Prof. Rebecca Knapp, MBA
My mission
After a 15-year career in PR and corporate communications, I woke up on September 11, 2001 to watch the world change. I asked myself: If I had been in one of those towers, would I have been proud of my life's work thus far? In response, I heard a resounding "NO!"
With a BA in Communications and an MBA in Business Management under my belt, I returned to grad school to earn a teaching certificate in business education. I worked from the bottom up, starting as a K-12 substitute, then onto full-time high school teaching, next to freeway flying as a part-time college adjunct, and eventually landing as a full-time, tenured Associate Professor of Business at Saddleback College.
I am not an academic. I am a business person dedicated to educating future business people. Spend five minutes with me, and I will convince you that "Everything is a Business" and that you CAN achieve most anything you've been told is impossible.
Students: I will challenge you to nudge the edges of your comfort zone, avoid debt, and listen to that fire in your belly (hint: it's your passion!).
Colleagues: I will be pensive and humble in your company to absorb all of the real-world knowledge and insights I can to pass onto my students. You are the source of my relevance.
It's a pleasure to meet you. Let's do business...
With a BA in Communications and an MBA in Business Management under my belt, I returned to grad school to earn a teaching certificate in business education. I worked from the bottom up, starting as a K-12 substitute, then onto full-time high school teaching, next to freeway flying as a part-time college adjunct, and eventually landing as a full-time, tenured Associate Professor of Business at Saddleback College.
I am not an academic. I am a business person dedicated to educating future business people. Spend five minutes with me, and I will convince you that "Everything is a Business" and that you CAN achieve most anything you've been told is impossible.
Students: I will challenge you to nudge the edges of your comfort zone, avoid debt, and listen to that fire in your belly (hint: it's your passion!).
Colleagues: I will be pensive and humble in your company to absorb all of the real-world knowledge and insights I can to pass onto my students. You are the source of my relevance.
It's a pleasure to meet you. Let's do business...
my experience
Current Adventures:
Associate Professor of Business, Saddleback College, 2010 - present
Cooperative Work Experience Program Coordinator, 2017 - present
Saddleback College Projects and Accomplishments:
Past Teaching Experience:
Past Professional Experience:
Education:
International Education:
Career Highlights
Shared Governance & Business Education Contributions
Associate Professor of Business, Saddleback College, 2010 - present
Cooperative Work Experience Program Coordinator, 2017 - present
Saddleback College Projects and Accomplishments:
- 2014 - present: Junior Academy of Entrepreneurship at Saddleback Program Coordinator
- 2015 - present: Certified AVID faculty member
- 2014-15 Academic Year: CTE Faculty Coordinator, Faculty Center for Student Success
- Summer 2014: Online Education Guide Development Team
- Spring 2014-present: Entrepreneurship & Innovation Learning Center Leadership Team
- Spring 2011-present: Monthly Business Science Film Series
- Spring 2014: Entrepreneurship Pathways Program with Oxford Preparatory Academy
- Spring 2014: OC Social Entrepreneurship Competition Leadership Team
- Fall 2013: Social Media for Interior Designers Lecture
- Fall 2013: Entrepreneurship for Interior Designers Lecture
- Fall 2013: Vetrepreneur Lecture Series
- Spring 2013: OC Start-Up Summit
- Fall 2012: "How the 2012 Election Results Will Impact Small Business" Event
- Summer/Fall 2012: Entrepreneurship CTE Modules Program
- Spring 2012: South Orange County Business Trend Survey
- Fall 2011: Extreme Entrepreneurship Tour
Past Teaching Experience:
- Associate Faculty, Ashford University, 2008-2014
- Adjunct Business Professor, Cuyamaca College, Rancho San Diego, CA, 2009 - 2010
- Adjunct Business Professor, Kirkwood Community College, Iowa City, IA, 2007 - 2009
- Business Department Chair and Educator, West Branch High School, West Branch, IA, 2006 - 2009
Past Professional Experience:
- Business Manager/Co-Owner, The Medieval Dude, Mission Viejo, CA, 2012-2013
- Owner, Bowtyer Business Solutions, San Diego, CA, since 2009
- Account Supervisor/Senior Strategist, ThunderWheel Communications, Ontario, CA, 2009 – 2010
- Public Relations Account Executive, LePoidevin Rickinger Group, Brookfield, WI, 2004 – 2005
- Public Affairs/Community Relations Officer, DeVry University, West Hills, CA, 2003 – 2004
- Public Relations Senior Account Executive, RiechesBaird, Irvine, CA, 2001
- Public Affairs/Public Relations Account Executive, Gladstone International, Irvine, CA, 1999 – 2001
- Marketing Manager, Koll Resorts International, Newport Beach, CA/Los Cabos, Mexico, 1998 – 1999
- Marketing and Public Relations Manager, ZyXEL Communications, Anaheim, CA, 1996 – 1997
- Office Manager, Adventure City Theme Park, Anaheim, CA 1995 – 1996
Education:
- MBA, Pepperdine University, 2005
- BA in Communications with minors in English & Psychology, Chapman University, 1996
- Business Education Teaching Certification, Marquette University, 2006
International Education:
- Oxford University, Oxford, England, 2004 - Completed "Global Enterprise Management: Organizations, Environments and Political Economy" Graduate Business Seminar
- Semester at Sea, S.S. Universe, Fall 1995 - Completed undergraduate coursework while traveling to 14 countries around the globe for the duration of a semester
Career Highlights
- Received Saddleback College President's Award for Leadership and Innovation, 2016
- Nominated for the Saddleback College President's Award for Leadership and Innovation, 2013, 2014 & 2015
- Named Best New Educator for Southeastern Region of IA by the Iowa Business Educator’s Association, 2009
- Earned Iowa’s BEST Business Education Teacher Award by Iowa Business Educator’s Association, 2008 & 2009
- Inducted into Ashford University's Provost Circle for exemplary instruction, Spring 2010
Shared Governance & Business Education Contributions
- Saddleback College Marketing Advisory Board Committee Member, since 2014
- Saddleback College Web Site Re-Design Advisory Board Committee Member, since 2015
- Saddleback College Academic Senate, 2010-2013
- Saddleback College Honors Board, 2010-2012
- Course Technology/Cengage Learning Origins Series Advisory Board, 2010
- Cuyamaca College Student Services Master Plan Shared Governance Committee Member, 2010
- Ashford University Bachelor's of Arts in Public Relations Management Curriculum Review Team, 2010
- Ashford University Bachelor's of Arts in Organizations Management Curriculum Review Team, 2009 and 2010
- Jacobsen Institute for Entrepreneurship YouthBiz Central pilot program facilitator, 2009
- MovieMaker BASICS first edition text reviewer, 2008
- BEARquest 2008 academic competition creator, manager and producer, 2008
- Member of the California Business Educator's Association
Connect
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