Message from Dean Niroomand
Accepting the invitation to serve as dean of the School of Business Administration at the University of Houston-Victoria is one of the easiest decisions I’ve made in my career. It is a privilege to lead a School that makes such a contribution to both the educational attainment and the economic development of the communities in which we live, meeting the needs of not only our students, but also our region. The leaders who pass through our well-regarded, forward-thinking programs will help redefine the economic landscape by leveraging emerging technologies while minimizing ecological impact. It is an honor to join the team at the University of Houston-Victoria, and a particularly exciting time to do so.
Downward expansion – In fall 2010, we hope to enroll our first residential freshmen and sophomores. As a destination university, UHV will offer more than a college education—it will offer a college experience. Traditional college students—young adults whose full-time occupation is learning—will invigorate Victoria’s cultural and economic life. These same young adults will benefit from the maturity and experience which our nontraditional students have always brought to the table, both in class and out.
Growth – In one year, SBA’s enrollment increased by 27%—more than 10 times the rate at which business enrollments increased across public universities statewide. Rising enrollment does more than just prove that we’re serving students well—it creates opportunities to serve students better. We hire new faculty. We offer new classes. We develop new programs. We generate more “buzz.” And we attract more employers.
Accreditation – In spring 2010, SBA will complete the AACSB maintenance of accreditation process. AACSB International -The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business is the hallmark of excellence in management programs worldwide. The AACSB standards promote the quality of faculty, as well as the achievement of student learning objectives. Our AACSB accreditation assures our students and their potential employers that we are engaged in continuous improvement.
Accessibility – Over the past decade, SBA has expanded both its programs and its reach. Undergraduate students may now select from six different concentrations, and graduate students have three options for earning a master’s degree from SBA. We continue to look for new ways to make high-quality education accessible to students, offering evening programs at teaching centers in Sugar Land and Katy and delivering all of our degree programs online.
Recognition – SBA is included among the Princeton Review’s Best Business Schools, and is recognized within that select group as a Greatest Opportunity for Minority Students as well as one of the Most Family Friendly. The MS-EDE has been recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine, Fortune Small Business, and the United States Association of Small Business and Entrepreneurship (USASBE). GetEducated.com ranks both the Strategic and Global MBAs among its Top 30 Best Buys in Distance Learning and Online MBAs, a distinction whose importance to us and our constituents increases during economically challenging times.
People – Our faculty are cognizant of the fact that we are engaged in teaching future business leaders. As such, we are committed to being an excellent teaching-intensive, research-directed, and outward-facing school. Our faculty produce research which advances the theory and practice of business administration for publication in both academic and professional journals, and engage in outreach activities which support the life of our communities. Sharing with faculty the commitment to continuous improvement, SBA’s staff are characterized by their dedication, continuity, innovation, and responsiveness. Student service, online support, and administrative staff perform as a team, proactively developing new strategies for meeting student needs and advancing the mission of the SBA.
Economic development – The SBA also plays a major role in the economic development of our communities, not only through the MS-EDE, but also through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which works with entrepreneurs to establish and grow their businesses. The SBDC has assisted thousands of small businesses and new ventures with identifying opportunities, addressing problems, accessing capital, and planning their futures.
Global engagement - Global engagement is an essential component of student education, and as such plays a substantial role in the vision of both UHV and the SBA. Through study abroad courses and the Global MBA, the SBA exposes students to the global perspectives and diverse cultural influences which drive business life in the 21st century. Through established partnerships between the SBA and some of the most prestigious universities in China, international students are simultaneously earning an AACSB-accredited MBA in the United States and sharing their cultural experiences with U.S. students. We look forward to building more such partnerships throughout Asia, Europe, and Central and South America.
The years ahead promise us new challenges, new opportunities, and new horizons. As we move forward, the SBA remains dedicated to a continuing vision of excellence through teamwork and to remembering always our responsibility to our primary constituents- our students.
I hope you’ll take some time to look around our website, or contact us at busadvisor@uhv.edu or at 1-800-687-4293 to learn more about our programs.
Sincerely,
Farhang Niroomand, Ph.D.
Dean
