Flexibility Allows College of Business Adjunct to Keep Students Current on HR

Megan Berry Barlow has spent 25 years building a career in human resources (HR), and as an adjunct professor she’s able to share her passion for the subject with students thanks to the flexibility of online teaching.

“Bellevue University has a great reputation and offered the online format, which helped me work in HR and teach about HR,” she said. “Without this flexibility, I would not be able to share in real time how business happens in the business world.”

Motivated by Helping

Berry Barlow, who works at Midwest retail giant NFM (Nebraska Furniture Mart), said her passion for both her career and teaching come from the heart.

“I love working in the HR field, being innovative and learning how to create a work culture that values and respects individuals,” she said. She wanted to share this expertise, and found the perfect avenue with teaching human resources management at Bellevue University 15 years ago. ”It was a no brainer. I get energy from my students and the shared learning experience.”

Diving fully into the worlds of business and academia has helped Barlow make a bigger impact for both her employees and students.

“I actually do what I teach every day,” she said. “Doing them simultaneously helps me stay current in teaching, and helps me bring new ideas and perspectives that I get from students to the business world.  It is constant growth and learning.”

Connecting With Students

The University recently honored Barlow with the Lou Soukup Adjunct Faculty Award for her dedication to her students and her teaching.

“Being recognized by an organization that I hold in such high esteem affirms my choice of careers and employment,” she said. “I wish everyone could feel so validated by their employer and choice of profession!”

As an online teacher, Barlow finds meeting her students in person is incredibly rewarding. “I love when students request that I attend graduation,” she said. “It might be easy to feel a bit disconnected when you teach online. I try hard to make the work and interactions relevant and personalized, so being asked to watch a student at one of their biggest life achievements feels pretty special.”