Department News

Articles about activities within the academic departments



Camaraderie, Enthusiasm Punctuate Wolff New Venture Competition

UConn Today – A novel treatment for long-term pain management that could revolutionize post-operative care and eliminate the need for opioids for many, won the first-place, $30,000 grand prize at the Wolff New Venture Competition last week.

Professors and esteemed UConn Health researchers Lakshmi Nair, Ph.D. and Yusuf Khan, Ph.D. say they were both surprised and thrilled that their startup, Soleia Biosciences, received the award. With the financial and business support they’ve received, they hope to advance the treatment that has been in development for 10 years.

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MSA Marks 25th Anniversary with Celebration on Oct. 17

UConn Today – The MSA program is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, a significant milestone for the trailblazing program that consistently ranks among the best in the nation.

“I wish I could take the spirit, the energy, and the interaction that occurs in this program, bottle it and present it to potential students,’’ said accounting professor Steve Pedneault, who owns a forensic accounting firm and has been teaching in the program since 2007. “If they knew how special it is here, they would all come to UConn.’’

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Startup ‘Vamos’ Seeks to Help Companies Thrive—Even When Their Employees Live Thousands of Miles Apart

UConn Today – Niko Zurita ’10 (BUS) remembers how, during the COVID-19 pandemic, almost every human resource executive in America tried to arrange a “Virtual Happy Hour” in an effort to keep employees connected.

And while it was better than nothing, those end-of-the-workday gatherings, conducted through a computer monitor, were clearly no substitute for an in-person event, Zurita says.

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Career Expo Draws Recruiters from 50 Top Corporations, Hundreds of Eager Student Job-Seekers

UConn Today – Brianna Linehan, a senior majoring in marketing, came to the Business Career Expo on Wednesday ready to impress employers.

Linehan was eager to talk to recruiters about her course work, leadership experiences and her recent internship at Equitable in New York, where she helped create a website.

“I love these fairs and all the networking opportunities they offer,’’ said Linehan of Southington, Conn. “I’m excited to talk about my experiences and to look for a job where that I can grow and further develop my skills.’’

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Professor Folta to Co-Lead National Academy of Sciences Committee

UConn Today – Timothy B. Folta, professor of management and entrepreneurship, is leading a National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine committee investigating the success and impact of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs at the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Three Alumni, Professor to be Honored As Outstanding Young Professionals

UConn Today – Whether they expanded their skills on a U.S. Navy submarine at sea, in a healthcare facility at the height of the pandemic, or by growing career programs at their alma mater, four members of the UConn Business community have been selected as among the most inspiring young leaders in Greater Hartford.

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Ask the Experts – Best Banks for Personal Loans

Wallethub – Q: Do you think credit unions and online lenders can compete with the best banks for personal loans?

Credit unions often offer better terms on all of those collateralized loans. I do not know how competitive they are on unsecured loans. Without researching it, I assume they do not offer such loans or limit them. The risk on unsecured loans is quite high, regardless of credit ratings. Large banks have the reserves and the legal teams to take on that risk; I suspect—but do not know—that credit unions are reluctant to take those risks. They do not have the reserves and the legal teams.

While credit unions vary widely in how they are run, I know that my credit union offers car loans three points or more lower than banks and some other credit unions. I also know that its equity lines and mortgages are lower than those of major banks. My bank offers equity loans fully four points higher than the rate on those from my credit union.

On the other hand, I have higher returns on a savings account (at 4.65%) at a commercial bank with no minimum level, much higher than returns offered at any credit union of which I am aware.

The simple reality is that people have to spend some time looking around and considering the options. As my personal experience outlined above suggests, credit unions often offer very competitive rates and services, including credit cards, but for specific products some banks or other credit unions will offer superior terms. However, it is almost always the case that the major banks offer the lowest rates on savings and CDs and insist on the highest rates for loans of any sort. They have the market power so long as people are not willing to invest the time to find better deals.

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Accessory Overload

Slate – I love stuff, especially stuff that feels like it might add an element of personalization in a society that so often subscribes to materialistic monoculture. It’s evident from the trinkets that live on my desk, in the depths of my closet, and in my childhood bedroom. But lately I’ve been wondering if accessorizing has gone too far.

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Professor Plesko To Serve on Prestigious Accreditation Committee

UConn Today – Accounting professor and department head George Plesko has been selected to serve on the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) Accounting Accreditation Committee, an appointment that reflects his educational expertise and engagement within the accounting industry.

The non-profit organization seeks to elevate the quality and impact of business schools worldwide. While nearly 900 colleges and universities hold AACSB accreditation, only 194 have AACSB-accredited accounting programs. The organization is considered the ‘gold standard’ of higher-education business accreditation.

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