Elnor Kinsella, PhD
Academic Chair, School of Business
It seems incredible that summer is passing and the traditional school year has begun. Of course, as JIU students you are well aware that we are here each month of the year to serve your education needs. I think you would agree that there is always something special about the feeling of renewal that the impending fall season brings, a fresh energy to dive back into your studies and accomplish your education goals. I want to encourage you to persevere through the remainder of this hot summer season, because you know that if you do, the achievement of your degree will become a reality much sooner!
The BABC program has some fresh energy, with its new courses and faculty:
- BC400 – Integrating Sales and Marketing with Service is now being offered. This course was written by Mark Astrich, who received his PhD from Harvard University. Teaching the course is new faculty member Marc Silverstein, who previously held the position of director of marketing for a large corporation. Marc holds an MBA in Marketing Management and has a professional career that includes working in the marketing and sales fields for many years.
- BC401 Communicating with Markets is in the development process and should be ready this autumn. Christina McCale, who holds a doctorate in marketing and has held upper-level marketing positions with Qwest and AT&T, is developing the course and will also be teaching it.
- Also in late fall, BC304 Professional Development and Leadership will be ready for students to take as a prerequisite to their BC491 BC Capstone course. This course will prepare students to grow into leadership positions and will enable them to design the future of their professional careers.
News from the MABC program:
- BC500 Action Research for Business Solutions is now being offered. Students will be learning how to conduct the type of research most meaningful to their professional success and that of their company’s. It is suggested for all existing students that they take BC500 right before taking BC681, so that those two courses are the final ones before graduation. The new content of BC500 better prepares the student for successfully completing the capstone project.
- More exciting news for September is that the new BC681 Capstone Project course will be ready for students. The new 8-week format for this course will be very attractive to those seeking to complete their degrees in a timely manner.
- Those of you who are choosing electives may wish to consider BC607 Leading from a Global Perspective. Students who have taken the course report that it strengthens their ability to lead within diverse cultures and across continents. Many of you work for organizations that are extending themselves across the globe to do business and this course will equip you for that challenge.
- Another course you may wish to choose for an elective is BC605 Leading the Customer-Driven Organization. This course prepares you for reorganization within your company that is centered on the customer rather than the product. Customers have many choices today and the company that best meets customer needs across the largest spectrum receives the business and customer loyalty. Mastering this long-term, strategic thinking can make you invaluable to your employer or help you succeed as a business owner.
- BC612 Influence Strategies for Organizational Change is a course that was created to teach leaders how to coach others. In the process of taking this course, you receive coaching by the faculty, too. You learn how you can be a better leader in creating strategies for your organization’s changes. Students who have taken this course report great strides in both personal and professional growth.
Leadership increasingly becomes the theme of the business communication programs as courses are refined to meet your needs and those of the organizations you serve. JIU is here to promote your professional development and provide a rich educational experience of the highest quality.
Although summer is winding down, take a few moments to fully enjoy the sunshine, sit under a tree and daydream about your plans for the future. Once you have your dream in sight, begin to sketch some goals for achieving it. As soon as you put pen to paper, the dream shifts to a distinct possibility and before you know it, you are looking back on the degree you earned!
I wish you well,
Dr. Elnor Kinsella, PhD
Academic Chair, School of Business
ekinsella@international.edu