Geovanny Mayorga  0:04  
Welcome to Campus Connections, a podcast dedicated to communicating with one another. You can find us on Podbean and your favorite streaming site. And you may contact us at podcast@mccollege.edu. We look forward to hearing from you. Today we have a wonderful guest with us today, Dr. Angel Resto, our Director of Business Programs. So, welcome, Dr. Resto. How are you?
Dr. Angel Resto  0:30  
Very good. Thank you for having me.
Geovanny Mayorga  0:32  
Wonderful, great that you're here. Looking forward to our conversation, I've been wanting to speak to you, as I mentioned earlier, about business programs and our business experience. We both have similar experiences, and you're now doing education. So, looking forward to our conversation. How was your summer?
Dr. Angel Resto  0:50  
Oh, my summer has been good. I still feel that summer has not ended.
Geovanny Mayorga  0:55  
So it is true. I mean, we still were already in fall weather.
Dr. Angel Resto  0:59  
Yes. But it's it was a good summer. I did a lot of different things professionally and personally. And and now I'm ready for the next season.
Geovanny Mayorga  1:13  
Yes, very much. So it's already upon us. Wonderful weather that we have for it. So that's why we love Chicago. I love Chicago, Chicago weather.
Dr. Angel Resto  1:21  
Chicago is great. 
Geovanny Mayorga  1:22  
Fall weather is the best. 
Dr. Angel Resto  1:23  
Yes. 
Geovanny Mayorga  1:25  
Although I do miss the summer, summer weather. All right, so you're the director, our director of our business programs at Midwestern Career College. Tell us a little bit about what you do.
Dr. Angel Resto  1:37  
Well, I oversee three programs, the Accounting, Marketing and Business Administration programs. And I make sure that our students get the best learning experience that they are able to acquire in higher education. And I do curriculum development, student advising, faculty training I also, I'm in charge of leading all of our faculty members. So I do a little bit of everything. But the main goal is to ensure that I provide a good academic environment for all our students.
Geovanny Mayorga  2:12  
You started your academic education getting a bachelor's degree in economics, is that correct? 
Dr. Angel Resto  2:19  
Yes. 
Geovanny Mayorga  2:19  
How did you decide on doing economics? Because I know, at least one staff member here. We talked about economics, and she wasn't too fun. How did you decide on economics? 
Dr. Angel Resto  2:29  
Well, actually, when I was 18, I was I always thought that I would like to become an engineer. My father always wanted me to become an engineer. And I got to engineering school when I first started in college, that by the way, I got into college when I was 16. 
Geovanny Mayorga  2:48  
Is there a --
Dr. Angel Resto  2:48  
Yes, I was fortunate to attend a good school in Puerto Rico. It's kind of, it was kind of the hybrid between a boarding school and a magnet school. So I was able to do or complete two high school grades in one year. So I did 11th and 12th grade in one year. And of course, only good student can attend that school. So I was lucky enough that they chose me to be part of their, their student body. So that's how I was able to advance my high school years. So I was I graduated at 16 and went to college at 16. So I was on my own --
Geovanny Mayorga  3:29  
How was that? 
Dr. Angel Resto  3:30  
-- exploring the world --
Geovanny Mayorga  3:32  
I can't imagine going to college [at that age]...
Dr. Angel Resto  3:34  
-- my parents away from home. And I'd really loved it. And somehow that experience just taught me how to be more independent. Although I had to rely on my family. I was not able to work. So money wise, I had to depend on them. But, but I became more independent. And through that independence, also, I was able to make my own decisions. And sometimes they were not the best. So like any young 16 year, right. So, originally, I wanted to become an engineer, then that's when I went for school, but then I didn't like it. The classes I was taking it was not for me. I'm not sure it's because I was too young to be thinking about that future. But then I had a conversation with my advisor. And somehow I ended up liking more business and economics. And then I had to switch majors. So economics and that's how I was able to finish my bachelor's degree in economics.
Geovanny Mayorga  4:39  
Yeah. I, when I first started college, I started as an intern. I wanted to be an engineer. Oh, I had a, I still do have a family friend who's an engineer work, working for people's gas. He's retired now. And I'm like, I'm going to be an engineer. So I took all these engineering classes, Math Science, I spoke about that in a previous episode, and this friend of ours, used to tell my parents, I think Geo should really think about physical education. And then my parents told me this, and I'm like, I'm not going to do physical education. I'm gonna do engineering. Sure enough, now I have a degree in physical education. If I would have just listened back, then I wouldn't have wasted so much time.
Dr. Angel Resto  5:27  
Yeah. But I think that somehow those decisions that we make when we are younger, somehow shaped who we are now. 
Geovanny Mayorga  5:35  
Yeah.
Dr. Angel Resto  5:36  
That's how life is.
Geovanny Mayorga  5:37  
That's how life is. Yes. And you then went ahead and got your masters MBA in finance?
Dr. Angel Resto  5:45  
Yes, yes. As, when I finished my bachelor's degree, I went to work for the government. I became one of the economists for a governmental agency in Puerto Rico.
Geovanny Mayorga  5:57  
Okay. 
Dr. Angel Resto  5:58  
I was an economist, analyst. And working with more people in economics and dealing with statistics, somehow I decided, Hey, maybe I should do something else besides economics, and I went for finance. And because my job really required me to know more about finance. So I said, why not? So that's how I pursued a BA in Finance, in Puerto Rico as well.
Geovanny Mayorga  6:29  
Yeah, I think I mentioned to you a couple years ago, a few years ago, I thought, I had the real, the idea of pursuing a financial advisor. And I did start a program online. And it was okay. I, you know, I did, I did like it. There were some things, some aspects, you know, when you get into stocks and bonds and stuff like that, they don't ask you that. I like that too much. But, but then life happens, you know, and then I didn't continue with the program. Now, you started work in the banking industry, correct? 
Dr. Angel Resto  7:10  
Yes. I spent 18 years of my life in banking here in Chicago. Yes.
Geovanny Mayorga  7:16  
Yeah. My sister also has a degree, not sure if it's in finance could just be business, but she's been working banking for a long time. She works now for the state of Illinois, and she's doing great. With that comes a lot of stress. Banking and Finance. It's high stress stuff. Yeah. How were you able to deal with it for 18 years?
Dr. Angel Resto  7:37  
Well, throughout those 18 years, I did a little bit of everything. So I became the My first job was as a teller. So I was a regular teller. Then within weeks, they promoted me to a commercial teller. And back then I did not speak English. So that was in Chicago when I moved to Chicago. And you know, I had to survive. So I had to put aside all my degrees and say, No, I need a job, I need to do something. So that's why I'm just, I was just a teller in a bilingual Credit Union, where I was able to speak a little bit of English, but the rest was in Spanish. And but then I learned quick, so within weeks, I became a commercial teller. And then somehow, there was another bank here in Chicago, it was called Banco Popular. We no longer have the bank in Chicago. But I applied to a position there, weeks before and they called me, and I became a banker, a personal banker. Then I went to school in Triton College, for my ESL courses. I completed two classes. And then one day I received a phone call from the president of the credit union that I used to work before. And he said, Hey, Angel, I know that now you work for Banco Popular, and we need someone with an accounting and finance degree. And we have an opening, which you'd like to apply, say, yes. So from Banco Popular, then I became Director of Accounting and Finance, at the credit union that originally gave me a job when I did not speak any English. But, but I mean, at that time, I was more comfortable with my English language skills. And then that's what I did. 
Dr. Angel Resto  7:52  
And from there, I became General Manager, then branch manager, and then Bank of America came to Chicago and I went for their interviews and I got hired. I opened the third branch of Bank of America here in downtown Chicago, right? Yeah, Madison and Canal was my branch. 
Geovanny Mayorga  9:44  
Wow. 
Dr. Angel Resto  9:44  
So I became a financial center manager. I believe that was the title and work for them in several locations. I ended up working at the Little Village location because they needed a Hispanic manager. Then I went to 52nd and Pulaski when they needed also a bilingual Spanish manager. And then I said, Okay, let me try another institution and I went to work for Fifth Third Bank, of course, much bigger pay, much bigger responsibilities. And that's how, you know, I, you know, completed my banking experience. But then, out of the sudden, I decided, let me go back to the credit union world because bank they weren't, they were not making me happy. So I decided to go back to the credit union world, which is a complete different financial institution. And then I spent I think, was 13 more years or 14 more years. And then higher ed, came to my heart, and teaching and I fell in love with teaching. But that time, I was able to complete my PhD. And I said, why not? Let me just pursue teaching as well. So I was doing the banking thing on one side and teaching on the other, and I fell in love with teaching. And little by little, I decided, hey, one day I will, I will fully embrace teaching. And that's how I ended up here.
Geovanny Mayorga  11:14  
So you were you, you already had an MBA? 
Dr. Angel Resto  11:19  
Yes. 
Geovanny Mayorga  11:20  
You were a government employee at import in Puerto Rico. And you came here to be a teller? Yes. Isn't that something? How, in this is a, I think, a common theme. Because there's a lot of people especially, and this is one of the reasons why we're doing this podcast. There's a lot of people at MCC, especially because of the ESL program. They come from other countries. And they're and they are very highly educated. And they're doing work, I would say beneath their academic and professional experiences. And it is it is, I think, telling of the amount of knowledge experience and good people that we have an MCC that I don't think a lot of people know about. And, you know, to hear those experiences that hey, I was a, I was good somewhere else. And I came here to be a teller. I think it's a common theme among I think immigrants as well. Anybody that comes to the US that have to leave their countries or wherever they're from, just seemingly tried to get a better life here and then end up doing far less than they're, they're allowed to do. You mentioned, well, let's see, I got into when I got my degree in education, I really thought that's what I wanted to do go into education. I didn't go into education right away. After my degree, I was in the in I have always been most of the time in Physical Education, recreation, athletics, that's really been what my field has been. I decided to try out being a school teacher. And it was okay. It wasn't really what I thought it would be. So then I came back to being a recreation athletic facility management, which is what I've always done, how did you decide to get into into teaching what brought you into the teaching realm.
Dr. Angel Resto  13:34  
So somehow, the only way I was able to survive in the banking industry was to, I mean, first of all, in banking, it's all about sales, we need to produce we need to sell loans, accounts, credit cards, it's, that's, that's part of the game. But in that process, sometimes I did not enjoy the scripted nature of the selling piece. So I was seeing it as more educational. So instead of selling something, I was educating my clients about a product. And that's, I put that in my mind. And that's, I was able to do it, I was good at it. But I did not see I mean, saw it as a selling something I was just educating people. And working for the credit union. We did a lot of community services, and I was able to go out to the communities and provide financial literacy to many different communities in Chicago. And I loved that contact with people. And the branch that I was managing was in a it was more of a Hispanic community. And I noticed a lot of need in terms of knowledge and education about finance and banking within the community. So somehow in that process, I just enjoyed the teaching aspect of that. And, and, and I really liked it. And then one day I, I applied to a part time job, at Northeastern Illinois University to interview me and say yes, come, we can we can give you a chance to teach. And that's how I started. And since then I haven't stopped. I've been working for Northeastern Illinois University for about 15 years now.
Geovanny Mayorga  15:16  
15 years.
Dr. Angel Resto  15:17  
15 years now. 
Geovanny Mayorga  15:18  
Wow. And you're still you're still teaching you're doing well there.
Dr. Angel Resto  15:22  
Yes, yes. 
Geovanny Mayorga  15:23  
What are the differences between the credit union and a bank?
Dr. Angel Resto  15:27  
Well, if credit unions are member owned, and it's, they do have different types of charters or structure, and the members are banks, our clients, they need to become part of that charter in order for them to open an account or be or receive what the benefits of the credit union, and you need to fulfill some criteria that they create when they build those charters. And the credit union provides the same services that of any other financial institution, but provides more benefits to the, to the members for the clients. And some of these credit unions are not for profit. So it's not about profit, it's about service. So they all have the support, they need to generate revenues and profit. But everything is reinvested back into the members. So they can offer lower interest rate, interest rate on loans, better savings, account rates, and more flexibility in terms of lending lending needs, so they can be more flexible in terms of helping people because the idea behind a credit union is people helping people. And that's what I really liked about credit unions. That's why I went back to the credit union world after being in corporate banking. Chicago. Yes.
Geovanny Mayorga  16:47  
All right. And what, what led you to Midwestern Career College?
Dr. Angel Resto  16:53  
So after I was, I mean, confident enough that I had to pursue a full time type of teaching job. So I started applying. I was working for Northeastern. And then I saw I think it was Indeed, a posting about part time job as an instructor in business and I said, Okay, let me let me see how it feels. And I did it, they hired me. And the rest is history. Because after I became an instructor, a part time instructor, then I became a full time lead instructor. And from there, I became the director.
Geovanny Mayorga  17:38  
Nice. Yeah. It's been quite a, quite a journey. Yes, yes, yes. And now you're the director of business programs here. Tell us a little bit more about the program here at MCC.
Dr. Angel Resto  17:52  
So our programs, we have three, Business, Marketing and Accounting, I have designed a program that really prepares our students for the, for the workforce. And I have tailored our curriculum, to teach them the skills that they need to succeed. Not only the technical aspect of business, but also the human side of business. And that's what I've learned from my experience in banking, and in the credit union, that sometimes when we're so technical, in the business side, we forget about people, and we need people in order for the business to survive and thrive. So I'm trying to infuse that into our curriculum to ensure that our students are well prepared. So once they go and apply for a job, they are able to be successful. And that's what I what I want to do.
Geovanny Mayorga  18:41  
It's interesting, you know, I mentioned before, and I mentioned to you, I have a master's in, in, really, sport management was really part of an MBA program with really a concentration in sports. So I have to say the same coursework in the same experience as someone who does an MBA, but more related to sports. That's the only difference. One of the things that I'm really passionate about is management. And I say that because, you know, while when people go into business programs, management programs, obviously, we're gonna get that knowledge of the administrative side. How much do you spend on what you just talked about, which is the personal side the understanding of what a manager needs to do? Yes, there's the administrative side, but then there's the actual people management side. Do you spend a lot of time on that or what's your philosophy on that?
Dr. Angel Resto  19:41  
Well, it's a balancing act, because you need a little bit of everything, not all the time, but somehow you need to find that will balance attitude where you can provide to the your, your employees, your team, the moral support that they need to be good at what They do. But also they need that technical aspect and support so and combined both so that they can meet the goals. And as a manager, you need to fulfill a variety of goals. And part of that goal is not only the technical aspect of making the business very profitable, but also make people happy and ensure that they strive and they do the best that they can, based on the limited resources that sometimes we have to deal with, which is in management, it's always a big issue, managing limited resources, but trying to do the best of that you can. And that's, I think that's how, as a manager, I was able to survive the changes in the environment, to keep the clients happy. Of course, their shareholders happy, but at the same time, our clients and the employees that were part of my team, and sometimes it's not an easy task. But definitely, I guess my education kind of helped me propel to that level. And gave me probably the tools that I needed to understand the complexities that sometimes I have to face that I'm sure someone without degree in business, maybe. I mean, I don't want to say, what do less, but I know that in my case, speaking from my personal experience, the education really gave me the structure that I needed to succeed.
Geovanny Mayorga  21:21  
Yeah, yeah, I've been in for profit before and I know how stressful it is how difficult it is, a lot of times, it especially in for profit, the management seems to think that those that are the loudest or or produce higher results should get their promotions or be in higher positions, which is not the case. Because especially and I know for profit is different. But when we talk about having limited resources, people skills come into into play, because you need to be able to communicate with with people about, hey, motivate them with very limited resources. Whereas for profit, you have all these resources, which is really easy to motivate people, right? So that is something that I always take with me and everywhere, anywhere I go, I try to implement that into its people first, right? And then once you put people first results will come. But for profit is results first people second. So, you know, I'm not I've been in for profit. I don't like it because of that. And maybe that's why I've been in the not for profit organizations and, you know, educational settings, because it's a little bit different. For that. What is your experience with, you know, with that topic with in relation to people skills versus for profit for profit numbers? 
Dr. Angel Resto  22:52  
Well, and I guess I have, I have the same experience as you. And again, working in the banking industry was all for profit definitely was about business first people second, if that's also an option. And unfortunately, sometimes we feel powerless in positions that we have, because we cannot make bigger changes. But even though in for-profit world, I did not have the leverage position to make big changes. But I was able to have a much more controlled environment that I provided for my staff and for my clients. So somehow I was infusing the human aspect in whatever I did. Even though I was not the loudest, I was not the that person that they will go to because I was my personality was not that exactly. But I was able to fulfill my duties. And at the same time, meet my financial goals, but at the same time, meet my human goals and keep my staff keep a lower turnover turnover ratio. So that way, I try my best to provide a good environment. And somehow that's what I want to. That's what I'm trying to do here at MCC I will just want to give not only to my students at great environment, but also to my faculty. And I go above and beyond to provide everything I can even though as we all know, we do have limited resources, but I know that we can always do a very good job.
Geovanny Mayorga  24:15  
Right. And you and I did I mentioned this before but you have a PhD you also have a PhD in finance, correct? 
Dr. Angel Resto  24:22  
Yes, yes. 
Geovanny Mayorga  24:23  
And now you're working on a second PhD in education. 
Dr. Angel Resto  24:29  
Yes, 
Geovanny Mayorga  24:29  
Talk a little bit about that.
Dr. Angel Resto  24:31  
So my experience at MCC has been fantastic. And I appreciate MCC for giving me this opportunity to learn more about me and what I am capable of in terms of higher education and becoming the director open and I know a lot of different opportunities that I think I could be good at. And in that process somehow I say maybe I can, yes, my business background can really help me. But I need to polish my higher education skills. Yes, I have teaching experience, but I can do better, I would like to become a more efficient and effective administrator, and of course, a teacher. So then I decided let me pursue another doctoral degree in higher education and see where life takes me and I went for it. And yes, I'm a full time student at Florida State University pursuing an EdD in leadership policy, educational leadership and policy.
Geovanny Mayorga  25:37  
And how do you want to use it? One of the things that when I taught was exactly that. I looked at it from the I guess, the student is one thing in the student experiences one thing, but then I looked at it from the staff teacher experience as well. Are you looking at it? And do you want to go into that because of the student? Or because of the the teacher policy, the instructor policies?
Dr. Angel Resto  26:06  
I'm not sure I think both because I think there's so much that we can do in the sort of from the student perspective, or the teachers perspective, right. But that's why I want to be that kind of connection between those two worlds, because sometimes they don't communicate well. So as an administrator, I would like to provide that type of environment where student can establish good relationships with students, I mean, with teachers and vice versa, because that's how we are able to create a much stronger sense of belonging for everyone, not only student but also for teachers. And that enhances the learning environment for everyone. 
Geovanny Mayorga  26:45  
How did you end up selecting Florida State?
Dr. Angel Resto  26:49  
Well, I applied to several schools, and I was accepted also Indiana State University, and National Lewis in Florida. So I had three options to choose from. But Florida State program provided more flexibility in terms of this, the class of the schedule, that National Louis or Indiana State University did not provide, plus for the state was ranked number 17 in higher education programs. And sometimes prestige is important. So absolutely, I went for that.
Geovanny Mayorga  27:24  
And I believe some of our programs here are, do cater correct to the working student to the non traditional student. 
Dr. Angel Resto  27:33  
Yes. And actually, all the Northeastern Illinois University, we serve non traditional students. So I've been dealing with non traditional students, I mean, for 15 years. So I clearly understand their struggles, and, and what we can do as an institution to really help them strive. And when you apply that to international students, which are the bulk of our student body here at MCC, I see, there's so much we can do for them. And yes, we're not the perfect institution. But I'm right now we are providing a good environment where they all can strive for whoever they are, who in from wherever they come from. And that's what I try to do. And that's why this type of education that I'm pursuing now, really helped me better understand their lives. And that's all I want to do.
Geovanny Mayorga  28:22  
Yeah, I started going to college at UIC, University of Illinois, Chicago. I was such a good student there that I ended up going to, I ended up going to Oakland Community College and after Oakland then I'm like, Okay, what do I want to do? And I did apply to Illinois State, Western Illinois, and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I was accepted to all three and like you, I had to choose one. I did go to all three, Illinois State. It just looked very at the time, very, you know, an impersonal, really big school. And I didn't like it. I went to Western Illinois, same thing that was a smaller school, but I didn't feel any connection to it. When I went to Southern Illinois, there was a really connect, real connection, because I met with the department chair and the instructors. And, you know, I was just there and the way they treated me and welcomed me really made that difference, which I think you can find at a smaller school. And likewise, because MCC is a smaller school, I think you get that more personal experience. That personal touch, homey feel, that I think helps a lot of students, especially the non traditional students get. So you've done some events you had an ice cream social not too long ago didn't you?
Dr. Angel Resto  29:59  
Yes. 
Geovanny Mayorga  29:59  
How'd that go? 
Dr. Angel Resto  30:00  
It went very well. And the idea behind that social ice cream event was just to ensure the students connect with the faculty and among each other, because that's how we're able to build a good environment. Yes. And sense of belonging, it's necessary for us to be happier wherever we are. Exactly. And by creating those intentional activities, we are little by little creating that or enhancing that sense of belonging among all our students and faculty.
Geovanny Mayorga  30:26  
Yeah. And part of the PhD program that you're doing now you're doing a study, talk a little about that study. Is that part of your dissertation? 
Dr. Angel Resto  30:35  
Yes, it is my dissertation. Yes, yes. So this, my dissertation, it's about student retention and success. And I'm using my experience here at MCC as the, as the driving force, the the forces that are taking me to that place. And the idea of my research is to determine the experiences or learn more about the experiences of our students, in terms of how they build sense of belonging, and how that sense of belonging can really help them be successful, not only in school, but after graduating from MCC. But I really wanted to focus my studies, not only in sense of belonging, but also the student-faculty relationship, and how that type of connection, and I'm glad that you mentioned that, because of the connection that you felt through your, the school options that you had really make you decide which one help you feel better, or, or where you, you thought you would do better because of the connection or you you felt with those individuals. So that's what I'm trying to find out with my research and see how the student-faculty relationship can really help our students succeed academically and after, because it's part of the learning experience. And connecting with people finding that you belong to a place can really make a big difference. 
Dr. Angel Resto  32:04  
And drawing from my own experience of Florida State. Even though the school is in Florida, I feel so connected to my professors to my classmate. It's incredible how feeling valued and be part of that group can really help you. I mean, see life different, of course. And that's why I think that's a very important piece in at MCC, because, yeah, we're a smaller school. And we tried to create that homey feel in our in our on campus. But we need to learn more about that. And that's why I wanted to see how we as an institution can create and foster an environment where our student feel valued cared for, and they can feel proud of, of being part of MCC family.
Geovanny Mayorga  32:54  
Yeah, one of the interesting things that I found when you were doing your reports, was how MCC even though we're a smaller school, we are at the average of some of the, you know, averages across all colleges in the US. What were some of the numbers, I think we're like in the same average for retention, or what, what are some of those numbers.
Dr. Angel Resto  33:20  
So we have our retention was 55%, compared to 62%, which is the national average for same type of school. And just finding that gap that we currently have, that's kind of, I want to use my research to find out what's happening and how we can fix it, because definitely, we can fix it. But we need to make some institutional changes, so that we can get to that level. And part of that is ensuring that our students feel cared for. And we provide all the different tools that they need, because students are different they need, their needs are different. 
Geovanny Mayorga  33:56  
Absolutely. 
Dr. Angel Resto  33:57  
And we need to make sure that we are able to personalize our, our approach to ensure that every single one of our students can be successful. And of course, it's not a simple task. It's not easy, it takes time and resources. But that's the goal for us to give every student the tools that they need. So we're trying to foster an equitable academic environment where wherever you are, wherever you come from, you can be successful. 
Geovanny Mayorga  34:24  
Yeah, and again, I you know, I go back to there's a lot of talent at MCC. And I think all those things can happen and, and we can grow to a much bigger school than we are now. Because we have good with the resources that we have. We have really good amount of students coming in on a regular basis. And I think with the talent that we have not only staff but also the students, which you know, in turn go out and and fulfill their academic studies in their professional careers, I think it's going to, it's only going to get better. 
Geovanny Mayorga  35:05  
So as we wrap up, I think it's been a great conversation. Thanks so much for taking the time. Look forward to perhaps down the line another episode and see how, you know your studies have come along and you have a second PhD. So, I look forward to, to our relationship, you know, as professionals getting better and making this institution, you know, what we all think can really become I want to remind our listeners that you can contact us at podcast@mccollege.edu and we look forward to hearing from you and talking to you next time.
Dr. Angel Resto  35:43  
Thank you so much.
Geovanny Mayorga  35:44  
Thank you Dr. Resto.