The Exchange: Dean's Message March 2026

This month, I’ve been reflecting on the role mentorship plays in shaping careers, confidence and community.

I recently attended Louisville Business First’s Mentoring Monday event. What stood out to me was how simple and powerful mentorship can be. Professionals taking time to share experiences, answer questions and encourage the next generation of leaders. It was a reminder that growth rarely happens in isolation. It happens through conversation, guidance and example.

That same spirit is visible across our College of Business every day.

As you’ll read in this month’s feature on Thrifted, three of our students turned a shared interest in vintage fashion into a thriving storefront just steps from campus. Their story is one of initiative and hard work, but it is also a story of mentorship. Faculty members challenged them in the classroom, helped them think strategically about marketing and finance and offered guidance as they navigated everything from branding to permits. What may begin as coursework often becomes something much more: a foundation students carry directly into their ventures.

This is what makes our college distinctive. Our faculty do more than teach concepts; they help students connect theory to action. Our staff creates opportunities and removes barriers. Our alumni model what leadership can look like beyond graduation. In each case, mentorship is not a formal title; it is a commitment to investing in someone else’s potential.

We are off to a strong start this semester, with undergraduate enrollment momentum and Fall 2026 deposited numbers up 10.1% over last year. While those metrics matter, what matters just as much are the relationships behind them. Events like BizBash, thoughtful panels such as the Center for Free Enterprise’s discussion on “The Cost of Homelessness” and the daily interactions happening across our classrooms all reinforce that business is ultimately about people.

I encourage each of us to consider the role we play in someone else’s journey. A brief conversation, thoughtful feedback or a word of encouragement can have lasting impact. That is how we strengthen not only our students, but our entire business community.

Thank you for the many ways you mentor, support and inspire. It is through those efforts that we continue building a college defined by opportunity, growth and connection.