University Relations and Communications, 715-346-3046, Fax 715-346-2042, http://www.uwsp.edu/news
Business and economics education is on the fast-track of growth at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP), with several recent moves aimed at expanding student opportunities in the course of earning a highly marketable UW degree.
The new School of Business and Economics at UWSP, previously known as the Division of Business and Economics, was officially renamed by the UW System to reflect changes that will enable accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AASCB) and broaden the academic experiences offered to business and economics majors.
Five new concentrations will be offered with the general business administration major, including finance, insurance and real estate; management; marketing; entrepreneurship and international business. Two new faculty members will be hired to fill positions in marketing and entrepreneurship.
“We’ve offered a general business program for over a decade,” says Business Professor Gary Mullins, chair-elect of the school. “Now these courses will allow students to go beyond that and specialize in these areas.” The concentrations will be noted on student transcripts, giving them an additional advantage with prospective employers.
Initial work has begun to complete the three-year AASCB national accreditation process, including visits by consultants and a self-study. Only 19 percent of business schools are AASCB accredited.
In addition, UWSP is reaching out to students in the Wausau area by offering a UWSP business administration degree through courses taken at UW-Marathon County.
The school is also taking steps to create a niche in international business by recognizing opportunities with students from foreign counties, creating international connections for local businesses and sending students abroad for business internships and study.
“Fifteen countries are represented by the students in the school,” said Mullins. “In addition, we average 40 majors from China each year. We also offer internships in Great Britain, China, Peru and other countries as arranged by individual students.”
Another new program, Corporation Partners, will focus on bringing UWSP students and faculty together with business leaders from corporations from Portage, Wood and Marathon counties for exchanges of ideas, adjunct professorships, student internships and other kinds of partnerships that benefit both UWSP and the corporations themselves.
These new developments are the result of listening sessions held with personnel at local companies in Marshfield, Wausau, Merrill, Stevens Point and Wisconsin Rapids as well as with students, alumni, community leaders and officials, which began in the summer of 2008. Recommendations from the Central Wisconsin Alliance for Economic Development (Centergy), the area’s economic development organization, were also considered.
“This was not something we decided on alone,” says Mullins. “However, these listening sessions confirm our hopes for the school. Our goal is to serve the businesses and people of Central Wisconsin and to support economic growth.”
