RP

RJ Podeschi

Dean • Associate Professor • Higher Education Leader

About

Teaching Philosophy

"I am energized by having the ability to share my real-world experiences with students and tie it into the theoretical material. Through hands-on, practical experience with client projects in the community, I hope that students gain the skills and confidence they need when entering the professional IT market upon graduation."

RJ Podeschi serves as Dean of the Tabor School of Business and Associate Professor of Information Systems at Millikin University. With over 20 years of combined experience in higher education and IT leadership, RJ brings a unique blend of academic excellence and real-world business expertise to his roles.

His teaching specialties include database management and analytics, with research interests focused on computing education pedagogy and business intelligence. RJ is passionate about bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, ensuring students are well-prepared for their professional careers.

Professional Experience

Dean
Tabor School of Business, Millikin University
Current Position
• Lead strategic initiatives for the Tabor School of Business
• Oversee academic programs and faculty development
• Champion ACBSP accreditation and continous improvement efforts
• Manage school operations and stakeholder relationships
• Drive innovation in business education and curriculum development
Associate Professor of Information Systems
Millikin University
2012 - Present
• Teach courses in database management, cybersecurity, and information systems
• Conduct research in computing education pedagogy and business intelligence
• Serve on editorial review board for Information Systems Education Journal
• Published multiple articles on information systems pedagogy
• Founded and coach MU Performance Consulting, a student-run IT consulting venture
IT Leadership & Development Roles
Millikin University
2001 - 2012 (11 years)
• Served in various IT developer, administrative, and leadership roles
• Focused on enterprise systems and IT infrastructure development
• Led technology initiatives and system implementations
• Gained extensive real-world experience in IT operations and management
Founder & Owner
Braden, Killey, and Podeschi, LLC
Former
• Founded and operated successful IT consulting business
• Provided technology solutions to various clients
• Developed entrepreneurial experience that informed academic teaching
• Experience influenced creation of MU Performance Consulting program

Expertise & Specializations

Database Management
Cybersecurity
Information Systems
Business Intelligence
Computing Education
IT Infrastructure
Enterprise Systems
Academic Leadership
Curriculum Development
Student Mentoring
IT Consulting
Research & Publications

Education

Master of Science in Management Information Systems
University of Illinois - Springfield
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Millikin University
Class of 2004
Bachelor's in Management Information Systems
Millikin University
Class of 2002

Leadership & Community Service

Director
Staley Credit Union
15+ Years
• Providing strategic oversight and governance for financial institution
• Contributing to board decisions and policy development
Finance Committee Chair and Technology Director
Sharon United Methodist Church, Decatur
Current
• Lead financial planning and budget management
• Manage budget development and financial reporting • Provide technical support for operations and worship • Lead sound engineer for worship and other events
Information Systems and Computing Academic Professionals
Treasurer, Board Member, and Conference Committee
Current

Personal Interests

When not immersed in academic and professional pursuits, RJ enjoys an active lifestyle that includes tennis, traveling, cooking, and landscaping/gardening. These diverse interests contribute to his well-rounded perspective and help maintain work-life balance while inspiring creative approaches to teaching and leadership.