Academic Portfolio 

Academic Portfolio | Dr. Oday Alnabhan

Introduction

As an educator and scholar, I approach teaching as a catalyst for transformation, empowering learners to think critically, engage ethically, and apply knowledge with confidence in real-world settings. My academic practice integrates active learning, inclusive pedagogy, and research-informed instruction to cultivate curiosity, intellectual independence, and professional readiness. I believe that impactful teaching extends beyond content delivery; it requires designing meaningful, human-centered learning experiences that challenge students to reflect, collaborate, and innovate.

My philosophy is grounded in the belief that education is an act of leadership. Every class is an opportunity to model adaptability, empathy, and ethical reasoning qualities essential in a world shaped by digital transformation, globalization, and AI. I strive to help students develop not only intellectual capability but also moral courage and self-awareness, preparing them to lead with integrity in complex professional environments.

This portfolio highlights my instructional expertise, academic leadership, research mentorship, and ongoing commitment to professional growth. From course design and doctoral supervision to the ethical integration of AI in education and peer-review engagement, each component reflects my dedication to fostering academic excellence and shaping the next generation of scholar-practitioners. Through a dynamic blend of teaching, research, and reflective practice, I aim to contribute to a more responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking academic community.

Pedagogical Approach & Active Learning

I embrace active learning methodologies, with a strong focus on flipped classroom models where students are first introduced to foundational concepts outside of class through multimedia resources, and classroom time is used for collaborative problem-solving, simulations, peer debates, and applied analysis. This structure encourages deeper understanding, accountability, and real-time skill development. In all of my classes, I employ formal and informal collaborative learning methodologies and offer numerous opportunities for practice and feedback.

Critical Reflection & Metacognitive Learning

My teaching also emphasizes critical reflection and metacognition. I guide students to reflect on their learning process, connect academic theory to personal and professional experiences, and critically evaluate assumptions and perspectives. This approach helps learners become more self-aware, autonomous, and adaptable in both academic and professional settings. I provide structured opportunities for students to develop awareness of how they learn and foster habits of continuous improvement.

Authentic Learning & Real-World Relevance

Authentic learning experiences are central to my instructional design. I frequently draw on cross-industry examples including those from HR, marketing, and international business to illustrate complex concepts and expose students to diverse organizational challenges. Students are encouraged to assess problems from multiple stakeholder perspectives and propose evidence-based solutions. I assign project tasks that require analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of research literature, and I frequently integrate real-world themes and debates into class discussions.

Inclusive & Responsive Instruction

I aim to cultivate an inclusive and participatory classroom environment where all learners feel valued and empowered. I employ culturally responsive strategies and differentiated instruction to support diverse learning needs and backgrounds. I believe learning takes place in a positive setting that empowers students through clear expectations, flexibility, and consistent feedback. My role is to guide students toward mastering course content, developing transferable skills, and engaging critically with real-world issues.

Instructional Development & Teaching as Scholarship

My professional development is grounded in both formal and informal learning opportunities. I regularly attend courses, seminars, and workshops focused on topics such as AI in education, inclusive teaching, and instructional equity. I study current literature on education and learning science, and I apply these insights to evolve my teaching. My work includes developing dissertation support tools, integrating AI in research methodology instruction, and mentoring junior faculty.

Reflection & Continuous Improvement

I consistently strive to enhance my teaching through structured self-reflection. After each course, I write a detailed memo reflecting on what went well and where I can improve. Based on these reflections, I create action plans that outline specific adjustments to course structure, pedagogy, or content delivery. This cycle of reflection and planning supports both immediate improvements and long-term growth.

Peer Learning & Mentorship Feedback

I seek peer feedback through informal discussions and formal observations. I collaborate with trusted colleagues who challenge and support me in refining my practice. Peer mentoring has helped me identify and overcome blind spots and contributed to my ongoing professional growth. This collaborative feedback culture reinforces my belief in teaching as a shared and evolving craft.

Academic Engagement & Peer Review Contributions

Throughout my academic career, I have remained deeply engaged in research mentorship, scholarly evaluation, and peer review. My contributions extend beyond instruction to include rigorous oversight and critical feedback on doctoral research projects, qualitative and quantitative instruments, and applied academic studies across global contexts.

As a Chair and Committee Member on numerous doctoral dissertations, I guide candidates through the complete research cycle from proposal development to methodological design, data analysis, and final defense. These projects span diverse fields such as artificial intelligence in business strategy, organizational performance, consumer behavior, and digital transformation in industries like healthcare, telecom, and real estate. Several of these dissertations have been published, demonstrating their quality and relevance.

In addition to supervision, I provide ongoing methodological and conceptual feedback to doctoral researchers, supporting their development of evidence-based frameworks, literature reviews, and data interpretation strategies. I frequently contribute to research design conversations, helping scholars refine research questions, optimize survey tools, and strengthen theoretical alignment.

I usually serve on a professional review panel evaluating qualitative survey tools. This role recognized my scholarly credibility in research design and reaffirmed my commitment to advancing methodological excellence. My feedback contributed to enhancing the instrument’s clarity, validity, and field applicability, particularly in contexts of organizational behavior and leadership assessment.

Collectively, these engagements reflect my active role in shaping and maintaining high standards of academic rigor, my commitment to fostering original research, and my dedication to supporting the next generation of scholar-practitioners.

Instructional Areas of Expertise

With over a decade of experience in higher education, I have developed and delivered curricula at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels in both traditional and online settings. My teaching draws from interdisciplinary frameworks in business, human resources, leadership, and marketing, blending theory with real-world application. These instructional domains reflect both my academic background and ongoing consulting practice, enabling me to prepare students with critical thinking skills, practical tools, and future-focused competencies.

Core Domains:

• Human Resource Management & Talent Development

• Organizational Leadership & Change Management

• Strategic Planning & Business Innovation

• Global Business & International Markets

• Business Ethics, Governance & Compliance

• Decision Science & Operations Strategy

• Emotional Intelligence & Organizational Psychology

• Marketing, Branding & Sales Strategy

• Performance Management & Organizational Effectiveness

Courses Taught

My teaching record spans a wide array of business and management courses. I have designed syllabi, created learning modules, and facilitated diverse instructional formats including seminars, flipped classrooms, and experiential learning projects. These courses have served undergraduate and graduate learners from various cultural, professional, and academic backgrounds.

Undergraduate & Graduate Courses:

• Human Resource Planning

• Human Resources Management

• Leading Strategic Change

• Leadership Behavior & Change Dynamics

• Managing Workplace & Conflict Resolution

• Strategy & Innovation

• Leading Across Boundaries

• Creating and Leading Effective Teams

• Building Positive Relationships in a Multigenerational Workforce

• Managing People & Organizations

• Principles of Marketing

• Principles of Advertising

• Sales and Marketing

• Purchasing and Human Resources

• Marketing Management

• Management Principles I & II

• Marketing Services

• Organizational Behavior

• Consumer Behavior

• Advertisement and Promotion

• Strategic Management

• Sales Management

• Advanced Studies in International Marketing

• Marketing Research

• Distribution Management

• International Marketing

• Corporate Strategy 

Assisted Courses & Instructional Support

As part of collaborative teaching environments, I have supported faculty and academic programs by assisting in the delivery of foundational and specialized courses. My support included developing instructional materials, grading, tutoring, and facilitating class discussions to reinforce student learning outcomes.

Assisted Instructional Areas:

• Operations Management

• International Business and Investment Strategy

• Project Management

• Social Environment of Business

• Management Information Systems

• Economic Geography

• Business Strategy and Decision Making

• Organizational Behavior and Administration

• Business Ethics

• Human Factors in Small Businesses

• International Economics

• Business Research Methodology

• Entrepreneurship

• Introduction to Business

• Small Business

Dissertation Supervision & Research Advising

As a doctoral research advisor and committee participant, I play an active role in advancing applied scholarship in areas such as organizational leadership, business intelligence, AI integration, marketing, and HR innovation. I have served both as a Dissertation Chair and Committee Member for doctoral students across diverse global contexts, helping them navigate the complexities of research design, data collection, qualitative and quantitative methodologies, and real-world application.

My work involves supporting candidates in identifying relevant research problems, developing rigorous conceptual frameworks, and conducting data-driven investigations that offer tangible contributions to both theory and practice. I emphasize academic rigor, ethical research practices, and critical thinking, while also helping students align their research with current industry and global trends.

Several dissertations under my guidance have been successfully defended, published, or presented at academic and industry conferences. I continuously provide written and oral feedback, mentor students through iterative reviews, and help shape their work into high-quality, practitioner-relevant research outcomes. My involvement in doctoral supervision reflects my broader academic mission: to foster the next generation of scholar-practitioners equipped to lead innovation, address workplace challenges, and generate sustainable impact through research.

Research Interests

My research agenda is driven by a commitment to advancing knowledge at the intersection of human behavior, organizational effectiveness, and technological innovation. Drawing on interdisciplinary frameworks, my work explores how emotional intelligence, leadership dynamics, and data-driven decision-making shape individual and institutional performance. I am particularly interested in how emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and business intelligence systems interact with human capital development, innovation strategy, and ethical leadership in global business environments.

The following areas reflect my core research focus and ongoing academic engagement:

• Human Resource Management & Human Capital Development

• Emotional Intelligence in Leadership & Performance

• Organizational Leadership & Change Management

• Artificial Intelligence Applications in HR & Business Strategy

• Business Intelligence, Big Data & Analytics for Decision-Making

• Innovation, Creativity & Knowledge Management in the Workplace

• Organizational Behavior & Culture Transformation

• Business Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility

• Digital Transformation in HR & Operations

• Sales, Marketing & Consumer Behavior

• E-commerce Strategy & Entrepreneurship

Academic Tools & Innovations

To enhance academic outcomes, I have developed instructional resources used widely within doctoral and graduate programs. These tools are grounded in educational research and designed to scaffold critical thinking, academic writing, and research rigor among diverse learners.

• Dissertation planning tools, templates, and assessment rubrics.

• Student support and coaching frameworks for research development

• Integration of AI technologies into research methodology training

Professional & Instructional Development

As a lifelong learner, I actively pursue professional development to refine my pedagogy and stay current with innovations in education. I regularly participate in teaching and learning workshops, AI-in-education seminars, and instructional design courses. I also mentor early-career faculty and contribute to institutional training on topics such as learning equity, FERPA compliance, and technology-enhanced instruction.

Final Commitment

Developing and promoting optimal learning experiences is what teaching is all about. Facilitators build ideal learning experiences by combining their expertise in learning with their knowledge of the subject they are teaching. These are the kinds of experiences that enable and empower students to absorb course content and help them take responsibility for their learning. My long-term goal is to empower students to become ethical leaders, collaborative innovators, and lifelong learners capable of driving positive change across industries and communities.

In essence, my teaching philosophy is anchored in the belief that education should not only impart knowledge but transform individuals. It is about creating a learning journey that is rigorous yet supportive, reflective yet forward-looking, and rooted in both scholarship and empathy. By integrating active learning, critical reflection, real-world case analysis, and inclusive pedagogy, I aim to empower students to become purposeful professionals and ethical leaders. Teaching, to me, is not a static role but a continuous evolution one that challenges me to grow alongside my students and to remain deeply engaged with the changing dynamics of knowledge, society, and global workforces. I view each classroom as a laboratory for leadership, discovery, and transformation and each learner as a future catalyst for impact.