Our Approach to Learning

MBA

Kogod Connect

Combined Bachelors Masters 3-1
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Take your learning outside the classroom with Kogod Connect!

Kogod Connect is a student engagement initiative using the Suitable app, designed to encourage meaningful learning beyond the classroom. The program provides students with a clear path to develop real-world skills through hands-on experiences that reinforce what they learn in class, support their career development, and prepare them for life after Kogod. 

Through Kogod Connect, students will...

  • Develop an understanding of how co-curricular involvement enhances personal growth and professional development.
  • Learn to showcase co-curricular experiences on your resume and effectively communicate the skills and knowledge gained to employers
  • Participate in experiential learning opportunities to strengthen and apply new skills in practical settings.
  • Organize and track your experiences to reflect on your growth as an emerging business leader.
  • Build meaningful connections and foster a sense of belonging within the Kogod community.

Getting started with Kogod Connect

  1. Download the Suitable app from your phone's App Store or Google Play Store, or access it on a computer.
  2. Log in using your AU email address and password. 
  3. Make sure to allow camera access and enable notifications.
  4. View upcoming opportunities by clicking the checkmark icon.
    1. You can also view badges through the Achievements tab on desktop or through your dashboard on mobile.
  5. Start earning points by checking in at events, uploading submissions, and writing reflections.

Kogod Connect Badges

FAQ

What Activities are on Kogod Connect?

Kogod Connect houses all Kogod events, programs, and experiential opportunities in one place. Each activity is organized by competencies, making it easy to explore options aligned with your professional and academic goals.

Students can browse the full list of competencies and use the platform’s filtering tools to sort events based on interests, skill areas, or required competencies. This allows you to quickly find programs that match your goals and track your progress over time.

 
What Types of Badges Does Kogod Offer?
Kogod offers a variety of badges that recognize student engagement, skill development, and involvement across different areas of the business school. To see the full list of available badges, you can view them directly in the Suitable app. 
  • How to view badges on Suitable: 
    • Open the Suitable app or go to the Suitable website. 
    • Log in using your AU credentials. 
    • Navigate to the Achievements tab on the main menu. 
    • Select Badges to view all Kogod-specific badges, including academic, professional development, leadership, and community engagement. 
    • Click on any badge to see the requirements and how to earn it. 
 
How will a Digital Badge Make Me Stand Out to Employers?
  • Collaboration with employers informs which skills are in demand in today’s workforce. 
  • Earning digital badges allows students to develop valuable skills inside and outside the classroom. 
  • Badges can be visually tracked, helping students clearly communicate skills to employers across industries. 
 

 

How Can I Share My Digital Badges?
You can easily share your Kogod digital badges by adding them to your LinkedIn profile through the Suitable platform. 
  • How to add your badges to LinkedIn: 
    • Open the Suitable app or website and log in with your AU credentials. 
    • Go to the Achievements tab and select Badges. 
    • Choose the badge you want to share. 
    • Click Share or Add to LinkedIn (this option appears on the badge’s detail page). 
    • Suitable will automatically open LinkedIn and fill in the badge with its information, simply review the details and confirm. 
    • Once saved, the badge will appear under the Licenses & Certifications section of your profile. 
 
What Are the Recommended Tasks to Get You Started?
Recommended starter tasks focus on helping new students get comfortable with Kogod and begin earning the First-Year Experience Badge. These include: 
  • Meeting with your academic advisor to understand your major options and plan your first year. 
  • Joining a Kogod student organization to meet people and get involved on campus. 
  • Completing a career or major assessment and creating your Kogod Talent Network profile. 
  • Attending an early networking event or career workshop to explore professional interests. 
 

 

What Can I Do With My Kogod Connect Points?
Points can be redeemed for prizes at any Kogod Points Exchange event.  Prizes are available in tiers based on the number of points accumulated. 
 
What Are Examples of Strong Task Reflections?

Lead a Team Meeting for a Group or Club: 

“During my freshman year, I led weekly House Programming Advisory Council (HPAC) meetings, which helped me grow a lot in teamwork and collaboration. I’d start each meeting with a clear agenda but made sure everyone had space to share their ideas. We focused on brainstorming ways to boost participation in Commons Cup events and ensured our plans reflected the group’s input. Open communication with HPAC members, our program coordinator, and our faculty head of house was key to building strategies that worked. It reminded me that the best ideas come from working together and creating space for everyone’s voice.” 

 

What Are Students Saying About Kogod Connect?

"Kogod Connect has been instrumental in my extracurricular involvement at American University. It lets me see any future events I want to go to, and the badges have helped me improve my skills to show off on my LinkedIn." - Ian Smith '29

Can I Use AI for Kogod Connect Task Reflections?

Yes, you can use AI for Kogod Connect reflections, but you have to follow Kogod’s AI policy. Students must fill out the AI Disclosure Form, which requires them to state how they used AI, share the prompts they used, and briefly reflect on how AI influenced their work. Kogod and AU both allow AI as long as you’re transparent, provide human oversight, and take responsibility for the accuracy of anything produced with AI.

Contact Us

Shari Pattillo
Director Student Development and Services
Student Development and Services
(202) 885-1113
Kogod School of Business
KSB-T37
Email Shari Pattillo
Biography

Shari Pattillo is the Director of Student Development and Services at the Kogod School of Business. Before coming to KSB in 2017, she was a counselor in the Academic Support and Access Center, Office of Campus Life, for over nine years. Before joining the university staff, she was an adjunct instructor at AU while working at the Center for Applied Linguistics in overseas refugee education. She enjoys travel and has been a staff advisor on several Alternative Breaks.

Kelsey Wali
Associate Director of Student Development and Services
Student Development and Services
(202) 885-6482
Kogod School of Business
KSB-T37
Email Kelsey Wali
Biography

Before beginning at Kogod, Kelsey was the Program Associate for Student Leadership & Engagement at The George Washington University School of Business, where she oversaw student organizations, internal and external case competitions, career networking treks, and taught classes in the First Year Development Program. Previous to GW, Kelsey worked at Shippensburg University in student activities and leadership and women and gender equality and empowerment.

Kelsey is also a Nationally Certified Counselor and is involved with the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).

Kelsey is originally from south central Pennsylvania and has lived in the DMV area since 2017.

More About Kelsey Wali

Chris Hung
Coordinator, Student Development
Student Development and Services
(202)-885-4877
Kogod School of Business
KSB-T37
Email Chris Hung
Biography

Chris holds a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Michigan and a bachelor’s degree in applied psychology and global public health from New York University.
 
Before joining the Kogod team, Chris served as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Graduate Intern at the University of Michigan's Center for Campus Involvement, where he oversaw professional and interpersonal development for students, staff, and the university community.
 

While most recently from Michigan, Chris is originally from Taiwan and lived between Taiwan, California, and Toronto growing up. Having just finished graduate school, Chris is still trying to figure out what he enjoys doing when he is not working, but video games and basketball are on the list!