Meet Me @ Tri-C: Kellie Emrich

Associate professor of business administration is based at Metro Campus

Tri-C Times magazine includes a feature called "Meet Me @ Tri-C" to highlight people at Cuyahoga Community College. The Fall 2018 edition included this story on Kellie Emrich, an associate professor of business administration.

Emrich has been at the College for more than a decade. Raised in Strongsville, she now calls Brecksville home. Metro Campus is her base of operations.

Tri-C Times: How did you find your way to Tri-C?

KE: After working in the corporate business world for 10 years, it was time to pursue my dream of being a college professor. Once I finished my MBA and my first child was born, I was motivated to go back out and explore a new career. Leading corporate training programs confirmed that I wanted to influence others to think creatively and be curious. Tri-C was one of the first colleges I wanted to work for because I loved the impact the College had on the community. It was not an easy process, but I was lucky enough to eventually end up as a business and marketing professor at Tri-C.

TCT: What are some of the primary or current topics you cover in your courses?

KE: Soft skills are covered in all classes. Professionalism and critical thinking are skills our advisory committee tells us it is looking for. In the classroom, we create teams to confront challenging scenarios, simulating a professional environment for students.

Social media marketing is a big topic right now. We have a new certificate in social media marketing. There are numerous jobs available in this field, and we now have a marketing degree that includes the social media certificate. Both are earned after 60 credit hours.

TCT: What do you enjoy most about your work?

KE: There are always opportunities or something new to learn. The fun comes from thinking of new ways to teach a concept or create a new activity that fosters learning and is hands-on. We are encouraged to continue our own learning, so I was able to pursue my DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) and other postgraduate certificates that, as Steven Covey says, “sharpen the saw.”

TCT: What do you find most challenging?

KE: Engaging students. I will always answer this question with those two words. My father was a teacher and always said that no good teacher ever thinks they are good enough. They will always want to do better. Engaging students is something I never stop trying to improve and work on.    

TCT: What do you like to do in your free time?

KE: Running, reading and spending time with my family. Some of my best ideas and solutions to problems come during a long run. I also enjoy working with small businesses on social media marketing strategies. This can be a skill entrepreneurs do not have time to pursue, and it’s one I have developed over the past few years. It is fun for me to create content, do research and help them succeed.  

December 12, 2018

Jarrod Zickefoose, 216-987-4750 jarrod.zickefoose@tri-c.edu