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The Business Mastery Program for Public Service Professionals Certificate Ceremony

The University of Connecticut School of Business Executive Education Business Mastery Program for Public Service Professionals held its certificate ceremony at the Graduate Business Learning Center in Hartford on December 15, 2010.

Dr. Lucy Gilson welcomed honorees, friends and family, distinguished guests and program faculty and staff.  She also shared experiences from her course module, Introduction to ManagementDr. Robert Bird and Dr. Michelle Stronz addressed the group with regard to their course modules, Introduction to Employment Law & Government Processes.   Distinguished guests attending the ceremony and assisting Dr. Gilson with the distribution of certificates included: Department of Public Safety Commissioner James Thomas;  Department of Revenue Services Commissioner Richard Nicholson; CT Housing and Finance Authority Administrator, Nancy O’Brien;  State Elections Enforcement Commission Executive Director and General Counsel, Albert Lenge; and Department of Development Services Commissioner Peter O’Meara.

Certificate recipients honored included:  Troy Anderson and Patricia Johannes, (Department of Public Safety); Carol Andrews, (Department of Revenue Services); Oddler Fils and Justin Giorlando, (Department of Transportation); Leanne Harty, (University of Connecticut); Audrey Horan and Erica Garcia, (Department of Social Services); Mark Hirsch, (CT Housing Finance Authority); Sheri-Lyn Lagueux, (State Elections Enforcement Commission); Cristina Boisvert-MacGillis, (Department of Social Services); Linda Rooney and Dawn Stephenson, (Department of Developmental Services).

The two-course Public Service Professionals Certificate Program offers Introduction to Management and Introduction to Employment Law & Government Processes.   Participants either earn 4 undergraduate or 3 graduate non-degree credits per course. To date, 47 participants have completed the program from agencies and departments, in addition to those above, that include the Department of Public Health; Department of Mental Health & Addition Services; Office of the State Treasurer; the UConn Health Center; Veteran Affairs; and the CT Commission on Culture & Tourism. By providing customized educational opportunities to public service professionals, the program enhances participants’ skills, while benefiting State agencies and the residents of the State of Connecticut.  Our alumni have credited the program with networking and promotional opportunities as well as the development of advanced management skills.

Testimonials on the value and benefits of the program can be found at: www.business.uconn.edu/publicservice.

Pictured (top right): Business Mastery Certificate Program for Public Service Professionals 2010 certificate recipients. Pictured (below, left to right): Dr. Lucy Gilson addresses the audience. Dr. Robert Bird discussing his Introduction to
Employment Law course module. Dr. Michelle Stronz congratulates the honorees.

 


UConn Team Places Second in 2010 Travelers IT Case Competition

A team of four undergraduate students participated in the 2010 Travelers IT case competition. This year’s team consisted of four exceptional students:

Jose Cabanero (Finance, senior, Storrs)
David Pyne (MIS, senior, Storrs)
Silvana Sina  (MIS, juinor, Storrs)
Joseph Thibeault (CS, junior, Storrs)

The team has put forward tremendous amounts of effort and time for the project. Over 40 hours were devoted to research, meetings, and presentation rehearsals.

On Friday, November 19, the team presented its final work in front of a panel of 8 judges.  This team stood out at the presentation, impressed the jury and was awarded Second Prize.  The participating schools for this year’s competition included UConn, WPI, University of Minnesota, Central Connecticut State University, and Quinnipiac.

Pictured: Prof. Wei-Kuang Huang with the Travelers IT case competition team.


An Entrepreneur’s Journey

I feel that an introduction is probably the best course of action as many people reading this article will have no idea who I am. My name is Joe Nunez, and I am a former US Marine, Disabled Veteran and member of the newly graduated, inaugural class of the Entrepreneurship Boot camp for Veterans with Disabilities at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business. I was born in Brooklyn, New York and my family moved to San Antonio, Texas when I was just three years old. I spent my entire childhood in San Antonio, graduating high school and leaving for Marine Corps boot camp three weeks later. In 2005 I was injured while participating in unit physical training, requiring two extensive surgeries on my ankle just to be able to walk without a limp. By the end of 2006 it had become painfully apparent that I would no longer be able to wear the uniform of a US Marine for very much longer. The Marine Corps treated me well and allowed me to finish my contract and I separated honorably after seven years and four months of service in October of 2007.

Since leaving the Marine Corps I have been working in the industrial laundry industry in a variety of roles. After being laid off three days after Christmas of 2009, my wife and I decided that we needed to begin exploring our options for financial security that did not depend on anyone else’s judgment or hard work (other than my own). We decided to begin cultivating an idea for a business that would take my existing skill set and apply it to a larger market capable of providing our family with a comfortable living. The only problem was that neither of us knew where to begin. So the idea lay dormant for several months, recurring in my head every so often. I was frustrated by the lack of direction I had as I took another job and desperately hoped I’d be able to find a way to make my dreams come true.

In summer of this year, I received a phone call from a very dear friend and former Marine, Darryl Hill. Darryl is one of the most gifted networkers I have ever met, getting business contacts in even the most innocuous of places. He was calling me to tell me about a course he had recently attended that he believed I could benefit from. The course, The Entrepreneurship Boot Camp for Veterans (or EBV for short) was designed specifically for veterans with disabilities who had served our country honorably and had a desire to be in business for themselves. I was skeptical at first I must admit, because what Darryl was describing to me sounded too good to be true. The course is provided at no cost to the veterans he explained, and anything and everything you will need while you are there is provided. The instruction is world class and you really do learn a lot about what programs and opportunities are available to veterans. In my life experiences, when something sounds too good to be true, it generally is. I applied nonetheless and completed a phone interview a few weeks later.

When I received my acceptance letter to the program, a whirlwind of activity began. I participated in a rigorous, 30 day online course that provided some of the key components of what would eventually become portions of my business plan. After the online portion I was whisked away to the beautiful campus of the University of Connecticut to spend 10 very long, very challenging days going through classes and writing my business plan. Days began early and ended late. We were given world class instruction by the amazing instructors at the UConn School of Business, all of whom had volunteered their time and energy to give the 14 of us all the tools necessary to be successful. UConn rolled out the red carpet for us in every possible way, including allowing us the privilege of walking out onto the football field during a Huskies game to receive personalized, signed footballs as thanks for our service to this great country of ours.

When I left the University of Connecticut I had an entirely different perspective on life, my business and my potential. I am now in the development stage of my business and am actively working to secure the funding necessary to open San Antonio’s first Residential Laundry Service. I cannot overlook the fact that without the fine folks at the University of Connecticut’s School of Business, I would still be working for someone else, wondering when the next layoff was coming. Instead I am working for myself, working harder than I ever have before but loving every minute of it.

To my fellow veterans I thank you for the friendship, camaraderie and objectivism that lead me to where I am today. Every veteran in the course is a fine example of the best the US Military has to offer and I wish each of them good luck in their selected business ventures.

To the School of Business Staff, Dean Earley, Course Directors Mike Zacchea and Kathleen Dechant, graduate students and volunteers, thank you for giving of yourselves to help each of us realize our dreams.

To the students of the University of Connecticut, thank you for your hospitality and warm welcome to the UConn family. I only ask that you pay it forward and tell everyone you know about the course and the great people at the School of Business. Next time you meet a veteran, shake his/her hand and thank them for their selfless service to our nation. No matter your political, social or religious views, these fine men and women give of themselves to protect the very blanket of freedom you sleep under every night.

Joe Nunez


A Letter from the EBV Coordinator

My dear friends,

Spring is upon us already in New England. The semester is rapidly winding to an end as we shake off the long winter, and of papers and presentations and final exams. This semester has seen a flurry of activity at the EBV program at UConn. The graduate assistants have been working to collect data and assist veterans start their ventures. Planning is already under way for next year’s program. We are working hard on expanding our public engagement and outreach to realize our vision of becoming the New England center for veteran business education and transition.

It’s amazing how far we’ve come since we began the online phase of the program in August. In just the 6 months since we parted company at the Storrs campus we’ve gone from exploring ideas and doing market research on a chosen industry, to acquiring and developing the skills necessary to start a business, to starting the business! Eight of you have started businesses, and one of you has enrolled in a full-time MBA program! It’s incredibly edifying for all of us to be part of the solution, helping veterans start businesses and forge a new identity as an “entrepreneur.”

As the seasons change, though, so we will see some personnel changes in 2011. First, Melissa Martin will be leaving us. She has landed a prestigious and high-profile internship with a well-known NY public relations firm. She did an amazing job for us as an administrative assistant and will be sorely missed. I know she will be phenomenally successful in her new endeavor.

Second, Kathy DeChant has announced she will be retiring in May. Kathy was the moving force that made the EBV happen. I owe her a debt of gratitude larger than I can articulate for offering me the chance to be part of the EBV. I wish her all the best and know she will always be a friend of the program.

Finally, Lane Barrow has agreed to join the EBV as the faculty advisor. All of you remember Lane’s incredible devotion and energy in helping us prepare for the final pitch competition. This is truly a labor of love for Lane, himself a veteran of the Viet Nam war, and we are very lucky to have him formally involved. I thank him for his service, and welcome him aboard.

To wrap up, let me congratulate all of you as you continue to meet the dual challenges of post-combat and post-military transition and of starting a new career and venture as an entrepreneur. I have gotten far more out of being a part of the program than I have put into it.

To our friends, supporters, graduate assistants, veterans, and the UConn community, I wish each of you and your families health and happiness and every success in 2011.

Semper fidelis

Mike Zacchea

 



Business Briefs (Fall 2010)

This article first appeared in the UConn Business magazine, Volume 2, Issue 1 (Fall 2010)

business briefs fall 2010Forbes Ranks UConn MBA Program 12th Among Public Business Schools in United States

The University of Connecticut School of Business’ Full-Time MBA Program was ranked in the top 50 U.S. MBA Programs in Forbes’ 6th biennial MBA Program ROI rankings. Among public institutions alone, UConn ranks 12th nationally and is ranked 27th among all U.S.
institutions. UConn’s MBA Program is ranked #1 for ROI among public business schools in New England and is one of only five business schools in New England to be ranked in the top 30 nationally, along with Dartmouth, Harvard, MIT and Yale.

Undergraduate Program Ranked in Top 25 Public Biz Schools by US News & World Report

The UConn School of Business received high rankings in “America’s Best Colleges 2011” by US News & World Report, breaking into the top 25 among public business schools for the first time. The School is now ranked #24 among all public business schools, an increase of 3 spots over last year’s ranking. The School is ranked in the top 50 at the national level, and the Real Estate specialty is ranked at #9 in the nation. UConn
remains the #1 public university in New England.

Master of Science in Financial Risk Management (MSFRM) Program Launched at Stamford Campus

The School of Business officially launched its new program that offers a Master of Science in Financial Risk Management. Referred to as the MSFRM, this Stamford campus degree was several years in development and reflected corporate input which resulted in the program’s unique focus on the practical vs. the theoretical.

The focus on the practical application of existing theories also drove the planned unique classroom experience, which relies to a great extent on “Professionals in the Classroom”. This group of about 15 senior executives in the financial industry will appear in classrooms to add relevant, concrete examples of the application of theory to real world situations.

Designed as a part time, evening program so executives can attend while maintaining their positions in the financial industry, the program takes 15 months to complete and must be taken “lock-step.”

The focus on the practical application of theory, coupled with the involvement and guidance of GARP (Global Association of Risk Professionals), has resulted both in corporate interest in providing projects to students as well as prospective employment opportunities to program graduates. For more information, please visit msfrm.uconn.edu.

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration to be Offered at the Regional Campuses

The University of Connecticut School of Business announces the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA), a new undergraduate degree program offered at the Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury campuses. The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) provides a general business major to regional campus students.

This interdisciplinary general business major will provide another option for regional campus students interested in a business major. Previously, only a Bachelor of Science in Business and Technology (BSBT) was available to undergraduate students at the regional campuses. Although the core business curriculum of the BSBA is similar to the BSBT, the BSBA requires additional work in marketing, finance and management.

The primary goal of the proposed BSBA is to prepare business leaders who are effective general managers. Therefore, this major will prepare students for broad based careers in nonprofit and public sector organizations as well as for profit businesses. Regional campus students, faculty and staff, community college faculty, high school guidance  counselors and the Connecticut business community overwhelmingly support the addition of the new general Business Administration major at these regional campuses.

Well over 90% of students surveyed at the Hartford, Stamford, and Waterbury regional campuses responded positively to the proposal of offering a general Business Administration major as a second option in addition to the Business & Technology major. Over 90% of Connecticut community college respondents also supported this degree.

Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, students are well prepared for professions requiring general management competencies and knowledge. “Graduates earning business administration/management degrees saw a 4.7 percent increase to their average salary offer, raising it to $45,887. These graduates are also consistently high in demand,” according to responding National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE) Job Outlook 2009 employers. Business administration and management is also ranked top 5 in demand according to this research. For more information, please visit The Office of Undergraduate Advising.

MBA Program Redesign Features a Career-Centric Curriculum

The School of Business is launching its highly anticipated redesign for the full-time MBA program in Storrs this Fall. The new structure features a more personalized, career-centric curriculum that gives MBA candidates a larger say in their academic plan.

Designed over a two-year period, the new curriculum will restructure traditional concentrations such as finance, management, marketing, information technology and real estate, allowing students to develop more individualized plans of study within those broader disciplines.

The underlying principle of the redesign is to have students more closely tailor their course work to their long-term career paths, preparing for a job market where increased cross-specialization is becoming more prevalent. The concept of individualized concentrations is on the cutting edge of MBA curriculum design and is currently rare among MBA programs across the country.

The new design also requires students to participate in experiential learning projects in one or more of the Business School’s learning accelerators. Not only does the new curriculum keep UConn’s MBA education relevant and fresh, but it also significantly differentiates UConn MBAs in the marketplace – providing them with an extra edge for professional success. For more information, please visit mba.uconn.edu.

The UConn School of Business Institutionalizes Strategic Global Partnerships

The University of Connecticut School of Business has been working to solidify strategic global partnerships with international business schools. Although the School has enjoyed
relationships with international schools in varying capacities, this past year, the School has taken the important step in institutionalizing the partnerships to further gain international recognition, generate top-quality academic research on global business problems, and have a real-world impact on business practice and education worldwide.

The School currently has official partnerships with the following institutions:

  • Australian National University
    Canberra, Australia
  • Beijing Jiaotong University, School of Economics and Management
    Beijing, China
  • Indian Institute of Management
    Lucknow, India
  • Management Development Institute
    Gurgaon, India
  • National Taiwan University
    Taipei, Taiwan
  • Sabanci University, Faculty of Management
    Orhanli-Tuzla, Istanbul
  • Shandong University, School of Management
    Shandong, China
  • S.P. Jain Center of Management
    Dubai, Singapore
  • United Arab Emirates University, College of Business and Economics
    Al-Ain, United Arab Emirates


UConn Unveils Degree of Risk

Stamford Advocate

With the public skittish about the the nation’s financial markets, the University of Connecticut believes the time couldn’t be better to introduce its new master’s degree program in financial risk management. The UConn School of Business this fall will start offering the 16-month program at the Stamford branch through a series of night and weekend classes. The UConn-Stamford campus hosted a reception to unveil the program Wednesday evening. READ MORE


Global Association of Risk Professionals Partners With UConn to Launch Master of Science in Financial Risk Management

WXVT15

The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP, www.garp.org) announced that, working through its Partnership for Risk Education, it has formed a successful collaboration with the University of Connecticut’s Business School (UConn) for the development of a new Master of Science in Financial Risk Management (MSFRM) that will focus on a real world approach to risk management theory.