Oakwood University Exit Interview Name__Usa M. James Date _06/19/2025 Position Chair & Associate Professor Dept. of Math & Comp. Sci. EE Start Date 07/01/2010, E-mail Addess_Lmjgraph@gmallcom Phone Number et @ianwene TWh are you Toning your curren! positon? There are several reasons why Ihave mode the decision te lee my eurent postion a OU. Lelie {is important to be tenspureot about these fostors “+ Work-related challenges: While the nature of my job islf's not the issue, there are significant culties within Ue organization tha have impact my esperiense Specifieally here are farars where processing, undrsaffing end other problems hive no! been adequotlyaddresed ‘This has made my job unnecessary difelt an fas hindered my bility te perform at my best “+ foTieient sue esoltion: One major concem isthe lenathy ond repetitive process of ‘rosolting sues, [fen find myself encountering the same problems epeaiedy sch as processing of fpersork dely san biking naiatenancerepair issues. This nt only dans ry energy but also wastes valuable time that could be better spent on planning, developing. ‘nd rowing programs within my department, ‘+ Low employee morale: Ie prevailing low morale among employees is another astor tt has influenced my deeiion. Unfortunately, thi sme ns not been efTetivelyadessed by ‘odminsration. The resignation of run dedicated employees in reset years i indi the lack oF concern and action towards improving the overall ork environment ine of 4+ Nod for Mleibilty: Adlon, Frequite more esbiliy in ny schedule to purse other inert ral full esponsbikies towards taxaly members. This a personal pony for me, ‘and | believe tat seeking allemative opportunities wil allow me to strike w better balance ‘betwoon my peofessional nd porsonl ie, ‘By leaving my curren position, I hope to find new oppurtunity that adresses these concer and enables me to thrive oth persnally a profexsonal De you think sow were adequately equipped to do yourJob wal? No, To not believe | as adagustely equipped to perform my 7 efeotivels Two fetors that hindered my abity to exo in my role 1 Insuisient budget Tho regula (01) bodgst allocated to be MACS department did nt adequately provide for our needs Forunately, we relied en the generous conmibutions from ‘inn anc grant fs ridge the Financ gps, However, the Hite resources availabe rade it challenging to Filly exeoute our responses 4+ Lack of staffing: Another constrain! was the absense of «full-time ofise manager Having a part-time office maager was heli, butt posed imitations in tems of ayallbiity and apport This rested aditonal burdens end inelsiences iv manwging the administrative sspoots of he deparimen “These factors combined created challenging environment, whore Ih to navigate buigtary constraints an! Finite administrative support wile sting to fail may responsibilities to the best of iy abilities Despite thee challenges, Cod Messed my efforts to adapt and perfor my dutos wo Ue bestOakwood University Exit Interview 3 How was sour relationship with your kamediate wpentior? [Thad excellent working relationships with both my former deuns, Chery! Galley and Ken Laifing, 0s swell as ny cument dean, Chanda Mountain. TE What was the bigest factor that led you to nesept this new job? ‘The primary facie that motivated me to pnaieente reer opportunites wos vo work on poets ‘hac align ila my passions The fleedomt to purse work that uly exeites and inspnes ie isa significant driving free behind my deesion ‘Aitonals being an enteprencur offers a greaer degree of Fenbility in my seed, which is ‘valuable tone. This Nesbit allows me wo better balance my profesional responsibilities pettoral commitments and prities, creating a healthier and mote fuililing work-life ategation, Overall the combination of meaningful projeet opportunities and increased schedule Bexbilty made entepreneurship an. etiving and boveticl hoixe for ny eareer growih and peooal well-being ‘What did you like most about your job There ate rumerousespeos of iy job at OU tha | thoroughly enjoyed, I challonging single oa jas one favorite aapos, at hove ae sveral key highlights: ‘+ Collaborating with colleagues: One of the most rewarding aspacts of my job was the ‘opportunity to work alongside ented and dadicated elles ‘ls seas of eamaaderie and reamwork fostered positive ar suppotive work envionment ‘+ Christan envitonment: Working in « Chistian enviwament vas another significant source of satisfaction for me. Being surrounded by individuals who soared simile values ond boils rented ¢ sense of common an a shared purpose in. ot Work, “+ twlersetng nd mentoring students: One ofthe most falling aspects of my roe was imersetng with studotand serving as mast others Guide ae sparing stan in Their academic journey an! witnessing tir grt al wecess brought we goat ey nd 2 ‘cms of flfilimes. ‘+ Sharing my love for matnematies: Asa pssionate mathematician, haying the opportunity to shure mv enthusiasm std kno\ledgs for tho sujost was amensel grating Tnapieing ttudets and helping them develop an appreciation for mathematics Was highlight of ry jo ‘+ Giving tec-to my Alma Mater ast, being able o conirtute to my Alma Mater thro my work was deeply meaningful to me. Having the chance o give bok to te stitution that plays a significant rle in shaping my edation and professional development was a revarding exporienss, The combination of those factors made my job at OU aul enriching und fling experience G What did you dislike mest boat your job? ‘The aspect of my jb hat I dialihed the mnt ithe disorganization ofthe Univesity especially as it relates to processes and procedures Also daring my tenure at OU, thee have been frequen: changes in Dneademic administiotion personnel and srueture. In sy opinion, this reslied in confuscn and «lack of eobesiveness among the academic departments and the University as a whole, These challenges hindered Ue producti mn depart and ereaied an atmosphere of uncertain. 7. Would you recommend working for Oakwood University to your family and fiend? Why oF why Told recommend dat any family member or frend wock for OU they truly belive that God ix Ieading them, I ebeved God's eal to OU and Ihave no regrets about it However, | would also have aa bones! convertion with him o er aboat the pre and cons to working hee