Gary Gemmill, Ph.D.iMBA Comments

WHAT QUALITIES OR CHARACTERISTICS HELPED TO MAKE THIS INSTRUCTOR EFFECTIVE?

2014 - 2015

Professor Gemmill cares about each student. Each student felt lost at the start of the Residency, but he served as a guide to lead the class to a place where we each took on leadership roles, we all experienced power and authority over ourselves. Professor Gemmill has changed by life!

This was my far the best and most valuable course I have ever taken at Syracuse University. Professor Gemmill’s classes should be a part of the required courses for the MBA program.

He is open and encourages his students.

Genuine caring for the learning process of the students.

His experience and his demeanor all played a vital role in making this class so wonderful. Professor Gemmill’s communication skills are the reason for such clear lessons that are taught.

This course should be offered throughout the academic year…every student needs this experience.

Brought the best out of each student.

He allows for expressive thinking and talking.

Professor Gemmill’s course is designed to figure your self out and it does that.

Amazing experience. Wish I had taken it sooner! Made some of the best friend yet in the MBA program and I’m almost done.

He has the ability to stimulate thought provoking discussions between students from all walks of life. Because of the bonds that are formed between classmates while taking the course, I feel it should be a required course for all MBA students.

He is very thought provoking and introspective in a deep way.

This class is its own kind and doesn’t even fall under the standard radio-button questions above. I didn’t get it at first…nor did many people…and I know I found it frustrating at times but looking back on the class, it was an awesome experience that everyone should have and I look forward to taking all of Gemmill’s classes.

His “safe” demeanor; there is something innately secure about Dr. Gemmill’s presence in the room that allows deep exploration of emotional issues in a group.

Professor Gemmill is a man at a level beyond human!

Professor Gemmill cares. Genuinely cares which is a very rare attitude these days.

At first you really feel lost, but you learn so much about yourself, it’s really a great class. He is more than willing to help you clear things up outside class.

His outstanding ability to convey concepts and ideas that are difficult to grasp and understand.

He is extremely intelligent and thought provoking. He lives what he teaches.

He is kind, sensitive, and spunky.

He is non-traditional, thought provoking, and has an outstanding ability to relate.

He was human, caring, knew his material and his students, published exceptional articles, selected and led a strong group of assistants.

He is very supportive of his students comments during class. People are not ‘shot down’ for their opinions which allows for real learning to flourish.

He had a lot of enthusiasm toward what was going on. His ability to stimulate you to think about unconscious group issues was extremely helpful.

He has innovative qualities---not stuffy or textbook. He makes you ‘live’ the teachings, doesn’t preach them.

He is enthusiastic, dedicated, open, caring, and flexible. It was obvious that he enjoys his work; this translated to an enjoyable and valuable experience for me.

Dr. Gemmill was very knowledgeable on the topic. He is a true authority.

What a great instructor, he has so much experience and knowledge to share with his students. All MBA’s should be required to take this course.

Dynamic, open, approachable, enthusiastic and very knowledgeable; Great course!

His personality and humor make the course insightful and fun.

His insights into the subject matter is amazing. His course should be mandatory for all students.

His ability to communicate and get everyone involved.

There is an organic quality where Professor Gemmill treats the students as peers in the course’s journey. He easily keeps student engaged and informed.

His wisdom and objectivity deepen the learning process in a powerful manner.

His creativity, friendliness, openness to our ideas and expands on our ideas.

As with all of Professor Gemmill’s, his offerings are top notch---I wouldn’t change a thing.

He helps you take a good look at yourself and reflect on your own triumphs and shortcomings. He helps students become better communicators both in business and personal life.

Self discovery and awareness.

He helps students interact at a very deep level. We don’t get that opportunity in other iMBA classes.

Best instructor I have ever had…his care and concern for students gaining knowledge and concepts is amazing. He encouraged a vibrant discussion.

Professor Gemmill was the highlight of the course. It has not often been, nor lately that I’ve been able to give my professors high marks---thrill to consider Professor Gemmill the clearest exception….thank you. The readings and published works of the professor have been fascinating and highly interesting…a new perspective on a “clichéd” subject. I most appreciate that Professor Gemmill has placed a most personal spin on such a business/professional subject matter. I’m pleased that debunking is alive and well in Professor Gemmill’s courses.

His vast knowledge of his area of focus and willingness to openly share it with us.

What I appreciate most about Professor Gemmill is his emphasis and flexibility that course materials be MEANINGFUL to the individual student.

Totally awesome class, professor was great!!

This was an excellent and unique course; one of the best learning experiences of my life.

Exceptional instruction.

I’ve said this before; this course or one of the three courses should be mandatory for students. Perhaps this could replace the leadership course. The ability to interact at a deep personal level with others in the MBA program is an invaluable experience. You come away with a deeper understanding of the subject matter and relationships that could last a lifetime.

During the residency the instructor was extremely open and honest about the learning experience and the intended goal of the intense portion of the discussions.

Everyone involved. Everyone contributed to my experience. Gemmill’s final feedback on my reflection paper was the best and most honest (from the heart) feedback I have ever received. It has taught me the influence of truthful and inspirational feedback of the future.

Gemmill is just the best!!! So supportive and encouraging through a strange and amazing experience.

Gary’s and Cal’s experience and interpersonal skills make them the best instructors in my entire educational experience.

His passion for the course and its subject matter are second to none.

Knowledge of the subject matter and ability to connect with students.

During the residency the instructor was extremely open and honest about the learning experience and the intended goal of the intense portion of the discussions.

Everyone involved. Everyone contributed to my experience. Gemmill's final feedback on my reflection paper was the best and most honest (from the heart) feedback I have ever received. It has taught me the influence of truthful and inspirational feedback on future performance.

Gary and Cal have a very unique teaching ability that forces the students to be very active participants in their own real, experiential learning. They do not force the learning on the class but have a very effective way of guiding the experiences so that we make the most out of them ourselves

Gary's and Cal's experience and interpersonal skills make them the best instructors in my entire educational experience.

Gemmill is just the best!!! So supportive and encouraging through a strange and amazing experience.

His passion for the course and its subject matter are second to none.

Knowledge of subject matter and ability to connect with students.

The open classroom learning style.

Gemmill is just the best!!!

Best course in the MBA program!!!

I would not change this course for the world, which is why it saddens me so much that it will no longer be offered in the future, as part of the new MBA@Syracuse program. I sincerely hope the elimination of this course is reconsidered at some point in the future, as this, not to mention the others that Gary and Cal teach, have changed my life, both personally and professionally.

Please do not take away this course. So valuable to our future. I believe all students and faculty should be required to go through Gemmill's series. Unfortunately, my courses for next semester do not allow me to continue growing as a person. I wish there were more accommable times in the schedule so that more students may attend this very important series.

I would request reconsideration of eliminating this, and the other, SHR courses that Gary and Cal teach. I have found them to be of tremendous value, and I'm 100% positive that any other individuals who have taken these courses would wholeheartedly agree.