Dr. Robert "Riff" Flak - Cohort 13

OCL alum, Dr. Robert “Riff” Flak, published an article in The Journal of the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA’s) 1775 titled “The Space Between Policy and People: The Senior Enlisted Role in Absorbing Institutional Friction”. The article explores and examines how experienced leaders navigate institutional constraints, limited authority, and competing priorities while maintaining their commitment to organizational progress. His reflections emphasize the importance of strategic restraint, professional judgment, and resilience, reminding us that effective leadership is not always about driving immediate change, but also about knowing when and how to exercise influence.

Dr. Flak is the Associate Deputy for Military Personnel within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army.

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Dr. Francesca Munda - Cohort 19

OCL alum, Dr. Francesca Munda, recently published an article in Frontiers in Education titled “Higher Education and quality of life of persons with intellectual disability: a comparative study between Spain and Mexico”. The article explores how inclusive higher education programs impact the quality of life of students. Dr. Munda’s research highlights the transformative power of inclusive education in fostering empowerment, accessibility, and meaningful participation in higher education. 

Dr. Munda is the Director of the Center for Studies and Innovation in Disability and Inclusion at the Universidad Anáhuac México.

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Dr. Elizabeth Graswich & Dr. Jennifer Sparks Taylor - Cohort 21

OCL alums, Dr. Sparks Taylor and Dr. Graswich, have co-authored The Human Loop: Leading with Reflection in the Age of AI, in which they introduce a practical reflection framework that empowers leaders to make thoughtful decisions, lead with intention, and remain grounded in their values amid rapid technological change. Dean Noguera praises the book as, “A call for critical reflection in a time of rapid technological change.”

Dr. Graswich is the Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. Dr. Sparks Taylor is the Director of Corporate Relations and Executive Education for USC's Marshall School of Business and a consultant for Sparks Ideas in strategy and marketing.

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Your favorite moment from teaching in the OCL Program?

One of my favorite moments is when a student comes back to class and says, “I tried something we talked about at work.” It might be a different way of approaching a conversation, looking at a problem, or asking a question. I love hearing what happened and how they adjusted the idea to fit their organization.

Your favorite recipe or place to eat?

I love to cook, and I especially love cooking for other people. Fall is one of my favorite times of year, and one of the first things I make when the weather begins to change is beef bourguignon. I also make Marian Burros’s plum torte from The New York Times. It doesn’t quite feel like fall until I’ve made both. The ingredients are already in my kitchen, so I’m ready!

Any advice for our current OCL students?

Don’t keep what you’re learning confined to the classroom. Look for opportunities to try out an idea in your everyday work. Use a new framework to think through a problem or approach a familiar situation differently. It’s often only when you try an idea in practice that you see both its value and its limits.

I’d also encourage students to draw on the people around them. Talk through ideas before they feel fully formed and ask for feedback before your writing feels finished. This is especially important during the dissertation. Don’t disappear into it and try to figure everything out alone. Some of my best learning has come from conversations that helped me see something I couldn’t see on my own.

One piece of writing (article, book etc.) that you would recommend to OCL students?

I’d recommend The Bear. I started watching because I love cooking, but I stayed for the people. It’s funny, beautifully written, and sometimes so stressful that I have to remind myself to breathe. Underneath all the chaos, it has a lot to say about leadership, culture, and how hard it is for a group of talented, complicated people to become a team. The show also understands that change is uneven and often uncomfortable. The characters are flawed, but they keep trying to grow, get better at their work, and show up for one another.

If you were not in academia, what would you be doing?

I think I’d be an investigative journalist. I’ve always been drawn to research: asking questions, following the evidence, and trying to understand what’s really going on. I like getting past the obvious explanation and finding the real problem. I’d still be doing much of what I love, just in a different setting.