Shared Values
The following shared values are integral elements of our strategy:
A. Programmatic Values
Entrepreneurial perspective. We encourage an entrepreneurial perspective in our faculty and our students, characterized by a capacity for nimble, creative thinking, a willingness to take risks, a capacity to manage those risks, and a strategic perspective in making decisions. We believe that these capabilities are important for our students, regardless of whether their career pursuits are in large organizations or entrepreneurial ventures.
A global perspective on management. Business leaders contend that one of their greatest challenges is preparing managers for global competition. Our response is to present functional area problems and broad strategic issues with the perspective of a globally competitive enterprise. International seminars and study-abroad options are available for those students who desire an applied international experience. We expect students to gain an appreciation for the impact that competing in a global marketplace will have on themselves and the organizations where they will work.
Sensitivity to the ethical context of business decisions. Faculty and staff will set the example and address the ethical context in which business decisions are made. Business relationships should be managed with integrity and should reflect a concern for the quality of life in the communities the organization serves.
Respect for the value of diversity. The business world is diverse. We want our students to understand that diversity creates opportunities, enriches organizations, and enhances the learning process. Hence we seek, welcome, and value a faculty, staff and student body reflecting the full range of diversity that managers encounter daily.
Strong communications skills. College of Business programs are structured to give students assistance in building their communication skills and frequent opportunities to practice and improve these skills, including making persuasive and professional presentations, writing brief, powerful reports, and communicating effectively in groups and one-on-one.
Career management. A most important function of business education is to develop the capacity of our students to successfully compete for promising jobs. In addition to classroom activities, we will help students to develop the skills necessary for successfully selling themselves to prospective employers.
Critical thinking skills. We work with our students to develop critical thinking skills that permit them to logically approach and solve problems and to recognize opportunities.
Functional expertise. Graduating students will possess sufficient functional depth to compete with the graduates of other leading business schools, while having broad, strategic capabilities and a cross-functional knowledge base that will serve them throughout their careers.
Technology skills: The educational focus of our information technology courses is on using and managing technology for strategic advantage within the organization. We also seek to provide a high quality, hands-on, technology-focused learning experience for our students.
Collaborative learning: Cross-functional teams are common when business organizations address challenging problems. We will educate students to become productive team members, effective team leaders, and confident facilitators of team success.
Experiential learning: Students will have opportunities to apply what they have learned by solving real business and organizational problems. Case analyses, simulations, the development of business plans, university and community consulting experiences, internships, co-op work experiences, and collaborative partnerships with the medical, engineering, and broader business community are the options available to our students.
B. Faculty Values
Because great universities are built on the foundation of great faculties, who reflect a diversity of expertise and life experiences, we are committed to attracting and supporting a faculty passionate about excellence in both teaching and scholarship, who recognize their institutional and community service obligations, and who treat colleagues, staff, and students with respect and integrity.
C. Staff Values
We will attract highly competent staff members who possess a strong sense of professionalism, are willing to take initiative, share team goals and work collaboratively with all, and are dedicated to efficient and friendly customer service.
