Educator - Michael Alleruzzo

In the Classroom

On this page you will find information about:

My Teaching Philosophy (with downloadable document)
My Education
Courses I have taught (with downloadable document)
A sample course evaluation (as a downloadable document)
Student Testimonials
Link to my Rate My Professors page
My Teaching Focus

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is focused on students developing six key skills for their professional and personal success. These include: life skills, societal skills, communication skills, technical skills, analytical skills, and leadership skills.

It is through this framework that I provide my students an academic experience that is dynamic, practical, and challenging.

Download My Teaching Philosophy

My Education

My education is focused in the Management discipline. I use my education as a lifelong student of Management and Leadership to provide my students with an educational experience that is rich in scholarship as well as practical to the current business marketplace.

My undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration – Management from West Virginia University. During my undergraduate years, my focus was on developing my skill set for academic, professional, and personal success.

After working for several years as a corporate trainer and operations manager for a restaurant chain, I decided it was time to take my thinking from tactical to a more formalized strategic perspective. I investigated several top tier MBA programs before I chose the Master of Management in Hospitality program at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University.

I am fortunate and grateful to have been able to use my education to develop myself in my professional career and personal life. The outcomes that I have realized through my education I pass on to my students and challenge them to make the most of their time in their academic careers, and to build their collection of skills for their success.

Course Preparations

Students who take my courses experience an increased level of engagement in the subject matter. As a result of my enthusiasm and personality, my meticulous course preparation and organization, and my teaching style and methodology, students see my courses as a valuable experience in their overall learning and development.

These results come from my diligence in a variety of core higher education characteristics.

Download My List of Courses I’ve Taught

My Teaching Focus

Lesson Planning

I provide my students with lessons that are creative and offer depth into the course topic. I use a variety of methodologies to communicate the lesson, including student reflection, video, class activities, field trips, guest speakers, and online learning. As supplements to the text, I use research articles and cases from leading business industry journals and current world news events for class discussion.

Communication

My communication style with my students can best be described as respectful, clear and timely. I treat each of my students as individuals who bring a unique combination of skills and talents to the course, and as such, treat them with respect as aspiring business leaders, not as children. I strive to clearly communicate my expectations with regard to course assignments, classroom norms and assignment feedback. I appreciate the amount of work it takes for students to complete assignments, and attempt to return assessed work as soon as possible, while giving each student’s assignment the consideration it deserves.

Student Engagement

Students report an increased level of interest in the subject matter in my courses. My energetic, participative teaching style encourages students to think critically about the topic at hand. I repeatedly stress to students that the goal is not to “get the right answer” but instead to challenge ourselves in HOW we came to a certain hypothesis and what evidence supports the students own perspectives on the subject matter.

Course Rigor

During my many years teaching at the college level, students have commented to me on the amount of time and energy they devote to my courses. This has included preparation for class, completion of assignments, and outside research. While a challenge to manage during the academic term, students have also communicated their appreciation for my desire to provide them with a course that is “worth the high cost of their tuition.”

Assignments

In striving for students to see my course as a valuable component to their overall academic experience, I attempt to use creative assignments to challenge the students in their exposure to the topic. This has included client projects, team presentations, case analyses, student video skits, and student portfolios. Students appreciate the work it takes to develop and assess such assignments, and respond by putting forth maximum effort.

Course Outcomes

I measure course outcomes based on 3 factors. These include evidence of the students’ learning of the material, their increased interest in the course subject matter, and their engagement with my teaching style. My successes with the above aspects of course development and delivery have allowed me to achieve these outcomes consistently throughout my teaching career.

“This is the best Management teacher you could possibly have. Professor Alleruzzo inspires his students to reach for their dreams and goals and to work hard in life. He does all this while teaching us the concepts of Management at the highest level possible. I don’t think you can find another professor like this at another University.”

Student Evaluation, Saint Joseph’s University

“Overall from all my classes I really enjoyed MGT 120 this class taught me a lot of life lessons that played a big role in the decisions I’ve made and will play a role in the decisions I make in the future. Words can’t explain the appreciation I have for professor Alleruzzo not only for making this term successful but for always being honest with me and my classmates and being a very understanding professor. The advice I will carry with me forever is “Live the life you want to live and not the one others want you to live”. Once again great term and Awesome professor I look forward in taking any other class he teaches.”

Student Evaluation, Saint Joseph’s University

“Professor Alleruzzo was definitely a breath of fresh air. He made you want to come to class just to see what new stories were going to be told or learn something new about yourself. You can definitely tell that Professor Alleruzzo enjoys what he does and it reflects in his teaching. I really enjoyed class with him this semester.”

Student Evaluation, Drexel University

“I just wanted to say thanks and that I really enjoyed the class. You were exactly what I expect out of an MBA professor. You were extremely well prepared for every class, and it showed. You utilized all of the faculties available to you, and it was appreciated…I expect a lot from my professors, and you have lived up to all of my expectations. Your classes were fun and kept me interested. The work level was perfect…I hope that Drexel realizes this and hires you on as a full time professor. If so, I would definitely sign up for another of your classes.”

Student Evaluation, Drexel University