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Change is constant in today’s business world — and confidence is what allows professionals to embrace it. At Bellevue University, College of Business faculty design learning experiences that go beyond technical expertise. Students gain not only knowledge and skills, but also the confidence to adapt, lead and pursue new opportunities as their careers evolve.

We asked two of our faculty members and one of our adjunct instructors to share their perspectives on how College of Business students build the confidence to pivot when opportunity arrives.

What skills do you see your students strengthening that give them confidence to grow or shift in their careers?

Monica McElhaney, Associate Professor of Accountancy: “In my accounting courses, students build a powerful mix of technical and professional skills — analytical thinking, ethical decision-making, data literacy and communication. These abilities extend far beyond accounting roles; they’re the foundation of any career that values critical thinking and sound judgment. When students begin to see how their coursework connects to real business challenges, their confidence grows. They recognize that their skills can help organizations make smarter, more strategic decisions.”

Marcia Brown, Assistant Professor of Educational and Organizational Leadership: “Students are developing adaptability and learning to navigate opportunities and challenges with confidence. As they strengthen their critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills, they begin to realize that leadership isn’t limited to a title — it’s about leading through ideas, initiative and influence. That realization gives them the courage to pursue new directions.”

Brian Brittain, Adjunct Business Instructor: “The most important skill I see students strengthening is their critical thinking. It improves with practice and our MBA curriculum provides that practice in every assignment. As they engage with complex problems, they become better decision-makers and more adaptable professionals. That confidence carries over to the workplace immediately.”

How do applied learning experiences translate to confidence on the job?

McElhaney: “We bring concepts to life with simulations and data-driven projects using tools like Power BI and Tableau. Students experience how theory turns into practice — how insights can shape strategy. That’s when they ‘connect the dots’ and see themselves not just as learners, but as contributors.”

Brown: “Assignments that ask students to apply learning directly to their work or personal experience have the most value. Case studies and applied projects help them see that they already use these skills — they just needed the vocabulary and framework to explain them. That’s often the turning point in their confidence.”

Brittain: “Many of my students are already in the workforce, so they see concepts play out in real time. When they recognize theories like situational leadership or power and influence tactics in action, it clicks — they’re able to name what they’ve observed for years and use it intentionally. That’s powerful.”

What sets Bellevue students apart as they pursue new opportunities?

Brittain: “Bellevue University does an exceptional job of preparing students to be both practitioners and people — not just technically capable but emotionally intelligent, strategic and self-aware. They don’t just study theories; they learn how to apply them daily. That readiness to act is what helps them pivot successfully.”

McElhaney: “Our students learn to see accounting — and business — as a language of influence. They’re not only interpreting data but communicating it clearly and ethically to drive outcomes. That ability to connect numbers with strategy builds lasting confidence.”

Brown: “They combine curiosity with humility. They understand that learning doesn’t stop at graduation — adaptability and an innovative mindset will define their success. When students realize they can keep learning, they stop fearing change and start leading through it.”

Looking ahead, what advice would you offer to professionals preparing for a career pivot?

McElhaney: “View skill-building as a lifelong journey. Keep learning new tools and technologies, but also continue developing communication and leadership abilities. The more you bridge theory and practice, the more prepared you’ll feel for whatever comes next.”

Brown: “Stay open, stay curious and lead with confidence and humility. The ability to adapt and innovate will be just as valuable as any credential.”

Brittain: “Apply what you learn daily. Knowledge alone doesn’t create growth — using it does. When students take that step, their confidence grows exponentially.”

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The pace of digital transformation continues to accelerate, reshaping industries, workplaces and the way people learn. In higher education, this transformation has a profound impact not only on how students access information and complete assignments, but also on the very nature of the skills they’ll need in a technology-driven workforce. College of Business faculty are navigating these shifts firsthand — integrating new tools into their classrooms, preparing students for AI-influenced careers and ensuring that human insight remains at the core of learning.

We asked three professors to share their perspectives on how digital transformation is changing education and the industries they serve.

What does digital transformation mean to you?

Associate Professor Dishant Pandya:
“I grew up in an environment where everything was done with paper and pen. In India, especially in poorer neighborhoods, schools didn’t have notebooks for students. The teacher would write on a board, and students would have these small, square slate boards to write on. That’s how we learned. When I came to the U.S. for my higher education, I had to transition to doing all my work on computers — my projects, my assignments, everything. It was a slow change for me, but that’s what digital transformation is, right? It’s gradually moving from doing things manually to using technology to make things easier and faster.”

Associate Professor Chris Bergeron:
“To me, digital transformation refers to the strategic integration of digital technologies to fundamentally enhance and streamline processes, improve access to information and create new opportunities for engagement. In higher education, this means leveraging technology to enrich learning experiences, foster collaboration and ensure students are prepared for an evolving digital workforce.”

Professor John Patterson:
“Digital transformation is simply using digital technologies instead of older processes to help the organization improve.”

How is digital transformation changing the way students learn?

Bergeron:
“One of the most significant changes I’ve seen is how technology has shifted learning from being purely classroom-based to more flexible and accessible models. We’re seeing students engage through virtual collaboration, cloud-based project platforms and asynchronous learning environments. Technology has fundamentally changed the learning experience — and that’s a good thing. It helps students learn on their own time and in ways that align with their personal learning styles, which ultimately makes education more effective and inclusive.”

Patterson:
“Anything that helps students get their work done quicker and easier is an advantage. As for collaboration, simplifying the process for them to communicate with other students or their professor via their phone is really important.”

How has technology impacted your teaching?

Pandya:
“When I teach finance now, I think about how much things have changed. Decades ago, if you were trying to calculate the price of a bond, you did it entirely by hand. It would take hours to complete one complex calculation. Today, I can show my students how to do it using a financial calculator or Excel, and they can do ten of those calculations in under an hour. That’s the power of digital transformation — it shifts the focus from spending time doing the math to spending time understanding the application. And that’s really what I want my students to take away — not just how to solve the problem, but how to apply the knowledge in real-world scenarios.”

Bergeron:
“It’s also changed the core skills we emphasize in business education. Employers aren’t just looking for technical knowledge anymore — they want candidates who can collaborate across digital platforms, interpret data quickly and make strategic decisions. So, we’ve had to shift our teaching to emphasize problem-solving, data analysis and digital collaboration. That’s how we make sure students are prepared for the rapidly changing workforce they’re entering.”

How is AI influencing the workplace across industries?

Pandya:
“AI is becoming a major factor in financial planning, and I see it firsthand. For example, if a client came to a financial planner with a $2 million inheritance, traditionally there would be an initial meeting, and then a week or two later, the planner would present a detailed financial plan. Now, I could go to ChatGPT and say, ‘Create a financial plan for this client,’ and it would generate a full plan almost instantly. But here’s the thing — AI can’t replace the human touch. It can’t sit across from a client and say, ‘I think you should invest 25% of this in an S&P 500 ETF based on your goals.’ That’s where human judgment and experience still matter. AI can do the math and the documentation, but the personal advice? That still has to come from a human.”

Bergeron:
“AI can generate content, analyze data and automate processes — but it doesn’t have intuition, empathy or strategic judgment. That’s why we spend so much time emphasizing soft skills like critical thinking, decision-making and client communication. Technology can do the heavy lifting, but humans are still needed to guide the process and make thoughtful, people-centered decisions.”

How has digital transformation improved access to learning resources?

Pandya:
“When I was in college, you’d go to the first day of class, get the syllabus and then wait a couple of days to figure out if the professor was actually going to use the textbook before you spent money on it. Now, it’s completely different. Students pay one flat fee and have instant access to textbooks online through their learning platforms. From day one, they have everything they need. That’s digital transformation — making learning faster, cheaper and more accessible. And that’s a huge benefit for students today.”

Bergeron:
“This is a great example of how technology can close equity gaps in education. Having textbooks, resources and learning platforms available on day one levels the playing field. It’s no longer about who can afford the materials — it’s about ensuring everyone has equal access. Bellevue University has been a leader in this by providing flexible, affordable education to working adults and nontraditional learners. Technology makes that possible.”

What do you see as the future of digital transformation in business education?

Pandya:
“Digital transformation is not stopping — it’s only accelerating. We’ve already moved from paper and pen to computers, from hand calculations to financial calculators, and now from human-led financial planning to AI-generated financial plans. But the one thing I always remind my students is that technology can’t replace human judgment. Even if AI can create a financial plan in seconds, it can’t build trust with a client, it can’t fully understand someone’s emotions or financial fears, and it can’t make personalized recommendations with empathy. So yes, digital transformation is powerful — but the human touch will always matter, especially in financial services.”

Bergeron:
“We can use AI, learning platforms and data analysis to improve learning outcomes, but the relationship between faculty and students is still key. Technology should enhance learning, not replace the human connection. If we get that balance right, we’ll equip students with both the technical and human skills they need to thrive.”