Research Group, over 6.7
million students are now taking at least
one online course, and 32% of higher
education students now take at least one
course online. Finally, while individual
faculty members and members of the
50 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Katherine Magalif is the Director of the Center for Democracy and International Affairs at VIU.
She received her MA in Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies from Georgetown University.
public are still unsure of the quality of
online higher education as compared
to on-campus, according to the same
Babson survey, 77% of academic leaders
rate the learning outcomes in online
education as the same or even superior
to those in face-to-face classes.
ONLINE EDUCATION
IN PRACTICE
Having experienced online education
from all angles, as a student, a
professor and administrator and even
a marketer, I can state from personal
experience that online education is a
very practical and cost-effective way
to study and earn a degree. In fact, in
several recent unofficial student surveys,
online education was rated as
having the best value. In speaking to
online students here at Virginia International
University, most comment
on how convenient it is. Because the
classes are so flexible, they can accommodate
any schedule, leaving students
in all time zones able to work,
maintain family responsibilities and
study at times convenient to them.
Most students cite an initial fear of
online courses, as they are unused to
them and not sure what to expect; and
then, without exception, all are pleasantly
surprised by how interactive the
courses are and how much support
and feedback they receive from their
VIU Online professors.
In conclusion, recent technological
developments and adoption of online
learning by leading educational institutions
has made it easier for online
learning to enter the mainstream. With
competition created by the propagation
of online learning, also spurred
on by MOOCs, now is the absolute
best time to enroll in an online degree
program to take advantage of the latest
advances and gain the best value.
GOING DIGITAL:
THE VIU
LIBRARY
While VIU maintains a traditional library
on its campus, the university
also caters to its online students by
providing them with the latest and
best digital resources. VIU provides
information services to its residential
and online students and faculty
by maintaining an on-campus
library with approximately 6,600
book and 50 periodical titles and
by providing access to two online
research databases. The library
website provides access to the library’s
electronic catalog, its two
online research databases, and
links to over 240 websites relevant
to the curriculum. Students and
faculty can also contact the library
staff through the library website.
VIU subscribes to LIRN and e.brary,
two online research databases.
LIRN provides access to
the full-text of millions
of articles from thousands
of periodicals,
many of them peer
reviewed. e.brary, on
the other hand, provides
access to the fulltexts
of over 85,000
current academic
books.
and
LIRN
e.brary
can be accessed
from
any computer
with an Internet
connection.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
51

FREE TIME
Adventure!
Go On
a New
Although VIU students study hard during the semester, they also love to
travel and experience all sorts of new and exciting activities, from skydiving
to American football! Here are just a few cool things our students
have done recently. Feeling inspired? Then go on a new adventure!
Prashish Shrestha,
Nepal “In this fast-paced
world, I never have
time to spend with
my friends. Going
whitewater rafting was
an excellent way to stop
the clock and have fun.”
VIU students love to travel and explore America. From
New York City to Hollywood and from Niagara Falls to Miami,
they’ve traveled all over the United States. Of course,
the best place to start is right next to VIU. In Washington,
DC you can visit the White House, the United States Capitol,
the botanical gardens, the zoo and, of course, the many
museums!
Laetitia Damase, a VIU student from France, is one of our
adventure-loving students. “One of my favorite hobbies
is to travel and see new places. I love trying new experiences
and look back and say to myself, ‘Wow I can’t believe
I made it!’ I went to 17 cities and 10 states in 5 months, did
skydiving, explored the shooting range, held a baby alligator,
and swam with dolphins in the Bahamas and so much
more. I am thankful to study during the week, which leaves
me totally free to travel on the weekends. You should see
what the world has to offer to you while studying!”
Veronica Enriquez Cujar,
Colombia “I saw snow for
the first time when I went
skiing in Maryland! Even
though I fell down a few
times, learning to ski was
a magical experience.”
Stephane Victorino,
Brazil “Skydiving was
on my “To Do” list ever
since I came to the US.
The idea of jumping
out of a plane can be
scary, but nothing can
describe the feeling of
freedom as you free fall!”
Baatardash Baldandorj,
Mongolia “Learning to fly
a helicopter in Daytona
Beach, Florida was amazing!
Flying 1500 meters
above sea level, with just
the sky and the ocean,
was scary and wonderful.”
Laryssa Saud, Brazil
“Since I came to the
US, I was curious about
American football. Going
to a Washington Redskins
game was incredible. I
especially liked the festive
atmosphere.”
52 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
Laetitia Damase
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
53

EDUCATION NEWS
The Rising
Cost of
Education
Education costs more than ever before in America,
and yet more people than ever are earning degrees;
what will happen to the cost of education – will it
keep rising or taper off? How will online education
affect the costs?
While education costs have been steadily rising both
with inflation and as a percentage of income, the
number of college graduates has dramatically increased
over the last five decades. According to the
National Center for Education Statistics, in 1960, the
annual cost of tuition, room and board accounted for
2% to 30% (state vs. private universities) of annual
median income, yet only 7% of the American population
had graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher.
In 2012, the annual cost of tuition, room and board
accounted for 16% to 96% (state vs. private universities)
of annual median income, and yet, over 30% of
the American population had graduated with a bachelor’s
degree or higher.
With the significantly rising costs of education as well
as the overall rise in unemployment, recent graduates
have been finding themselves in debt at the very start
of their careers.
Due to this shift, there had been a lot of discussion
on the future of education costs. Both Massive Online
Open Courses (MOOCs), which do not actually provide
degrees, and online education in general, which
tends to be less expensive, are forcing colleges and
universities to look at their cost structures to see what
they can cut.
And yet, due to high salaries and maintenance costs
to keep up expensive campuses, institutions are finding
it impossible to lower prices. As a result, many
of them are expanding their online programming,
in which associated costs are minimal. However, it
seems that tuition costs will continue to rise, and the
continual demand for higher education will allow
them to do so.
54 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
ASIA CONTRIBUTES THE LARGEST
NUMBER OF STUDENTS TO THE U.S.
Studying overseas has become increasingly popular
for students all over the world. For American students,
the United Kingdom has been a favorite destination,
drawing the largest group of students, closely
followed by Italy, Spain and France during the last two
years. Almost 60% of students studied abroad for eight
weeks or less and took courses mainly in the social sciences,
business and humanities.
In turn, the United States hosts many international
students from around the world. According to Fast
Facts, 2012 saw an increase of 7% in international students
in the US, a record high of almost 820 thousand
students. China contributed the largest number of students,
about 236 thousand.
There was drop of nearly 4% of students from India;
however, it is still the second largest group, equal to
about half of Chinese students. Several countries, including
Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia, have shown a
marked rise in the number of students they send to
the US by at least 25%. Nonetheless the largest group
remains Chinese students.
A similar trend is in play at VIU, although not necessarily
with the same countries. VIU receives the most
inquiries from interested foreign students in Asia, followed
closely by Africa.
MOST POPULAR PROGRAMS
Among international students studying in the United
States, MBA degrees are the most popular, yet, engineering,
math and computer science, social sciences
and physical and life sciences are beginning to catch
up. At VIU, the trend reflects that in the rest of the
United States, with business programs being the most
popular, followed closely by ESL programs and computer
and technology programs.
“Innovations at the
Intersection of Language,
Learning, & Culture”
April 11-12, 2014
FEATURING
• Dr. Terrence G. Wiley, President and CEO of
the Center for Applied Linguistics, on the
multilingual heritage and contemporary
linguistic diversity in the US
• Dr. Shelley Wong, Professor at George Mason
University and past TESOL President, on student
advocacy and empowerment
• Dr. Ken Petersen, Technical Director of
Online Learning & Assessment for American
Councils for International Education, on
innovations in technology for the modern
classroom
Join the conference to discuss the latest
developments in Language Learning and
Development, Pedagogical Considerations,
Program Evaluation and Policy & Language
in Society.
For more information on abstract submission,
registration, event schedule, and more, visit the
School of Education website:
http://viu.edu/sed.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
55

EXPERIENCE
Coming to North America was a very fun experience for me, especially seeing
the enormous buildings and the change of language! But I really miss the
small-town feel of everyone knowing each other and celebrating the holidays
together in the streets that I had back in Colombia. Also in Columbia,
when they call you by your name, it means they are mad at you. Here in the
US, people just call you by your name after you meet them. I think the most
remarkable difference is in the order and progress that exists here in the US.
I felt so intimidated and did not want to leave my house for the first two
months! Also, using public transportation was a difficult adjustment, because
the schedules here are fixed. The biggest shock for me was where to
shop for food. At home, I never had to worry about what I could eat, but
here, I have to take more time to do it.
I did not experience as much culture shock. Here, I am with my brother and
we support each other. However, I still miss everything back home, especially
around the holidays. My friends here are great, and VIU has so many
activities for us. I did have to learn to be on time here in the US though!
Anybody who has lived in a foreign country may experience differences in
what their new culture considers important as well as the different values of
that nation. I learned to make my own decisions without being reliant on my
parents. Moreover, I made a lot of friends who helped me alleviate homesickness
and improved my communication skills.
The huge food portions, Americans’ everyday routines, and the wide roads
- everything had a very different vibe about it. I was really amazed by the
way Americans lived their lives, which was very organized. Punctuality was a
huge issue that I had to deal with when I came study as a freshman. Back in
Nepal, we are never expected to be on time no matter what the appointment
or the meetings are. Here, it was totally different. I missed my dinner twice
in the cafeteria because I was two minutes late. I was amazed by the fact that
part of our grades were based on being on time and attending class. It took a while to adjust, but eventually it became a norm
of life. When I look back, it makes me feel grateful because it has shaped who I am today.
56 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

TESTIMONIAL
VIU.EDU
“ ”
I am currently studying Small Business
Administration at VIU. I enjoyed
the variety of trips and special social
functions on campus. During course
projects, I could see that my classmates
are very knowledgeable about American
subjects. It makes me proud as an
American to see how international
students take advantage of our great
education system and how well they
adapt to our customs.
Brenda Callahan selected VIU to learn in a small classroom
environment with other students that wanted to learn about the
importance of an American education. At first, she wondered if
she would fit in at VIU and whether she would be accepted by the
other students, but she found that the university is well-managed
and open to international and American students.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
57

VIU NEWS
VIU
goes
Global
VIU has partnered with universities
around the world to collaborate
on student and faculty
exchange, research and to
give students in universities on
different continents an opportunity
to continue their studies
in the United States. Currently,
VIU collaborates with universities
throughout Europe, Asia, Africa
and South America. Some of our
longest-standing collaborations
with universities in Mongolia, Russia,
Kyrgyzstan and Macedonia,
among others, even offer the
option of getting a dual degree.
And that’s not all! Many exciting
new collaborations are on the
way with universities in countries
like Brazil, Germany, Romania
and Tanzania. As part of VIU’s
effort to promote collaboration,
VIU President Dr. Sarac recently
visited Tokyo and Kyoto where
he met with representatives from
EducationUSA. After four days
in Japan, Dr. Sarac headed to
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, to give
a speech about VIU, the American
education system, and the
benefits of student exchange. His
final stop was Taipei, in Taiwan,
where Dr. Sarac met with the Directors
of the Taiwanese Turkish
Center to discuss collaboration
opportunities. Our president’s trip
to Asia was both fascinating and
productive. It expanded collaborations
and assured that VIU
students are receiving the best
online and on-campus educational
experience possible.
EVERYDAY OPPORTUNITIES
Student employees contribute significantly to both the academic
and administrative areas of the university while gaining valuable
experience in their fields. Currently, VIU students work in Marketing,
Student Affairs, the Bookstore, Library, President’s Office,
IT and Academic Departments. When student employment positions
open, all students receive notification through their VIU
campus email. Competition is tough as we strive to employ those
with the greatest skill set and prior experience for each position.
We encourage students to volunteer in a department for which
they would like to work to learn more about it.
58 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIU.EDU
KEEPING UP WITH
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
CONFERENCES
Professional development is a priority for VIU faculty and
staff. They are encouraged to attend conferences and
conventions to keep abreast of the latest developments
in their fields. In the past few months, VIU faculty and
staff have attended several cutting-edge conferences.
• Laura Coker and Smita Maskey from the Office
of International Students attended the Virginia
International Educators (VIE) Fall Conference in
Richmond, Virginia.
Social
Media
Buzz
With the advent of social media,
our students and alumni are able
to instantly read, see, hear and
share their news, thoughts and
opinions with the tap of a finger
or the click of a mouse. Here are
some of the great things they
had to say about VIU:
• Martha Huaman and Stephan Shelley of the
Admissions Office attended Against All Odds:
Advancing International Education Conference,
organized by the Association of International
Educators NAFSA in Atlantic City, NJ.
• Idris Ulas and Smita Maskey attended the
NAFSA Annual Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.
• Dr. Rebecca Sachs, a professor in VIU’s School
of Education, attended three conferences in
October: the Fall Convention of the Washington-
Area Teachers of English to Speakers of Other
Languages Association (WATESOL), a conference
on Improving Quantitative Reasoning in Second
Language Research at Georgetown University,
and the Second Language Research Forum (SLRF)
in Provo, Utah.
• Connie Lee, ESL Program Director, and Claire
Gimble, ESL instructor, presented at the Fall
2013 Conference for the Washington, DC
Area Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages
Association (WATESOL) in Bethesda, MD
• John L. Bennett, Director of Library, attended
the Virginia Library Association (VLA) Annual
Conference in Williamsburg, Virginia.
• Yoko Uchida Gursen, University Registrar,
attended the Foreign Educational Credentials
Analysis workshop organized by NAFSA and
the CAMS Connect Annual Users Conference.
• Dr. Michael C. Ross, Dr. Mark Robinson, and Dr.
Joseph Huber (School of Business) presented at
the National Association of Multicultural Education
2013 Annual Conference. Their presentation
focused on a quantitative and qualitative
analysis of international millennial students and
the process of teaching them to be collaborative
and reflective.
Agnieszka Gryska I love living in such a
safe environment, close to Washington, DC.
Farida Mammadova Thank goodness for
payment plans! Now I don’t have to take out
loans to afford my education.
Hamdu Sweet So many great internship
opportunities to choose from in the DC area!
@ZinebH My classmates were so #diverse.
Surrounded by #Russians, #Indians, #Brazilians,
#Tanzanians!
@KenP My professor just took us to lunch at
the #IMF! @viuintluniversit
@Verena Awesome! I just got a #scholarship from
#VIU!
@BaskaG Love my #flexible schedule at
@weareVIUOnline! Lets me work and study.
Niler Mutlu: Taking on-campus and online
classes this semester. Less time commuting =
happy student!
Said Sani Nababa: Small classes make VIU
awesome. Just talked to my professor for an
hour about entrepreneurship!
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
59

ALUMNI
WHERE
are they
NOW
?
VIU takes great care of its students,
providing them with hands-on internship,
CPT and OPT opportunities and
introducing them to the world’s leading
companies. But what happens when our
students graduate?
We are always thrilled to hear about their
exciting career and personal life changes
and are so proud of them. VIU alumni
are currently employed by top US and
global agencies and corporations such
as the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, the U.S. Department
Atlanta,
USA
As an assistant librarian at VIU, I
was lucky enough to gain hands-on
knowledge which I am implementing
now in real life. Atlanta is cool.
The work environment here is
certainly amazing! I am currently a
Software Build Engineer at Ernst
and Young. Finding out that I was
selected after the interview was
one of the most exciting moments
in my life! At the time, I was working
at Intel Corporation after my
graduation on a project maintaining
source code. Even though I have
met a lot of new friends here at
work, I still keep in touch with all
my VIU friends, who are now working
in multinational companies.
Tarun Reddy Guduru, MCS
St. Petersburg,
Russia
I successfully graduated from
VIU with honors in 2013. At VIU,
I learned not only from books,
(which are amazing compared to
the ones I read in my home country
doing my undergraduate degree),
I also learned so much from
VIU professors. After my graduation
and life in America, I became wiser
and stronger without doubt. It
seems to me that I traveled around
the world during the two years of
my MBA Program because I made
so many friends from around the
world. I plan to start my international
career and try to contribute
to the Russian Economy and development
and build a family.
Anastasia Listopadova, MBA
Beijing,
China
The quality of education at VIU was
excellent and I am proud to have
found great friends there. Today,
my life in China is awesome! After
graduation, I got a cool job with
a chance to travel, but I really do
miss VIU and always care about
what it going on with my VIU
“family.” I love that VIU continues
to keep in touch, sending messages
and caring how my life is going.
Thanks so much VIU. I will never
forget my life there, and I wish to
come back one day to visit my
warm-hearted VIU family!
Lei Ding, Certificate in
International Business
60 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

Tips from the
of Energy, the World Bank, the International
Monetary Fund, World Resource
Institute, Hewlett Packard, Google,
PricewaterhouseCoopers, IBM, Ernst
and Young and many more.
Most VIU alumni stay in touch with each
other, often expanding personal connections
gained at VIU into global business
networks! We had a chance to catch up
with some of our recent alumni. Below,
you can see what they have done since
graduating from VIU.
5
To a Successful Job Interview
Job interviews are nightmares for many people. The best way to
minimize your nervousness prior to an interview is to be well
prepared. Here are some tips that can help you in the interview:
Ulaanbaatar,
Mongolia
VIU’s School of Business provided
me with efficient and intensive
training. My professors were
dynamic experienced professionals
who based their classes on practical
methods, which is very useful
for a business environment. Several
months after my internship at Grameen
Foundation, where I worked
after graduation, I was hired by IFC,
World Bank Group as an Investment
Analyst. There are a lot of
people at VIU whom I respect and
whom I thank for all the opportunities
they have given me.
Bolor Chimednamjil, MBA
1. Research and Practice
Researching a company and the
position make you stand out in an
interview. Additionally, practicing
what you will say out loud before
your interview will help you sound
more polished, concise and less
nervous in the actual interview.
2. Dress Well
In an interview, first impressions
do matter. The best way to ensure
a good first impression is to dress
smart. If you are interviewing
for a job in an office, it is usually
best to wear a dark-colored, conservative
suit (for both men and
women).
3. Be conscious of your
appearance
Be on time for your interview.
This is, perhaps, the most important.
Employers expect employees
to arrive on time to work.
Be aware of your body language.
When shaking hands, make sure
your grip is firm and confident.
Have good posture, but avoid appearing
stiff. Keep the interview
positive. Avoid making negative
remarks about any previous jobs
or employers.
4. Be prepared to ask the
interviewer questions
This is where your research
comes in. Employers want to
know if you’re truly interested in
the position. They also want to
know that you have all the information
you need to make a decision,
if offered the job.
5. Thank-you note
Make sure you let the interviewer
know how pleased you were to
have the chance to interview with
him or her. Immediately after the
interview, send the interviewer a
thank-you note, thanking him or
her for taking time to interview
you.
Spring 2014 University Magazine, VIU
61

FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
As a popular international university, VIU gets lots of questions
from interested students all over the world. Below, we
answer some of the most common questions we get. Have a
question that’s not answered here? Please visit our website at
www.viu.edu to get more detailed information.
How do I apply to VIU?
First, choose your program of study on the VIU website,
www.viu.edu. Then, fill out the online application form.
Finally, pay the application fee and upload required documents.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@
viu.edu or admission@viu.edu , or by live chat where we
are happy to help you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
What are the expenses?
VIU offers a competitive tuition rate, much lower than most
other universities, while still maintaining excellent quality
of education and the best learning experience. Tuition
rates differ according to program; to get the most current
information on tuition, please visit the “Tuition” page on
our website under the “Admissions” menu.
Does VIU help international
students get a student visa?
As an international school, VIU is always keen on assisting
students in getting F1 visas. The school assists students by
providing the supporting documents that are needed to get
a student visa (for example: I-20 and acceptance letter to
those who are qualified). The Office of International Student
Services at VIU assists students in immigration policies and
procedures. Please keep in mind that the US embassy in
your country makes the final decision as to whether you are
given a visa or not.
Can students work
while studying?
VIU offers on-campus employment opportunities to its students.
Any student can apply for open positions once admitted
to VIU. Students may also apply for Curricular Practical
Training (CPT). This allows them to work outside of campus
at jobs which relate to their program of study.
New Live Chat System
Helps Students
We are so excited to announce that we have
launched a new VIU live chat system. The
new system was first implemented at VIU
Online, and will be implemented to support
on-campus program inquiries. The new
system allows us to assist our current and
prospective students from anywhere in the
world. With around the clock support, anytime
a student has a question, VIU is there
to help!
Mailing address:
11200 WAPLES MILL ROAD, #360 FAIRFAX, VA 22030
PHONE: 703-591-7042 / 1800-51-GO-VIU
FAX: 703-591-7048
CONTACT US
ON-CAMPUS PROGRAM INQUIRY: info@viu.edu
ONLINE PROGRAM INQUIRY: info@online.viu.edu
ON-CAMPUS ADMISSION DEPARTMENT: admission@viu.edu
ONLINE ADMISSION DEPARTMENT: admissions@online.viu.edu
62 University Magazine, VIU Spring 2014

VIRGINIA
INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
PROGRAMS OFFERED (Academic Year 2014-2015)
School of Business
■ Master of Business Administration (MBA) in:
• International Business
• Marketing Management
• International Finance
• Global Logistics
• Accounting
• Health Care Administration
• Human Resources Management
• Hospitality and Tourism Management
■ Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in:
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
School of Computer Information Systems
■ Master of Science in Information Systems (MIS)
■ Master of Science in Computer Science (MCS)
■ Master of Science in Information Systems Management (MISM)
■ Master of Science in Information Technology (MIT)
■ Master of Science in Software Engineering (MSE)
■ Bachelor of Computer Science (BCS)
■ Graduate Certificate in Business Intelligence
■ Graduate Certificate in Information Systems
■ Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Management
■ Graduate Certificate in IT Audit and Compliance
■ Certificate Programs:
• International Business
• Small Business Management
School Public and International Affairs
■ Master of Science in International Relations (MIR) in:
• International Economic Development
• International Business
■ Master of Public Administration (MPA) in:
• Public Management
• Information Systems
• Health Care Administration & Public Health
School of Education
■ Masters of Education (M.Ed.)
■ Master of Arts in TESOL
■ Graduate Certificate of Education
■ Graduate Certificate in TESOL
■ Master of Science in Applied Linguistics (MSAPL)
School of English Language Studies
■ English as a Second Language Program (ESL)
School of Continuing Education
■ Professional Development Programs
■ Workshops / Seminars
■ Adult English Language Evening Classes
All graduate and undergraduate
programs are also available online.

In addition to its excellent programs in business, technology, and English, VIU
has opened several high-demand programs in education, public policy and
international affairs. With so many great programs to choose from, a warm,
supportive environment, exciting student activities, amazing professors and
lifetime friendships. VIU is truly my kind of university!
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
11200 Waples Mill Rd, Suite 360, Fairfax, VA 22030
1.800.514.6848 - www.viu.edu
facebook.com/GoVIU twitter.com/vaintluniversit youtube.com/virginiaiu