Dr. Robert "Bob" Smotherman
Dr. Bob Smotherman teaches courses in both the International Business and the Management concentrations at AIU Online with a unique perspective that helps his students develop a multi-layered understanding of the subject matter. Dr. Smotherman has spent over three decades advising, developing, overseeing, and operating successful companies in such diverse locations as Viet Nam, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the Philippines.
His international career began in Viet Nam where he was a civilian advisor in computer science. "I discovered that I loved traveling and learning about other cultures," he recalls. He next went to Iran as Project Leader with Bell Helicopter where he developed applications software for the Iranian Helicopter Command.
Dr. Smotherman ran his own consulting business in the Philippines where he successfully marketed software development and property management services. He accepted a position in Saudi Arabia as Project Manager for Science Applications International Corporation's Command, Control and Communications system for the Saudi Navy.
He returned to the Philippines, which he had come to regard as his second home, and once again opened his own consulting business. Having had a successful business career, he decided it was time to fulfill a lifelong goal to complete his education and begin a career in academia.
In 1996, he began teaching international management courses on campus at Eckerd College and joined the faculty of AIU Online in 2002. Although he enjoys teaching his courses at Eckerd College, Dr. Smotherman feels strongly that, "online education is the future and AIU Online is a clear front-runner in this dynamic new approach."
"The whole concept of online learning is in keeping with the global, fast-paced, technology-driven world in which we live. At AIU Online, we are leading the way in developing online learning processes for practical application. Our courses incorporate live chat sessions, practical business assignments, case analyses, business topic discussions, and business-related group projects that enable our graduates to operate more effectively in this global environment. Because of its unique flexibility and access, an online course can include students from around the globe. People from diverse countries and cultures have the opportunity to learn with and from each other. Surely, that is the ultimate goal for all who seek success in a global economy."
Dr. Smotherman holds a Doctorate of International Business Administration with honors from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Business Administration with honors from Thunderbird, the Garvin School of International Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management with distinction from Eckerd College. He is a member of Sigma Beta Delta (the International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration), Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political Science Honor Society), Phi Sigma Iota (the International Foreign Language Honor Society), the National Dean's List, and other prominent academic organizations. He has made presentations and published papers at prestigious international conferences, and is now actively involved in researching the cultural implications of global terrorism.
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