UNIVERSITY

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 2
VIU AT THE FOREFRONT OF
ACADEMIC LEADERSHIP p.30
CLLC Conference Attracts Educators
from Around the World
Coming Soon p.16
Brand New Campus in Fall 2014
Professor of the Year p.14
Rebecca Sachs
Cyberterrorism p.50
Fighting The Dark Side Of The Internet
Train Your Brain p.20
www.viu.edu

VIRGINIA
INTERNATIONAL
VIRGINIA
INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY
www.viu.edu |
www.viu.edu
info@viu.edu
| info@viu.edu
VIRGINIA
INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
PROGRAMS OFFERED (2014-2015 Academic Year)
www.viu.edu | info@viu.edu
table of Contents
viu.edu
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY
MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 | 2014
School of Business (SB)
▪ Master of Business Administration (MBA) in:
• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Ethical Leadership
• Global Logistics
• Health Care Management
• Hospitality & Tourism Management
• Human Resource Management
• International Business Management
• International Finance
• Marketing Management
• Mass Media & Public Relations
• Project Management
▪ MS in Accounting
▪ MS in Project Management
▪ Graduate Certificate in Project Management
▪ Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BBA) in:
• Finance
• International Business
• Marketing
▪ Undergraduate Certificate in International Business
▪ Undergraduate Certificate in Small Business Management
School of Education (SED)
▪ MA in TESOL (MATESOL)
▪ Master of Education (MEd) in:
• English for Speakers of Other Languages Education
• Math Education
• Science Education
▪ MS in Applied Linguistics in:
• Educational Technology
• Multilingual Education
• Program Management
▪ Graduate Certification in TESOL
▪ Graduate Certificate in Education
School of Language Studies (SLS)
▪ English as a Second Language (ESL) Intensive
▪ English as a Second Language (ESL) Non-Intensive
School of Public & International Affairs (SPIA)
▪ Master of Public Administration (MPA) in:
• Health Care Administration & Public Health
• Information Systems
• Public Management
▪ MS in International Relations (MIR) in:
• International Business
• International Economic Development
School of Computer Information Systems (SCIS)
▪ MS in Computer Science (MCS) in:
• Computer Animation & Gaming
• Cybersecurity
• Data Management
• Intelligent Systems
• Networking
• Software Applications Development
• Software Engineering
▪ MS in Information Systems (MIS) in:
• Business Intelligence & Data Analytics
• Cybersecurity
• Data Management
• Enterprise Project Management
• Health Informatics
• Information Assurance
• Knowledge Management
▪ MS in Information Systems Management (MISM)
▪ MS in Information Technology (MIT)
▪ MS in Software Engineering (MSE)
▪ Graduate Certificate in Business Intelligence
▪ Graduate Certificate in Information Systems
▪ Graduate Certificate in Information Systems Management
▪ Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Audit & Compliance
▪ Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BCS)
School of Continuing Education (SCE)
All graduate and undergraduate
programs are also available online
VIU President Meets
Donald Trump
One of America’s wealthiest people
shares his views on business, politics,
and the American future
46
8 | Global Network
VIU students come from every corner of the world
24 | African Bridge to Education
Alex Luketa: Bringing hope to those who need it
29 | Writing Tips
How to nail that report!
38 | Entrepreneurship
Do you have what it takes to be your own boss?
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
3

table of Contents
Message From the president
viu.edu
University Magazine
Issue 2, 2014
34 | Commencement 2014
Meet VIU’s latest graduating class!
48 | Body Language Never Lies
Tips and tricks to help you look your best
59 | Stop Wasting Your Time!
Time management for the modern world
President
Dr. Isa Sarac
Editor-In-Chief
Katherine Magalif
Managing Director
Ariunaa Dashtsogt
Executive Editor
Emily Leighty
Contributing Writers
Dr. Stephen Onu Camilla de Jesus Nunes
Dr. Joseph Huber Kevin Martin
John L. Bennett Dr. Klara Bilgin
Dr. Johnson Kinyua Aziza Mirkhanova
Faria Islam
Nafisa Ismailova
Christina L. Koonts Nina Nwaobilo
Yannal Rawashde Pornkamol Prinyaruk
Prashish Shrestha Kathleen Covington
Designers
Piyawut Kidmungtangdee
Soohyun Lim
Editorial Office
4401 Village Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-591-7042
Fax: 703-591-7048
For advertising and distribution,
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 All rights reserved.
Virginia International University.
Printed in the USA
Dear Readers,
As I write this from my office in VIU’s newest building, I look out the window and
reflect on all the wonderful changes our students and VIU as a whole have gone through.
While another great group of graduates has just proudly donned their gowns and gone
off on their way to a glorious future, another group of bright-faced young freshmen have
come in to start their VIU journey. VIU has expanded in every way, adding new programs,
new locations, and more new students, as we continue to build new collaborations all over
the world.
Most recently I had the chance to meet Donald Trump, the Chairman and President of
The Trump Organization. As I spoke with him about VIU, Mr. Trump seemed impressed
with the diversity and international aspects of our university. In his business, it is important
to interact with different cultures and to make and maintain global connections, which our
students accomplish at VIU. Considered one of the best known real estate entrepreneurs in
the United States, Mr. Trump gave valuable advice about business, entrepreneurship, and
leadership. Read more in “You Need to Win for People to Follow You” (p.46).
We at VIU have passed so many significant milestones together, and you can read
about several of them in this latest issue of University Magazine. One of the crowning
achievements this past semester was VIU’s very first international conference, organized by
the School of Education, which brought together over 200 education leaders from around
the world. As you read about it in “CLLC: VIU at the Forefront of Academic Leadership”
(p.30), you will notice how successful it was and that another one is already planned for
next year, as are conferences from each of our popular schools. Another momentous event
in 2014 is that our university purchased a new building to enlarge our campus, share our
joy in “VIU’s Newest Campus” (p.16). Further, see the happy faces of our graduates in
“Commencement 2014” (p.34) and read more exciting news in education, business, current
affairs, global networking, and technology as you turn the page. I hope you enjoy this
latest issue of University Magazine as much as I have.
Happy reading!
Dr. Isa Sarac
VIRGINIA
INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY
4 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
4 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
5

Office of the president
viu.edu
Presidential Visit:
Meeting at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
with Vice-Rector and other representatives
Brazil
By Camilla Nunes
Centro Universitario Augusto Motta, private
university in Rio – Dr. Sarac and Augusto Mota
(Coordinator of the International Relations
Department)
Meeting with Marina Lhullier Lugão, Education
USA advisor, at Centro Universitário
SENAC in São Paulo.
In an effort to promote Virginia International University’s
global partnerships and at the invitation of several prominent universities,
VIU President Dr. Sarac visited four states and five cities
in Brazil this Spring. The number of South American, and specifically
Brazilian, students at VIU increased steadily over the last
several years, resulting in the Brazilian trip. VIU alumna Camilla
Nunes accompanied the President and served as his translator on
his trip to her homeland. Their first stop was in São Paulo, Brazil’s
biggest city, where Dr. Sarac and Camilla visited the bilingual
school Colégio Belo Futuro Internacional and officials from EducationUSA,
who advised them on VIU’s enrollment in the “Brazil
Scientific Mobility Undergraduate Program” to allow more Brazilian
students the opportunity to come to VIU. Dr. Sarac met and
signed agreements with rectors of several other universities, both
federal and private, including Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto
(UFOP) in Minas Gerais, UNISUAM in Rio de Janeiro, Universidade
Positivo in Curitiba, and Grupo Anima, a group that supports
three private universities in Belo Horizonte. Between meetings
and visits, Dr. Sarac had the opportunity to go on sightseeing
tours and see the astonishing diversity of the country, with scenery
from flowered mountains to skyscrapers; from baroque architecture
to beautiful beaches. Dr. Sarac was very impressed by Brazil’s
nature as well as its people. The VIU community looks forward to
fruitful partnerships and welcoming more students from Brazil.
New Collaborations
Centro Universitario de Belo Horizonte –
Meeting with representatives of the Anima
Group.
Virginia International University participates in several valuable
collaborations with other universities and organizations worldwide.
Through these collaborations, VIU undertakes joint educational
and research initiatives, creates international opportunities
for students and faculty, and works with likeminded institutions
on best practices in university development. VIU also offers joint
degree options to students of several collaborating universities,
both at the graduate and undergraduate levels. Each year, VIU
hosts many students from collaborating institutions in all of its
degree programs, as well as in ESL, summer programs, and shortterm
trainings and workshops. VIU’s collaborations expand annually;
currently, VIU collaborates with institutions on five continents!
The latest collaborations are with institutions in Romania,
Germany, Thailand, Tanzania, Korea, and Brazil.
6 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 7

International Community
viu.edu
Russia
Bolorchimeg Tsogbadrakh, Mongolia
My career really benefited from the international
contacts I made back at VIU.
China
Petra Mitchell, Czech Republic
Kathleen Covington, Canada
I first came to the US as an international
student in 2007 because
I wanted to learn more about the
cultural differences between the US
and Canada; I chose VIU for the same
reason, for exposure to different cultures!
VIU is an incredibly diverse
place! My favorite memory at VIU has
to be our trip to the IMF. I have never
seen so many students so excited to
go on a field trip and so full of questions
for the presenters.
Venezuela
VIU is proof that unity is
possible, despite cultural
differences and other barriers
that separate us. I am
proud of all the diverse
friends I made at VIU.
Turkey
Jordan
Saudi Arabia
India
Thailand
Simone Mellenberg, Brazil
Kedir Bedaso, Ethiopia
Global
Paraguay
In America, because of
VIU, I have learned how to
be independent and how
to accept cultural and language
differences.
Kola Bakare, Nigeria
At VIU, I met students from all over the
world who became the foundation of
my global business network!
Network
I graduated in 2012 and returned to Nigeria with comprehensive
business knowledge woven together with relevant and
practical experiences in today’s management environment.
Presently, I am working as the Logistics/Liaison Officer for an
exploration and production firm in the oil and gas industry in
Nigeria. The diverse cultural environment at VIU guaranteed a
social learning experience that has made working for a global
firm much easier.
With students and staff from all over the world, VIU is its own mini-UN. VIU students share their diverse cultures
and international experiences with each other and graduate with a ready-made global network of peers.
8 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 9

The Life of a VIU Student
viu.edu
On-Campus Employment Opens Doors
Anila
Bindukar
By Emily Leighty
EXPERIENCED INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ANILA BINDUKAR IS IN HER SIXTH YEAR IN THE UNITED
STATES AND STUDIED IN BOTH ARKANSAS AND NEW YORK BEFORE COMING TO VIRGINIA TO STUDY
AT VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY. READ ON TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES HER VIU EXPERI-
ENCES THE BEST IN THE US SO FAR.
Anila was hired to work on campus as a Communications
Student Support Representative not long after
she began studying at VIU. In this position Anila chats
with visitors to VIU’s website and answers their questions.
She interacts with a variety of people; some of
them, she says, are just current students trying to find
out if class will be cancelled because of snow. Others
have questions about how to apply to the university. She
enjoys helping these students to know more about the
admissions process.
On-campus employment is highly desirable and
often highly competitive. Anila worked with VIU’s Career
Center to apply for the position. After the Human
Resources Department selected her to move on the next
step of the application process, she interviewed with
VIU’s president, Dr. Sarac. “Interviewing with Dr. Sarac
was fun,” Anila laughs. “I got to know him a bit. He was
nice and asked a lot of questions.”
Traveling for a Change of Scenery
Overall, Anila
feels her chance to
work for the university
is essential.
“Internships and
working on campus
are important for
international students
who want
to know about the
US work environment,
whether
they want to pursue
careers in the
US or back home,” she says. “When I
know about a new job opening on campus, I ask my friends, ‘Did
you apply? Did you apply? Did you apply?’ because it is so important
to get that experience.”
Kathmandu Arkansas New York Virginia
VIU’s 15th Anniversary Celebration!
Anila Bindukar came to the United States five years ago
from her home in Kathmandu, Nepal. Her journey in the States
began in Arkansas, located in the southern part of the country.
She transferred, however, and migrated north to study at a community
college in New York where she received her associate’s
degree. After completing her associate’s program, Anila applied
to Virginia International University (VIU) in Fairfax, Virginia
where she is now in her second semester as an undergraduate student
in the School of Business.
When asked how she would compare Fairfax to New York
City, Anila commented on the quieter and more intimate lifestyle
here in Virginia. “That’s the best part,” she says. “Back in New
York, I would just go to class, finish class, then go home. That’s it.
You don’t get to know people. Here, it’s fun to get to know everyone
– I know everyone at VIU! And if you have a question, you
can ask the professor right there, right away.”
Get Out & Volunteer
The best way Anila has found to meet her peers? “Volunteering!
In New York, I never had time to volunteer and the university
didn’t need help from volunteers on campus. Here, volunteering
is open for everyone. I like it a lot. You get to know lots of people.”
Anila has volunteered for many events through the Office
of Student Affairs, including New Student Orientation, but she
says volunteering for the Career Center is her favorite because of
all the valuable information you pick up along the way. She looks
forward to getting answers to the questions “you’re too afraid or
don’t think to ask.”
“Some of my friends don’t want to volunteer,” she says, “but
I drag them to do it.” They always thank her later.
With her classes, volunteering, and an on-campus job
it’s hard to believe Anila has any free time, but she says she
finds many opportunities to hang out with her friends from
VIU, many of whom live nearby. Her other favorite thing to
do is travel to either New York or Philadelphia.
When asked what she does when she goes to Philadelphia,
Anila responds: “Not much. Usually I’m visiting with my
sister so I stay home to visit with family.” Sometimes, though,
they travel a little farther north of Philly to the Pocono Mountains.
“I love that place,” she says. “The Bushkill Mountains are
there too, and what they call Pennsylvania’s Niagara Falls. It’s
quiet and good for hiking.”
And when she travels to New York City? “I love everything!
Especially going to Coney Island in the winter
time, because I don’t like the beach or all the people. I like
quiet. I want to hear the sounds, the water sounds. You can
spend hours sitting there doing nothing.”
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
15th Anniversary
ESTA BLISH E D 1998
September 25, 2014
VIU will host a commemorative celebration of its
history and growth. The event will feature
presentations by academic deans and special guests
including ambassadors, government officials,
and others instrumental to the university’s success.
Virginia International University
10
University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 11

people we love
viu.edu
Featured Faculty
School of Computer Information Systems
Dr. AnDy Yao
“VIU students’ success is my success. Commitment to academic excellence is my
dedication and promise to students. In responding to VIU students’ eagerness
for quality education, I offer 30 years of teaching experience in higher education,
along with 15 years of industrial experience. The common ingredients blended
in my courses are critical thinking, knowledge comprehension, and mastery of
technical skills. I am proud and honored to be a part of the VIU family!”
Dr. Yao holds his BS, MS, and PhD degrees in computer science and has been involved in higher education
since 1985. His research interests include cyber security and software development, among
others. He has also published books on several topics in programming. Dr. Yao was awarded Professor
of the Year for VIU’s School of Computer Information Systems in the 2013-2014 academic year.
School of
Online
Education
Dr. Alisher
Akhmedjonov
“My teaching philosophy is based on the commitment to
doing everything I can to assist students in gaining the
maximum benefits from their educators. As an online instructor,
I try to create an online learning community, an
atmosphere of collaborative engagement and connectedness.
I am an advocate for online learning. I have seen
its successes, believe in its potential, and understand its
challenges. I enjoy learning about new technologies and
teaching strategies and I am always thinking about ways
to include them.”
Dr. Akhmedjonov started teaching for VIU Online in Spring II
2014. His research interests are in the areas of applied microeconomics,
econometrics, development, and transition economics.
He is also widely published in a number of economics journals. Dr.
Akhmedjonov teaches many courses in business, economics, and
finance.
School of
Education
Dr. Jillian Wendt
“At VIU, I truly feel like
I am part of a team. The
collaborative atmosphere
at VIU is one of
the things that I most
enjoy. The faculty and staff truly care about quality
education and go above and beyond to make
a difference at VIU. In particular, the School of
Education has really been working together to engage
in innovative practices and to garner positive
attention for VIU. Also, the opportunity to work
with such a diverse group of students enables me
to reflect on my own views of education and tailor
instruction to meet the needs of teachers from a
global perspective, enhancing the education opportunities
here.”
Dr. Wendt regularly presents at regional and national education
conferences and has published articles on technology in education,
literacy, teacher professional development, and science
education. Her current research interests center around technology
in education, science literacy, and teacher preparation.
School of Language Studies
Lauren Pollard
“Being able to teach ESL here at VIU has been a very rewarding experience. It
is wonderful to see the students from many different countries improve their
English skills. Knowing that I had a small part in helping them reach their
educational goals through their English language studies is a satisfying feeling.
I am very grateful for the many wonderful opportunities that VIU has
provided me while working in the School of Language Studies.”
Ms. Pollard has spent time traveling overseas to countries such as Spain, Brazil, Honduras,
Portugal, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea. Her passion for working with
the international community was recognized at VIU’s 9th Annual Commencement Ceremony
on May 5, 2014 where she was honored as the ESL Instructor of the Year.
School of Public &
International Affairs
Dr. Kwaku Nuamah
“I teach some of the most intellectually curious
and socially active students at VIU. With
students hailing from nine different countries
and with diverse occupational backgrounds,
our class sessions are greatly enriched by a
multitude of opinions shaped by different life experiences. Together, we tackled
some of the most important – and difficult – global issues of our time. I
am extremely proud of what my students are able to accomplish, and I look
forward to many enjoyable semesters at VIU.”
Dr. Nuamah is an experienced practitioner in the fields of international development and
conflict resolution. His research interest include general theories and practices of conflict
management, contemporary issues in international security, and African politics and development.
Currently, he is researching the role of “soft power” in American intervention in African
conflicts. Dr. Nuamah teaches courses in international security and politics.
School of
Business
Dr. Dereje Tessema
“I see VIU students as young, energetic,
authentic, and culturally sensitive;
they are also eager to learn new
concepts, approaches, and tools to help
them assimilate to the society they currently
live in. As an immigrant to this
country myself, I went through a similar
path and I believe sharing my experience
with students, in addition to
the class materials, helps them to better
understand and accept the ups and
downs of adjusting to the new way of
life. As a philosophy, I embrace teaching
as an opportunity to inspire, empower,
and change the lives of others.”
Dr. Tessema came to VIU with several years of
diverse experience both in business and technology
from the private and public sectors. As a
PMI and experienced FEAC certified enterprise
architect and project manager, he brings realtime
experience from the industry to help students
relate theoretical information with practical
application. He teaches various courses for
the School of Business as well as the School of
Computer Information Systems.
12 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014 Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
13

VIU professor of the year
viu.edu
Dr. Rebecca Sachs:
Everyone at this University Dreams Big
University Magazine catches up with one of VIU's most distinguished professors
UM: First of all, congratulations on your academic
achievements, the success of the conference, and for
receiving VIU’s Professor of the Year award. What do you like
best about being a professor, especially in an international
university?
Thank you very much! What a humbling experience it was
to receive this sort of recognition. One of the best things about
being a professor at VIU is the inspiration I get from everyone else
who works and studies at this university. I’ve been so impressed
with the developments at VIU in such a short time I’ve been here:
an inaugural conference, multiple speaker series, new academic
programs, career fairs, and more. I see such passion, ambition,
and long-term vision among my colleagues, and I was astounded
by how many members of the VIU community put their efforts
toward helping to make the School of Education’s conference a
success – we had more than 60 volunteers! There’s really a sense
that we’re all in this together, and it’s easy to be dedicated when
you’re surrounded by people who set the bar so high.
And not to state the obvious, but interacting with students
from all over the world is a luxury. Every day, I’m surrounded by
proactive, fascinating people who are taking risks and challenging
themselves to pursue admirable goals, often related to improving
life back home based on the knowledge they’ve gained. As a
teacher, every year a whole new set of students enters my life,
bringing with them a whole new set of perspectives and a whole
new set of reasons for me to work on expanding my own mindset
and improving myself so that I can try to keep up with all the
developments they’re showing! Being constantly surrounded by
the drive to learn and grow is pretty energizing.
UM: You have experience at Georgetown, American
University, and several other prestigious universities. What
was the reason that you chose to be a part of VIU’s family?
I first heard about VIU from Dr. Ana-María Nuevo, a friend
and colleague from Georgetown who has taught in VIU’s TESOL
program. She mentioned how rewarding it was to work here, and,
knowing that so many students at VIU have learned English as
an additional language, I was very excited about the prospect of
being able to combine my experiences as an ESL teacher with my
knowledge of applied linguistics while also helping international
students get accustomed to academic expectations and writing
conventions in the United States while teaching content courses
in linguistics, language acquisition, research methods, and other
topics I’m passionate about. I also wanted to get more involved
in teacher training, and I was intrigued by the possibility of
gaining exposure to such a wide variety of previous educational
experiences among the pre- and in-service teachers in VIU’s
School of Education.
More generally, I was also very impressed by VIU’s mission
statement and philosophy, which highlight the importance not
only of academic and professional excellence, but also of values
such as integrity, open-mindedness, compassion, collaboration,
generosity, and service. During the interview process, it was
already clear to me that people here really do take VIU’s motto
of “building the future together” seriously, and I was attracted
by the fact that VIU is able to make a high-quality education so
affordable and accessible to people from all over the world. As
it turns out, I now have a lot more reasons to want to be part of
VIU’s family, but those were the initial ones.
UM: A “can-do” attitude permeates VIU’s School of Education,
as was evidenced by its successful conference. Educators
cannot wait to see what the School of Education will do next.
What, in your mind, are the next projects, overall goals, or
innovations?
I’m very excited to join Kevin Martin and other SED faculty
in announcing that we will be hosting our second Conference
on Language, Learning, & Culture on April 9-11, 2015, with a
focus on best practices and emerging trends in assessment. We
hope that bringing people together to share ideas in this area
will help educators, policy makers, and community members to
reconceptualize how assessment can work toward meeting the
needs and achieving the goals of all stakeholders.
For the Fall semester, we’re planning an Education Summit
on the Common Core standards, and we’ll also be continuing
with our monthly Voices from the Field Speaker Series, in which
we invite local community leaders, teachers, language program
administrators, and other visionaries in the field of education to
give practical advice, raise our students’ awareness of new trends,
and expose them to opportunities for hands-on experience,
professional development, and volunteering.
One of our goals in the SED is to promote more research
on campus, and with the recent launch of our Master of Science
program in Applied Linguistics, I can’t wait to see what sorts of
original research will come out of VIU as our students pursue
their thesis projects. Among my own projects, the one I’m most
excited about at the moment is a collaborative action-research
study on pre- and in-service teachers’ attitudes, beliefs, and needs
regarding training in pronunciation instruction, which is often
neglected in teacher-preparation programs. Our MA TESOL
program is already innovative in offering a course focused
specifically on that topic, and I hope the results of this study will
produce research-based recommendations for improving our
curriculum even further in ways that are both tailored to our
student population and attractive to prospective students who
can’t find these sorts of courses elsewhere.
14 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 15

Development News
viu.edu
VIU EXPANSION: NEW BUILDING
VIU Staff in a Nutshell
VIU is proud to be a diverse workplace. Approximately 72% of
our staff and faculty are from countries other than the United States.
At VIU, our staff demographics mirror the demographics of the
students we serve. Diversity is important at VIU and we are proud to
provide a culturally enhancing environment for students and staff.
VIU not only provides educational opportunities for students but
employment opportunities as well. We currently employ student
support representatives to provide experience in departments
such as IT, Marketing, Library Services, and Student Affairs.
Over the past 2 years, VIU ‘s staff has increased by 44%.
VIU continues to expand and presents many opportunities
for growth and development within the organization.
VIU’s exponential growth has led the university to its latest
acquisition – a beautiful, new three-story building to serve as
VIU’s fifth campus. As VIU continues to grow in students, staff,
and programming, the building provides much needed office,
classroom, and special event space. The location is already open
and is home to several university departments, including Marketing,
Human Resources, Quality Assurance, Business Affairs, and
the Office of the President. The location also has student study
# of Students
16000
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
Projected
VIU
VIU
Growth
Growth
through
through
2020
2020
Fall Spring Summer Total
rooms available and will expand to accommodate classrooms, a library,
and student recreational facilities in the future. Already this
spring, the Office of Student Affairs has hosted a university picnic,
graduation rehearsal, and the 2014 Alumni Dinner. Members of
the university, as well as those in the surrounding community, are
invited to stop by Village Drive to tour the new building and to
attend one of many upcoming events.
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Year
Early in my studies I was granted the
opportunity to work for VIU as a student
staff. As my studies concluded, I realized
that VIU had become a part of myself that
I could not afford to lose. VIU’s mission
statement had become an integral part of
my being and drive, and I was honored
to accept the gracious opportunity to become
VIU’s Admissions Manager when
the position was offered to me post-graduation.
With great supervision and team effort,
the Admissions team worked day and
night to revolutionize VIU’s admission
process. We made the dream of studying
in the US into a reality that was one click
away. We went the extra mile to accommodate
the unique needs of each applicant,
to provide top tier customer service,
and to streamline the process from inquiry
to acceptance into a seamless one. As a result,
VIU now experiences a 20%-25% increase
in student body on a semester-bysemester
basis.
My personal journey with VIU
evolved in 2012 when I took my current
position as International Business Administrator,
which allows me to expand my focus
to include aiding in the development
of new schools, new programs, and online
education. I also have the pleasure now of
Priceless Experience: Yannal Rawashde
International Business Administrator Yannal Rawashde receives the Staff of the Year award from Dr. Isa Sarac
serving an instrumental role in the transformation
of VIU’s new building into a
campus that reflects the commitment VIU
has to providing a quality and affordable
education at very convenient place.
We made the dream of studying
in the US into a reality
VIU President Dr. Isa Sarac’s vision
and “can–do” attitude enhances the confidence
of all VIU staff members and the
student body. We are building a bright future
for this institution which prides itself
on providing students not just with an opportunity
to earn a diploma and gain specialized
knowledge in a discipline, but also
to engage and interact with members of
various cultures thereby obtaining intangible
emotional intelligence and cultural
awareness skills. This is a unique aspect of
VIU, and one that I am confident will result
in VIU becoming one of the best and
most sought after schools in the United
States.
I was really touched when I was
awarded the Staff of the Year award for the
2013-2014 academic year. However, in my
eyes this is just the beginning.
16 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 17

our community
viu.edu
ONLINE.VIU.EDU
TEST DRIVE A COURSE AT ONLINE.VIU.EDU
HAVE LIMITED
TIME TO STUDY?
Lecture
on Fairfax County’s
Growth
VIU’s Center for Democracy & International Affairs
recently hosted Dr. Gerald L. Gordon, President and CEO of
the Economic Development Authority in Fairfax County. Dr.
Gordon – who has served as an international and domestic
consultant, authored a number of books, and taught at a
handful of universities in the DC Metropolitan area – presented
an economic history of Fairfax County and shared predictions
for the county’s future economic development.
Dr. Gordon began the lecture by describing Fairfax
County in the 1970s, when most of the land was covered by
dairy farms. In those days, when the Fairfax County Economic
Development Authority was getting its start, the group made
a plan to draw in more businesses in order to offset the cost
of public services. Their strategy saw great success, and
today Fairfax County is home to federal contractors, IT and
aerospace companies, public policy associations, and over
400 foreign-owned businesses – not to mention hundreds of
profitable small businesses. Fairfax County also offers more
jobs than Washington, DC and boasts the second highest
median household income in the US.
The second part of Dr. Gordon’s presentation predicted
the future of the Fairfax County economy and touched on
some of the biggest concerns for the county moving forward,
such as issues in transportation, real estate costs, and changing
industries. Dr. Gordon’s charismatic speaking and expert
knowledge made the lecture both entertaining and informative
for all attendees.
Spring Picnic
To celebrate VIU’s newest building and the end of the
exam season, the Office of Student Affairs organized a picnic.
Students, faculty, and staff enjoyed the warm weather, delicious
food, and great conversation. They also played outdoor games
like soccer and badminton.
VIU was honored to host special guest Delegate Mark
Keam, member of the Virginia House of Delegates for the 35th
district (encompassing VIU), at the picnic. Delegate Keam met
with VIU faculty and staff and discussed the past VA Assembly
legislative session and possibilities for cooperation while
enjoying one of Dr. Sarac’s delicious kebabs. Everyone had a
wonderful time and was excited for this great VIU tradition to
continue for many years to come.
GET YOUR DEGREE ONLINE.
STUDY ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!
AFFORDABLE
TUITION
SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
FLEXIBLE
8-WEEK
SCHEDULE
WEB: ONLINE.VIU.EDU
EMAIL: INFO@ONLINE.VIU.EDU
PHONE: +1.800.514.6848
Safety Tips
Fairfax County is the largest county in Virginia. It is
also one of the safest jurisdictions in the Washington area.
But safety starts with each citizen who is willing to become
aware of his surroundings and report suspicious activity.
Each of us must take an active role in protecting ourselves
and our families. In your everyday activities, what can you do
to assure that you remain safe? Fairfax County Police Officer
Wayne Twombly has provided a few safety tips.
Be aware of what is
happening around you!
1. Always trust your first instincts. When you observe suspicious
events or people, don’t doubt your feelings – react to them
instead.
2. Report suspicious activity. Suspicious activity is anything that
you feel is out of the ordinary!
3. Always lock your doors. Protect valuables in your car by taking
them out of your vehicle or hiding them from view.
4. Be aware of what is happening around you. You are more likely to
become a victim if you aren’t paying attention!
5. Maintain an air of confidence about yourself. Keep your head up
and know where you are going.
6. Whenever possible, stay away from less populated areas such
as alleyways, wooded areas, pathways, etc. Remember, there is
safety in numbers. Whenever possible, be with other people. BE
SAFE!
VIU is accredited by ACICS and certified to operate in Virginia by the SCHEV.
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
19

Mind Games
viu.edu
Emily Leighty is the Web Content & Print Editor at VIU. Her lifelong love of reading and writing
led her to pursue a BA in Creative Writing, which she received from Susquehanna University in
2010.
By Emily Leighty
Train Your Brain
Like any other muscle in your body, your brain benefits from
exercise. Read on to learn more about how to keep your brain
at peak performance!
I am fortunate to be one of the lucky
few who grew up knowing all of my grandparents
and nearly all of my great-grandparents.
As diseases like dementia and
Alzheimer’s seem to grow more and more
prevalent in our society, I am continually
amazed at my grandparents’ ability to stay
so mentally young. Like me, scientists and
health professionals have started to pay attention
to the things that keep our brains
“in shape” even as we grow older.
A term that repeatedly comes up concerning
the fitness of the brain is neuroplasticity.
In brief, neuroplasticity deals
with the ability of the brain to undergo
physiological changes. What this means is
that your brain is not just an unchanging
muscle in your body; rather, you have the
ability to train it and strengthen it, which
involves creating new pathways and synapses
in your brain. In turn, this keeps
your mind fast and strong.
A handful of businesses have sprouted
up over the last several years which maximize
on the public’s desire to train their
brains. Many of us have heard on the radio
– or seen on television – ads for Lumosity,
the company who asks you to “challenge
your brain with scientifically designed
training.” Their service allows users to exercise
their brains with games and fun activities.
Other companies, like Brain HQ,
operate similar businesses.
What are these brain games like?
Many of the activities are similar from siteto-site
with shared concepts. Matching
games seem simple at first, but are timed
and increase in speed, requiring more
and more concentration as the game progresses.
Memory games require the player
to memorize patterns in a fixed amount of
time, and again, as the game progresses,
patterns grow more complex and the time
allotted to memorize them grows shorter.
Another type of game tests players’ spatial
recognition and ability to concentrate on
multiple objects simultaneously. These
sites – and their apps – draw you in with
a free access level, but entice users to upgrade
to a subscription for access to more
games and perks – including a “personal
trainer” on Lumosity.
Their addictive quality is obvious,
but how effective are brain games? There
Board games require you to think
strategically, visualize things spatially,
and utilize your memory.
Play board games
Feed your brain with healthy
blood flow and feel-good
hormones!
Exercise
Meditation
Developing a quiet, focused
mind increases your ability to
concentrate!
Push yourself out of your “comfort zone”
Challenge yourself with activities you
haven’t already mastered. Right handed?
Try writing with your left hand.
doesn’t seem to be a lot of concrete evidence
suggesting that these particular
computerized brain training techniques
are more or less effective than other
methods, such as those presented in a recent
story by NPR. The article explores a
neuroscientist’s test involving 200 seniors
who learned challenging, new skills over
the course of three months. The research
found that learning something complex
did more for participants’ cognitive abilities
than simply playing games and solving
puzzles.
Some users think that the repetitive
nature of computerized brain training may
account for increased scores on the games.
In essence, the question asked is if your
brain is truly improving or if you are just
becoming familiar with the activity. As a
prospective brain training customer, I am
left to wonder if I’d be better off investing
my dollars in a challenging language class
Your brain will benefit from processing
new information and then retaining
and recounting it to others.
Read the news
Your brain is like your body:
it’ll get lazy if it’s not exercised!
Avoid boredom
Learn new things
Create new neural pathways.
Study multiple languages
Language study often works out both the
left and right side of your brain.
rather than a site subscription.
It seems clear that plenty of mental
exercise is vital in staving off a weak brain,
but there is another way to keep your noggin’
in tip-top shape: physical exercise.
Overwhelmingly, researchers claim that
even moderate exercise a few times a week
can be a big help. Like any other muscle in
your body, your brain benefits from the increased
blood flow induced when you exercise,
as well as the many chemicals and
hormones produced with vigorous activity.
In light of all this, it’s clear to me that
my grandparents didn’t require the help of
researchers or scientists to develop healthy
brain habits. Their love of crossword puzzles,
reading, Scrabble, trivia, outdoors
activities, songwriting, and sports news
kept – and continue to keep! – their minds
sharp. My goal is to follow in their wise
footsteps.
20 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 21

Polyglots
viu.edu
With the advent of globalization and new technology
that allows instantaneous access to media
and people from all corners of the globe,
multilingualism is increasingly becoming the new
norm. So, what are the actual benefits of the
bilingual brain?
The Physical Brain
Is there an actual physical difference between the monolingual and
multilingual brain?
In short – yes! In order to understand the actual difference,
let’s take a short detour to go over how a child’s mind actually acquires
language. You may have noticed little bilingual kids naturally
speaking in one language to you and in another language to
different adult, yet, when you ask them, “How do you say ‘apple’ in
Spanish?” you get a blank look in return. The reason is that young
children form separate neural pathways in the brain for each new
language they acquire. As the children pass through adolescence,
their brains change and new languages no longer form separate
pathways; instead, they are processed through the main “native”
language pathway. This is why most people who learn foreign languages
as adults will need at least a brief second to translate a term
in their minds. Children have no need perform a translation process;
they just naturally speak English with Mom, Mandarin with
Dad, and French with Aunt Suzette. For them, translation is also
an acquired skill, which is why you do not usually get an immediate
response for the “how do you say [word] in [language]” question.
While children are better able to switch from one language
to another and simply think in whatever language they are speaking,
those who acquired new languages as adults usually make
better translators and interpreters, since those are the skills they
use when learning the new languages. What does all this mean for
the physical structure of the brain? With each new language pathway,
there are also thousands of new neural connections formed
in the brain, making the brain denser. Therefore, if you compare
the brain of a multilingual person with a monolingual, the multilingual
person has denser gray matter in his brain.
Language Learning Strategies
Is there a way to maximize our language-learning potential?
As children, the best way to learn language is simply to be immersed
in the foreign-language environment. Because our brains
are hard-wired to learn language, no additional drills are needed.
By the time we reach adolescence our brains have changed, so
more structured activities like drills, writing practice, grammar
training, and translation actually makes more sense to our brains.
Of course, even as adults, we benefit from an immersion environment.
The best thing to do is to surround ourselves with people
who speak the language we want to learn and speak with them as
much as we can. Better yet, do fun activities with those speakers
VIU students come from 5
2%
5%
6%
9%
The Benefits of
– when we travel, see a movie together, try a new food, or visit a
historical monument, we are creating new memories that make it
easier for us to remember new vocabulary, expressions, and grammar
structures which aid our brains in learning another language.
The Benefits
How significant are the benefits of being bi- or multilingual?
In fact, the benefits of multilingualism are very significant.
Besides a better understanding of other cultures, more empathy
toward fellow human beings, and the ability to impress everyone
from your boss to your girlfriend with your fancy French, there
are many other cognitive, social, and even health benefits to bilingualism.
Cognitive benefits include better attention to detail and
memory, as well as higher scores on standardized and intelligence
tests. Bilingualism also increases metalinguistic skills as well as
verbal and spatial abilities. Bilinguals have higher multitasking
and problem-solving skills due to a deeper development of the
frontal and prefrontal cortex of the brain which houses executive
functions. These benefits continue all the way through the end-oflife
period. Remember those neural connections and the different
density of the bilingual brain? Well, the extra neural connections
help to ward off Alzheimer’s and other dementia by five years on
average. Simply put, Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia interfere
and sever neural connections in the brain. Bilinguals have
more of those neural connections in their brains, therefore being
able to bypass the damaged ones and better retain their cognitive
functions.
continents & 75 countries
11%
55%
Multilingualism
100+ 2
Languages spoken
at VIU
Average Languages /
VIU Staff
3 9
Average Languages /
VIU Student
12%
Languages in which viu
students say “HI”
AN IDEAL LANGUAGE
LEARNING EXPERIENCE
International students come to the United States mostly
to learn or improve their English proficiency as well as to experience
American life. In the Washington, DC area, VIU’s affordable,
high quality ESL program attracts many students from
all over the world. We asked Haimedaha Brahim, who is currently
pursuing his graduate degree, how he recalls his time in
the ESL program.
“It was an effective program that was also fun! First
of all, class sizes were small, which allowed easy access to
teachers and unlimited student interaction. The ESL faculty
puts tremendous effort into their students’ learning and is
always there for students. I know that as a result of this program,
I have gained the necessary skills and confidence to
pursue my graduate studies.
My favorite memories at VIU were going on trips to
some of the most gorgeous and popular places on the East
Coast, which left all of us students with special memories.
One of the things students like best about VIU’s language
program is that there are no requirements for TOEFL or
IELTS scores for students coming from abroad.
My cousin, who has been living in the United States for
over 10 years, was the one who told me about VIU. I trusted
his choice and that trust paid off. I absolutely recommend
VIU to everyone who is looking for an affordable, flexible,
caring, and, most importantly, high-quality education. It is
a great place to start working toward a career.
It is a great opportunity to come to the US and build
a life on your own and chase your dreams. I am still on my
way to accomplishing my dreams. It has been going very
well, and I am so happy about my choice in coming to the
US. Today, I am planning to go back home and try to boost
my country forward. I wish I could live here, but my country
needs me more!
Haimedaha Brahim comes from Mauritania, which is located
in north-west Africa. It has a small population and most
of the country is Sahara.
22 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 23

Education
viu.edu
AFRICAN BRIDGE TO EDUCATION:
ALEX JOHN
LUKETA
Virginia International
University students and
alumni are passionate
about business,
technology, innovation,
and bringing change
to their communities.
One of our most
passionate alumni is
Alex John Luketa from
Tanzania, whose passion
is connecting African
students with education
opportunities in the US at VIU. Having graduated with
an MBA in International Business Management, one of
Alex’s most important lessons learned during his time at
VIU was “you will not win if you don’t try.” This principle
was true for Alex throughout his career – first, when he
applied to VIU and was accepted, and then when, in
an effort to improve his business and communication
skills, he applied for an on-campus position. When
Alex applied for a VIU scholarship, he succeeded! “I
realized that at VIU everything is possible; it is possible
to meet diverse students, experienced professors, and
gain global connections,” said Alex of his success.
Alex is excited about sharing that success with
other students who just need that last little push to
realize that wherever they come from, they too can
apply to VIU, study hard, and succeed. As a student,
Alex became a country representative for Tanzania,
connecting academic institutions in his home country
with VIU. He even traveled to Tanzania and met with
representatives of many universities, as well as students,
teachers, and parents, to answer their questions and
encourage young people to pursue their dreams, just
like he did. Recently, Alex has expanded his role to
connect students not just in Tanzania but throughout
Africa by helping them to apply to VIU so they too get
a chance at an excellent American degree. Alex sums
it up perfectly: “I have learned a lot from VIU, and I
have discovered that many people fail because they
don’t try. If we can learn how to try whenever we see
an opportunity, it is possible to achieve what we want to
achieve. I also believe that the education I have attained
should not simply be a diploma, but go beyond that.
The community in which I am living should benefit
through my knowledge, so that I may inspire the young
generation to believe in education and opportunity.”
And we at VIU are proud that we have Alex, such a
motivated, passionate individual serving as VIU’s own
African bridge to education.
“
The Business English course at
VIU taught me all the English
skills necessary to succeed in the
workplace. The teachers used
real-life examples and asked students
to make comparisons to
their own countries. Everyone
has a different culture, a new
story to tell, and another way to
see life. It is about learning and
exchanging experiences at the
same time.
”
As an au pair, Laetitia Damase had a flexible schedule which left
her free in the evenings to take the Business English class and still
have all of her weekends free to travel. She highly recommends
VIU to other au pairs who want to improve their English skills and
share their countries’ cultures.
24 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 25

My Story
viu.edu
Aziza Mirkhanova:
I want to help the vulnerable succeed
I am from Uzbekistan, from a small
historical town called Bukhara. Growing
up in this wonderful, oriental city that was
always filled with foreign tourists, I was
fascinated with the English language and
how it easily connects people from all over
the world.
I started learning English as a child
from my mother who spoke great English
and was able to pass down so many
languages to me. However, the path to
my dream of teaching English was not
straightforward. My mother’s side of the
family is comprised of several generations
of librarians. I followed in the footsteps
of my mother and became a librarian. I
earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees
in library science in my home country and
gained experience working as a librarian
in various academic institutions as well as
the National Library of Uzbekistan.
As a successful librarian, I liked what
I was doing but there was something missing.
There, I had an opportunity to deepen
my knowledge of the English language at
a language institution in the DC area and
that’s how I came to learn about VIU.
Before deciding to pursue graduate
studies, I spent a few months in Turkey
working with refugees and providing
translation services. Given my skills in
five languages, I was able to easily communicate
with refugees from various
backgrounds and connect them to the
right services. As I was working in such
environment, I came to see the increased
opportunities and advantages for refugees
who spoke English. This experience reinforced
my intention to pursue a graduate
degree at VIU focusing on TESOL.
Now at VIU, I am learning everything
from second language acquisition to linguistics
and methodology of teaching. The
caliber of professors and support staff in
this university is unmatchable. They come
from various backgrounds and have tremendous
practical experience.
I am really fond of VIU, not only for
the high quality of knowledge that I have
been receiving but also for the absolutely
friendly, supportive, and cosmopolitan environment
this university offers to its students.
The TESOL program in particular
is outstanding, and over the past months
of studying I am very proud of the knowledge
I have acquired and the friendships I
have built with fellow students.
Parallel to my studies, I have also
been given an opportunity to work parttime
at the university library and I cannot
be more thankful to be reconnected with
the work that is so important to my family.
I am learning to become a well-rounded
and professional individual.
I feel at home at VIU and I am happy
to know that I am on the path to fulfill my
dream and passion of teaching English to
the most vulnerable people in the world.
Whether I am teaching refugees who have
come out of an emergency and are trying
to figure out the next stage in their lives
or professionals who require English as an
additional skill to pursue their dream, I
want to help the vulnerable populations to
succeed in life through learning the magic
of the English language.
Uzbekistan is a Central Asian country of 29 million people, with a
land area slightly larger than California. With a young, vibrant, and
educated population, Uzbekistani students are now pursuing graduate
degrees all over the world. In fact, VIU has several students, in
addition to Aziza, from this beautiful country and the university is in
the process of collaborating with partner institutions in Uzbekistan.
The city of Bukhara, where Aziza is from, is a UNESCO world heritage
site, with many museums and over 140 different architectural
monuments. The city has been inhabited for 2,500 years and the area
around it has seen life for 5 millennia! Located along the Silk Road,
in ancient times the city was a center of world civilization, and then
the intellectual center of the Islamic world. Uzbekistan also has been
featured prominently in Persian poetry.
26 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 27

the written word
viu.edu
COMING SOON
VIU professor Dr. Mark Robinson is
pleased to announce the upcoming release
of his first book, Marketing Big Oil: Brand
Lessons from the World’s Largest Companies.
The book is the result of a gaping hole in
literature on the subject of marketing big
oil companies. “I had done research and
couldn’t find any books on the topic of
marketing oil,” he told University Magazine.
“There were a few academic articles, but
VIU LIBRARY NEWS
The library at Virginia International
University offers a wide range of free
academic reference resources to VIU
students. These resources include physical
books and periodicals in the library, located
at VIU’s Pender campus, as well as access to
over 35,000 full-text books and millions of
periodicals through two online libraries.
BOOK REVIEW
Michael Chabon’s Pulitzer Prize-winning
novel The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier
& Clay (2000) is a story of magic,
love, and the meaning of family. The book
stretches over two decades, starting in the
late 1930s, just as the comic book craze is
MARKETING BIG OIL
BRAND LESSONS FROM THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMPANIES
other than that there were only a few eventdriven
books.” Such event-driven books
focus on disasters like the 1989 Exxon
Valdez oil spill or the 2010 BP spill in the
Gulf of Mexico. Dr. Robinson pointed out
that, historically, oil company executives
“didn’t worry about company image – only
money.” As a result, oil companies seem
incapable of escaping a negative reputation
in the eyes of consumers.
This brings us to what Marketing Big
Oil explores: the efforts of oil companies
to overcome a persistently negative
public image. Grounded by some inside
experience in the industry (Dr. Robinson
worked in marketing for Exxon for over a
decade) and a year’s worth of research, the
The library also provides guidance on
using online sites for academic research
in the areas of general reference, business,
computer science, education, and English
as a second language. Library staff are
always ready to welcome students with a
smile and plenty of expertise and guidance
in the research process.
The AMAZING ADVENTURES of
book first provides a history of the industry
and then describes some of the major
crises with which it is associated. Other
segments of the book analyze companies’
use of advertising and, more recently, social
media as a means of repairing a tattered
public image – a goal Dr. Robinson believes
is unattainable, despite impressive and
successful campaigns such as Chevron’s
“We Agree” advertisement series.
Dr. Robinson’s narrative style will
draw you in to the intriguing history and
controversy of his subject-matter, whether
you are a business and marketing expert or
simply someone who buys gasoline to fuel
your car.
KAVALIER & CLAY
overtaking the United States with the invention
of Superman, and spanning past World
War II. Readers are thrown into the lives of
two boys, both Jewish, growing up in New
York City. Samuel “Sammy” Clay has grown
up in America; his cousin Josef Kavalier is a
refugee from Prague who has narrowly escaped
the Nazi movement in Europe. Over
the course of the novel, whose scenes are interwoven
with true life events and persons,
the fictional heroes mesh Sammy’s imaginative
writing with Josef ’s illustrations to fulfill
their dream of creating comic books.
Chabon weaves together a tale which is
whimsical and often comical, although heartbreaking.
The bizarre, terrifying realities of
World War II are examined through the lens of
a comic book, with the Nazis playing the role
of the villain. Chabon’s masterful prose is sure
to have the reader feeling every failure and every
triumph.
WHAT MAKES
WHAT MAKES
A GOOD WRITER?
A GOOD WRITER?
Tips from the Writing, Research, & Media Center
1
2
3
4
5
By Kevin Martin
This is a question that often plagues many of us who want to
improve our writing skills! If there were one thing to help us
write better it would be to “write with a purpose.” That is, know
why you are writing and what message you want to convey.
Here are some tips to help you write with purpose:
Define your audience
Knowing your audience is one of the most
important aspects of writing with purpose. You
need to know who your audience is in order to get
them interested and engaged in the topic.
Outline your goals
Clearly defining what you wish to accomplish helps
in formulating the overall message that you wish
to convey. We often have lots of things to say, and
clearly organizing your goals helps to be able to fully
accomplish what you set out to do.
Choose your voice
Purposeful writing is intentional in the choice of
voice and register. Are you writing to convey a sense
of familiarity or charm? Are you writing to catch a
wide audience? Are you writing for colleagues or
peers? Are you writing to catch the attention of a
CEO? Approach your writing with the appropriate
tone and register for your intended audience.
Practice your writing
Practice makes perfect! We often go through many
drafts and versions of our writing in order to achieve
perfection – that’s okay!
Be intentional
Purposeful writing is intentional in word choice,
placement, and organization. Be conscious of what
you convey and why. Be ready to defend your
choice if necessary!
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Conference on
Language, Learning, and Culture
Introducing CLLC 2015!
“Next-Gen Assessment”
The School of Education at VIU will be hosting
the Conference on Language, Learning, & Culture (CLLC)
on April 9-11, 2015, with the goal of sharing best practices
and emerging trends in assessment.
“Everyone is a genius. But
if you judge a fish on its
ability to climb a tree, it
will live its whole life
believing that it is stupid.”
Albert Einstein
www.viu.edu/SED
“If you don’t know
where you are headed,
you’ll probably end up
someplace else.”
Douglas J. Eder
“If we always do what
we’ve always done,
we will get what
we’ve always got.”
Adam Urbanksi
Contact
the conference organizer,
Kevin Martin,
for more information
at kevin@viu.edu or
visit the webpage
www.viu.edu/sed.
28 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 29

Inaugural Conference
viu.edu
VIU at the Forefront of Academic
CLLC Conference Attracts Educators from Around the World
Leadership
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
Conference on
Language, Learning, and Culture
About the Participants
With well over 200 participants
from all around the world, the inaugural
Conference on Language, Learning, &
Culture (CLLC), organized by the VIU
School of Education, was a major success.
Attendees represented institutions from
four continents including North America,
South America, Africa, and Asia; the
CLLC additionally hosted teacher-practitioners,
researchers, business leaders, and
community services from over 70 organizations.
The 2014 theme, “Innovations at
the Intersection of Language, Learning,
and Culture,” sought to frame educational
experiences as ideally meeting the needs
of diverse students, their communities,
and the various stakeholders who can benefit
from high-quality, socially responsive
language programs.
“The speakers were what most attracted
me to this conference. It is remarkable
that the CLLC was able to attract such
renowned and sought-after speakers its
very first year,” said one participant. The
event kicked off with a keynote address
by Dr. Ken Petersen, Technical Director
for Online Learning and Assessment for
American Councils for International Education.
Dr. Petersen provided insight into
how technology is currently used in the
classroom and the direction that the field
of education is moving. He observed that
today’s classrooms need to meet the needs
of learners when, where, and how they
currently participate in society. His call to
action urges that teachers connect to the
technology their students are already using.
Dr. Petersen demonstrated that the
field of education and language teaching
needs to keep pace with the technology at
hand.
After the first keynote address, participants
broke out into paper sessions
and workshops. Since the conference was
organized around four relevant strands in
the field of language learning, there were
a variety of fascinating presentations. The
strands included: language learning and
development; pedagogical considerations;
program evaluation and policy; and language
in society. Session topics as diverse
as a psycholinguistic approach to second
language learning to using Mariachi as
pedagogy attracted participants and engendered
much lively discussion.
It is remarkable that the
CLLC was able to attract
such renowned and
sought-after speakers its
very first year.
Following the first set of sessions, Dr.
Shelley Wong, a professor at George Mason
University and past TESOL president,
addressed the audience. With a critical
focus on inclusion in the classroom, Dr.
Wong’s talk was centered on the rights of
students in our classrooms. She urged that
the call to social action and social responsibility
around the issue of immigration
rights is a key responsibility of teachers,
policy makers, and the US government.
She also stressed that the key issue in improving
communities as a whole is ensuring
that all students are able to receive an
education and improve their lives.
The later sessions included several
workshops, including one by VIU’s own
Dr. Marietta Bradinova on non-verbal
communication and cross-cultural differences.
Dr. Bradinova started off her
workshop by having attendees think about
whether certain non-verbal signals were
appropriate in their cultures or not. Nodding
her head, she asked “does this mean
‘yes’ or ‘no’?” Conflicting responses from
across the room led participants to the
first of many signals that differ across cultures
and continents. In small discussion
groups, participants worked out a practical
approach to solving cross-cultural
communication challenges. “This is the
best communication workshop I have ever
attended,” commented a smiling participant
from the southern United States to a
colleague from Canada, as both walked to
their next workshop.
The 2014 CLLC ended with a keynote
address by Dr. Terrence G. Wiley, President
and CEO of the Center for Applied
Linguistics. As a guiding light in the fields
of education and linguistics, Dr. Wiley
framed the discussion around focusing on
priorities in language education policies in
the United States. In particular, he noted
that the United States is a multilingual society
built upon a long history of immigration,
a fact which is often missed in a narrative
around “English only” policy and
thought. This discussion demonstrated
that the US is a diverse society in which
various languages color and enhance the
multicultural tapestry that is at its core.
The conference received much positive
feedback from its many participants.
VIU Vice President of Academic Affairs,
Ms. Badamsukh Yadamsuren, noted, “This
conference has impacted so many people
on such a wide scale, within several different
academic areas. I am especially impressed
by how many people traveled from
such great distances.” Participants praised
the quality of speakers, the highly relevant
topics, and the interesting strands of CLLC
2014, which allowed for many fascinating
papers, workshops, keynotes, and poster
sessions. Many have written back stating
that they have shared their newly-acquired
knowledge with colleagues and are utilizing
the best practices in their own teaching
and research.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support
of my colleagues at VIU and across
the globe,” beamed VIU School of Education
Director and CLLC organizer Mr.
Kevin Martin. “We could not have organized
this conference without them. The
event was completely sold out, and we already
have a lot of interest in next year’s
topic. We are excited to grow and expand
in 2015!”
30% Foreign
70% North American
North American Locations
Canada, Maine, Mississippi,
California, Missouri, Texas, New
York, New Jersey, North Carolina,
and Pennsylvania, Virginia,
Maryland, Washington, DC
Affiliations
Participants were affiliated with: Georgetown University,
George Mason University, American University, Center for Applied
Linguistics, Fayetteville State University, CUNY, Florida
International University, ICLS, Mentora College, SUNY, Literacy
Council of Montgomery County, Literacy Council of NOVA, Old
Dominion University, Qatar University, Northern Virginia Community
College, the Global Language Network, University of
Pennsylvania, Trinity University Washington, UMASS, University
of Maryland, and Texas A&M University, among others.
30 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 31

Turbulent beginings
viu.edu
Located minutes away from the national
capital, VIU is now an even more attractive
venue for scholars from all over the world
in the fields of business, technology, education,
public and international affairs, and
communication. Within a 20 mile radius of
VIU’s campuses, one can find headquarters
and satellite offices of over 10,000 technology
companies. Opportunities in other
fields are also incredibly abundant.
THE BIRTH OF
WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC did not exist when the thirteen colonies
declared their independence from Great Britain in 1776. As the
US Constitution went into effect on March 4, 1789, the capital
of the United States was New York City, where it remained until
December 5, 1790. It then moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
until May 14, 1800. Since 1800, Washington, DC has been the
nation’s capital.
The primary reason for the establishment of Washington was
to ensure the safety of the federal government. The catalyst for
the move was the 1783 Pennsylvania Mutiny during which
demobilized soldiers threatened to attack Congress (then meeting
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) unless they received their back pay.
Congress asked the Governor of Pennsylvania to call out the state
militia to disperse the soldiers, but instead the governor chose to
side with the soldiers. Remembering the mutiny, the writers of the
Constitution included Article One, Section 8 that allowed, but did
not require, Congress to establish a federal district separate from
any state where the Federal government would not be dependent
on a state government for its safety.
In 1790, the US Congress passed the Residence Act, which
established the future capital of the US on the Potomac River,
and Virginia and Maryland agreed to donate land for the
city. President George Washington, whose home is on the
Virginia shore of the Potomac at Mount Vernon to the south
of Washington, was given the responsibility of choosing the
exact location and establishing the boundaries of the new
capital, which he did in 1791. A noted member of the group that
surveyed the borders of the capital was Benjamin Banneker, an
African American surveyor and scientist. The capital originally
consisted of a square, 10 miles on each side, whose corners
oriented north-south and east-west; thus, the city appeared
diamond-shaped on a map.
The original boundaries of the capital included the town of
Georgetown, Maryland (founded 1751) and a portion of the
town of Alexandria, Virginia (founded 1749), both seaports of
By John L. Bennett
some importance. DC also included all of what is today
Arlington County, Virginia. However, because virtually no
development occurred in the portion of DC that was once part
of Virginia, Alexandria and Arlington were returned to Virginia
in 1846.
In 1791, President Washington appointed three commissioners
to oversee the design, planning, and construction of the capital.
These included Thomas Jefferson who would be the third
President of the US. The commissioners chose to name the city
after President Washington and to name the federal district as a
whole Columbia, a widely used name for the US derived from the
name of Christopher Columbus. Today, the city of Washington
and the District of Columbia occupy the same borders; however,
Washington originally occupied only a portion of the District
while Georgetown, for example, remained an independent city
within the District until 1871.
Construction of the District of Columbia began in September
1793. President Washington oversaw the construction of the
White House, but it was John Adams, the second President
of the US, who first lived there, starting in November 1800.
Congress first met in the unfinished US Capitol building in
November 1800.
During its first 60 years, Washington grew slowly, but during the
Civil War (1861–1865) its population jumped 75 percent to well
over 100,000. Other growth spurts were associated with the two
world wars while growth of the Washington, DC Metropolitan
Area (i.e., the city of Washington and its suburbs in Virginia
and Maryland) as a whole really took off during and following
World War II.
Underneath all of its modern constructions, bustling streets,
and towering office buildings, DC is a deeply historic city. The
next time you are able to visit, take some time to explore and
learn more about the fascinating landmarks and events vital to
the existence of the capital city we know today.
32 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 33

COmmencement 2014
viu.edu
“Take Notice, Help
People, and Be Involved!”
15 years ago Dr. Sarac, VIU President, founded
the university as a non-profit institution,
putting education before profit. As a result,
since its founding, VIU has worked towards
preparing great leaders. VIU is very proud of
its students, who utilize their academic skills
and knowledge that they gain here at VIU.
Lessons from Graduation 2014
By Emily Leighty
Colorful flags adorn the stage and
the cheerfully chattering audience falls
silent as Ms. Janet Adere, VIU’s Human
Resources Director, takes the stage to announce
the start of Virginia International
University’s 9th Annual Commencement
Ceremony. As Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp
& Circumstance” begins to play, graduates
march into the auditorium preceded
by their school deans and faculty. As they
walk, graduates wear the happy smiles of
those who have, after a long journey, accomplished
something great. Following
the ceremony’s opening formalities – including
the singing of America’s National
Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance –
Ms. Adere welcomes guests and gives a
brief history of the university. Then Dr. Isa
Sarac, VIU’s president, takes the stage to
offer his words of congratulations to the
graduates.
In his address, Dr. Sarac recalls students’
first days at VIU and compares the
faces he saw at New Student Orientation to
the faces he sees now. “Academically, you
have excelled,” he congratulates the graduates.
“Personally, you have made hundreds
of new connections and acquired friends
and colleagues from all over the world.
Professionally, you are now prepared to
excel in your careers.” In closing, the president
says, “At VIU, we care about each other.
And this care must not stop when you
get a diploma in your hand. Support your
community, stay in touch with your fellow
classmates and friends, and keep your university,
VIU, with you all the time.”
Following Dr. Sarac, the valedictorian
of the class of 2013-2014 takes the podium
to address the graduates. Looking bright
and with excitement in her voice, Ms.
Bolor-Erdene Yura tells her colleagues,
“You look great in your caps and gowns!”
She then reminds the graduates that they
came to VIU to make themselves better;
she reminds them of the challenges they
faced and overcame and encourages them
to face the next challenges after graduation.
As she wraps up her address, Ms.
Yura says, “Let’s be true to the hopes and
dreams that our families have for us.”
The keynote speaker of the night is
Dr. Belle Wheelan, President of the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools
and esteemed female leader in education.
With energy – perceivable, even from a
great distance – and a warm, radiant smile,
Dr. Wheelan leans into the podium and
says, “Class of 2014, what’s up?!” Next, she
congratulates the graduates on earning a
degree, something she says is achieved by
only two percent of the world’s population.
“The opportunities that will now be
available to you are more numerous than
ever before,” she tells graduates. “However,
the challenges are also equally as numerous.”
Through the remainder of her address,
Dr. Wheelan urges the group to refine
their “non-technical skills of dealing
with people” – skills she says are essential
to success. She warns them of the pitfalls
of pride, indifference, impoliteness, and
34 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
35

COmmencement 2014
viu.edu
Guest Speaker Dr. Belle Wheelan:
“Pet Peeves of People”
Personal self-importance
Humbleness is an important ingredient in success, and one should
always remember that even the janitor is an essential cog in a business’s
machine.
A curtain of privacy
In this age of social media, we tend to share lots of personal things
with people we barely know while neglecting to form deeper relationships
with the people around us.
Personal indifference
Take notice, help people, and be involved.
Impoliteness
It takes little effort to be polite!
Lack of passion
Use the fire in your belly to accomplish great things. Never let that
fire die!
Perpetual prudes
Don’t get mad at the little things and don’t be afraid to laugh now
and then – it’s good for your health!
Unprofessional attire
Dress for success – not to seduce.
Political correctness
Don’t let an obsession with being politically correct make you arrogant,
and don’t use political correctness as an excuse for cruelty.
Get over your own pride and be ready to interact, get your hands
dirty, and get things done.
We are finally done! We need to seize the
lack of professionalism, and advises them
to laugh often. It seems only a short time
has passed before she is again wishing the
students her congratulations.
Before the Class of 2014 is finally conferred
their degrees, VIU’s President presents
awards to some of VIU’s most outstanding
faculty and staff. First, the ESL
Instructor of the Year award is presented to
Ms. Lauren Pollard, who has been teaching
at VIU for three years and is famous
for her appearances in the Culture Guides
video series. Next, Dr. Rebecca Sachs is
honored as the Professor of the Year. Dr.
Sachs is all surprise as she tells the audience,
“It is truly, truly an honor to work at
VIU.” Finally, the Staff of the Year award is
bestowed upon Mr. Yannal Rawashde. An
eruption of cheers and whistling fills the
auditorium as he crosses the stage to accept
his award.
At last, it is time for the graduating
class to receive their long-awaited diplomas
and certificates. One by one, graduates
cross the stage as their names are
called; they shake hands with their school
deans and with President Sarac, then return
to their seats to cheer on their fellows.
As graduation draw to an end, one is
reminded that VIU is the place where students
come from over 75 countries worldwide
for their graduate, undergraduate,
and certificate programs. And graduation
is one of the greatest moments for our students,
faculty, and staff; everyone, including
graduates’ families and friends, looks
forward to sharing in their loved ones’
once-in-a-lifetime, remarkable moment.
In the wake of the ceremony, students
can be overheard sharing their memories
and stories. Many of them are recounting
what an “amazing adventure” they have
had; others are realizing they’ve made
lifelong friendships with many of their
fellow students, who come from across
the US and the world. Others are thankful
for their distinguished professors who
have shaped them to become global leaders
and prepared them to lead their communities.
One such student, Brenda Callahan,
graduating with a Certificate in Small
Business Administration, says “I’m very
proud of my university, where students
are encouraged to take advantage of the
extraordinary education. It is an inspiring
environment full with the powerful energy
of young adults who are driven by their
dreams.”
Cameras flash, families hug their
graduates, professors shake hands, and
slowly the auditorium empties. Another
commencement ceremony has come and
gone, and more memories have been made
both for our students and for the university.
The lights are turned off, the doors are
locked, and the last of the Class of 2014
walks out into the warm May rain, ready
to face the challenges of the world.
initiative, support our communities and home countries, follow our conscience, and lead.
36 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
36 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 37

Entrepreneurship
What does it take
to be your own
boss?
By Dr. Stephen Onu
Are you thinking of starting your
own business venture? Entrepreneurship
can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience
with an opportunity to be your own
boss, set your own agenda and schedule,
and make a decent living doing something
you enjoy. However, successful entrepreneurship
requires thorough reflection and
market knowledge, in-depth planning,
creativity, hard work, and determination.
Do you have what it takes? Let’s look at
some of the characteristics and skills commonly
associated with successful entrepreneurs.
■ Accepting of Risk: Running your
own business involves a certain degree of
uncertainties. By definition, entrepreneurship
is about responding to business uncertainties.
Do you enjoy the thrill of taking
calculated risks? Or are you the type
that avoids uncertainties and likes to have
full control of all activities?
■ Self-Reliant: Entrepreneurship can
be very lonely and you have to make a lot
of decisions on your own. The ability to
trust your instincts is essential. You also
cannot be afraid of rejection every now
and then.
■ Persuasive: Effective entrepreneurs
are persuasive. If you cannot persuade
your customers, employees, investors, or
partners, you may find entrepreneurship
to be challenging. The ability to sell your
ideas with ease is fundamental to bringing
people on board and closing deals. If you
can persuade, you can sell.
■ Able to Negotiate: Because of the
constraints on your business (time and
money), you have to know how to negoti-
20
1. Why am I starting a business and what
are my motivations?
2. What kind of business do I want and
why?
3. Who are my ideal customers and how
do I know them?
4. What products or services will my business
provide and what gap am I filling?
5. Am I prepared to make the level of commitment
and spend the time and money
needed to get my business started?
6. What differentiates my business idea
and its products or services from others in
the marketplace?
7. Will my business be based on-ground,
online, or both?
8. How many employees will I need in year
one?
9. What types of suppliers do I need in
terms of partnership?
10. How much is my initial investment?
(Are you assuming, or do you really
know?)
ate for everything – from leases to contract
terms to rates. Effective negotiation skills
will help you save money and keep your
business running smoothly.
■ Creative: Are you able to think of
new ways and ideas? Can you imagine
new alternatives and creative ways to solve
problems? Entrepreneurs must be able to
think creatively to survive given the level
of competition and limited resources. If
you have insights and the ability to respond
to challenges creatively, entrepreneurship
may be a good fit for you.
■ Plugged Into a Support System:
Starting a business can be very stressful,
lonely, and frustrating. Be sure you have a
strong support system in place. As a business
owner, you will make many important
decisions, especially within the first
months of opening. A key support person
is a business mentor. A business mentor is
someone who is experienced, successful,
and willing to provide advice and guidance.
key questions for
start-up business Owners
11. Will I need to get a loan from a bank,
friends, family, or investors?
12. How quickly can I bring my products
or services to market?
13. When is my breakeven point and how
long will I wait before making a profit?
14. Who is my competition and do I know
my competition well?
15. What is my pricing structure compared
to my competition?
16. What is the legal structure of my business
– sole proprietorship, S- Corporation,
LLC?
17. What taxes do I need to pay, to whom
and when?
18. What kind of insurance do I need –
comprehensive or limited liability?
19. How will I manage my business and
what is my organizational structure?
20. How will I advertise my business and
do I have a marketing plan?
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.
Real-Life
Entrepreneur:
Patcharee Wetpisai
Recent MBA graduate Patcharee
Wetpisai took Dr. Onu’s entrepreneurship
advice to heart in taking advantage
of opportunities to grow her own
family business. Read her story here:
I am a 2014 VIU graduate with
a double MBA major in HR Management
and Marketing Management.
For me, graduation was the key that
opened the door to my professional
life. I had the HR experience and passion
to develop the employer brand
and to solve the problem of employee
turnover in Thailand. As the
oldest in my family, I have to take on
responsibilities in my family’s cosmetics
business. Now I use my HR
and marketing knowledge helping
my father in customer relationship
management, as well as doing some
market research for more effective
product development program.
Studying at VIU helped me to
achieve strong business connections
with friends from all over the
world. Within two days of graduation,
I established new export opportunities
to African countries and
the United States because of the
strong VIU global network. My job
now is very enjoyable. My every
day work is all about learning new
things in the real business world. I
am hoping that someday I will get
a chance to fulfill my dream of improving
HR function by starting my
very own company!
38 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 39

Careers
testimonial
viu.edu
Internships: the Ultimate Résumé Builders
“ ”
My education was a big investment
not only for me but for my whole
family, and it was worth it! My goal
was to earn a great education at
VIU, gain experience, and expand
our family company globally.
By Kathleen Covington
Employers are looking for people who have diverse backgrounds
and experience and who are familiar with the workplace setting.
This means gaining practical experience through internships,
building your résumé while you are in school, and developing
skills which will help set you apart from the competition. A 2012
National Association of Colleges and Employers study found that
companies are hiring close to 60% of the interns they work with and
that this percentage is increasing year by year. Internships really are
the new interview! At VIU, our goal is to provide students with an
excellent, affordable education that is also practical. We want our
students to be able to take the skills they learn in class and smoothly
transition into the workplace, which is why we encourage our students
to start building a professional network and we work hard
to place them in companies as interns. In the past, VIU students
have worked with companies in the fields of information technology,
business, health care management, and education, and we are
continually expanding our contact base to help our students search
for and obtain employment. If you are looking for an internship,
check out our database of employers who have worked with VIU
students in the past. Sometimes it takes a little bit of footwork, but
it will pay off in the end.
INTERN SPOTLIGHT: Advice to future students
Olga Avraamova
(Malvin & Riggins)
Most of us have
no idea how people
behave in the
American workplace
among their
colleagues. Being
an intern gives you
an opportunity not
only to get work
experience in your
field and develop
helpful business connections, but also to
see the business culture inside an American
company. My internship really helped
me understand the US tax system as well
as the difference between Ukrainian and
American business cultures.
Stephane Victorino
(America's Future
Workforce AFW, Smart
People Podcast)
America’s Future
Workforce in DC
offers fellowship
programs
throughout the
year and place
interns with host
companies. I
worked for a podcast
website identifying
professionals
willing to offer
their expertise and conducted marketing.
During my time there, I was able
to do a lot of networking with people
including writers, CEOs and journalists,
and I am still in touch with many of them.
Rose Obi
(VIPI Medical Center)
During my internship,
I was able to
learn about managing
the front
desk, tracking patient
information
and treatments,
follow-ups. Both
my internship experience
and my
VIU education
helped me to develop good interpersonal
skills. I would recommend students
complete an internship! It is very important
for students because they enable
them to showcase their potential and
talent.
Sanda Rahanta comes from the highlands near Antananarivo, the
capital of the beautiful island nation of Madagascar, located southeast
of South Africa. Even though it was hard for her to be away from
her big, close-knit family, her friends, and her country’s events, VIU
helped her feel at home in America. Her parents taught her to work
hard to achieve her dreams of starting her own company.
40 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 41
Baobab Alley, Madagascar pink sunset

student sentiments
viu.edu
So MANY
Reasons to
CHOOSE VIU
There are so many different reasons to
choose one university over another.
Here, three VIU students and graduates
share their reasons for choosing VIU
as their alma mater.
Thank You, Professors!
By Nafisa Ismailova
Laryssa Guimaraes Saud,
Brazil
My time at VIU was a time of great
growth, and it was also a time of hard
work. VIU has great professors who
are prepared to receive international
students; they know how to deal with us
and are very open to cultural differences
between the students. I liked when the
professors would use different countries,
besides just the US, as examples and
when we had to work through business
problems in different settings.
At VIU, I changed and grew as a
person, learned to respect other cultures,
and improved my intercommunication
skills; I can see how much my university
has developed, too. VIU has turned into
a bigger school, and has become even
more respected in the Washington,
DC area. It has increased its number
of excellent professors, has given
its students many opportunities to
improve their personal and professional
skills, and has continued to be a highly
recommended school by its alumni.
Armando Mori,
Peru
The demand for business leaders
who can comfortably navigate our new
globalized world is growing. Since my
interest is in global logistics, it made
sense for me to study in VIU which is
one of the unique universities offering
this MBA concentration. VIU also has a
great diversity of students and staff from
different nationalities and cultures; it
is located in the capital of one of the
leading nations known for its logistics.
This will enhance my network in my
field and help me form new alliances
with people who have the same focus in
the field.
One of my favorite memories at
VIU was when I got to my first class,
Marketing Management. I enjoyed
how the subject was presented, and the
professor told us we were going to help
improve a real business. I excited the idea
of having more practical work in class,
so participating in the development of a
company was really exciting.
Pinarath Sinluksanathip,
Thailand
After my boyfriend and I finished
our bachelor’s degrees in Thailand,
we decided to move on to the next
level and earn our master’s degrees
in the US. We were looking for an
affordable, accredited university in the
Washington, DC area which would offer
both computer information systems and
MBA majors, and we found it at VIU.
Although there are many
university choices in Virginia, we rarely
found one with both MIS and MBA in
the same school. The ones that do offer
both programs come with surprisingly
high tuition fees, and some of them are
not accredited.
We are glad that we ended up
at VIU after long consideration. As a
couple, we had a great time at VIU; our
schedules were flexible and we could
attend many activities. As VIU offers
various courses each semester, we were
able to arrange our schedules to have
class at the same time.
Upon arriving at their new universities,
many students are unaware of what
to expect in the first year. They expect to
gain knowledge, make new friends, and
have good times while finding a new sense
of direction. But imagine facing those
challenges in a new country! I felt the
weight of all those challenges and struggles
that come with the importance of getting
an education. However, when I got to
know the people at VIU, who are very kind
and open-minded, they pointed me in the
right direction and gave me their warm
support. They had answers to all the different
questions and lingering doubts I had
as a student. In my view, student life is the
best period of any person’s life, filled with
sweet memories. In this period of time,
students start their own lives, especially if
the students are international students.
One of the proudest accomplishments of my life is earning
my master’s degree from an American university
I have learned a great many things
from my professors and from VIU staff
members. I believe they gave me a broader
outlook and attitude toward life. I always
found it exciting to prepare for exams with
my friends and to complete group work,
all of us working and facing pressure together.
Our professors pushed us out of
our comfort zones and encouraged us to
do our best. They motivated us to learn
more, to be open to diverse viewpoints,
and to pursue internships. They supported
us every step of the way.
One of the proudest accomplishments
of my life is having earned my master’s
degree. I had a dream to get my master’s
degree from an American university. I believe
graduation is a time to celebrate the
hard work, dedication, perseverance, and
individual achievements that led to such
a prestigious accomplishment. It is a time
when the individual can reflect on this
stage of life and be proud of completing
this phase of the educational career. I am
sure, for most of us, this was no easy task.
Especially for those who had to manage
their time carefully, attending classes, writing
papers, working part-time jobs, tending
to spouses and children, and spending
time with friends. In my opinion, these are
experiences we can reflect upon with pride
and which lead us forward with ambition.
Concerning my own future career
path, I am heading in the right direction,
diploma in hand, and I am very grateful to
my VIU professors for providing me with
this direction and support.
42 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 43

The cost of education
viu.edu
VIU Scholarships:
Our Students’ Success is VIU’S Success
By Camilla Nunes
It is well-known that students feel
more motivated when they are recognized
for their effort and hard work, and
as a result, they are more likely to be engaged
in activities proposed by their professors
and university. Thus, the question
is: what is the best way for a university to
acknowledge and promote student accomplishments
and support students on their
dreams at the same time? The answer is:
SCHOLARSHIPS!
Virginia International University has
a history of supporting its students. Since
it was founded, VIU has been awarding
scholarships to full-time undergraduate
and graduate students as a way to recognize
students who have special talents,
demonstrate academic excellence, or actively
participate in on-campus activities.
VIU has been offering different types of
scholarships throughout the years, always
expanding in order to benefit more students.
Right now, there are seven types of
scholarships which are available for eligible
prospective and current students: fresh
start (for transferring students); student
activity (for students who are strongly engaged
in on-campus activities); campus
employment (for those students who work
on campus); special achievement (for students
who demonstrate a special talent);
new horizon (for students who come from
countries which face economic and political
problems); and deans and presidential
(for students with exceptional academic
results). Scholarships are available for both
on-campus and online students. Over the
years, more and more students have been
granted scholarships at VIU. When students
receive scholarships, they tend to
exceed their own expectations by putting
more efforts into achieving their academic
goals. And our students’ success is VIU’s
success.
Scholarship Trends in US
Percentage of Students in US Receiving Scholarships, Grants
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Percentage of Students Receiving
Scholarships, Grants
44.40%
20%
1999-2000 2011-2012
59.10%
35.70%
Source: U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics
Undergraduate
Students
Graduate Students
For anyone considering a college
degree from a school in the United States,
the cost of tuition – and the means by
which to pay tuition – is a primary concern.
In our last issue, University Magazine
examined the steady rise of the price tag
on an American education. One of the
best ways students can make college more
affordable is by applying for financial aid
in the form of scholarships and grants.
The Statistics
Data available from the National Center
for Education Statistics allows us to
track financial aid trends over a number of
years. In 2011-12, 59.1% of undergraduate
students in the US received financial aid
in the form of scholarships or grants. The
average amount those students received
Ali Iqbal Murshed, MBA in Global Logistics
Never considering myself an “A” student, I always struggled with academics. However,
since coming to VIU, the supportive learning environment has consistently inspired
me to regain interest in learning, which has reflected in my recent academic successes. My
professors were generous enough to write some excellent recommendations for me and
my past experiences certainly did pay off by adding much needed credentials for the selection
committee to consider. Receiving this scholarship has boosted my confidence to a
whole new level and motivated me to continue to strive for excellence in the future. I must
also mention that VIU has given considerable attention to providing financial support for
international students whereas many other well known institutions surprisingly do not
have such facilities.
Faria Islam, MBA in International Finance
It came to me as a pleasant surprise when I realized that I was one of the proud recipients
selected for the Special Achievement scholarship this year. As this was my first
semester at VIU, I really did not expect to be awarded a scholarship. As an international
student I have gone through lots of challenges, one of them being financial challenges.
This scholarship has really helped me by reducing some of the pressure. Moreover, this
is the first time studying and staying outside of my country and I was expecting it to be
tough. But with VIU, the transition has been very smooth, as I have been helped by the
university at every step. Everyone has been a great support to me.
Higher Education
was $6,200. In the same year, 37.7% of
graduate students in the US received aid
in the form of scholarships or grants. The
average amount received by those students
was $10,800. When compared with data
collected about a decade ago, we see that
the trend for this type of financial aid is
improving, both in the percentage of students
receiving aid and the amount of aid
students are receiving.
Paying for the rising cost of tuition
will continue to be a concern for students
attending colleges and universities in the
United States, at least in the foreseeable future.
While tuition assistance in the form
of scholarships and grants has increased,
it is not always rising quickly enough to
match the astonishing speed at which tuition
prices are increasing. However, statistics
show there has been an increase
in institutional grants to students. This
is good news for American students, of
course, but it is also good news for international
students who may not have the
same access to federal aid as US citizens.
Scholarships are and will continue
to be important to college students, especially
in light of rising tuition costs. It is
clear that scholarships are out there for the
taking, but competition is fierce. A great
source for identifying scholarship opportunities
is your school; find out if your
institution offers grants or scholarships,
especially if you are an international student!
TIPS FOR
SCHOLARSHIP
APPLICANTS
Do Your Research
• There are search sites which pull
scholarships from many sources.
Find a site that you like and create
an account! Check back often for
new and updated scholarships.
• Find out what department is responsible
for scholarships at your
school and become familiar with
the scholarship offerings, requirements,
and deadlines.
• Never pay to apply for a scholarship.
If you are asked to pay a fee in
order to apply, it’s probably a scam!
Know What Makes You Unique
• Find your niche and maximize
on it; you would be surprised what
types of scholarships are out there.
What are your scholastic interests?
What are your hobbies? Do you have
a unique family situation? Have you
overcome an obstacle? Use your experiences
to your advantage!
Start Early
• Do not procrastinate when you’re
working on a scholarship application.
Build plenty of time into your
schedule to complete applications,
write and revise essays, and meet
deadlines!
Persevere!
• Don’t give up! If you don’t receive
one scholarship, keep trying for others.
44 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 45

People & Places
viu.edu
Donald Trump:
YOU NEED TO WIN FOR
PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOU!
America’s top businessman meets one of America’s finest educators
Donald Trump discusses VIU with Dr. Sarac
Ivanka Trump thanks Dr. Sarac for his invitation to
Commencement 2015
His name is synonymous with wealth, and skyscrapers bear his
name in the world’s greatest cities, from New York to Dubai. His
books have been the most widely purchased business books of all
time. His catchphrase “You’re fired” has taken TV by storm. And his
hair has several Twitter feeds of its own.
Recently, several VIU staff members had a chance to hear Donald
Trump speak at a luncheon at the National Press Club in Washington,
DC. VIU President Dr. Isa Sarac met Donald and Ivanka
Trump at a VIP reception. Dr. Sarac talked to the Trumps about Virginia
International University’s international profile and successful
graduates and also invited Ivanka, who is as kind as she is successful,
to VIU’s 15th Anniversary Gala and to Commencement 2015.
Starting off with several jokes about himself, Trump put the
audience at ease and began his talk on branding. “First of all,
you’re selling yourself,” he said. “When you’re successful, it creates
a brand.” And early success gives a person confidence, which, in
turn, brings more success and builds a more successful brand.
One of the most important aspects is to create a feeling of
trust with the people around you – if they trust you to be a winner,
then they will do business with you and they will follow you.
Trump used his own experience as an example. When he was approached
by Mark Burnett to do The Apprentice, Mark told him
that he would only do the show with Donald Trump because his
name, reputation, and personality would make the show a hit.
Trump agreed and shook hands with Burnett. After that initial
agreement, Trump’s agent recommended against doing the show
and quoted some staggering statistics to him; 97% of shows that
go on TV fail, and there had never before been a business-type
show to succeed. The handshake does not mean anything, it is not
a paper contract, the agent persuaded. But to Trump, that handshake
meant a lot – it was part of his brand; so he went on to do
the show, which triumphed. Trump also noted that all 15 different
copycat shows failed. “Don’t you love it when your opponents
fail?” he laughed. He summed up, “You have to take risks in life.
You just have to do it.”
Trump quickly shifted gear towards politics and, despite several
business examples from his own life, kept the conversation
mainly political for the rest of the time. With several early barbs at
the failure of Obamacare and statements that he has no confidence
in the current administration (although he is “no Bush fan” either),
he went straight to the point. “What positive thing has happened
in this country in the last 10 years?” he asked the audience.
Besides blasting the Obamacare debacle, taking pains to point out
the $5 billion already spent on website costs while noting that he
has some of the best websites that he “paid
peanuts” for, Trump took a strong stance
on America’s world standing and foreign
policy. “I always heard that the worst thing
for this country was if China and Russia
got together. Well, they just made the biggest
gas deal in history!” He noted that
he does not dislike those nations, but, in
fact, he respects their leaders’ strength,
though those leaders do not show the
same respect to the American president.
Many other nations are no longer showing
respect to America and its leaders. Even
Afghan President Karzai, to whose country
millions of dollars are routed in cash
transactions, did not meet with President
Obama when he made a visit to DC over
Memorial Day weekend. Other countries
are also profiting where we are not. “In Afghanistan,
we’re fighting on one side of the
mountain, while China is stripping minerals
on the other side,” Trump stated. China
is also buying Iraqi oil, while “Iraq doesn’t
even take our calls.” Approaching foreign
policy the same way he would his business,
Trump was further upset by US negotiations
with Japan, which refuses to accept
American food while sending over millions
of tax-free cars. “Who are our negotiators?”
Trump asked. “If I was the negotiator
for Japan, they’d have so much food
they wouldn’t know what to do with it.”
China could also be dealt with differently,
he stated. The US has power over China
because of all the products that come in
with no tax; if we want to get our way, we
should prevent their currency manipulations
with the threat of a tariff on Chinese
goods. In general, America has stopped
making its own products, thereby letting
China and rising stars like Mexico (“the
new China” in Trump’s words) take over.
In the energy field, America is also losing.
We have so many resources in our country
alone that we do not actually need oil
from anyone else, Trump said, yet we are
making the Saudis $1 billion richer every
day. Finally, while China is building new
bridges and other countries are building
new roads and airports, our roads, bridges,
and airports are falling apart. Comparing
some of our major airports like JFK in
New York to airports in Dubai and Saudi
Arabia, “ours look like they are in third
world countries – it’s all branding,” Trump
said.
While vehemently denying that he
ever actually ran for President of the US,
Trump is not ruling it out in 2016. “Our
country will have a big Obamacare problem
then,” he said.
Trump loves what he does – he builds
buildings for relaxation and takes care of
his employees around the world, builds a
stronger economy, and negotiates deals.
“But I love my country even more than I
love building,” Trump stated, also mentioning
how much his beautiful family
means to him. Responding to questions,
he mentioned that Twitter, where he has
millions of followers, is a great help. “I
don’t even need press releases anymore –
it’s an instant press release,” he said of the
social media network. If he were the one
dealing with Russian President Putin, he
would succeed because “in negotiation,
the primary thing you have to do is get the
other side to respect you.” And while “Putin
doesn’t respect or like Obama,” Trump
himself already met with the Russian President
at the Miss Universe pageant in Russia.
Trump ended on a positive note, with
a hint of warning, “America has so much
potential, I am so proud of this country,
but if we don’t act quickly, we won’t be able
to take it back.”
The Trump World Tower in New York City
46 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 47

Interview Etiquette
viu.edu
Dr. Joseph Huber, VIU School of Business professor, holds a Master of Education in Instructional
Technology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Education Training & Performance Improvement.
Body Language Never Lies:
The Importance of Body Language in Landing Your Dream Job
By Dr. Joseph A. Huber and Faria Islam
Let’s face it, when you are being interviewed
for a job you are essentially being
judged from the moment you walk in
the door. How well you can communicate
your enthusiasm for the job you seek is
just as important as explaining your experience.
What most people do not understand
is that non-verbal communication
accounts for the majority of the information
that you are relaying to the listener.
In fact, CareerCast.com reports that many
studies indicate body language accounts
for 55% of any response, while your verbal
response accounts for just 7%. The remaining
38% is communicated through
the tone of your voice, inflection, pauses,
and sighs you give off when answering a
question.
In other words, even if your spoken
answers convey intelligence and confidence,
your body language may say the
exact opposite. Many people discount the
importance of job interview body language
because they have been trained to
place more emphasis on spoken words
instead. But, a skilled interviewer knows
to look for body language which contradicts
the spoken words. Therefore, it is just
as important to practice and master your
mannerisms as it is to practice the spoken
answers to commonly asked interview
questions.
According to the public speaking
expert Matt Eventhoof, every person has
physical habits which include fidgets,
grooming gestures or postural tendencies
like slouching. Normally, these habits have
no impact on daily life. But during a job
interview, the body language you portray
could be the difference between landing
the job, and not being considered at
all. So it is important to know your body
language, and what it may say to the interviewer.
Negative Body Language to Avoid
■ Do not slouch. Lounging with arms
and legs dangling will suggest you are a
little too relaxed about an interview you
should be taking seriously. Slouching or
leaning over in the chair may also send the
message that you are disinterested in the
job or lazy.
■ Crossing your arms can be interpreted
as defensive.
■ When you are nervous, your body
shows your nerves in different ways.
Frowning at a difficult question or at the
wrong time can be a tell tale sign that you
are having a difficult time answering the
question. Also, a nervous laugh or tick can
show your nerves as well. Be conscious of
your facial expressions and mannerisms
and try to control them during the interview.
■ Try not to show how tense you are.
Tightly clutching a handbag or briefcase
suggests a nervous candidate, not a confident,
cool-headed character.
■ An aggressive handshake or an
iron grip can imply arrogance, but a limp
handshake might suggest weak character.
However, a firm handshake can relay
confidence and a willingness to engage in
communication.
■ Avoid distracting body movements.
Beware of moving your feet up and down
repeatedly in a nervous manner. This is a
sign of boredom, even if you do not mean
it to be.
■ Resist the urge to touch your face or
play with your hair when you speak, as this
suggests you are lying.
■ Avoid distracting facial expressions
which contradict the information you are
stating.
Positive Body Language
■ Show them you know what you are
talking about – touch your fingertips together
to convey authority.
■ Your physical gestures should be
open and expressive. You want to try to involve
the interviewer in what you are saying.
Keep palms up and open to suggest
honesty, and avoid pointing or banging
fists on the table to emphasize a point.
■ Demonstrate curiosity and enthusiasm
while your interviewer is speaking.
Making direct eye contact and leaning
slightly forward are two of the best cues.
■ Subtly imitate or mirror your interviewer’s
positive body language and mood
to quickly build a rapport. You should adjust
to the people and atmosphere of the
room.
Maintain Good Eye Contact
It is worth mentioning again that during
the interview you should maintain
good eye contact with the interviewer. If
there is more than one interviewer, you
should address each one as you answer
each question. You may not know which
interviewer will have the deciding vote in
hiring you. Therefore, it is important that
you never ignore anyone that may be in
the room during the questions.
Even if one of the interviewers remains
silent, it is a good practice to maintain
eye contact with them as well, and be
sure to address everyone when providing
your answers. If you remain focused on
only one person, it could be seen as being
rude or disrespectful. So establishing
direct eye contact with all of the members
If one of the interviewers remains silent, it is a good practice to maintain eye contact
with them as well, and be sure to address everyone when providing your answers.
of the panel throughout the interview will
engage everyone and appear more genuine.
You should frame your response to
not only address the question asked but
to deliver the core message. Consequently,
you will be able to project a better understanding
of your answer if you relay the
message with good eye contact to the entire
panel.
Dress for Success
Understand that your interview actually
begins before you enter the room.
The first impression is a lasting one. This is
why you must present yourself in the most
positive ways from the very start. Even
your behavior in the reception area may
be observed. Dressing for success is also
a way of presenting yourself in a professional
manner. Wearing appropriate business
attire is an important way to express
that you are serious about landing the job
you seek. Your clothes tell the interviewer
that you mean business. After all, you are
there to get a job and should want to be
taken seriously. There are few better ways
to initially impress a potential employer
than dressing for success.
Close with a Firm Handshake and a
Thank You
Leaving the interview on a high note
is equally important as the first impression
you make. One last tip for ending the interview
successfully is to close with a firm
handshake. You want to leave the interviewer
with a lasting impression. Be sure
again to make good eye contact. Also, be
certain to thank the interviewer for their
time and the opportunity to work with
them in the future. This also shows that
you are contentious in your approach to
finding a job.
Remember that your body language
says many things about you. It is just as
important to practice control over your
body language as it is to answer common
interview questions. You should practice
interviewing in a mirror, or even video
your responses to pick up on how others
may see you. Doing so could be the difference
that sets you apart from the competition.
48 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 49

Cyberterrorism
FIGHTING THE DARK SIDE OF THE
INTERNET
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.
By Dr. Johnson Kinyua
The recent data breach at Target
involving at least 70 million customer accounts
(pundits estimate that this figure
could be over 100 million) has again focused
our attention on the risks that we
face in this age of the Internet. The Internet
has revolutionized the way we work,
live, socialize, and conduct businesses.
Today, we have abundant connectivity
through computers at home and at work,
and on our laptops, tablets, smart phones,
etc. Even our cars and homes are finding
ways of getting connected. This Internet
environment is the so-called cyberspace,
and ubiquitous connectivity and the expansion
of cyberspace has resulted in
enormous gains in many sectors. It has
revolutionized the education sectors with
many universities now offering traditional
classes, hybrid classes, and online classes.
You can book your airline ticket without
leaving your home or office and check-in
for your next flight online. You can buy
almost anything via the Internet and have
it delivered to your home or office. You can
buy and sell stocks from anywhere via the
Internet. Applying for jobs nowadays is
conducted almost entirely online. The list
of things you can do is endless. The Internet
is also full of social media: Facebook,
Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.
The common aspect of all Internetbased
interactions and transactions is that
the exchange of information can be personal,
confidential, or financial in nature.
While the benefits of using the Internet
are undeniable, there is also a dark side to
the Internet. Lurking in the same environment
are hackers, hacktivists, and other
malicious entities with different malicious
objectives. Some of these entities want to
steal personal information and use it for
financial gain; others want to cause harm
or damage to other entities or their adversaries
and so on.
Hacktivists use the Internet to promote
political ends, to promote free
speech or human rights, and to achieve
other objectives. Hacktivism traces its
roots back to the late 1990s, when a hacker
collective called Electronic Disturbance
Theater (EDT) protested against Mexican
government policies that were considered
oppressive by staging online versions of
sit-ins. These took the form of distributed
denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, a technique
using large networks of hijacked
computers to jam up websites with so
much traffic that they crash. The EDT’s actions
shut down several websites, including
that of the Mexican president, igniting
a flurry of concern about the security of
the internet.
Target’s data breach is one of the largest
in the history of the Internet when
compared with the previous two largest
data breaches in history. In August 2009,
130 million credit and debit card accounts
were stolen from the Heartland Payment
Systems servers, and at least 94 million
credit and debit card accounts were stolen
from TJX. In December 2009, 32 million
user accounts were stolen from RockYou.
Data breaches of smaller sizes occur all the
time but most companies would prefer not
to make the violation public for obvious
reasons. It was reported today, as I write
this article, that a data breach involving
27,000 customer records had occurred at
Barclays bank.
When it comes to cybersecurity, it is
unfortunate that companies tend to comply
as minimally as they can with regulations
because improved cybersecurity can
be costly; but a data breach could also spell
the demise of a company. Many Fortune
500 companies are still using outdated
software. Hackers often exploit vulnerabilities
in older versions of popular software
to load malicious programs into computers,
which can then be used to launch attacks.
Hence, there is a crucial need to secure
this cyberspace using several defense
mechanisms to ensure confidentiality,
availability, integrity, accountability, and
non-repudiation (an entity cannot deny
having conducted a transaction); and this is
what cybersecurity is all about. As a result
of the changing nature and sophistication
of attacks, there is a new demand for cybersecurity
specialists to fight cyber terrorism
at all levels of society, from multinational
corporations to governments.
Tech Giants in Court
In a drawn-out case against Google, Oracle has come away
the victor. The lawsuit arose out of Oracle’s claim that Google developed
their Android operating system using code copied from
Oracle’s Java code. Much of the case centered around the use of
application programming interfaces, commonly referred to as
APIs, which allow two different programs to communicate with
each other. For the sake of increasing programs which utilize their
software, companies often share their APIs freely. In this case, the
court has decided that APIs are able to be copyrighted. Oracle won
the case, but it seems the copyright question has not yet been definitively
answered. There are many voices on both sides of the issue
of intellectual property and ownership when it comes to APIs,
software, and coding. Following the case, Google was reported as
saying the verdict is “a damaging precedent for computer science
and software development.” They believe that different software
must be able to communicate for the internet to work. Oracle, on
the other hand, claims it is “a win for Oracle and the entire software
industry.” They believe one company shouldn’t be permitted
to blatantly copy another company’s work. The long-term results
are yet to be seen, but the question remains: How will software
companies create interoperable programs without violating copyrights?
Public’s Right to Information vs. Privacy
A man in Spain recently filed a lawsuit against search engine
giant Google in which the European Union Court of Justice ruled
that Google must submit to an individual’s request to have personal
information removed from the internet if it is no longer relevant.
The ruling bolsters controversy already present about the
ethics of companies like Google collecting and maintaining information
about individuals. The question to be answered is whether
the public’s right to access information is outweighed by the individual’s
right to privacy. The European Union has awarded a big
win to the individuals this time, and headlines reflect the victory.
“EU Court says people are entitled to control their own online
histories” reported The Washington Post.
50 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 51
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 51

Made In...
viu.edu
WHERE
AMERICA
STANDS
Top 15 World Manufacturers
Rank 1980 1990 2000 2010 2012
1 United States United States United States China China
2 Germany Japan Japan United States United States
3 Japan Germany Germany Japan Japan
4 United Kingdom Italy China Germany United Kingdom
5 France United Kingdom United Kingdom Italy South Korea
6 Italy France Italy Brazil Italy
7 China China France South Korea Russia
8 Brazil Brazil South Korea France Brazil
9 Spain Spain Canada United Kingdom India
10 Canada Canada Mexico India France
11 Mexico South Korea Spain Russia United Kingdom
12 Australia Mexico Brazil Mexico Indonesia
13 Netherlands Turkey Taiwan Indonesia Mexico
14 Argentina India India Spain Spain
15 India Taiwan Turkey Canada Canada
SOURCES: IHS Global Insight; McKinsey Global Institute Analysis; Congressional Research Service; UNIDO
By Katherine Magalif
As I cross a street in Washington,
DC, a shiny black Mercedes stops to let
me pass. “Made in Germany,” I think. I
pass an electronics store with giant, flat
screen televisions (made in Japan) and
a trendy clothing boutique with pretty
shirts (made in India). I get into my General
Motors (made in America) car and
drive to a superstore. I pick up a toy – it is
made in China. I look at cups and plates,
curtains for the home, a new pair of shoes
– China, China, China. In the last four
years, China has emerged as the definitive
leader in global manufacturing. And yet,
is the manufacturing share of global gross
domestic product (GDP) large enough to
have a positive effect on the other leading
economies? University Magazine takes
a look at the world’s top manufacturing
countries and how the industry affects
their economic outlook.
Besides accounting for 16% of global
GDP, manufacturing accounts for 70% of
all global trade. Service jobs in manufacturing
make up 30-55% of manufacturingheavy
economies, and for every dollar of
manufacturing output, only 19 cents are
spent on service input – quite a profitable
enterprise. However, while advanced
economies like the United States are coming
up with more innovative manufactured
products, they are outsourcing much of
the traditional labor-and-time-intensive
manufacturing jobs to other economies,
such as China or India. In fact, out of the
62 million manufacturing jobs available in
advanced economies in 2000 only 45 million
remained in 2010. And many of these
jobs were in different industries, requiring
more specialized knowledge and training.
While this may be a source of outrage to labor
unions and anti-globalization groups,
overall, the advanced economies prospered.
According to the McKinsey Global
Institute 2012 report, “Manufacturing the
future: the next era of global growth and
innovation,” advanced economies had a
$342 billion trade deficit in labor-intensive
goods, yet also a $726 billion surplus in innovative
goods.
When we look at the last 25 years
of manufacturing, we see several trends.
Overall, the number of jobs created by
manufacturing in the world has significantly
increased. However, a large portion
of the newly-created jobs are in developing
and industrializing economies. In developed
economies, like the United States,
Canada, or the United Kingdom, the percentage
of manufacturing jobs is declining
and the industry areas and type of
remaining manufacturing jobs are shifting
to be more innovative and technologically
specialized. Large, developing economies
have been moving up in global manufacturing.
Finally, many of the economies
that have been increasingly significant
in manufacturing are Asian. The prime
example of this is China, which had first
surpassed the United States in its share of
global manufacturing in 2010. China is
also the number one exporter of manufactured
goods, and well as the second largest
importer. A steady increase in the share of
global manufacturing can also be seen in
India, moving up from the fifteenth spot
in 1980 to ninth in 2012. Finally, a much
faster movement is seen in South Korea,
moving from twenty-fifth in 1980 all the
way up to fifth in 2012. The reasons for the
advancement in these countries are many
– a shift in favorable economic policies
in those countries, a cheap and available
workforce, and improving research and
development. But does that mean an overall
global shift to the East?
While China has taken over many areas
of production and will remain strong,
the United States remains extremely competitive
in terms of manufacturing. China
may have the lion’s share of many global
products; its primary exports are in the
toy, apparel, and electrical and electronics
industries. In fact, China is the world’s
largest manufacturer of toy products,
with over 70% of the global market. The
country presents several advantages to
manufacturers: a growing middle class,
increased research and development, a
robust raw material supply base, and established
infrastructure. It also presents
several challenges, however. It is slow to
innovate, with a heavy tax burden and
regulatory inefficiency, which results in
lax quality control. On the other hand, despite
its high labor costs and corporate tax
rate, the United States has a highly technologically
advanced labor force, with much
research support for national laboratories
and universities, high productivity, and
favorable policy actions. It is the second
largest automobile manufacturer and the
largest producer of ethanol biofuel.
In sum, with manufacturing continuing
to play an important role in the world
economy, there will be enough of a share
within all the various manufacturing industries
for all of these economies, both
developed and developing, to grow.
52 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 53

Public Affairs
viu.edu
Dr. Klara Bilgin, is the Dean of School of
Public and International Affairs at VIU.
Students Will Pursue
Policy-Related Internships
in the Capital
By Dr. Klara Bilgin
VIU President meets with Ambassador of Qatar.
Diplomatic Connections
If you are interested in politics-domestic or global-and
if you crave the excitement of electoral competition, high-wired
campaigns, and policy making, you can hardly find a better location
than Fairfax, Virginia. The School of Public & International Affairs
(SPIA) at VIU is relatively young, yet from its opening, its two
programs of Masters in International Relations (MIR) and Masters
of Public Administration (MPA) were set to take full advantage of
this opportune location and its immediate access to the three levels
of US politics: federal, state, and local.
VIU is located just minutes away from the US capital, which
allows students easy access to Congress, all federal government
institutions, more than 350 policy think tanks, and the headquarters
of major multinational organizations (such as the World Bank and
IMF). In the past year, many of our faculty and students attended
academic conferences and workshops at some of these institutions,
and a number of our students will be pursuing policy-related
internships in the capital. Next fall, most of SPIA’s new faculty will be
coming from these top institutions. In terms of state politics, Virginia
has emerged as a key battleground state in the last two elections.
Major demographic changes in Northern Virginia in the last decade
have significantly altered the political nature of the commonwealth,
bringing a realignment in state politics and turning Virginia into one
of the most hotly contested swing states in the nation. This started in
2008 when Barack Obama won the state by 7% over John McCain,
and reached a peak level in 2012 when Virginia again became one
of 13 key states where the result was to be decided by the smallest
of margins, less than 4%. In a state where every vote can make a
difference, the intensity of the electoral campaigns in terms of onground
volunteer effort, get-out-the-vote mobilization, and public
appearances by the President and his challenger is momentous
– presenting our students with a lot of opportunities to directly
observe and participate in these practices of the political process.
For those specifically interested in organizing campaigns, running
for office, and working on the electoral and media side of politics, the
battleground status of the state provides a key unique element for an
overall US-based educational experience.
Finally, in terms of local administration, VIU is situated in one
of the most affluent, efficient, diverse, economically bustling, highly
educated, and forward-oriented states in America. Fairfax County
is an over-achiever in a lot of areas: with an unemployment rate
of less than 4% (half the national average), the county essentially
offers employment to everyone who seeks a job. Fairfax County
has the largest concentration of technology jobs of any major US
market, receives billions of dollars in US government contacts every
year, is home to 10 Fortune 500 company headquarters, and has
recently been voted “One of the great economic success stories of
our time” and “One of the most desirable places to live and work
in the United States.” In addition to being at the cutting edge of
economic development, the county is also exceptional in its public
policy administration.
As the SPIA expands, its Public Administration Program will
partner with Fairfax County and its various departments to offer
SPIA students hands-on experience and internships at the county
level. This will expose our students to some of the best administrative
and policy-making practices in the field, and will help them establish
valuable professional ties and networking opportunities for the future.
In a nutshell, our special location makes the SPIA degrees even more
exciting, hands-on, and valuable.
Virginia International University has had great diplomatic connections, as a result of its diverse
student body and active community outreach. Recently, VIU officials began the latest series
of meetings with ambassadors as well as cultural and educational attachés in order to foster
relationships with officials in partner countries, receive advice and connections with other
educational institutions abroad, and have embassy officials participate in VIU events. Ambassadors
have been quite active in VIU life for its entire history; they attend VIU events as speakers, as well as
to meet with President Sarac, faculty, and students. Both the Mongolian and Kazakh ambassadors
visited VIU, and Dr. Sarac paid visits to the embassies of Hungary, Qatar, and Austria to meet with
their ambassadors. Additionally, some of VIU faculty and staff have met with attachés at the
embassies of Mexico, Peru, Liechtenstein, Croatia, and Morocco.
SPIA
Call for Papers
INAUGURAL CONFERENCE
ON INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
BEST PRACTICES AND NEW APPROACHES:
ADAPTING DEVELOPMENT TO THE 21ST CENTURY
19 - 21 March 2015
School of Public & International Affairs
Virginia International University, Fairfax VA
The Conference on International Development (CID)
seeks to identify emerging issues and new conceptual
debates in the development community and explore the
latest ideas, innovations, and best practices in the field. The
conference will focus on how developmental strategies have
changed and how they are likely to change in the near future,
especially considering discussions on the United Nations’
new 2015 development goals. What are the barriers to
achieving the Millennium Development Goals and how will
shrinking development budgets contribute to greater global
insecurity?
Thematic Areas
• The Future of Development
• Transforming Institutions and Governance
• New Actors and Surprising Strategies
• Youth, Gender Issues and Public Health
• Education
Submissions
Abstracts for papers, poster presentations, and panel
sessions for the conference should be submitted by
October 30, 2014. Papers and presentations are invited
from all areas of international development from both
academics and practitioners. Proposals for workshops and
poster presentations are also welcome.
www.viu.edu/spia/CID
Abstracts should be no more than 400 words in length;
excluding references and title, and should include a
description of the research design and/or the data, key
findings, and implications for the theoretical debate or
practice of the discipline. In addition to the abstract,
applicants are required to submit a short biography, no CV,
please. Submit paper/poster/workshop proposals at the
following website:
www.viu.edu/spia/CID
For further information, contact:
Dr. Klara Bilgin at kbilgin@viu.edu.
Important Dates
May 30
October 30
January 10
February 1
February 5
March 10
March 19-21
Call for Papers Opens
Deadline for Submitting Abstracts
Notification of Acceptance
Registration Closes
Late Registration Opens
Paper Submission Deadline
Conference
Center For Democracy
& International Affairs
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
54 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 55

viu.edu
RUSSIA DETERMINED
TO BE A MAJOR WORLD POWER
Five months ago, most of the world
paid no attention to Ukraine, a country of
44 million people with a land area slightly
smaller than Texas. It was just another former
Soviet republic somewhere in Europe,
with delicious borsch and pretty girls.
However, since the end of the 2014 Winter
Olympics in Sochi, the eyes of the world
turned to Ukraine and its protests, which,
in the course of the last three months, have
gone from peaceful to preparation for war.
What exactly happened and, more importantly,
how does it affect the rest of the
world?
Viewpoints
Ukraine can roughly be divided into
two areas: the western part is mainly
Ukrainian-speaking, nationalist, and
West-leaning (pro-European Union,
closer ties to the USA); the eastern part is
mainly Russian-speaking and East-leaning
(pro-Russia). In the West, the Maidan protests
were seen as a peaceful people’s cry
for freedom from corruption, the ousting
of Yanukovich was seen as legitimate, and
any meddling in internal Ukrainian affairs
was seen as wrong. In Russia, the protests
were seen as violent uprising by extremist
groups, mainly fascist, the ousting of
Yanukovich was seen as an illegal coup,
and the involvement in Ukrainian affairs
was seen as a sacred duty to protect the
Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine from
oppression. Within a few days, there were
military troops in Crimea, a peninsula on
the Black Sea, once a popular resort destination
and now the site of a Russian-
Ukrainian Naval base. Following a referendum
and annexation vote, Russian troops
came into the area, massed on the rest of
the Eastern Ukrainian borders. Russia was
accused by the West of acting contrary to
several international laws and treaties, the
referendum declared illegal according to
the Ukrainian constitution, and Crimea
joined the ranks of other disputed world
regions. At the same time, there are more
and more pro-Russian protests in cities in
the East of Ukraine, which the West claims
are incited by Russians and Russia claims
are the people’s opposition to repression
from the pro-Western Ukrainian interim
government. Despite millions of dollars
of aid, and support from NATO and the
West, Ukraine is now in turmoil and on
the brink of war, both civil and, potentially,
international. Fears of Russian invasion,
combined with political squabbling and
continued protests at home, have reduced
this promising nation with great natural
resources, an educated labor force, and
some of the most fertile land in Eurasia to
chaos.
New World Order?
While all this history and different
rhetoric is interesting, how does this situation
actually affect the rest of the world?
The number one affect and a situation
most sides are trying to avoid is a fullscale
war. If Ukraine is too brutal with its
current pro-Russian opposition, Russia
will have an excuse to invade. If Russia
invades, NATO will have to respond and
another international war would break
out. The other major affect this situation
already has had on the rest of the world,
whether or not war will be avoided, is that
a new world order is currently being negotiated.
After years of relative quiet and
mainly domestic focus, Russia is now reestablishing
itself as a major world power
opposed to the United States. And the
hegemony, supported by international
laws and institutions, is over. New major
players have emerged on the world stage,
and the United States is not the sole world
power: Russia and China, countries that
do not necessarily support or uphold the
international conventions previously established,
have emerged as major players;
in addition to the US and the EU, India,
Brazil and South Africa are moving away
from being regional powerhouses and becoming
global ones. Simply put, there is
jockeying for position, and however the
powers finally balance out will affect the
rest of the countries of the world and all
their citizens. Even us.
STUDENT VIEWPOINTS
University Magazine asked several VIU students how they
would feel if parts of their countries were annexed by neighboring
nations. Below are their responses.
Son Nguyen, Vietnam: As humans, we have the right to
be free. However, control can be asserted if we do something
wrong. The same applies to a country, which is established
from many people under a government. So all
the countries around the world should have their independence
until they break the rules. Then, the United Nations
Security Council should act for justice and peace.
Sepribo Taylor-Harry, Nigeria: In my opinion, I would
fight to protect my country and its people. As long as it
is not lawfully part of another country’s land, I think it is
wrong to forcefully occupy a territory – no matter what
the reason may be.
Gan-Erdene Undral, Mongolia: There is absolutely no
justifiable reason why one of our neighbors would invade
our country just for the ridiculous reason of “protecting
its citizens”. Imagine how many countries around the
world would invade other nations using the same reasoning.
As we Mongolians have always lived in peace with our
ethnic minorities, I hope that our country may not experience
the same conflict as in Ukraine.
56 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 57

Think Tank
viu.edu
STOP WASTING YOUR TIME!
WHEN TECHNOLOGY FAILS
e have conquered the land, with highways and rail and
W mines and skyscrapers. We have conquered the air, with
airplanes and helicopters, spy drones, and bombers. And we are
slowly conquering space, with shuttles to explore and satellites
providing for all of our communications needs. All of these
advances have made us so used to instant gratification, getting
whatever we want immediately, at the push of a button.
Of course, there are many advantages to technology; at the very least,
it’s useful to be able to send emails from aboard a plane. But what
happens when that same plane disappears from radar and cannot
be found? Even the $189 billion satellite industry could not help find
Malaysian Airlines Flight 370 when it disappeared somewhere over
the Indian Ocean. In fact, despite several countries using their military
and commercial search resources, including satellites, it is still unclear
exactly where the flight may have crashed. The search for the missing
plane costs roughly $1 million per day, with over $43 million already
spent by several nations, primarily Australia, since the majority of the
search falls into its maritime zone.
But when and why does technology fail? There are three common
aspects to technological failure. First, technology fails when confronted
by major forces of nature. No matter how sophisticated the technology,
fighting off an erupting volcano, an earthquake, or a typhoon is difficult.
The second, and probably the most common reason, is human error.
This error could be the result of hubris, such as when the captain of the
By Anna Thomas
EQUIPPED WITH THE LATEST SMARTPHONES, COMPUTERS, AND DEVICES, WITH
ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE WORLD AT OUR FINGERTIPS, WE HAVE MASTERED
TECHNOLOGY. WE HAVE CONQUERED THE SEA, WITH SHIPS AND OIL TANKERS,
SUBMARINES, RADAR, AND FIBEROPTIC CABLE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN
FLOOR TO BRING INTERNET ACROSS THE WORLD.
Exxon-Valdez oil tanker thought he could sail just fine after five vodka
mixers. The crash of the tanker off the coast of Alaska, resulting in 11
million gallons of spilled crude oil, 1,300 miles of damaged shoreline,
hundreds of thousands of animal deaths, and $4.4 billion cleanup and
repair costs, proved him wrong. Other times, it’s a result of lack of
knowledge or experience or the following of flawed procedures, which
is possibly what happened in the sinking of the Titanic. Another human
error cause of technological failure is when too many people work on
one project. Inadequate communication and miscommunication lead
to errors even from some of the brightest minds in the world, such as
NASA engineers and Lockheed Martin contractors, when a simple
miscommunication about system of measurement (English versus
Metric) led to the disintegration of the Mars Climate Orbiter in the
planet’s atmosphere when the device moved 10 meters instead of 10
feet Third, technology fails when it is faced with human emotion,
such as deliberate sabotage by terrorist groups. . It seems that the more
advanced and complex the technology, the easier it is for there to be a
weak spot and for it to fail.
Whether it’s a natural disaster, human error, or sabotage, with every
new advance, technology and its failures affect us all the more. This
begs the question: are we too dependent on technology? We think that
we are reaching our human and technological capacity, but despite
many advances, technology alone may not be enough to change the
world, and certainly not human nature.
As young adults, we are always given advice on the best ways to
approach education. I found that the best advice came from my
peers who had graduated in the years before me. The central theme
that kept coming up in conversations with them was the importance
of time management.
1
Organization - A comprehensive to-do list is an effective tool
for organization. As an employee, my to-do list is in the form
of an automated task list that is available on my work computer,
cell phone, tablet, and even the internet. At all times, I can pull
up my task list and see what major projects and deadlines are
approaching. Because of this, I am a much better planner, more
efficient worker, and am better at reporting my accomplishments
within any given timeframe. In addition to having an easily
accessible to-do list, the best piece of advice I can give to any
student or employee striving to become more organized is to take
notes. Whether you are sitting in a classroom or in a meeting
with your boss, the act of writing information down allows you to
retain it much easier than if you are idly listening. Looking back
at your notes later will also help you to effectively update your todo
list and plan action steps.
2
Scheduling – A clear schedule is essential to managing your
time. Figure out what time of day you are most productive
and block that time off to get the actual work done. Schedule
meetings and menial tasks outside of your productive time so
that you save your peak productivity hours for the important
tasks that require the most focus and attention.
3
Priorities – Prioritize by what is important, when deadlines
need to be met, and what will take the most time and
attention. It is best to speak with your superiors and define what
expectations and deadlines they would like for a given task.
4
Flexibility – When unforeseen circumstances arise, and
things get moved around and added at the last minute, you
cannot be so rigid in your scheduling that there is no room to
rework deadlines. If you let yourself be completely upset by these
types of situations, than you will have a much harder time being
an effective worker and completing the task at hand.
5
Goals – Always keep in mind that there is a reason you are
doing whatever it is that you are doing, and set tangible goals
that will help you to reach your desired endpoint. If you are a
student, remember that the big picture is the degree. If you work
in an office environment, the big picture might be a promotion
or an increase in compensation. Never lose sight of what you are
working towards.
5 Effective Time Management Tips
to Encourage Productivity
By Christina L. Koonts
58 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 59

American dreams
ONE OF THEM CAME TO THE UNITED STATES KNOWING JUST ONE
ENGLISH WORD, “SHOE.” ANOTHER WASHED DISHES FOR $1.20 AN
HOUR TO AFFORD A ROOM. ANOTHER PUMPED GAS AND DROVE A
TAXI TO PUT HIMSELF THROUGH COLLEGE. THEY ALL DREAMED BIG.
THEY ALL WORKED HARD. THEY ALL SUCCEEDED. THIS IS THE STORY
OF IMMIGRANT AMERICAN BILLIONAIRES.
By Katherine Magalif
plastics company, which he grew to over
$20 million in sales and later sold to a
private equity firm. With the earnings, he
founded a consumer products company
and created the energy drink “5-Hour Energy”
which now accounts for over 90% of
the energy shot market. Bhargava is now
worth $1.5 billion. With a strong desire
to give back to his community, Bhargava
set up a charity which receives 45% of his
company’s profits and has funded medical
research in the United States, as well
as over 400 different charities in India, the
most notable being hospitals for the underprivileged
and education for women in
rural areas.
Yahoo! founder Jerry Yang moved
from Taiwan to California with his mother
at the age of ten, knowing only one word
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.
Katherine is the proud immigrant who come to the US at the age of 7.
working various positions, often for free.
But then came success. They opened a spinoff
of their restaurant as a quick-service
Chinese food option in a mall; the restaurant
was called Panda Express. Within a
few years, they had opened several other
locations. Then, Peggy joined the family
business, bringing her knowledge of computers
and systems expertise. In 1990, she
became CEO and, soon after, the company
co-chair. Peggy and Andrew continued to
innovate and maintain strict quality control
of their restaurant chains. “We have
an all-in mentality,” Peggy told Fortune in
2013. “Because we’re immigrants, we have
a can-do attitude.” Today, Peggy and Andrew
operate more than 1,600 restaurants
and have a net worth of $2.7 billion. How
did they get there? According to Peggy’s
IMMIGRANT AMERICAN
BILLIONAIRES
America truly is the land of opportunity:
it is the one place on Earth,
where you can come with nothing but talent,
dreams, and – most importantly – the
drive to work hard and then turn those
dreams and ideas into real-life success.
The United States is the world’s leader in
terms of numbers of billionaires (492 in
2014), and over 10 percent of American
billionaires are foreign-born. Coming
from 23 different countries, many came
to get their bachelor’s or graduate degrees.
Others came as children with their parents.
Some came with money and business
ideas. Others came with very little money.
They all share two common attributes: a
strong work ethic and the determination
to succeed. Besides the very well-known
Hungarian-American hedge-fund manager
George Soros and Russian-American
Google founder Sergey Brin, there are
many extraordinary success stories, some
of which we share below.
Take, for example, Shahid Khan, who
came to the United States from Pakistan
at the age of sixteen with only $500 to his
name. He came to study engineering at the
University of Illinois, and arrived in the
middle of a blizzard with no place to stay
and no friends or family to help him. That
first night, he stayed at a YMCA, and the
next day, he washed dishes in its kitchen
for $1.20 an hour to make back some of
the money he owed on the room. Another
person would have crumbled, but
Khan looked at everything from a different
perspective. Sure, $1.20 an hour was
very little money – but he was still making
more than 99% of Pakistanis! He studied
diligently, joined a fraternity, and met his
future wife while studying for his Bachelor
of Science in Electrical Engineering.
After graduation, he worked as an engineering
manager at a local auto parts
company. After improving the company’s
processes, Khan used his life savings and
a small business loan to start up his own
company, manufacturing a new type of
bumper. Within a few years, he bought the
company at which he worked and became
a top supplier for GM and then, eventually,
Toyota. Now Khan is worth $3.8 billion
and, in addition to his auto parts empire,
is also the owner of an NFL football team,
the Jacksonville Jaguars.
“There is no question that there’s a
connection between one’s drive and search
for opportunities and having a foreign beginning,”
California real estate magnate
Igor Olenicoff told Forbes in 2009. “This
is particularly true if your early years were
spent in a poor country with a strong class
system.” Olenicoff was born in Russia
during World War II, and his family fled
Communist Russia for Allied-occupied
Iran, where he attended an English language
school run by missionaries. When
Olenicoff was fifteen, his family moved to
New York, arriving with only four suitcases
and $800, of which they were promptly
relieved by muggers. With no money, his
family moved west in search of better
opportunities and ended up settling in
California. Olenicoff studied hard and received
degrees in finance and mathematics
as well as an MBA from the University of
Southern California. After several years of
consulting, he launched his own real estate
development business. Today, his company
owns 6.4 million square feet of office
space and 12,000 residential units across
California, Arizona, Nevada, and Florida.
His net worth is valued at $2.9 billion.
Indian-born Manoj Bhargava took a
more circuitous route to wealth. A math
prodigy, he moved to Pennsylvania with
his family as a teenager, where he finished
high school and attended Princeton University.
After one year at Princeton, he
dropped out and went back to India to live
for twelve years as a monk. When he came
back to the United States, he held various
jobs: construction cleaning contractor, accounting
clerk, printing press operator,
and even taxi driver. Then, he started a
of English: “shoe.” Within three years, he
was fluent and placed in advanced classes.
He studied diligently and went on to earn
both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in
electrical engineering from Stanford University.
He created the web search engine
as a project with his classmate, David Filo.
Quickly realizing its potential, the two
postponed their doctoral programs and
founded a company. Today, Yang is worth
$1.7 billion.
Andrew Cherng was born in China
and grew up in Taiwan. When he was fifteen,
his family moved to Japan, where his
father took a job as a chef. Not seeing great
prospects for himself there, Andrew went
to the US knowing absolutely no English.
He chose a university that did not require
him to take the SATs (administered in
English) and majored in math, so that language
would not be a problem. As a sophomore,
he met his future wife, Peggy Tsiang,
also a math major recently off the plane
from Hong Kong. They both went to graduate
school at the University of Missouri-
Columbia. After graduating, Andrew first
managed his cousin’s restaurant in Hollywood,
then took his life savings, borrowed
some money from family and friends, and
opened his own restaurant in Pasadena,
California with his father as chef. The
first couple years were tough, with family
“Because we’re immigrants,
we have a can-do attitude.”
interview with Fortune, “Andrew is the visionary
who pushes for growth. I like my
system process, so I work on how to enable
the growth. Being married does not
always make working together easy. We
had to learn how to resolve business disagreements.
It’s not ‘Your way is best’ or
‘My way is best,’ but the alternative way -
which incorporates everybody’s
ideas - is best.”
Without question, the
extra challenges that come
with being foreign-born
shaped these billionaires’ entrepreneurial
spirits and their
drive to learn helped them succeed.
Besides accounting for over
10% of American billionaires, foreignborn
Americans account for one sixth of
all small business owners in the United
States and naturalized and first-generation
Americans make up over one third of all
American millionaires. So what’s the secret
to actually taking advantage of this
land of opportunity? According to these
billionaires, you should take chances,
work hard, and dream big.
60 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 61

Melting Pot
viu.edu
ASSUMPTIONS ARE IN OUR NATURE, ESPECIALLY STEREOTYPES ABOUT
OTHER NATIONALITIES. HOWEVER, STEREOTYPES ARE OFTEN WRONG,
AND SOMETIMES EVEN THE OPPOSITE ENDS UP BEING TRUE.
This often happens in an international university like VIU, where students’ perceptions of each other’s cultures change drastically over time.
Before arriving in the US, students had different perspectives about one another’s countries, cultures, and living environments. As they meet,
study, and even live together, students start to realize the actual cultural differences and life styles of other nationalities. Below are some of our
students’ actual experiences. Follow along and see if your perceptions of other cultures also change!
Studying with diverse students
gave me such opportunities
Studying in a university with
diverse students from different
parts of the world gave me
the opportunity to learn more
about their countries and their
cultural, educational, and social
backgrounds. This is different
from listening to world news
or sitting in a class about
international politics, world
history, or cultural perspectives.
I learned from natives of
countries and not by listening to
newscasters or doing research on
international websites.
I have been exposed to diversity
all my life. I was born in
United States, but I grew up abroad. I received both
my elementary and secondary education alongside
students from all over the world. My parents are also
from different countries. I chose to study at VIU
because I wanted to learn from students and faculty
members what it is like to be an international student
on a visa and to try to make sense of what my father
went through when he came in the mid-1960s on a
visa to study in the United States. I found VIU when
I was researching affordable graduate schools offering
good MA, ME, or TESOL programs and which do not
require GRE or GMAT scores in order to be accepted.
Particularly, I choose the TESOL program because I
had already gained experience in tutoring students
By Nina Nwaobilo
Nina (right) with her classmates at graduation
from different countries through volunteer work and
had done my student teaching. Marching with other
VIU students at the Memorial Day Parade in Falls
Church, VA, attending the presentation on Mongolia,
and the Diwali celebration on campus, are a few of the
university events I very much enjoyed.
I have learned from my classes to be open to a lot of
ideas. I have also sharpened my teaching skills and
learned to utilize resources to be creative in preparing
lesson plans and activities for students. I am now
confident in helping students to achieve their specific
goals in using their English skills for the rest of their
lives.
My words about...
AMERICA: We all had some perceptions about America
when we were back in our countries. I worked with an American
company for almost four years and had been visiting the US on
short business trips, but my perceptions about Americans have
changed since I arrived at VIU.
After studying in the US for almost one year, I can say a few
very important things about Americans. They really work hard and
at the same time they give an equal importance to their families. I
love the way they celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s not expensive if you
really compare the PPP (purchasing power parity) of individuals.
Networking is the key to any business here.
MOROCCO: This might sound rude, but I knew nothing
about Morocco before, having only heard its name in a Pitbull
song. Because of my VIU friends who come from Morocco, I
learned a lot about them, starting with their general history (being
a French colony), relationships with neighboring countries,
difference between the lifestyle of the people from the capital -
Rabat - and the people from the well-known Casablanca, Muslim
practices, interesting facts in the Koran, and so on.
Moroccans have a very good sense of humor and are open
minded, warm-hearted people. My Moroccan friends always were
there when I needed a hand, and, without doubt, I would do the
same for them.
NEPAL: At VIU, students who come from Nepal have
changed my whole perspective about the country. Before, due
to my lack of knowledge, I thought that people over there just
practiced religion all day long in the mountains. I have to admit,
that was completely wrong. My Nepalese classmates are very
smart, intellectual, and hardworking; they never complain!
I did not know that Nepal is located in the Himalayas. It
has the highest point on earth, which is Mount Everest. Nepal’s
national flag is one of the most mathematical flags in the world
and is the only one which does not have a rectangular shape.
VIETNAM: I learned that the Vietnamese are truly friendly
students. I had thought that they would be hard to deal with. This
was due to the fact that I watched lots of movies about America
and Vietnam at war while growing up. As a result, I was expecting
probably the same reaction from Vietnamese students. However,
my perception about Vietnamese people has changed during my
time at VIU as I find them to be some of the friendliest people one
can possibly come across.
It’s an awesome experience! Even though we grew up in such
a different environment, culture, and totally different religions, we
still are and will remain good friends.
Amit Gambhir,
India
Battulga Munkhbat,
Mongolia
Zainab K.Ben,
Morocco
Stanley Ifeanyi Ejechi,
Nigeria
62 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
63

Road Map
viu.edu
TRAVEL TO...
VIU STUDENTS ARE VERY ADVENTUROUS. IN THEIR FREE
TIME THEY LOVE TO EXPLORE THE UNITED STATES, FROM
THE NATIONAL ZOO RIGHT HERE IN WASHINGTON, DC ALL
THE WAY TO MIAMI IN SUNNY FLORIDA. JOIN THEM ON
THEIR TRIPS BELOW AS AN ARMCHAIR TRAVELER!
THE NATIONAL ZOO
If you want to see everything at the National Zoo in Washington,
DC, plan to stay the whole day. There are about 2,000
animals from about 400 species. We saw mammals, birds, and
reptiles. My favorite part was the Chimpanzee House; we enjoyed
about three hours of our day there.
It was an amazing trip, and it was made even more fun since I
was there with my best buddy, Ko. Virginia International University
gave me the best friend of my life! We are both thankful to
VIU for that. Today, we are thousands of miles apart, still missing
each other, but in contact every day. Until the day when we get
to meet again – in India, Japan, or the States – we stay in contact
through Skype. I encourage everyone to make lasting memories
by travelling with new friends while studying!
Chintan Purohit
CAPITOL HILL
If you are in the Washington, DC area, Capitol Hill and the
surrounding areas are a must-see. The historical architecture
is breathtaking, especially when you consider all of the powerful
people working behind the walls! Take a walk on the National
Mall, picnic beside the reflecting pool, and cool down
on a hot day by visiting one of the Smithsonian museums.
If you’re a runner, you’ll definitely want to be here early on
a Saturday morning. So many people come out to get their
weekend exercise and take in the gorgeous scenery!
Veronica Enriquez
MIAMI BEACH
Summer vacation is the happiest period in a student’s life. Having successfully finished
my first semester at VIU, I looked forward to enjoying my well-deserved holiday. I
recently spent about 10 days in Miami, Florida with my mother and friends.
The trip was really memorable because we stayed in a hotel with a view of the oceanfront
in South Beach. The view was literally breathtaking for me; it was my first time observing
a beach with such clear, cerulean waters and all of the other tall hotels.
Moreover, the nightlife in South Beach includes a lot of entertaining places with vivid
lights. People from diverse backgrounds and age groups occupied crowded streets and
beaches. The shopping was also very exciting. I purchased a lot of traditional souvenirs for
my friends and relatives.
Diana Gogoshvili
WALL STREET
I always had a dream... to come to the USA. Fortunately, my
sister lives in the States, so my first big trip was to visit her. I came
to Washington DC in 2008 and spent two months exploring that
wonderful city. Visiting museums and historical buildings was
amazing and the view from the top of the Washington Monument
was breathtaking. Since I came to the USA, I traveled a lot,
visited many different places such as San Diego, Grand Canyon,
San Francisco and Las Vegas, even walking in the world’s financial
city, Wall Street was nice! Most of the time, I take roadtrips
with my friends. I cannot wait to start planning my next trip!
Monika Brozyna
64 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 65

alumni
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
viu.edu
VIU ALUMNI AT A GLANCE
A VIU education is valued by employers because of its practical approach – graduates
come to work prepared with no need for additional training. VIU students are
targeted by employers in the United States and internationally, and graduates from
VIU are in extremely high demand.
49%
M
51%
F
89% of VIU graduates
find jobs and 8%
go on to further study
VIU ALUMNI BY INDUSTRY
“ ”
I work as a project manager for Deloitte, the
largest company of its type in the world; it
was also named to Fortune 500’s ‘100 Best
Companies to Work For’ list in 2014. My
job revolves around software development
project management. I work with technical
teams that build complex applications to
support business operations which run in
the hundreds of millions of dollars.
BUSINESS EDUCATION INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
GOVERNMENT
52 % 3 % 43 % 2 %
WHAT DO EMPLOYERS
THINK ABOUT
VIU GRADUATES?
Natasa Kosutic has
served as our sole inhouse
Human Resources
professional. Her duties
include all aspects of HR,
including finding, screening, and hiring
new job candidates, managing our performance
evaluation, and reviewing and
updating HR policies. She excels at taking
ownership of tasks and driving through to
completion. She had a good grasp of HR
policies and practices. I am certain she will
have a long career as a HR professional.
Thomas M. Graig, Managing Partner,
Fluet Huber + Hoang PLLC
Mehdi Naourass has
been with CNSI for one
year on a contract for US
the Department of Health
and Human services, Centers
of Medicaid and Medicare. Within that
year, he has excelled in his performance
and has recently become a Technical Team
Lead within the department. Mehdi is responsible
for ensuring that each team
member has the appropriate training and
resources to complete their tasks. He assists
in the training of all new hires and he
is a resource for the team for day-to-day
operation questions. He is also responsible
for developing the overall reporting
capability for the DSH (Data Services Hub)
project.
Christy Thomas, Operations Manager,
CNSI
Hamdia Nasser Mohammed
demonstrates a mix
of sharp analytical ability,
awareness, and entrepreneurial
drive which
makes her a highly sought after candidate.
Since she came here as a business system
analyst and project manager, Hamdia has
proven her intellectual curiosity and a
desire to achieve. Our work environment
is also filled with diverse cultures, and I
believe coming from VIU gave her the experience
to communicate efficiently with
everyone on the team, one of her top skills.
If she continues to demonstrate the same
high-quality expertise gained at VIU, Hamdia
will be one of the future leaders of the
organization.
Tammy Wates, Program Manager,
US Food & Drug Administration
66 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 67
Dallas, TX
Dixon Amangi-Peters, MBA, PMP currently lives in the Dallas/
Fort Worth area in Texas. As a student member of Project Management
Institute (PMI), he received many networking opportunities,
and finally, he made the decision to sit for the Project Management
Professional (PMP) Certificate exam. Dixon’s current clients
include Blue Cross Blue Shield and Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI).

VIU NEws
viu.edu
Students Help in Local Community
Graduates of
the School
of Language
S t u d y ’ s
800-level ESL
program are
well-trained in
researching,
writing, reading, discussing, and giving presentations
on thought-provoking issues using authentic academic
materials. ESL students are familiar with examining
current socio-economic issues facing the US and their
causes and solutions. They are also active volunteers
and often go into the community to help people
experiencing poverty, homelessness, and hunger.
Students plan and execute their own service projects
including fundraisers for the homeless, parties to bring
some cheer to the lives of the homeless in Fairfax
County, and maintaining a Facebook page welcoming
and advising new VIU ESL students.
Memorial Day Parade
On a beautiful warm
and sunny Monday,
VIU students and staff
walked in the 33rd
Annual Falls Church
Memorial Day Parade,
where over 10,000
people gathered to
participate in the
festivities. The VIU
team of 25 students and staff, led by the VIU Tiger mascot
and Dr. Sarac, were dressed in VIU t-shirts and carried
American flags, as well as the flags of their home countries.
They handed out balloons, wristbands, calendars, and VIU
t-shirts to the spectators as they passed. In addition to the
VIU group, other parade participants included marching
bands, dance groups, bikers, and politicians. Virginia
Governor Terry McAuliffe was also present at the event.
“It was fun to interact with the people,” said VIU
Marketing Director Mr.
Ertem Mutlu. “I
look forward to
the next parade!”
VIU Student Union Ensures Student Voices are Heard
Founding the Latin American Culture Club:
Maria Del Mar Garces
VIU has many different student
clubs: the African Pride Club, the IT
Club, and the Indian Spirit Club, among
many others. Students create the clubs
themselves, based on their interests.
Through their participation in club
activities, students get to know each
other and form a close-knit community
of peers, a closeness that defines VIU.
One of the newest additions is
the Latin American Culture
Club (LAC2). Colombian MBA
student Maria Del Mar Garces
is the vice president of LAC2.
Created with the purpose of
establishing cultural exchanges
between VIU students from Latin
America and students at VIU and
in the surrounding community, the
club hopes to make a difference through
community service, cultural activities, film
forums, festivities and commemorative
celebrations, culinary events, and health
and fitness awareness. Besides Maria,
club officers include Sileni del Moral,
Paulette Zegarra, Veronica Enriquez, and
Armando Mori. Maria and the other club
members feel that it is their duty to make
everyone feel welcome at the university.
“We want other students to learn the
Spanish language and create a strong
connection with Latin American culture,”
says Maria.
Maria received a bachelor’s degree
in industrial and product design and
worked for five years in the field of design
for large Colombian companies. She is
currently pursuing her Master of Business
Administration in Marketing Management
at Virginia International University. “My
decision to study at VIU was always clear.
I felt that this school cared about me and
my goals when I took my first course. VIU
gave me what I was really looking for,” says
Maria. After graduation, she would like
to apply all her acquired knowledge and
work for a large company in Colombia.
“Returning to Colombia with an MBA
from an American university and a fluency
in English would dramatically contribute
to my professional life. I will be the product
marketing manager of a large company and
an expert in brand management.” Likewise,
she has always been very curious about
the behavior of the brain in purchasing
decisions. She hopes to expand her
knowledge of neurosciences and combine
it with her knowledge of marketing and
industrial design. “Combining these two
fields with neuromarketing is my primary
professional objective.” Until then, Maria
will put her branding skills to work getting
the Latin American Culture Club’s name
out in the VIU community and helping to
build what the group trusts will be a longlasting
presence at VIU.
Since VIU’s Student Union was established in 2011, the organization has experienced
tremendous growth and progress which encompasses the overall process – starting with
the election and ending with elected officials serving VIU students. A great example of
this success took place in the most recent Student Union election which took place in the
Spring 2014 semester. Around 30% of the student body voted for their Student Union
president, vice president, and treasurer.
The Student Union is on the right track with their vision to ensure the success of VIU.
Due to their hard work, there has been an improvement in the activities of the student
clubs, which fosters unity within the student body and strengthens the bridge between
students and administrators at VIU. By serving as the liaison between the two parties, the
Student Union ensures that the student voice is heard.
Left to right: Armando Mori (club member), María Del Mar (Vice President), Sileni del Moral (President),
Paulette Zegarra, (Public Relations Officer), and Liseth Bolivar (Treasurer)
68 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU 69

VIU NEws
viu.edu
VIU Educating the World
“Selfies” Go Viral
New in Online Learning
VIU’s goal to provide a top-notch education at
the most affordable rate possible is met semester after
semester as students enroll in both residential and online
programs. As the university grows, so does its diverse family
of students, faculty, staff, and administrators. The unique
culture created by such a varied group of individuals
permeates into every part of the university’s workings.
From student clubs and events, to classroom discussions,
to community volunteering and outreach, VIU does the
work of educating students in their academic areas and
also enlightening the entire community to the benefits
and rewards of building a transnational environment.
Each semester, our students come from their home
countries ready to improve themselves and advance
their careers; and each semester, VIU graduates a group
of highly-qualified and contagiously innovative young
professionals who are ready to build successful careers.
The university continues to grow as students go out and
show their friends, families, and employers the incredible
value of a VIU education. Virginia International University
is truly educating the world, one bright student at a time!
Selfies
are
becoming more and more
popular these days and
the word is becoming
more widely used by
young people and older
generations alike. Even
NASA took advantage
of this pop culture trend
with their “Global Selfie”
Earth Day initiative in
which they asked people
from all around the world
to snap and then submit
their own selfies. On their Facebook page, NASA Climate
Change posted that they’d received around 50,000 photos
through various social media platforms. If you need more
proof of the selfie phenomenon, turn on the radio and
maybe you’ll hear the song “#SELFIE” by the Chainsmokers.
The song jokes of young people’s obsession with cheesing
for their own cameras.
Recently, VIU students – and even VIU President
Dr. Sarac! – have jumped into the selfie craze. They can
be spotted
taking photos
of themselves
and preserving
memories with
their friends
at fun events
like the Alumni
Dinner and
graduation.
Some readers may be familiar with any of a handful
of online learning platforms. Websites like edX, Coursera,
and Udemy allow users to enroll in online courses for
free or for a small fee. Current trends on these sites
seem to focus on courses in computer science (e.g.,
“Learning Oracle 12c” and “Pattern Oriented Software
Architecture”), self-improvement (e.g., “Becoming
a Resilient Person” and “Double Your Productivity),
healthcare (e.g., “Fundamentals of Immunology”),
business (e.g., “Supply Chain Management”), and ethics
(e.g., “Social Science of Wrongful Conviction”). For
anyone who has not taken an online class, trying out
one of these free courses is a great way to test the waters
and explore. Experienced and novice online learners
who are ready to pursue a degree can take their online
learning to the next level by enrolling in courses with VIU
Online (online.viu.edu). Courses recently offered include
“International Marketing,” “Web Development Methods,”
“Teaching with Technology,” “Business Ethics & Law,” and
dozens of others in the fields of business, computer
science, education, public and international affairs, and
ESL.
1If I don’t have an official English
language proficiency score, will I be
admitted to VIU?
You can still be admitted to VIU. You will
be able to gain conditional admission to
the university. Upon your arrival in the US,
you will take our English Placement Test.
(VIU also accepts several English language
proficiency tests, including TOEFL, IELTS,
PTE, iTEP, and MELAB.) Please visit the
VIU website at www.viu.edu for more
information about how to fulfill the English
language proficiency requirements.
70 University Magazine, VIU Summer 2014
2I’m an international student and
I would like to gain some work
experience after I graduate from VIU. Is
it possible?
Yes! International students who hold an
F-1 visa are eligible to apply for Optional
Practical Training (OPT), which allows them
to work in the United States for up to 12
months as a complement to their studies
after they graduate. Our International
Student Services Office will provide
assistance to international students through
the OPT application process.
3
W
here will I live while studying at
VIU?
We understand that housing is a very
important aspect of a student’s life. The
Office of Student Affairs will assist you
with locating suitable housing in the
area that is most convenient for you. If
you are looking for housing, you simply
need to fill out the Housing Request
Form and email it to housing@campus.
viu.edu.
4
C
an I transfer the credits from my previous
institution toward a new degree at VIU?
If you already took some classes and would like to transfer
the credits toward your new degree at VIU, we will happily
accept up to 50% of transfer courses from your previous
institution. Transferable credit is considered upon the request
of the student at the time of initial registration. To determine
what credits will transfer in, you will just need to submit your
transcripts and the Transfer Credit Evaluation Request Form to
our Admissions Office. Additional documentation – such as
course descriptions, syllabi, and academic catalogs – may be
requested to assure that the transferred course is equivalent to
one of the courses required for completion of a program at VIU.
The School of Business at VIU held a successful
pilot study of the new Major Fields Testing
(MFT), an international testing standard for business
students, which will now be implemented
school-wide. Students in the school will be piloting
new CAPSIM business simulations this summer,
which are used by major corporations and
universities around the world to practice realworld
business scenarios.
Summer 2014 University Magazine, VIU
71

DREAM.
DISCOVER.
ACCOMPLISH.
“I was looking for a high-quality education at an affordable rate, and I found it at VIU! My
professors were excellent, the courses flexible and practical, and there were endless
opportunities, like a variety of scholarships. Best of all, I now have a global network of friends all
around the world!”
Ulyana Fedunyak, MBA graduate
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