This article first appeared in the UConn Business magazine, Volume 1, Issue 1 (Summer 2009)

It is a pleasure to introduce you to the first edition of  UConn Business.

This publication affords us an occasion to share with you our many accomplishments here in the School of Business. As you know, these are challenging times for business in general, and business schools are not unaffected.  Since the business of education is to prepare leaders for the future, I view the current challenges as an opportunity to reinforce our core mission, which is to be a globally recognized provider of exceptional managerial and business leadership. I believe we will fulfill that mission in transformative ways that will ensure our continued success as an educational center of excellence.

Throughout the articles in this edition, you will notice that globalization is a recurring theme. To prepare students to excel in this emerging global village, we are working to cultivate their global mindset; graduates with this comprehensive way of thinking will not only better understand who they are, but also understand how others will respond to them.

Also, we’re not only developing international student/faculty experiences and exchanges, but expanding our international partnerships with other universities, especially in countries that we have previously overlooked. Strengthening these international partnerships is an essential part of building our brand, as we promote our school’s best practices. With these efforts, our business school continues to differentiate itself and demonstrate to students and employers the value-added educational experience that UConn offers.

We’re pleased to report the change and rise in our national rankings as well.

I’m very grateful to my predecessors, to the previous deans who have done a tremendous job of enhancing the quality of our programs. The rankings, certainly at the MBA level, reflect our desire to keep the program a very selective one. We continue to attract the highest quality of students, and one way we do this is through a commitment to offering innovative programs. Our emphasis on experiential learning gives our programs their distinctiveness, and students and employers see tremendous value in their investment with us.

Ultimately, the quality of an institution is judged on the accomplishments of its graduates, and each volume of UConn Business will highlight some of our graduates’ excellent achievements. In addition, we will honor our alumni, who are outstanding, highly accomplished business and community leaders. They are truly the backbone of our school.

I trust that you will find this, and future, editions of UConn Business to be informative, and that this magazine will affirm your pride and investment in UConn’s School of Business.

P. Christopher Earley
Dean
UConn School of Business