Growth Report 2017: Williamson College Supports Business
Editor’s Note: The following story is from Growth Report 2017, published by The Business Journal.
By Betty Jo Licata, Dean, YSU Williamson College
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — Impact, innovation, and engagement are the strategic priorities of the YSU Williamson College of Business Administration. We emphasize the academic and professional preparation that will position our students for success, and student and faculty engagement that adds value to businesses and our region.
We are continually seeking ways in which we can impact the business world and ensure our students are in a competitive position. Growth in our graduate programs is a key priority.
This past year we launched the master of accountancy program with 21 students in the inaugural class.
After a 40% increase in enrollments in 2015, MBA enrollments have stabilized at 165 students. Our new format of eight-week MBA courses with an emphasis on applied learning have been well received as has the online Program.
At the undergraduate level, we continue to incorporate team consulting projects in many of our courses.
This hands-on experience is a powerful learning tool and businesses benefit in the process. More than 600 students completed over 100 projects this past year.
Projects were completed in areas such as website design, human resource management, marketing research, advertising, strategic analysis, financial analysis, global expansion, new product design and marketing strategy.
Professional certifications also help to differentiate our students and several of our programs and courses are aligned with certification exams. In 2016, students passed certification exams such as the: certified financial analyst-part I, certified financial planner, certified global business professional, Hootsuite social marketing certification, Six Sigma green belt, and lean green belt.
Our faculty is dedicated to the academic and professional success of our students and continue to develop programs and courses that prepare students to meet the demands of the business world. Faculty research not only enhances the teaching-learning process but the applied nature of faculty research has the potential to impact the effectiveness of business practice.
Helping students secure career-related positions upon graduation is a top priority for the Williamson College.
In order to provide centralized job placement and internship services to students and employers, as well as provide comprehensive professional development programming, we established the WCBA Center for Career Management and hired Christina Costello as the director. This center is now the common point of contact for business majors and employers.
Our award winning Ohio Small Business Development Center had a banner year in terms of impacting businesses and the economy. The center’s work was recognized with nine state and national awards.
We are expanding our entrepreneurship program and this past fall hired Joe Angelo, an experienced entrepreneur, to help us do so.
In addition, the formation of Launch Lab in Williamson Hall is taking shape. Launch Lab is a collaboration between the Williamson College, the College of STEM, and the College of Creative Arts and Communication. Launch Lab is our 3-D printing lab and is one of several maker spaces on campus.
We also serve the nonprofit community with our Nonprofit Leadership Program and nonprofit internships.
This year we will focus on program enhancement, expanding partnerships in the business community and with universities around the world, promoting the impact of faculty research, and positioning our students for career success.
Our success is based on the success of our stakeholders.
When we provide our students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for success and when we provide businesses with the services, knowledge and talent that improve their competitiveness, everyone wins.
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Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
