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Share thisFaculty Spotlight: Glen Willock, M.S. Assistant Professor of Health Administration
Education:
M.S. Healthcare Informatics Administration | Roberts Wesleyan College 2014
B.S. Health Administration | Roberts Wesleyan College 2012
A.S Liberal Arts and Sciences and an Environmental Sustainability certificate | Monroe Community College 2010
Tell me about yourself
I was born in a British colony. As a child, I knew that I wanted to be an electronics engineer (I was always disassembling toys and mechanical devices to determine how they worked, but could never put the devices back in a working fashion). I eventually settled for electronics training with a specialization in 2-way radio-communications, and after leaving high school I eventually worked for a Motorola company repairing microwave communications and trunked-radio network equipment. This stint eventually morphed into a career in laptop and computer server repairs for HP, IBM, Compaq, DEC, and Dell. I then transitioned into Information Technology/Telephony (IT)Project Management and systems integration for the past two decades, and by a fortuitous occurrence found myself at an information night at Roberts Wesleyan to learn about the Health Administration program. That is where my healthcare career began, and I have continued to develop it ever since.
My mission is to help overcome the challenges of making healthcare safer, more accessible, and less costly for all Americans. This national issue, despite efforts by some really creative problem solvers, remains present. I am passionate about health care quality and access for the underserved and underinsured populations, and how resolving this issue will help to add value to our national economic well-being and help to eventually reduce our GDP spending on health. I am currently in my final stages of a doctoral Ph. D program in Health Policy at Walden University.
What brought you to Roberts Wesleyan College?
A miracle from God is the short answer, but indeed God engineered the entire enterprise of my life and does so with every life, if we pause, listen, and ask for guidance an answer wil be forthcoiming; asking God for clarity is best not only when we are dissatisfied, but also when life is going well. I had a pause caused by an auto accident which prompted me to reevaluate my life and what was truly important for me other than my family.
My project management occupation wasn’t providing the satisfaction that I was looking for. Soon afterward, I turned down a great opportunity at a central data exchange as God intervened again. Afterward in less than two days , I received news about an opportunity at Roberts where I taught as an adjunct. I interviewed and knew that this possible career change was a calling from God that would not only satisfy my longing to serve, but also would have a significant impact on helping develop new leaders in health administration for the future.
Do you have any advice for adults considering completing their Bachelor’s degree?
My advice to adults is to be prepared for a great degree of self-learning and to be () self-disciplined in your approach. Keep focused on activities that support your degree progress and eliminate () any time-wasting activity that will create() unwarranted stress. Finally, get the support from your family, spouse, or significant other this last step is a crucial one.
What is the most helpful advice you’ve received?
That I should consult with God before doing anything or committing to a course of action no matter how minuscule it may seem. The late Dr. William Walence (Bill) was my great mentor and advisor, and a quiet man with the most profound wisdom, God allowed me to meet him along with Michele Kraynik at Roberts who gave me wise advice when I needed support.
When did you start becoming interested in healthcare?
I was looking to transition to a field where my earlier server and datacenter experiences could be leveraged as a value-add with whatever I eventually decided on pursuing, and health care fit the requirements perfectly as a side note my late mum was a nurse, and most of my children are healthcare professionals. I decided to enroll ar Roberts due to some persuasive convincing from a Professor.
What is an interest you have outside of teaching?
My interests include swimming, scuba diving, computer systems integration, private cloud infrastructure and electronic records integration for research applications. I love to ride and repair motorcycles, cars and even lawn mowers. I love fall and winter and totally loathe summer.
Do you have any advice for someone considering graduate school?
Get started in a grad program sooner rather than later! The younger you earn) your degree, the more opportunity there is to leverage your knowledge and more opportunities for promotion. More importantly, you must endeavor to create a greater competitive advantage at your organization and by doing so contribute to positive social change for the lives of others.
What is your favorite part of your job?
Classroom teaching where the interaction with students is fascinating, and contributes to research into topics of mutual interest affecting health delivery and access. Sharing stunning news about cutting-edge advances in health technology, for example, how Crypto networks and Blockchain technology will completely disrupt and revolutionize health care delivery/payments, issues (of) about Internet 3.0 and the threats posed by advances in quantum computing and decryption technologies. Future threats and opportunities and its importance to healthcare are ubiquitous, my approach is to deliver the theoretical concepts, and practical tools to prepare our graduates to have a distinctive repertoire of skills, and knowledge when compared to similar health administration programs at other institutions of higher learning. And utterly loving every minute of teaching student leaders to discover their potential to lead others into all areas of excellence.
What is your favorite quote and why?
My favorite quote comes from 1 Corinthians 13: 1-13 of the New International Version (NIV), “If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal….Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away….And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love”.
Student Insight:
Anthony McGee-Pugh
"Professor Willock was an inspiration throughout my experience in the MSHA program at Roberts Wesleyan. Because of my degree and the mentoring from Professor Willock, I know that I can move forward in a career as a business consultant and face the obstacles associated with accelerating the effectiveness of healthcare services. He taught me to put God first, and to be creative and fearless, giving me the competitive edge to not only benefit myself but to help others."
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