Dear Students,
Happy 2024! Welcome to our newest students and welcome back to our continuing ones. We are grateful to be starting another year of teaching and learning with all of you.
I hope you got some break over the break. For my part, I hosted family for the holidays, read several books for fun, got covid for the very first time, saw a Broadway show, went to a Las Vegas themed birthday party in Brooklyn, played ultimate frisbee with my kids, tried and failed to “get on top of things,” stayed up late most nights and felt shocked when the start of the semester arrived seemingly out of the blue. I didn’t go anywhere tropical or even new and I didn’t accomplish anything particularly tangible, but I felt keenly appreciative of the down time. These times are a lot for all of us and I am hoping you also were able to recharge and refresh in any way possible, even if only briefly.
I am excited to see you again and to start working together in this new year. Any time we come together – whether in class, at an OHDCC event, during a TC coffee break, or even chatting in the halls, I feel more hopeful about our world, despite what feels like incessant calls for division among us. Let’s hold on to each other in these trying times and keep pushing ahead in our shared work. Our learning community reminds me every day there is no us and them, only us. I appreciate you.
Happy Spring semester!
Warmly,
Current Student Profile
Jared Clark is his final semester the S-OP MA Program and is a distinguished member of the Eisenhower Leadership Development Program (ELDP). Prior to his service in the United States Army, Jared earned a B.S. in Theology from Clark’s Summit University in Pennsylvania. As a senior Non-Commissioned Officer on active duty, Jared has had the privilege of serving globally alongside a host of multinational partners.
With a decade of experience, Jared's career has predominantly focused on training and deploying for Counter Terrorism Operations in the Central Command Area of Responsibility. Upon graduating from TC, Jared plans to return to Fort Liberty, NC, where he will continue serving as a trainer and coach while pursuing certification through the Army’s Coaching Program.
Jared deeply values his enrollment in the S-OP MA Program, considering it a rare opportunity for enlisted Army members. He applies the curriculum to reflect on and address leadership and organizational challenges within the military. Passionate about creating systems that foster sustainable talent within high-performing teams, Jared has developed a love for the art and science of coaching and consultation.
Outside of his academic pursuits and military duties, Jared enjoys spending quality time with his love and best friend, Jessica. Together, they are raising three energetic and joyful young men. In his free time, Jared can be found in his woodshop, crafting custom handmade furniture while lost deep in thought over some finer point of theology, history, or fantasy.
Alumni Profile
Taylor Simonian is a 2023 graduate of the S-OP program at TC where she also served as the Director of Member Engagement for OHDCC. She is originally from Los Angeles and completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA.
Applying her academic insights in leadership development, group dynamics, and systems thinking, Taylor currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Leadership and Organization Development at Penske Transportation Solutions. In her role, Taylor specializes in executive development and transitions, organization design, strategic initiatives, data analysis, and organization development. Her expertise lies in seamlessly translating theoretical knowledge into practical solutions for real-world workplaces.
Prior to her work as a consultant, Taylor lived in London and Los Angeles, working on the Investor Relations team at a private equity firm, and at a talent agency in the entertainment industry, respectively.
Currently, Taylor lives and works in NYC, and enjoys exploring the city with her friends, boyfriend, and two younger brothers. Outside of her professional career, Taylor is passionate about event planning, fashion, food, travel, and fitness.
You can connect with Taylor on LinkedIn.
Taylor Simonian is a 2023 graduate of the S-OP program at TC where she also served as the Director of Member Engagement for OHDCC. She is originally from Los Angeles and completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA.
Applying her academic insights in leadership development, group dynamics, and systems thinking, Taylor currently serves as a Senior Consultant in Leadership and Organization Development at Penske Transportation Solutions. In her role, Taylor specializes in executive development and transitions, organization design, strategic initiatives, data analysis, and organization development. Her expertise lies in seamlessly translating theoretical knowledge into practical solutions for real-world workplaces.
Prior to her work as a consultant, Taylor lived in London and Los Angeles, working on the Investor Relations team at a private equity firm, and at a talent agency in the entertainment industry, respectively.
Currently, Taylor lives and works in NYC, and enjoys exploring the city with her friends, boyfriend, and two younger brothers. Outside of her professional career, Taylor is passionate about event planning, fashion, food, travel, and fitness.
You can connect with Taylor on LinkedIn.
Recommended Readings
This annual report from Gallup, State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report, examines the global rise in employees who are thriving at work, even as worker stress remains at a record high.
This opinion piece, "Critics of D.E.I. Forget That It WorksCritics of D.E.I. Forget That It Works", from Harvard Business School professors, Dr. Caroline Elkins and Dr. Frances Frie, alongside author Anne Morriss.