Michigan Tech College of Business Newsblog

Tech MBA Online Rated a Best Value

Published April 17, 2012

Michigan Tech MBA Online is recognized as a Best Value Online MBA by businessmba.org.

The accolades continue to accumulate for the Tech MBA Online program. It is now rated in the top twenty-five nationally, according to the Business MBA website (www.businessmba.org). The School of Business and Economics’ program was ranked number thirteen and in some impressive company. Florida, Florida State, Auburn, UMass, Colorado State, Georgia, and Arizona State are all on the list.

Of the Tech MBA Online, the website stated, “The nationally ranked School of Business and Economics at Michigan Technological University is known for its commitment to the business of technology as well as the technology of business education.” They gave the Tech program high marks for being American Association of Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) accredited, the fact that it can be completed in two years, and its focus on the integration of technology and business.

“This recognition comes at a critical time as the cost of education continues to increase,” said Associate Dean Tom Merz. “Our goal is to provide a high-quality education while not sacrificing learning and professional development in an online learning environment.”

The website also stated that “. . . we’re confident that the combination of high quality and low cost offered by the programs on our list gives students looking to get the biggest bang for their MBA buck a great place to start their search.”

Previously, the Tech MBA Online was recognized by US News and World Report among the honor roll programs in their first-ever online rankings. Michigan Tech was ranked 24th in Admission Selectivity and 38th in Teaching Practices and Student Engagement, among the 161 online graduate business programs honored.

See the complete list of recognized programs.

Michigan Tech was previously recognized as packing an ROI (or return on investment) punch by Bloomberg’s Businessweek.

Written by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor in University Marketing and Communications.

Michigan Tech Takes Second in Project Management Competition

Published April 16, 2012

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On April 9th, two, four-person Michigan Tech teams traveled to Grand Rapids, Michigan for A Project Management Collegiate Competition presented by The Project Management Institute, Western Michigan Chapter. Out of eight teams, Michigan Tech placed second, ousted only by Grand Valley State University for the top position. Other competitors from Aquinas College, Kalamazoo College, Davenport University, and University of Phoenix were also in attendance. The day was devoted to presentations, networking, and sharing knowledge about the future of project management.

“Our teams have been preparing over the past two semesters to present project management plans at the competition,” said Professor of Operations and Supply Chain Management Dana Johnson. “Being able to use the skills and tools that students learned in class will help them prepare for their future careers.”

The student teams, along with their school, business, and PMP mentors, had to create a project management plan for a business seeking B Corporation certification. B Corps permits and protects businesses in making social and environmental decisions. Instead of being accountable only to shareholders, B Corps businesses must also consider their impact on employees, their community, and the environment.

Team A: Dani Revord, Drew Randall, Emily Jensen, and Sarah Zimmerman. This team was mentored by Ashley Livingston, PMP and Andrew Gill, PMP.

Michigan Tech’s Team A was composed of Davi Revord, Emily Jensen, Drew Randall, and Sarah Zimmerman. The A Team was mentored by Ashley Livingston, PMP and Andrew Gill, PMP. Team B was made up of Jane Koivisto, George Olszewski, Ashleigh Juday, and Samuel Eberhard and mentored by Jeff Hazy, MBA, PMP and Derek Mazurek, MBA, PMP.

“This was a wonderful experience for all of us, and we were very fortunate to place in the competition, meet our mentors, and socialize with the WMPMI board,” said Samuel Eberhard of Team B. “All of us are extremely happy we had the opportunity to compete in this competition , and we hope future Michigan Tech students take part in it.”

Team B: Samuel Eberhard, Jane Koivisto, Ashleigh Juday, and George Olszewski, Team B was mentored by Jeff Hazy, MBA, PMP and Derek Mazurek, MBA, PMP.

The event is the first collaboration between Western Michigan Project Management Institute (WMPMI), Universities, and West Michigan Business Leaders.

This trip was supported by the Michigan Tech Parents Fund and the Western Michigan Chapter of the Project Management Institute.

GM Marketing Manager Speaking Tonight

Published April 9, 2012

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Announcements

Cindy McColley teaches Introduction to Digital Marketing for the School of Business and Economics.

Student organizations DECA and the American Marketing Association will host Cindy McColley via web conference on April 9th, 2012 at 7pm in Rehki 214.

Cindy is a marketing professional with many different backgrounds including digital marketing, internet marketing, brand management, and currently extended warranty marketing manager. She has worked with GM since 1997 and has rapidly advanced within.

Learn about digital media marketing
Learn how to become a marketing professional
How to have the competitive edge over your peers
Learn about the complexity of marketing on a global scale
Network with a successful professional in the marketing industry
How to be successful in the marketing and business profession

To find out more information on Cindy, follow her on Twitter @cindymccolley. You can also find her on LinkedIn.

“Savvy Entrepreneur” Series Offers Cash Flow Session

Published April 9, 2012

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The “Savvy Entrepreneur” Series will host a panel discussion about cash flow management for entrepreneurs from 6 to 8 p.m., Tuesday, April 10, in the conference room of the ATDC, 1402 E. Sharon Ave. Networking begins at 5:30 pm.

The free session, hosted by the Office of Innovation and Industry Development, the School of Business and Economics and the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, is free and open to the public.

Every financier, venture capitalist, investor, consultant, banker and successful entrepreneur must manage cash flow, the lifeblood of any old and new enterprise. In this discussion, panelists will offer tricks and tips on understanding and managing cash flow to maximize the effectiveness of a company.

The panel includes:

Pavan Muzumdar, managing director of Pieris Capital and the CEO of MV Software Company
Grace Lee, founder of Logic Solutions
Carolyn Cassin, cofounder and managing partner, BELLE Capital Management.
Debra Christien, partner, B2BCFO®

For more information, contact John Diebel at 487-1082 or at jfdiebel@mtu.edu .

Visiting Women and Minority Lecturer/Scholar Series – Rebecca Gonzalez

Published April 4, 2012

By Tanya Maki

Dr. Rebecca Gonzalez visits campus as part of the Women in Minotirities Lecture Series.

As part of the Visiting Women & Minority Lecturer/Scholar Series, which is funded by the Michigan Tech President’s Office and a grant to the Office for Institutional Diversity for the State of Michigan’s King-Chavez-Parks Initiative, Dr. Rebecca Gonzales will be on campus April 12th and 13th, 2012.

Please join the School of Business and Economics in welcoming Dr. Gonzales during two events open to the campus community. This is an excellent networking opportunity.

• Student presentation to Economic Decision Analysis class on Friday, April 13 at 12:05pm in DOW 641.
• Research presentation titled, “Credit and Finance Perceptions in Latino Community Enclaves,” on Friday, April 13 at 1:30pm in the Academic Office Building, room 101.

Research Presentation titled “Credit and Finance Perceptions in Latino Community Enclaves”

This study analyzes financing perceptions within the Latino community and how these might impact individual entrepreneurship and home-ownership efforts. Prior research on entrepreneurship and home-ownership focuses on factors that might push/pull immigrants into self-employment as well as why immigrant populations choose to reside in ethnic enclaves. Quantifiable factors such as longevity of residence in the United States, educational background, legal status, income, and English language proficiency are found to impact the quality of life of many in the Latino community. However, little research has attempted to garner information on Latino perceptions of their financing possibilities through small business loans or mortgages. This study will compile data from the towns of Robbins and Candor in North Carolina, two towns with a large Latino presence that are attempting to promote economic development and home ownership within their communities. Survey data will provide greater insight into why members of this community might be hesitant to seek out loans and how their perceptions of their personal credit situations might impact their willingness to seek out mainstream financing.