Faculty

Teaching. Research. Outreach.

Posted on by

This article first appeared in the UConn Business magazine, Volume 3, Issue 1 (Fall 2012)

Dr. Karla H. Fox Reflects on Past Success, Contributions, and Continued Service

Karla Fox A distinguished educator and administrator at the University of Connecticut since 1976, Dr. Karla H. Fox retired from her faculty position as of August 1. Here, she reflects on her time serving the University and the School of Business, sharing some of her continuing projects and activities in her new position as Special Assistant to the Provost.

Teaching and Research

Reflecting on the past three decades, Dr. Fox proclaims, “[the University of Connecticut] is a dramatically different school than when I started [working here]. UConn has transformed into a truly research-focused institution. We’ve reversed the “brain drain” of 30 years ago, and now we’re a top school of choice for many students.”

In the 1990s, the School of Business made a strategic decision to become a technology leader among business schools nationwide. “It shows,” says Dr. Fox. “We’ve become much more professional in the way we present teaching and instruction, partly because we have access to the latest technologies.” During her time as Interim Dean, Dr. Fox contributed to this availability by implementing the latest in conference technology, enabling meetings or classes to run across campuses and to better link the undergraduate and MBA programs in Storrs, Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury.

“Building upon the School’s history of excellent academics, we now have an expanded emphasis focused more on research and outreach,” Dr. Fox notes. Securing the approval of then Provost Peter Nicholls, Interim Dean Dr. Fox led the School in hiring 24 new faculty and staff members last year. “Hiring was critical; it enabled us to bring up new programs and strengthen others, such as the Master of Science in Financial Risk Management (MSFRM) program [in Stamford], which we were able to expand to Hartford,” she notes.

Outreach and service have entered the forefront in the last five years, according to Dr. Fox, who plans to continue efforts in this area.

Outreach: Stamford Initiatives

Dr. Fox’s involvement with the Stamford campus has come full-circle. She was one of the main individuals responsible for developing the new Stamford Downtown Campus in the mid-1990s. “That was really exciting!” she exclaims. “I can’t help but reflect on this—fast forward 25 years later, and here I am, working on the expansion of programs offered on that very campus.”

During the transitional period while she was Interim Dean, one of the initiatives Dr. Fox engaged in was the renewed emphasis of activities on the Stamford campus, including the establishment of the Stamford Learning Accelerator, new academic programs, economic development initiatives, and relationships with Fairfield County leaders. She has also dedicated time to the Digital Media Program both in Storrs and Stamford, putting the program on secure footing to facilitate approval from the Board of Trustees in 2011. Dr. Fox will continue to foster and develop these initiatives in her ongoing role.

“We minimized the vacancy of the former UConn/GE edgelab space in Stamford to just 4 months. The repurposed facility is now vibrant and thriving as the Stamford Learning Accelerator (SLA),” says Dr. Fox. “Although the funding to build out edgelab came from GE, it was originally conceptualized to be what the SLA now is—a learning accelerator where the triumvirate of students, faculty, and businesses work together on real-life projects.” She adds, “We’re now able to work on several projects for leading corporations and potential entrepreneurial ventures.”

Dr. Fox will help to implement an expansion plan at the Stamford regional campus in the areas of business and digital media. A new major in Financial Management, to begin the fall of 2013, will be considered by the UConn Board of Trustees at its November meeting. Future projects under discussion include offering undergraduate business programs in the areas of risk management and global business; increasing the academic presence of digital media; and expanding certificate programs in business and digital media.

In addition, Dr. Fox will continue to serve as Interim Director of the Connecticut Information Technology Institute (CITI) program in Stamford, which offers certification or education for both businesses and individuals in business-related technologies or specialties such as project management.

Dr. Fox will work to support academic initiatives in the University’s emerging plan for economic development with Mary Holz-Clause, UConn’s Vice President for Economic Development. She is also working very closely with The Business Council of Fairfield County and the Stamford business community. Dr. Fox concludes that “the issue now is economic development, providing good jobs for everyone in Connecticut so we can get our educated graduates to stay in the state.”

Karla H. Fox

Among her many involvements at the University of Connecticut School of Business, Dr. Karla H. Fox—professor of Business Law with specializations in the Uniform Commercial Code, employment law, and business ethics—has served as Executive Director of the Full-time MBA Program, Associate Dean, and Head of the Business Law program. Dr. Fox most recently led the School of Business through an exciting year of growth as Interim Dean.

Dr. Fox has also served as head of the Music Department in the School of Fine Arts from 2008-2010, Associate Vice President for University Affairs from 1999-2004, and Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. A recipient of the 2010 American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Service Excellence Award, she is also a member of the Connecticut and North Carolina Bar Associations, and is a past president of the University of Connecticut chapter of the American Association of University Professors, as well as a former member of the University Senate and Senate Executive Committee.


   

Message from the Dean (Fall 2012)

Posted on by

This article first appeared in the UConn Business magazine, Volume 3, Issue 1 (Fall 2012)

Dr. John A. Elliott, 14th Dean of the University of Connecticut School of Business

Welcome to the 2012 issue of UConn Business. Following an exciting summer, we are pleased to share some of the intellectually stimulating activities taking place at the School of Business, a multitude of recent student and alumni accomplishments, and to keep you informed as we continue through the 2012-2013 academic year.

A Global Welcome

John ElliotI am delighted to join the University of Connecticut School of Business at such an exciting time. August 15, my first day on campus, was planned around the London Olympics. When I received the phone call last January and began to consider the Deanship at the School of Business, I had standing plans to go to London with my wife and son. So joining the School of Business ultimately followed our return from a remarkable experience in London. In this issue you will read about several linkages between UConn, London, and the Olympics.

While in London, I attended a UConn gathering featuring Geno Auriemma and the six UConn alumnae who were playing for the U.S. women’s basketball team. There, I found myself in the company of about 250 alumni, students, faculty, and friends who assembled in London on behalf of UConn. The group included about 40 students who were studying there for the summer. What a wonderful introduction to the UConn family. I was particularly impressed by the students. They were energetic, passionate, and excited young people whose commitment to UConn was inspiring.

The following evening, my wife, son and I were together with friends at the semi-finals when the USA women’s basketball team played Australia. If you recall, the first half did not go well. Toward the end of the third quarter, I heard a vocal fan behind me, whose voice sounded familiar. Wondering who it could be, I turned around to discover that, in one of those amazing happenstances, it wasWarde Manuel (our new Director of UConn Athletics) with prominent alumnus, Mark Shenkman ’65. Having secured our tickets separately, we were nontheless sitting front-to-back in this enormous stadium of people. Geno must have found the right words during half-time, because the women’s team went on to win. It was a great evening!

So, as it happened, part of my first “official” UConn activities with respect to UConn were abroad, in London, among the global community. The experience validated my sense of who the University is, who we want to become, and of the strong enthusiasm and commitment shared by alumni, students, and faculty.

The UConn Distinction

deanOne of the most common questions I hear is, “Why would you leave the largest business school in the United States to come to UConn?” The answer is evident in the level of commitment to education in Connecticut. One of the things that immediately focused my attention was what I heard about UConn President Susan Herbst and Governor Malloy, and about the commitment they were making on behalf of education as an engine that will drive the future of the economy in Connecticut.

What is going on in Connecticut, and what is happening at UConn made a strong impression. The search committee talked about it, and the people I interviewed with talked about it. I have happily been uniformly pleased that what I was told to expect is what I have encountered. There is exciting new activity; the faculty is ready to take on new challenges and create new opportunities. We are well poised to be an even better institution in five years than we are today.

I see a campus ready for the next phase. I see the state investing in that next phase. Everywhere I turn, I see people committed to the University. Students, alumni, and corporate leaders are all dedicated to their relationships with the School of Business and the University.

Initiatives such as UCONN 2000 and 21st Century UConn are enhancing academic and research activities on all of our campuses. UConn’s membership in Universitas21, an international network of leading research-intensive universities from 16 countries, is extraordinary. Only two universities from the United States (the other is the University of Virginia) are members of this exceptional network. These programs are indicative of a unique approach in Connecticut, where higher education is treated as a cornerstone of economic development.

Furthermore, the University’s commitment to hire new faculty without growing the student population demonstrates a forward-looking process focused on quality and improving the student-to-faculty ratio. It is exciting and refreshing to hear such commitments after encountering several years of draconian budget cuts and faculty losses. It’s also distinctive in the United States, where higher education is more often being cut and extreme tuition increases are common. At UConn, tuition increases appear to be modest and planned.

The School of Business Today

Many changes have taken place at the School of Business over the past few years, and now is the time to evaluate those changes. We assigned a task force to evaluate the success of the Full-time MBA Program redesign of three years ago; to understand the nationwide decline in applicants and enrollment; and to identify new opportunities. A second task force has been assigned to the Executive MBA Program, now in its 20th year, to ensure that we continue to meet businesses’ most critical needs and to encourage and inspire more engagement and sponsorship of students.

Our graduate programs are expanding with the recent addition of two degrees. The Master of Financial Risk Management (MSFRM) is in its third year in Stamford. This new specialized master’s degree has attracted students internationally and is now also in its first year in Hartford. The Master of Business Analytics and Project Management (MSBAPM) is a timely, topical degree program supported by an advisory council and populated by professionals that find it is a perfect fit for their educational needs. Our ten-year old Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) has attracted excellent students and graduates and is the cornerstone and foundation of distance learning for the School of Business.

As the University positions itself to be an integral part of the state and its economy, there is significant room to expand our engagement with the business community in Connecticut. In Hartford, for example, we are working to increase our involvement with the MetroHartford Alliance to assist in the business and economic development in the capitol and surrounding areas. In Stamford, we are hosting several events to enhance the ongoing development of our relationship with the Stamford business community. In October, we hosted, in conjunction with The Business Council of Fairfield County, a panel discussion on Innovation for Business Growth in Fairfield County. It featured panelists from Hearst Publications, Bridgewater Associates, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, and the Digital Media Center at UConn. In November, we will hold our first annual risk management conference in which the corporate community will participate. Sponsored in part by IBM and Travelers, featured conference speakers include representatives from UBS, Corporate Executive Board, Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS), IBM, Bridgewater Associates LP, Wells Fargo, and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

One of the competitive advantages of the University of Connecticut School of Business is the role of active learning, of real world experience we provide students through our innovative learning accelerators. As we speak with the business community this fall, we are working on identifying additional programming which would be valuable for our community, including certificate programs and non-degree Executive Education.

In closing, I’d like to reiterate how pleased I am to join UConn and the School of Business. I look forward to working with our faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends in the months ahead as we embrace a future filled with boundless opportunity.


   

Professor John Mathieu Inducted as Academy of Management Fellow

Posted on by Claire Hall

Professor & Cizik Chair in Management John Mathieu was recently elected to and inducted as an Academy of Management Fellow. The Academy of Management is the premier association for Management Scholars. Fellowship status is designed to recognize and honor members of the Academy of Management who have made significant contributions to the science and practice of management, and to provide opportunities for fellowship and a forum for discussion among persons so recognized and honored. Fewer than 1% of Academy of Management members worldwide receive this honor.

Dr. Karla H. Fox Retiring from Faculty Position

Posted on by Claire Hall

After many years of dedicated service, Dr. Karla H. Fox will retire from her faculty position at the University of Connecticut on August 1st. She will be taking on the administrative role of Special Assistant to the Provost, effective immediately.

Dr. Fox has been a distinguished faculty member at the University of Connecticut since 1976. Most recently, she has served, with distinction, as Interim Dean of the School of Business, where she guided the School through an exciting year of growth. In her many contributions to the business school, Dr. Fox has served as the Executive Director of the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, the Executive Director of the full-time MBA Program, and head of the Business Law Program. She also served the University as head of the Music Department in the School of Fine Arts from 2008-2010 and Associate Vice President for University Affairs from 1999-2004.

We thank Dr. Fox for her steadfast dedication and many valuable contributions to the School of Business and the University, and look forward to her continued contributions in her new role.

Dr. John Elliott, recently named the new dean of the University of Connecticut’s School of Business, will begin his tenure in mid-August. Dr. George Plesko, Associate Dean, will assume responsibilities in the interim.

Professor of Accounting Awarded $10,000 Grant

Posted on by Claire Hall

Gim Seow, an associate professor of accounting at the University of Connecticut School of Business, was awarded a $10,000 grant by the PwC Foundation this summer.

Dr. Seow will be using this grant to develop an International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) component to his financial accounting theory course, offered to students in the online Master degree in Accounting (MSA) program at the University of Connecticut. He will also be working on a research project that examines the adoption of IFRS in different stock exchanges across the world.

The award is part of the PwC INQuiries program, whose goal is “to help domestic colleges and universities incorporate important updates and issues facing the accounting profession into their curricula.” Grants from the PwC INQuiries program also support faculty research in the accounting field.

PwC donated $520,000 to 52 universities in the U.S. this year and has contributed more than $59 million to educational institutes since 2007.

Director of UConn School of Business Part-time and Executive MBA Programs in Hartford Named

Posted on by Claire Hall

Colleen McGuire, an executive consultant with three decades of wide-ranging business experience, has been named the new director of the Part-time and Executive MBA Programs at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business Graduate Business Learning Center in downtown Hartford. These programs draw students from throughout New England who want to build their skills through UConn’s highly ranked offerings.Continue Reading

Annual Faculty Awards

Posted on by Claire Hall

At the beginning of this month, the Teaching and Research Committee met and evaluated nominations for the annual Faculty Awards.  A total of nine winners, a runner up, and two honorable mentions were awarded.

Under the Research category the winners are Sarah Rice and David Weber for Best Paper.  Their paper is titled “How Effective is Internal Control Reporting under SOZ 404? Determinants of the (Non-) Disclosure of Existing Material Weaknesses.” Continue Reading

John A. Elliott Named Dean of UConn’s School of Business

Posted on by Claire Hall

John A. Elliott has been named the new dean of the University of Connecticut’s School of Business. Elliott has been the Vice President and Dean of the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College since 2002, where he also holds the Irwin and Arlene Ettinger Chair in Accountancy.  Baruch is home to the largest business school in the United States with 80% of its 18,300 undergraduate and graduate students majoring in business.

“John is a highly successful sitting dean who has had a distinguished scholarly career and clearly understands academic and educational excellence at the highest levels,” said UConn President Susan Herbst. “His experience and background at these prestigious institutions are exactly what we look for in our senior leadership.”

Elliott brings with him substantial experience as a faculty member and administrator. Prior to his arrival at Baruch College, he served as a professor of accounting at Cornell University’s Johnson School of Business beginning in 1982 and later served as Associate Dean of the school from 1996 to 2002. While at Cornell, he chaired the Johnson School’s Global Task Force as well as task forces on strategy and marketing and also directed its doctoral program.

He has been a visiting professor at the University of Chicago and, before earning his doctorate, held faculty appointments at Central Washington State College, Saint Lawrence University and the University of Maryland.  He also worked in the private sector at Arthur Andersen and Westinghouse.

“We are delighted that someone of John’s caliber will be leading UConn’s School of Business,” said UConn Provost Peter Nicholls. “His charge is to ensure that the upward trend of the school continues nationally and, as importantly, globally, through strategic growth and achievement. Our School of Business, its faculty and our students must be on the cutting edge of this ever-evolving field.”

“The UConn Business School’s trajectory is compelling and the future offers many opportunities,” said Elliott. “I am delighted to join a vigorous, ambitious group of faculty, staff, students and alumni as we embrace that future. President Herbst and Governor Malloy have put education in the forefront of the economic development of Connecticut and the Business School will play a key role in realizing that vision.”

Elliott has authored numerous publications in his field as well as serving at the editorial boards of several distinguished journals including The Journal of Financial Statement Analysis (1995 – 1999), The Accounting Review (1984 – 1987, 1989 – 1995), Accounting Horizons (1994 – 1995) and The Journal of Accounting and Public Policy (1983 – 1985).

He earned his B.S. in Economics from the University of Maryland in 1967, an MBA from Maryland in 1972 and his Ph.D. in Accounting from Cornell University in 1982.

He will begin at UConn in August.  His salary will be $390,000. His immediate family includes: his wife, Laura Philips; son, Jesse Elliott; daughter, Dawn Elliott; her husband Marc Guerissi and grandsons Jack and Nick.

Dr. Kramer Receives Award by the CT Chapter of American College of Health Care Administrators

Posted on by Claire Hall

Dr. Kramer Awarded Chapter Award by the CT Chapter of American College of Health Care Administrators

Dr. Jeffrey Kramer, Director of Programs in Healthcare and Insurance Studies, was honored by the Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators at their Annual Holiday Luncheon held on Friday, December 2, 2011.  Professor Kramer received a Chapter Award for his many years of service in promoting the profession of long-term care administration, and especially for mentoring the numerous individuals who currently serve as Administrators in Connecticut’s nursing homes.

Professor Kramer received his BA, MBA, and Ph.D all from UConn.  He specializes in the study of managed care and long term-term health care organizations. He also has served as a key investigator for utilization review programs, a study evaluating the performance of managed care organizations, and a study examining the effects of deregulation of private pay rates in long-term health care facilities.

Photo: Dr. Jeffrey Kramer

Paper Received Best IS Publication of the Year Award 2010

Posted on by Claire Hall

A paper co-written by faculty members of the University of Connecticut School of Business Department of Operations and Information Management has been nominated as the best ACM TMIS paper of 2010 and is also one out of five recipients of the Best IS Publications of the Year Awards 2010.  The paper, titled “Why Give Away Something for Nothing? Investigating Virtual Goods Pricing and Permission Strategies,” was co-written in December 2010 by Dr. Sulin Ba, Professor; Dr. Dan Ke; Dr. Jan Stallaert, Associate Professor; and Zhongju Zhang, Associate Professor.

The Best Publications Awards were established to recognize the breadth of high quality work that is being published in the Information Systems discipline. This award was designed to bring outstanding papers across a range of journals to the attention of the IS community, and to give due credit to the journals in which they are published. Each year journal editors nominate the best paper published in their journal in the preceding year. A committee composed of Senior Scholars reviews the nominations from journal editors and selects five papers as the recipients of this prestigious award.

“Why Give Away Something for Nothing? Investigating Virtual Goods Pricing and Permission Strategies” is about the world of virtual goods.  The question of how a creator sets prices for a virtual good, as to maximize their profit, is discussed.  The major difference with virtual goods is that many times consumers will want to use multiple copies of the same good, which results in an increase in the consumer’s utility.  The focus of the research is on the copy permission of virtual goods.  An economic model is developed and examined under different conditions, to find which setting is best for the copy permission that leads to the highest profit, as well as how subsequent pricing strategies are affected.  Both theoretical and practical implications of researched are discussed within the paper.