Risk management and compliance is critical in a wide variety of industries, from healthcare to food service, to ensure that organizations are upholding their legal and ethical obligations where their products or services are concerned. Not only do these considerations keep businesses running smoothly, but they also protect individuals from harm by preventing things like data breaches, foodborne illness, and medical malpractice.
Seattle University offers an online MLS program in Compliance and Risk Management to those who wish to learn more about this fascinating field. The program provides courses that dive into case law so that students can learn to analyze statutes and regulations while building their skills in communication and research. This program is perfect for students who want to pursue a career in healthcare, sports law compliance, data and cybersecurity, financial, or corporate compliance without committing to a traditional law degree.
Seattle University is excited to present a webinar with Roxanne Pascoe, a current student in the online Master of Legal Studies in Compliance and Risk Management program, highlighting the many benefits of the program. Roxanne, a Senior Retail Public Health Advisor with Starbucks, shares her experience with food safety compliance and tells us about how her studies at Seattle University have helped her to navigate the many challenges that come with the role.
Making A Difference
Having studied dietetics, Roxanne initially thought she would have a career in a clinical role helping individuals with nutrition. After some time, however, she realized she was inspired by the technical frameworks of the field. Now working closer with regulations, she found that many companies would shy away from assessing risk properly simply because it necessitated the extra step of working with a legal expert for guidance. Once she discovered that studying legal compliance would facilitate her career advancement in the regulatory field, Roxanne enrolled in the MLS program at Seattle University.
With five years of experience navigating food safety challenges for Metropolitan Market under her belt, she has moved on to become a Senior Retail Public Health Advisor for Starbucks. Roxanne says that her time in the MLS program has allowed her to implement new methods and generate interesting conversations in a professional capacity.
Finding Her Footing
One of the major aspects of her role with Starbucks is implementing straightforward policies for food handling, so there will be no question of compliance down the road. While this process can take time due to the research involved, it saves quite a bit of time and energy in the long run. When regulatory issues do arise, Roxanne is able to pull from her experience in the MLS program to ensure a professional approach to the auditing process. When working with different organizations and individuals in government roles, strong communication is key – and that’s one of the core components the Seattle U Law MLS program focuses on.
Seeking Innovation
Working in the field of food safety and compliance allows Roxanne to flex different skill sets. Not only does she have to work competently with suppliers, she must also be proficient in certain facets of engineering to ensure that all Starbucks equipment meets the highest standards. In communicating with so many different team members, Roxanne has the unique ability to put her curiosity to work and seek pursue creative solutions where consumer safety regulations are concerned.
Learning New Food Regulations
Working for a global company also means that Roxanne and her team have to understand international food safety laws in addition to FDA compliance rules. Knowing what other countries’ standards are for receiving cold food, for instance, impacts the guidelines for shelf life in those areas. These standards, outlined for organizations all over the world in the HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point), affect seafood, dairy, retail, and food service industries and affect millions of consumers everyday. Roxanne recognizes that some students who are interested in pursuing their MLS degree might want to utilize their skills at the policy-making level, which would allow them to make a difference in a legislative context and affect change that reaches federal agencies.
As she follows the latest local news regarding food contamination, Roxanne is able to see the Food Safety Modernization Act, or FSMA, in action as the FDA’s updated guidelines mean additional protections for consumers. For instance, the process of growing and harvesting vegetables has evolved for some companies, incorporating more detailed cleaning practices as well as equipping workers with protective gear. Roxanne says that even with these protections, there are often challenges involved in mitigating foodborne illness simply due to the complexities involved in the supply chain process. This is why it’s so crucial to have experienced individuals working to ensure compliance by instating safety measures across all industries.
Roxanne’s experiences in food safety and compliance have given her the opportunity to work with a wide range of teams to solve problems that affect us all. If you’re interested in pursuing career advancement in compliance, the Master of Legal Studies in Compliance and Risk Management can help you get there with expert guidance from experienced legal educators. Take a look at the requirements for the program today to learn more.
