Written by Masha Podokshik

As you walk into her office on the first floor of Breech, you are greeted with a big smile from Dr. Katlin Cundiff, a new professor of Management here at Drury University. She has many academic accomplishments and successes such as a completed B.B.A and M.S.B.A in the Estonia Business School and a Ph. D from the University of Jyvaskyla, in Finland.  However, there is much more to this intelligent and strong woman than just her academic triumphs. Dr. Cundiff, who was born in Estonia, a country located in Northern Europe, has always had a passion for traveling. “I have probably traveled to over 34 countries by now”, stated Cundiff, as she sat in her cozy Breech office. At the age of 19, she travelled to India with a desire to see other cultures and see how other people think, work, and live. When she turned 20, she stepped outside of her comfort zone to travel to Dubai for a job.  She said the difference between the culture of Northern Europe and Dubai was huge. But she kept an open and positive mind realizing that, “one must learn, cope, and change a lot. You have to have a completely different mindset when living among people from a different group”. She loves Estonia and tries to visit as frequently as possible, making sure to never “lose those roots no matter how globalized she became”.  However, after leaving Dubai, she wasn’t ready to return to her homeland. Instead, she felt like she was ready for a new adventure.

Dr. Cundiff decided it was time to settle down and she, along with her husband and daughter (who also attends Drury) chose the town of Springfield. It is a new place for her since her husband is from Missouri, however, she has enjoyed every part of familiarizing herself with the city and its people. Cundiff admits that it is “a new cultural context that is pushing my limits and making me learns, adapt, and cope again with a new environment, but I enjoy that spike in my life. That way, it never gets boring”.  Springfield is known to be a welcoming place, and it is something that she says has made it an easier transition from life in Dubai. She has loved exploring the beautiful nature of Missouri and can be found hiking, cycling, or exploring the nature gems of the state.

Another part of Springfield that has made the transition easier is Drury University. Dr. Cundiff who teaches the business students of our university is happy to be in such a tight knit and friendly environment. It is not a lie when we say Drury is like a family. Dr. Cundiff has discovered this atmosphere to be unique and special. “The interesting thing is that we function as a very close family”. She said, emphasizing that she has never felt as an outsider at Breech or at Drury. She appreciates all the attention and interest; however, her humble and modest personality wonders at what she did to deserve it. Cundiff says that she found something at Drury that she has never seen anywhere else in the world. “The Breech faculty works as one team and always stands up for one another”, something that can also be said for all departments here at our small campus.

Her students also feel that she fits right in with the rest of the Drury family. Jose Azurdia, a senior business major stated, “Dr. Cundiff adds diversity to our class. Taking international management with her gives us a true account of how it is. She knows a lot about foreign cultures and the way we discuss them in class is very interesting”.

The Drury community is lucky to be able to work with such bright and interesting individuals. It is people like Dr. Cundiff that truly give our students the global perspective in such a familiar place.