The Colorado Mesa University’s business department will be undergoing a four to five-year process to become accredited through the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This process includes maintenance reviews every five years after the accreditation.
AACSB is one of the world’s largest business education networks that connects with students, colleges and businesses to push forward business education.
They provide this recognition and specialized accreditation at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral level for both business and accounting programs. Only about 20 percent of business schools in the United States are AACSB-accredited, and about seven percent internationally.
“This continuous improvement program will really help provide the structure to enhance the quality, and credentials, for our Business graduates, for the Business Department and its faculty, for Colorado Mesa University, for businesses and for the community,” Steven Norman, head of the CMU business department, said.
CMU’s business program have had an impact on students. Sophomores Cole Schlagel and Austin Gonsalves have enjoyed their own personal experiences within the program.
“The honors program within the department has definitely been beneficial to me,” Schlagel, a business management major, said. “Students are hand selected from the department for this program. It focuses on excelling you as a business student to a different level past everyone else because the professors see the motivation you have to do your own thing in the business world.”
“I chose Mesa because of its affordability, location and the hobbies I enjoy doing, but I really like the professors here and how they are really personal and willing to help,” Gonsalves, a business finance major, said. “Anytime you go into their office, they will lend you a hand.”
Both students said business professor Morgan Bridge has been an important mentor to them, guiding them throughout their academic careers.
The business department will be hosting their first annual Hospitality Club Networking Event on Thursday, April 13 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. This event will take place in the courtyard of the Marriott Hotel on 765 Horizon Drive. The department is using this event as a fundraising opportunity for hospitality management students and the Hospitality Management Club.
“Professionals from across the Grand Valley in the hospitality industry will come together to discuss current events and happenings in this exciting and fast-growing industry,” Norman said.
This semester the department held Entrepreneurship Day, which was on Monday, April 3.
In addition to this day, the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda’s (FBLA/PBL’s) state competition will take place on April 7-8. Those who qualify for Nationals will then compete on June 24-27 in Anaheim, Calif. PBL will also host their annual golf tournament on April 29 at Adobe Creek Golf Course starting at 9 a.m.
The business department has initiated social media for students and stakeholders to keep up to date on activities and events. The department can be followed on Facebook and LinkedIn under “Colorado Mesa University Department of Business” and on Twitter @CMesaUBusiness.
The business department is located in Dominguez Hall, room 301.
