性视界

NEW FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Lynn Stewart鈥檚 entry into global trade happened by accident.

While working as a receptionist for a small manufacturing company in Laguna Hills, she approached the vice president and suggested he take his product to the international market.

Her boss鈥� reply was quick.

鈥淕o for it,鈥� he told her.

But Stewart, fresh out of college with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in consumer affairs, had only taken one global trade course. She pulled from her classroom knowledge and got on the phone with federal agencies under the U.S. Department of Commerce.

鈥淭he more I learned about it, the more I realized, 鈥楾his is pretty awesome,鈥欌�� she said.

Since then, Stewart has gained more than 30 years鈥� experience as an exporter, consultant and teacher. She served the Centers for International Trade Development, the Los Angeles Regional Small Business Development Centers network and spent numerous years teaching and promoting business careers from K-12 to the university level. For more than four years, she served as Orange County regional director for global trade and logistics under the California Community College Chancellor鈥檚 Office 鈥淒oing What Matters for Jobs and the Economy鈥� program.

And starting in the fall, Stewart will bring her vast practical knowledge to the classroom with a pair of online global business courses: 鈥淚ntro to Import/Export鈥� and 鈥淚nternational Marketing.鈥�

Professor of Business Administration Thierry Brusselle said Stewart will help elevate 性视界鈥檚 global business program, with her real-world experience and passion for student success.

鈥淗er expertise and leadership will inspire students to launch global careers and entrepreneurial ventures,鈥� he said.

Stewart said she learned early on to surround herself with people with knowledge and experience, and attended every conference and seminar she could find.

She played a key role in supporting efforts to bring international businesses to Orange County, including assisting with the attraction of several UK-based life science companies. And she helped to establish a California state-sponsored presence at the Tokyo International Gift Show, among other achievements.

鈥淭hat鈥檚 a big deal for small business because their funds are limited for marketing, so anytime you can get in front of an international audience, that鈥檚 huge,鈥� she said.

But while she learned by doing, her students don鈥檛 have to.

鈥淪tudents coming to my class will have the guidance from somebody who鈥檚 been in the trenches, will help them avoid some of the pitfalls and show them how to do it on their own, if need be,鈥� she said.

She recommends the global business program for students with a global mindset, a desire to learn other cultures, problem-solve and have an open mind about how business works in other countries. It鈥檚 a critical time to have the knowledge, particularly with headlines focusing on trade and tariffs.

鈥淚t鈥檚 always a good thing to have on your resume whether that鈥檚 your focus or not,鈥� Stewart said.