Professor Employs Mindfulness in His Teaching Philosophy

In a fast-moving, innovative business world, staying on the cutting-edge is an extremely valuable skill. Among the emerging business leaders are digital entrepreneurs – self-employed venturers who promote their businesses outside their local communities, relying on information technology and digital media tools to attract potential customers.

Professor Arvind Gudi, Ph.D., with the H. Wayne Huizenga College of Business and Entrepreneurship, knows the ins and outs of this business strategy.

“My research is focused on digital entrepreneurship, knowledge management, knowledge integration in emergency management, and human-computer interaction,” he said.

“I received the President’s Faculty Research & Development Competition Grant in 2022 as principal investigator, and I’m currently developing collaborative research articles. The topic of the grant proposal is ‘Environmental Change due to COVID-19 and Digital Entrepreneurship.’”

Digital entrepreneurs are able to pivot services, branding and pricing without suffering significant turnaround time. Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon – four of the top five most valuable companies – are products of digital entrepreneurship.

Born in the state of Karnataka, India, Gudi’s family settled in South Florida more than 35 years ago. He received his Ph.D. in Business Administration and Master of Science in Management Information Systems at Florida International University. He came to Nova Southeastern University about nine years ago.  Prior to his academic career, he has more than 20 years of experience in corporate management and consulting.

Gudi, who teaches in the Department of Decision Sciences, has been published widely in scholarly journals including the International Journal of Knowledge Management, International Journal of Information Systems for Crisis Response and Management, Behaviour and Information Technology, and Health Promotion International.

Since arriving at NSU, Gudi was honored with the Teaching Excellence Award for his pursuit of excellence in teaching and student learning in 2018-19. He also received the Service Excellence Award in 2021-22 for his outstanding service activities to NSU, corporate partners, and community members.

One of Gudi’s most prized innovations that he has brought to NSU was the creation of the Mindfulness Society, where he serves as a faculty coach and adviser for the professional and personal development of its members, which include faculty, students, staff, and corporate partners. Through the society, participants enhance their educational and professional pursuits through developing self-awareness, focus, concentration, perspective, mental agility, openness, intellectual curiosity, and other qualities.

“These are the essential characteristics to enable them to be effective and successful leaders, corporate managers, entrepreneurs, and engaged community members,” Gudi said.

“The Mindfulness Society fosters an innovative learning environment toward self-development, transformation and value-based lifestyle.”

Gudi started the society in 2017, because he saw something critically missing in the education experience.

“My observation and experience in the academic and business environment is that everything we do is necessary and required but not sufficient for us to have fulfilling and successful lives,” he said. “I believe that we need to develop education systems that are integrated and holistic,

be aligned with the vision and mission of HCBE Best for our World ^TM.”

When it comes to teaching, Gudi focuses on making learning not only holistic but inspirational and never-ending.

“As teachers and researchers, we are in a unique and responsible situation where we can make a significant impact on students in particular, and society in general,” he said. “My goal is to inspire students so they continue the process of learning even after they have completed the program and are able to apply the lessons learned in their personal and professional lives. A great teacher once said, ‘A student is like a lamp to be lit and not a bucket to be filled.’”

Posted 01/22/23