Celebrating Excellence: A Conversation with Westcliff University’s Faculty of the Year, Professor Mark Wilcher
At Westcliff University, we celebrate the dedication and passion of our educators who inspire and guide our students toward success. This year, we’re delighted to honor Professor Mark Wilcher as the Faculty of the Year—a recognition well-deserved for his remarkable contributions to our academic community. With over a decade of teaching experience and three enriching years at Westcliff’s College of Business, Professor Wilcher is more than an instructor; he’s a mentor, a guide, and a beacon of positivity.
Professor Wilcher, with a strong foundation in consulting, marketing, entrepreneurship, and management, brings real-world expertise straight into the classroom. Rather than sticking to the textbook, he emphasizes hands-on learning, preparing students for real-world challenges. “Westcliff is excellent at preparing students for real jobs in the real world. Those are the lessons that really matter.” His goal is clear: use his own real world experience to help equip students with practical knowledge and confidence, ready to tackle any career path they choose with emphasis on being adaptable to an always changing business landscape.
A Lifetime of Experience
Professor Wilcher’s career is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. Spanning 55 years, his journey began in blue-collar roles progressing through diverse positions including warehouse worker and ironworker. Eventually, he rose to become vice president of warehousing and transportation. Armed with an MBA from Webster University, Professor Wilcher seamlessly transitioned between academia and business strategy. As the owner of a highly successful human resource consultancy, he worked with companies nationwide, focusing on employee development and the responsibilities that shape corporate interactions. His consultancy experience includes high-level roles with organizations like Target, Smart & Final, City of Orange, Long Beach, CA, the Department of the Navy, and General Motors Corporation. His expertise spans critical areas such as operations, executive team building, and leadership development. Notably, he is a subject matter expert in the vetting processes for United States government contracts.
In the academic realm, Professor Wilcher’s classrooms are dynamic arenas where business theory and practical applications converge. Under his guidance, subjects like business communications, essentials of entrepreneurship, operations management, business math and calculations, fundamentals of business theory, and customer service and sales fundamentals come to life. He makes complex concepts accessible and engaging for students and as always puts these lessons into the context of real life application.
A Mentor Beyond the Classroom
Known for his warm, inviting energy, Professor Wilcher is a natural leader and mentor. His recent accolade as Faculty of the Year is not just a title but a heartfelt acknowledgment of his commitment to teaching. Reflecting on this honor, he shares, “It is validation for a lifetime of work.” For Professor Wilcher, teaching is not merely a job or a career; it’s a mission to make a genuine difference in his students’ lives. This deep-seated passion for education first took root when he began his teaching career at Douglas High School. Even though he could have continued to earn more in the business world, he chose teaching to pursue something bigger, a chance to impact lives positively.
His passion for teaching goes beyond academic instruction. Professor Wilcher takes a personal interest in his students’ lives, striving to understand their dreams and aspirations. This personalized approach to education is what sets him, and all of Westcliff’s faculty, apart. He wants every student to feel equally supported and challenged.
One of the aspects Professor Wilcher loves about Westcliff is its incredible diversity. With students hailing from more than 120 countries, the campus is a melting pot of cultures and ideas. He believes this global tapestry enriches the learning experience, fostering an environment where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not just principles but practices. “Westcliff is a welcoming place for all to grow both academically and personally. It really is beautiful to see,” he says, underscoring the university’s commitment to embracing differences and celebrating unique perspectives.
Professor Wilcher is also a strong advocate for Westcliff’s forward-thinking curriculum. “Westcliff is at the cutting edge of intellectual education.” He is proud of the exceptional work happening within the university walls, attributing this success to a dedicated staff, management, and faculty. “Every professor here deserves the Faculty of the Year award.” He adds, beaming with pride as he mentions the impressive average professor rating of over 4.5 out of 5 given by students. It’s clear that Professor Wilcher, like his colleagues, deeply care about the well-being and future success of Westcliff students.
Bringing Passion to Every Aspect of Life
Beyond the professional arena, Professor Wilcher finds joy and fulfillment in various hobbies. An avid reader, he delves into literature, expanding his knowledge and understanding of business and human nature. His passion for understanding human behavior extends to being a dedicated student of both business strategy and the intricacies of human nature. As an author, sportsman, and mentor, he brings creativity, athleticism, and a love for adventure into his life. These diverse interests add a layer of richness to his character, complementing his roles as a devoted father, dutiful son, and husband of 43 years.
When Professor Wilcher talks about the quality of education at Westcliff, he speaks of it as the kind of education he would want for his own family members, striving to be the kind of professor he would trust to teach them.
We are incredibly fortunate to have Professor Wilcher as part of the Westcliff family. His dedication to education enriches our community, and his influence helps shape the future leaders of tomorrow. Congratulations, Professor Wilcher, and thank you for your unwavering commitment to excellence and the betterment of every student you teach.