Business is global. This modern truth motivates us to prepare our students for careers in a global marketplace. Whether our graduates work for companies in Huntsville, Houston, or Hong Kong, they must be able to thrive in diverse environments and collaborate with colleagues, suppliers, and customers from different backgrounds and cultures. This edition of the Business Bulletin focuses on the ways in which the College of Business benefits from and contributes to the global scope of business.
Throughout UAH and in the College of Business, our faculty come from all over the world. Our faculty members bring not only their expert knowledge in their fields, but their unique perspectives and experiences into their classrooms. Our Faculty Spotlight in this edition of the Bulletin features Dr. Ravi Patnayakuni. Dr. Patnayakuni teaches and conducts research in information systems in the context of supply chains. As he describes, his field is global in nature, and he has taught and collaborated with colleagues all over the world.
This past year alone, we had nearly a third of our faculty travel outside the country to present research, conduct research, or teach. In May, Dr. Yeqing Bao, Associate Professor of Marketing, traveled to China with a group of UAH business students to work with Cintas in developing a business plan for the China market. Around the same time, Dr. Sophia Marinova, Associate Professor of Management, and Charlie Hickman, Clinical Associate Professor of Accounting, accompanied a group of business undergraduate and graduate students to Romania and taught classes attended by both UAH and Romanian-American University students. In a short video linked in this Bulletin, business students Lindsey Brannen and Scott von Jouanne reflect on their experiences in Romania and China learning about doing business in different cultures.
This year, the College of Business is expanding opportunities for students to gain more exposure and experience in global business. We are adding a third study abroad experience (in addition to China and Romania), with an Asia-Pacific International Course offered in Sydney, Australia in December. However, students need not even leave the UAH campus to learn about other cultures and global business. This Business Bulletin features an article about our new Cultural Connections Club in the College of Business. The Cultural Connections Club serves the dual role of helping students from outside the U.S. get connected to the college and immersed in U.S. culture, while at the same time sharing their experiences with American students. One of our students, Nour Qushair, provides an example of the rich cultural exchanges that can occur in our college. Nour was born in Amman, Jordan, and she shares her story of learning Arabic, returning to Amman recently, and the nuances of language in conducting business.
Finally, I hope you will enjoy reading about Ashley Meade (BSBA ’03 and MBA ’09). Ms. Meade has been working in various countries throughout the continent of Africa since she graduated and provides just another example of the global reach of the College of Business and UAH. We are committed to continuing to promote and enhance a culture that celebrates diversity as we prepare students to thrive in the global marketplace. We appreciate your continued interest in and support of the College of Business. We look forward to continuing to share our mission with you.
Warm regards,
Jason T. Greene
Dean, College of Business Administration
