Dr. Susan Dennett, Academic Dean of Keiser University’s Flagship Campus, recently hosted a British Tea as a way to continue connecting with students and to further support their educational journey.
The affair, complete with fine china, classical music, French macarons, and dainty European biscuits, welcomed students from a variety of domestic and international origins as they discussed lifelong dreams, educational goals and challenges, and home country customs.
“It was a lovely opportunity for me to learn more about our students in an intimate setting and for them to get to learn more about me,” smiled Dennett a native of Northamptonshire, England.
In addition to gaining valuable information regarding university resources, the group also enjoyed humorous lessons relating to proper tea etiquette. “Usually people think they should raise their pinkie while holding the cup,” laughed Dennett. “But they absolutely should not do that. The tea bag should be removed prior to drinking from the cup, and the cup should be placed back on the saucer in between sips,” she smiled.
Prior to being embraced by British royalty, some historians note that British Tea Time was developed as a way to increase labor hours and to safely hydrate workers through boiled water with strong stimulants. The tradition, now greatly refined, has become an international favorite, increasing global tea consumption dramatically.
Dennett applies her extensive experience and strong organizational skills toward her role as Keiser University Flagship Campus Academic Dean. Having served as the Human Resource and Training Manager for Lionel Trains, where she provided leadership through organizational and cultural change, she then served as the Associate Human Resource Manager and Consultant for QVC for ten years. Dennett has consulted to the hospitality industry and also has been a thriving entrepreneur who created a successful start-up in the national corporate gift arena. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Oakland University, Rochester Hills, Michigan, a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development/Adult Education from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida. A resident of Palm City, Florida and former college athlete, Dennett coaches middle and high school boys and girls tennis in her spare time.
My instructors believed in me. They were more than instructors, they tried to get to know you as a person and tried to understand your goals so they could push you towards them. Student services helped me find a job before I even graduated. Everyone was dedicated to my overall success.
