Charles Olson Presented With Smith School CIBER Award
The Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business has awarded Charles E. Olson, a professor in the logistics, business and public policy department, with the CIBER Award for Teaching Innovation in Global Learning.
The mission of CIBER is to promote U.S. capacity for international understanding and economic enterprise and the ability of U.S. business to prosper in an international economy. CIBER Awards are presented to Smith faculty members who demonstrate “a commitment to teaching for a global mindset, meaning openness to and awareness of diversity across cultures and markets.” This is the second year that the award has been presented.
Olson is a nationally recognized expert on the cost of capital to public utilities. He is also a recognized expert on all aspects of public utility regulation and energy economics. Olson has testified in several hundred utility cases in 50 jurisdictions and has consulted for more than 100 utilities as well as industrial companies, state agencies, trade associations and environmental groups.
Olson’s current focus is on teaching managerial and macro economics to first-year MBA course on the global economic environment as well as the undergraduate honors seminar. He also participates in several executive programs. He also leads the MBA Global Business Course to Europe. Additionally, Olson is involved in course and program development and does case related research.
Olson initially expanded his global outlook in 1969 when he traveled to Colombia to advise providers on electricity rates. While his first global experience was long ago, Olson believes it’s never too late to expand your business horizons.
“For faculty who have not developed a global mindset, it is never too late to start,” Olson said. “Most of my global involvement began after I returned to Smith in 2000. Language is not a barrier. Go fearlessly and embrace it. The impact on your quality of life will be amazing.”
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Max Pulcini
Max Pulcini is a Philadelphia-based writer and reporter. He has an affinity for Philly sports teams, Super Smash Bros. and cured meats and cheeses. Max has written for Philadelphia-based publications such as Spirit News, Philadelphia City Paper, and Billy Penn, as well as national news outlets like The Daily Beast.
