Our students come to UAB seeking a door to economic and social success in a rapidly changing world. They are often worried about how to compete in a tough world with high unemployment and increasing demands by employers for relevant skills. Our exceptional faculty use their well refined academic skills and genuine desire for the success of each student to help transform these folks into confident professionals– confident in their technical skills, confident in their critical thinking skills, confident in their communication skills, and confident in their ability to compete with graduates of any other university. They also gain assurance that the leadership skills learned and practiced in business classes can be directly applied to the leadership needs of not-for-profit organizations and government entities.
Our main focus is on experiential learning or “learn by doing” and gives students hands-on experience through paid internships, service-learning projects, simulation projects, international travel involving class projects, and direct class involvement by exceptional business and community leaders. Not only does experiential learning provide students with experience to build their resumes, but also allows them a first-hand look at what their future career may entail. We have industry focused advisory boards that provide critical input to our curriculum and to our unique experiential learning opportunities.
At the School level, I have appointed a “Council of Directors” to serve like a board of directors to the School. As a former CEO of a public company, I find it very constructive to have accomplished business and community leaders who can look the dean in the eye and tell me what I need to hear. We are blessed to have exceptional volunteers serving on the School’s Council of Directors to help keep us on track with our mission. See Council of Directors
