Today, we heard about the Citadel from Dr. Ilene Bezjian, a former Southern Californian and now a consultant at the school. 

The Citadel is ranked as the #1 Public College in the South offering up to a master’s degree by U.S. News & World Report. It is a military academy, much like West Point, Annapolis and the Air Force Academy.  The 12:1 student-faculty ratio ensures direct access to nationally recognized scholars. Citadel students in 23 countries across several continents are immersed in study abroad programs.

The military program is made up of cadets pursuing bachelor’s degrees who live on campus. The non-military programs offer 12 undergraduate degrees, 26 graduate degrees, as well as evening and online programs with seven online graduate degrees, three online undergraduate degrees, and three certificate programs.

Dr. Bezjian’s talk was about her passion:  teaching and why she found fulfilment at the Citadel, after teaching and working at more than ten universities, public and private, and private businesses.  At the Citadel, good leadership and integrity are fundamental to the educational process.  The goal of the university is to prepare students to be intellectually, physically and morally principled leaders and productive citizens in all walks of life.

The Citadel is a military school, which began in 1842  There are 3000 students in attendance and all live on campus.  The school is located In Charleston, South Carolina.  It differs from the other military academies, in that graduates can choose what branch of the military they would like to enter.  Even though it is a military academy, graduates are not required to go into the military.  A student’s day begins at 5:30 A.M. when the bugle sounds and all 3000 students are wakened to start their day.  Classes begin at 7:30 and also military type of activities also occur.  The goal of the Citadel is to prepare its graduates intellectually, physically and morally to be principled leaders and productive citizens in all walks of life.

Why did she become passionate about the Citadel? 

The first thing is students are taught to be responsible leaders and role models in the community.  Do the right thing when no one is looking.  In looking at our political clime today, ethics are more important than ever. She is enthralled by the school’s Honor Code.  It requires that cadets will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do. If s student fails in regard to those standards, they are held accountable. Thirdly, it is the cadet’s duty to accept and accomplish the responsibilities assigned to them.  Thus, accountability to one’s self and for others is foundational.

Third is Respect.  Respect means to treat other people with dignity and worth, eliminating rank, position, age, race, color, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, physical attributes, etc.

Dr. Bezjian reflected on her personal life.  She has been married to a retired Air Force officer for 38 years.  He has served under seven presidents and has been deployed to the Middle East and North Africa.  They have two children, each an officer in the Army and Air Force.

This season she is working to endow a scholarship for women in the Baker School of Business at  The Citadel.  Incidentally, women were first accepted in 1995 and one of its first women graduates in Congresswoman Nancy Mace from Charleston.  A scholarship will be awarded in her name and as an educator she is proud to be a mentor to young women who will serve in military and or business world.

In closing she has hope for the future graduates from a perspective of principled leadership and the code of honor, duty and respect.

                                                                Dr. Rene Bezjian

Independent Consultant focusing on Educational Scholarship and Board Development

Assisting with funding for women in military and business leadership at The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina. Advising leadership on future educational trends and complex changes using innovative programs and corporate engagement.

Vice President / National Corporate Engagement, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation – January  2020

Developing and renewing engagement strategies and strategic alliances with national organizations such as Northrop Grumman, Disney, Netflix, Morgan Stanley, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Majestic Realty, and others to perpetuate the legacy for Medal of Honor Recipients. Creates new partnerships with organizations to discuss effective leadership and ethical activities.  Supports the Recipients chosen legacy goal, a K-12 school curriculum teaching courage, sacrifice, patriotism, citizenship, integrity, and commitment through the Medal of Honor Recipients stories. The Foundation offers training and curriculum at no cost to schools or teachers.

Ilene served as a Senior Consultant with The Genysys Group, a company assisting non-profit and for-profit organizations and universities amid change. Her focus was on change management and board development. She is involved with personal coaching and helping others choose their best future.

Dr. Bezjian was the Dean of the School of Business and Management at Azusa Pacific University for 14 years and a professor of marketing for 20 years. She managed 12% of the university’s student body through 6 undergraduate programs and 8 graduate programs, she supported 33 faculty through the steps of AACSB accreditation process

She has worked in higher education for more than 35 years developing unique programs and opportunities for faculty and students alike, including a global program taking students around the world in one year while earning an MBA. Additional programs include a Master’s in Public Accounting, an online MBA and Master of Arts in Management both online and face-to-face. She assisted in the start of a new accounting school and endowed chair funded by a donation received from a friend of the university.

She sits on the boards of Life Pacific College, The Smith Christian Foundation, Devoe School of Business and consults with Working to Give, a for-profit organization donating 50% of their net profit to charities.  In addition, she has served in support positions for the military throughout her husband’s 37 years of military service. She and her husband mentor individuals who are serving in the military.

Educational Information:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing

Doctorate in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Strategy

Personal Information

Married to Dr. Vic Bezjian for 40 years – Col. USAF (Ret) for 37 years, 11 deployments since 9/11 in N. Africa and the Middle East..