Faculty
Jeri Bingham
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Jeri Bingham is a higher education administrator and executive who has served in lead accountability positions in academia and non-profits for more than 20 years. A communications and marketing practitioner who serves in decision-making roles that impact people, policy and programs, Jeri is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion, and has been responsible for building or enhancing equitable workplace cultures.
Jeri is also an introvert advocate and strategist, and the founder of HushLoudly: Introverts Redefined, an award-winning WGN Radio podcast and brand. Dedicated to amplifying the voices of introverts and leveling the playing field in a world that celebrates and rewards the most extroverted, Jeri is on a mission to empower through education and understanding, for what she believes is the most ill-defined, misunderstood personality type.
Jeri is an adjunct lecturer for Northwestern University, and has presented on introvert-focused topics at Kroger Corporation, Texas A&M University, University of Nebraska at Lincoln, National Louis University, Roosevelt University and Northwestern University. She is the founder of Black Introvert Week and has been featured recently on WGN TV, and Rolling Out’s CEO to CEO series. Other interviews include the Chicago Tribune, Cosmo UK, Color Magazine, WGN Radio Chicago, and The Myers Briggs podcast. She is also a contributing writer for Myers-Briggs Magazine and Rolling Out magazine. Her Myers Briggs articles include: Inclusivity includes Black introverts and Be a champion for all, including your introverts.
Jeri has earned a bachelor’s degree in public relations, and a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Roosevelt University in Chicago. She is currently pursuing a doctor of education in higher education leadership from National Louis University in Chicago with an expected completion year of 2023. Her dissertation topic focuses on introversion and leadership.
Jeri presents on the topic of introversion and inclusivity to companies and universities often, and has led a couple on-site classes on the topic, but this course will be her first excursion into teaching online for a full quarter. She is open to new ideas and new ways of problem-solving in the world of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) with empathy and consideration for all.
Personally, Jeri is a lover of food, books, movies and travel. She resides on the south side of Chicago, and if she could have her way, she’d eat pizza, cake and ice cream every day!
Current Research Interests
- Higher education leadership
- Introversion and leadership
- The intersectionality of introversion and Blackness
Educational Background
- BA, Public Relations, Roosevelt University
- MS, Integrated Marketing Communications, Roosevelt University
- EdD(c), Higher Education Leadership, National Louis University
Leslie Fischer
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Leslie Fischer has been teaching college English and writing since 1981 and is an experienced mentor in business and research writing, communication, literature, leadership, and teamwork. Fischer has taught at SPS since 1987 and joined Northwestern’s Cook Family Writing Program faculty in 1998 where she teaches Design Thinking and Communication. Additionally, she serves as Faculty Adviser to the SPS Organization Behavior: Business Leadership Program, and she is the Faculty Director for the SPS online undergraduate program, Enterprise Leadership, where she is responsible for program and faculty development. Experienced as a student, teacher, designer, and administrator of traditional, blended, and online courses, she understands how students learn in-person and online and the unique challenges adult students face.
Professional Background
Fischer was the president of a consulting firm that helps businesses to communicate more effectively and assists individuals in career development. She was an editor on a variety of special interest publications, most recently The Daylily Journal, a four-color print publication.
Current Research Interests
Higher education leadership and faculty development.
Selected Publications and Recognition
Award
- SPS Distinguished Teacher, 2019
Grants
- Northwestern University—Design Thinking and Communication
- Open Educational Resource Funding—Reimagining Observation/User Scenario
- Northwestern University—Office of the Provost, “Online Communication Modules to Enhance Design Thinking and Communication Classes
- Northwestern University—School of Professional Studies Graduate Programs, for “Talk Among Yourselves: Creating Better Electronic Discussion Forums”
Publications
Fischer, L. (2015). “Anthology review: Here: Women Writing on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, edited by Ronald Riekki” NewCity, Chicago.
Fischer, L. (2015). “Fiction review: Brush Back by Sara Paretsky” NewCity, Chicago.
Fischer, L. (2015). “Fiction review: Principles of Navigation by Lynn Sloan” NewCity, Chicago.
Fischer, L. (2014). Contributor. In B. L. Shwom & L. G. Snyder, L. G. Instructor’s Manual for Business communication: Polishing your professional presence. 2nd ed. Boston: Pearson.
Fischer, L. (1999). “A Case of Diffidence.” In R. L. Logan & R. Fromberg. Peers in the classroom: case studies in adult higher education. Stillwater, Okla.: Stillwater, OK: New Forums Press.
Teaching Approach and Philosophy
I believe that teaching and learning are most effective when we recognize our membership in a community of learners, and we actively learn from and with others—sources, friends and family, colleagues, classmates, and teachers. Adult learners have the advantage of larger networks and more experiences than younger students. I have much to share with students, and they also bring their diverse experiences and knowledge to class. My goal is to cultivate a learning community rich in content and connection, where the experiences of the digital classroom build a toolkit of knowledge, values, and skills applicable to the student’s world beyond Northwestern University.
Recent Courses
- English 110—Writing Seminar I: Introduction to College Writing
- English 111 & 111-DL—Writing Seminar II: The Pursuit of Happiness
- English 113—Introduction to Literature
- English 205 & 205-DL—Business Communication
- English 205-DL—Information Literacy
- English 385 & 385-DL—Literature and Leadership
- Computer and Information Science 496-DL—IT Finance & Communication
- Computer and Information Science 496-DL—IT Business Writing & Communication
- Information Design and Strategy 435-DL—Persuasion
Educational Background
Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, currently enrolled
National Louis University
M.S. in Information Design and Strategy
Focus on Learning Design
Northwestern University
M.A. in English
University of Illinois at Chicago
B.A. with High Distinction in English
University of Illinois at Chicago
Adam Patterson
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Adam Patterson has spent more than 20 years as a consultant and practitioner in operations leadership, performance coaching, human resource management, and executive development. His work experience has afforded him the ability to work with and learn from some of the brightest minds in the leadership and personal development industry like Dr. Stephen Covey, Sir John Whitmore, Robert Kiyosaki and Jack Canfield to name a few. His time as an executive coach and consultant also provided him the opportunity to work and strategize with numerous Fortune 500 executives and collect key best practices, guiding principles and leadership frameworks that underscored their success. These events have been the catalyst behind Adam’s career choices and his desire to be a “lifelong leadership learner.”
Professional Background
While at Health Care Service Corporation (Blue Cross Blue Shield), Adam has led the Centers of Excellence (Training, Quality, Knowledge Management and Voice of the Customer) Most recently he has been leading the geographically dispersed service centers that support the retail, group, and pharmacy operations. Along his current responsibilities, he has also been responsible for the design and implementation of the coaching framework currently used by operations leaders to drive employee engagement, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. Prior to his time at Health Care Service Corporation, Adam held responsibilities for managing Investor Education at TD Ameritrade and Customer Experience Strategy roles at The Hartford Financial Services Group and FranklinCovey. Since 2005, Adam has also provided leadership consulting and executive coaching to several Fortune 500 executives including Honeywell International, Discover Financial Services, Erie Insurance Group, and Prudential Financial.
Current Research Interests
Paradoxical Leadership Theory, Situational Leadership Theory, Transformational Leadership Theory, Performance measurement and outcomes, Human Behavior and Decision-Making, Technology and Innovation disrupters
Teaching Approach and Philosophy
While there have been several approaches and philosophies I have been exposed to, there are three key statements that sum up my teaching method.
First — true principles understood change an individual’s attitude and behavior. I am not interested in just discussing the “how to”, but the all-important “why”. When students understand the “why”, their desire to apply what they are learning dramatically increases. Education without application becomes a poor investment.
Second — students have the best opportunity to learn and understand a concept or principle by teaching it. To draw on the numerous diverse insights and experiences of each student, it is my responsibility to create the environment where teaching is not just done at the professor level, but where we all teach each other. I take a Socratic approach to teaching which encourages and drives self-discovery and leads to critical thinking. I believe the principles of self-awareness and self-discovery are critical for any business setting but serve an even greater purpose in the personal interactions in which we engage as humans.
Last — I strive to create the environment and be the instructor I would want if I was the student. More than anything, I want each student to feel I genuinely care about their best interests when it comes to the time they put into the class. I want them to develop the knowledge and skill around the concepts we discuss. I want each class to be a value add where the student looks back and says, “I’m glad I took that class. There were so many real-life applications”. I want to challenge them to do more and be more while at the same time being fair and equitable in their learning journey. I want each student to take the principles they learn and apply them beyond their time at Northwestern.
Recent SPS Courses
Educational Background
- Bachelor of Science – University of Utah: Speech Communication with an emphasis on argumentation and decision-making.
- MBA – Manchester Business School, UK: Organizational Communication & Operations Management Certifications: LSSBB, 7-Habits Coach, ICF Master Coach, Prosci Change Practitioner, and ATD Master Trainer. Over the past decade, involved in research from the Academy of Management and the Decision Sciences Institute.
Max Reed
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Business leader and military veteran with executive experience in Management, Sales, Strategy Consulting, HR, Operations and Risk Management. My strengths are in bringing the best out of others to help organizations and people succeed. I've successfully led teams in Europe, North America, and Asia. My research and teaching interests are Leadership, Strategy, Negotiations and Managerial Economics.
Teaching Approach and Philosophy
My teaching philosophy is a strong belief in the Socratic approach where thought-proving questions lead to mutual learning between both the faculty and the student. We are all a summation of our experiences, and the sharing of those experiences, in the framework of existing knowledge, helps us all to learn more effectively.
Recent SPS Courses
Educational Background
- BS, Computer Studies, Northwestern University School of Professional Studies
- MBA, Economics and Finance, The University of Chicago Booth of School Business
