Faculty Spotlight | Prof. Jason Kozak, MBA Program

I graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in Business Administration and Marketing, and a year later with an MBA in Management from Loyola University.  In the early part of my career, I was in financial services and banking; with most of the time spent in management at M&T Bank.  I then served as the Chief Operating Officer for KIPP Baltimore, Inc., a renowned national education organization.

About nine years ago, I intentionally changed my career trajectory to focus on Human Resources. I am currently an HR Manager within the Maryland Department of Transportation in addition to teaching at Hood College in the MBA program.

My goal and style are to ensure students walk away with a base of knowledge that is relevant in their lives.  I try to focus on issues and matters that are likely to be encountered in one’s life or career.  While many of my students are not specifically looking for a Human Resources degree, the information I focus on in class is relevant and beneficial to anyone who is an employee or manager.

If I can provide an environment where students are better informed, know their rights in the workplace, and they can leave with tools and resources to be a better manager; I feel that embodies my style.  I bring actual life examples, cases, and experiences to the classroom. 

I shifted my career and certifications to Human Resources because of a very positive and impactful experience and interaction I had with a Human Resources Director many years ago.  I was young in my career and at the time, it was my first interaction with Human Resources.  Throughout the process I was involved in, the Director was compassionate and fair, and turned a potentially negative experience into a very positive one. I want to be that person to others.

I want to be the person who champions employee’s rights; the person who treats people with respect and dignity; the person who genuinely cares about employees and who seeks to help them; and the person who can make a difference- making the employee and the organization better.  I found fulfillment and the best way to achieve that was to lead within an HR department.

I first thank David Gurzick, Ph.D. for believing in me and providing this Hood College teaching opportunity.  I’ve said this to all my classes: my experience with Hood students has been fantastic.  I enjoy the diversity and backgrounds of the students, I enjoy the students' work ethic and desire to engage and learn, and I enjoy the knowledge and perspective they bring.  I am grateful for the students and classroom interactions as I personally take away a great deal of knowledge. 

I am going into my twelfth year of teaching in higher education; entering my fourth year at Hood College.  I drive about two hours each way to teach in the evenings, but I truly love the campus and what Hood’s graduate students have to offer.

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