John Patterson, J.D., MBA

My name is John Patterson, and I have been employed with Bellevue University full-time since 2006. Prior to being employed with Bellevue University, I was the Associate Vice-President with Mid-Plains Community College, where I administered their Center for Enterprise and the Human Resources Department.

The majority of my career has been in business and industry. I have been a Production/Operations Manager with Graphic Packaging International Corporation and Hormel Foods Corporation, and held the role of Human Resources and Safety Director with Caterpillar and Coca-Cola. I have provided leadership for several strategic initiatives, and implemented numerous programs and procedures in various industries.

My educational credentials include a Juris Doctor, and a Master of Business Administration. I hold a Six Sigma Black Belt Certificate, and have past certifications as an OSHA Instructor, and State of Nebraska Property and Casualty Insurance Agent.

My philosophy on teaching and learning extends beyond any one topic or any one point in time. Teaching and learning represents a lifelong process. I believe that there are many methods to teach and learn, and that both are best accomplished when measured from the perspective of the end user: the individual student.

I also believe that teaching and learning cannot be a spectator sport. Active participation from both teacher and student is paramount. While understanding concepts and theories is important for the student, applying those concepts and theories to their lifelong goals is critical.

As a teacher, my responsibilities include identifying the optimal teaching approach for the student, linking assignments, course objectives, and individual student goals, providing rigorous, contemporary curriculum at high cognitive levels, communicating effectively, enthusiastically, creatively, openly, and honestly, fostering critical and independent thinking skills, expecting high levels of student performance, evaluating student performance through data-driven, objective means, knowing the course content, respecting every student.

The students’ responsibilities include taking ownership of their education, learning the course content, communicating effectively, enthusiastically, creatively, openly, and honestly, and respecting their fellow students and teacher.

• Business
• Organizational Performance
• Public Administration

• Applied Business

• Six Sigma Blackbelt Certification, 2011, Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
• Scrum Master Certification, 2021, Six Sigma Global Institute, Boston, Massachusetts

• Recipient of the 2018 “Excellence in Innovation Award” for innovation in teaching