Steve’s value and real world experience in the Sport Management industry provided me with an exceptional platform to succeed in my post grad study. He helped me to develop my leadership skill set through his unique teaching style, and provided an unmatched opportunity for understanding of both new and old concepts. His commitment to our study group went beyond expectation, providing extremely valuable lessons in academic excellence, that translated brilliantly into my own professional environment.
Dr Swanson’s Sport Leadership module was one of the most informative, engaging and insightful academic programmes I’ve ever had the privilege of partaking in. His innovative and forward-looking approach combined a solid theoretical framework with an authentic and practical teaching style, and really brought to life different leadership theories – which I continue to utilise as my career progresses. The best way to describe Dr Swanson is that he’s a true reflection of the leadership theories he teaches – he’s authentic, charismatic, and an ace academic.
Dr Swanson made learning a pleasurable experience by sharing his first hand experience of coaching in elite basketball. He always found ways to make learning an interactive and fun experience. Dr Swanson was also able to draw on his extensive network of contacts meaning students were able to meet and learn from some of the best in sports business. His extensive knowledge in sports leadership has helped me shape my leadership style as I lead my own organisation. Dr Swanson always made time for me and guided me in my plans for life post Masters study and continues to do so today.
I had one of my best experiences while a student of Dr Swanson in the UK. As an international student he demonstrated a strong ability to integrate students from different backgrounds, cultures and nationalities. Dr Swanson’s methods to teach are so clear to understand, giving students the chance to learn in a productive way. As he has vast experience in the sport industry in the US and the UK it has contributed to the students’ understanding.
During the Master of Business in Sport Management Program at Deakin University, what was immediately apparent was not only Steve’s warm and personable teaching style, but the ease with which he explained the content, fostered discussion and created an atmosphere that accelerated the group’s learning. What became increasingly evident is that aside from being a first-rate instructor, Steve’s ability to infuse personal experiences from his time across global professional sport with a depth of academic rigour set him apart as truly world-class. To have had the opportunity to learn first-hand from Steve is a genuine privilege. His teachings continue to be of immense benefit both in my professional career, and by enhancing my engagement with sport more generally.
As someone with extensive background coaching high-performance basketball teams before he transitioned to a career in academia, Steve has a unique ability to deliver sincere, passionate and considered lessons to students which were always packed full of practical insight and critically reflective thinking. Steve’s past as a coach permeates through into his teaching approach too, as he delivers genuine empathetic and individualised approach to all students. With Steve’s support, I left university as the Dean’s Award Winner and as a highly desirable candidate for many jobs across the Sports industry – and I am now enjoying working a fantastic position at Chelsea Football Club.
Dr Swanson truly prepared me to be a leader in my field. As an instructor he is open and approachable which allows him to connect with his students and create an environment that maximizes their learning. His research on leadership is innovative, engaging and practically applicable. Dr Swanson’s teachings resonate with me today more than any other lessons I learned throughout my entire educational journey.
Dr Swanson has an incredible ability to practice what he teaches and that being effective leadership. He brought together our class of students, many internationals like myself from diverse parts of the world. Not only did we learn the theories and methods of leadership but too were taught in every approach of Dr Swanson’s the true practice of a great leader in sport. We were submerged in our study of Sport Business and Leadership under Dr Swanson’s lead, where he creatively engaged us through practical, interactive and collaborative lectures all the way to site visits, seeing and learning from current industry leaders.
Dr Swanson’s teaching and leadership has benefited me greatly. He is truly is unique, a true leader as he ensures that he forms strong, meaningful relationships with his students, supporting us well-beyond our years of study as we remain connected and continue to draw on our scholar experiences and learnings. I would highly recommend Dr Swanson as much more than a lecturer but a significant role model who will bring great value, develop and positively influence your school taking it to new heights, and will shape and provide the next generation of leaders with every opportunity to thrive.
Steve Swanson is one of the most remarkable professors I’ve ever had. He was always concerned about taking us to see in practice what he had taught in theory. Steve has shown us by example how to be a good leader. The style I never forget and I try to take to my current work position is Servant Leadership. I relate that one to Steve’s way of teaching, as he worked as a vehicle for us to access knowledge, he was there, serving a group of students towards a specific learning. It has been a privilege to be led by such a good leader and professor.”
Steve’s way of teaching is engaging, unique and applicable to the “real world”. His past experience in leading professional sports teams is reflected in his teaching methods and he used these experiences to maximise engagement in class. His discipline and work rate have been transferred on to myself and other students, while also teaching me how to lead by example, something that I always carry with me in my working and personal life. He made the effort to remember all our names immediately, which shows his dedication to teaching, while ensuring he has a connection with every student in the class.
Dr Swanson’s innovative approach to teaching Leadership allowed myself and students from highly diverse backgrounds to experience enjoyment and memorable understanding of academic theory. Learnings in Dr Swanson’s classes extended to personal as well as professional development, and his focus on group work has been invaluable in my career development. His encouragement for collaboration and networking has led me to continue to communicate with individuals internationally and secure multiple positions in the field of sport.
Dr Swanson is a great listener, proactive, and equal for all students. His content was tailored perfectly for the objects of the module. The content balance was impressive; the mix of theory-focus lectures and practical-focus lectures (DISC profile and carefully selected field studies, etc).
Dr Swanson’s way of teaching is outstanding. His inclusive and appreciative personality, great leadership, and practical approach make his lectures not only inspiring but fun.
Steve is more of a friend than a teacher. His leadership classes were the best I’ve ever experienced due to his way to teaching through real life examples rather than sticking only to theories.
Dr Steve Swanson was a truly inspirational teacher throughout my post-graduate course at Loughborough University London. His effective way of teaching includes an engaging classroom presence and creative real-world learning. Steve’s leadership lessons have since helped shape my own leadership style as a Volunteer Manager.
I’ve grown leaps and bounds as a result of my masters in sport leadership that was led by Steve. His teaching methods helped me critically reflect on myself, first as a human and then as a leader. The course was structured in a way that I understood who successful leaders are, what qualities allow them to contribute at the forefront of human endeavor and most importantly to view them from multiple lenses. Steve has been more than a teacher. A friend when he needed to be, a mentor, and a guide making him a leader in helping develop future leaders of the world.
Dr Swanson is an amazing teacher with great knowledge in his subject areas. His experience as a coach in professional basketball proved to be extremely valuable during my time at Loughborough University London as he is able to draw on his diverse experience in team environments and apply it to academic theory in leadership. His support was extremely critical for me to successfully write my dissertation.
Dr Steve Swanson 