Inside & Outside the SPJ Classroom – Featuring Dr Monica Gallant
Meet Dr Monica Gallant, the Associate Professor – Accounting and the Assistant Dean – EMBA Dubai On-campus and Middle East Online at SP Jain School of Global Management.
Qualified as a Chartered Accountant from Canada with a Master’s degree in Education Technology and a Doctorate in Education, Dr Gallant is currently based out of Dubai.
She began her career at Deloitte as a Senior Accountant/Auditor and then found her passion for teaching as a community college instructor. Dr Gallant has worked in the education sector in Dubai for 25 years at the Higher Colleges of Technology as the Associate Dean of Business and more recently as President and CEO at The College of Fashion and Design, and as the Dean of Esmod Dubai, French Fashion Institute.
She enjoys bringing creativity, technology and authentic learning experiences into the classroom and finding ways to actively engage her students. In addition to Financial Accounting, her research interests include intercultural intelligence, entrepreneurship and women’s issues. Dr Gallant is a Certified Mentor, Certified trainer for Intercultural Intelligence, Certified trainer for Personality Dimensions and Qualified site evaluator and mentor for the Accreditation Council of Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
For her brilliance over the years, Dr Gallant has been recognised with a Global Teaching Excellence Award as well as a Research Excellence award.
So, what does life look like for Dr Gallant inside and outside the SPJ classroom? We caught up with her over a quick interview to find out.
Q. What sort of morning routine do you have to get jazzed for class?
Dr Gallant: I am a true morning person. I usually start my day by going for a walk with my dog, having breakfast with a large dose of coffee and watching the news. During my drive to the campus, I like to listen to the “Business Breakfast” on the radio to hear what is happening in Dubai.
Q. What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Dr Gallant: I enjoy creating ceramic art, sewing, quilting, yoga and communing with nature with my cocker spaniel.
Q. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?
Dr Gallant: Use your time in class wisely, try to learn as much as you can while you are with your teachers and classmates, and not delay your learning until later (when it will be much more difficult).
Q. Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by?
Dr Gallant: “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” —Jimmy Dean
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” —Zig Ziglar
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