AACSB International (AACSB), the world’s largest global education network, on April 27 recognized California State University, San Bernardino’s Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration for its commitment to creating and incubating cutting-edge business innovations and fostering entrepreneurship in the next generation of business leaders.
The college is one of 35 business schools around the globe to earn this distinction.
In its inaugural year, AACSB’s Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge highlights AACSB-accredited schools that deliver innovative and creative best practices through a range of distinctive entrepreneurship programs, or through a variety of impactful center formats. Accredited schools were invited to submit one example of how they demonstrate a unique commitment to student learning, while providing opportunities for students to gain the skills required to be successful in business — whether it’s in a startup or within a world-renowned corporation. Central to the challenge was uncovering schools’ unique approaches to engaging the business community, expanding the reach of education beyond the classroom and positively impacting society.
“I am pleased to recognize the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration for its commitment to developing thoughtful, dynamic education experiences that instill entrepreneurship and creative thinking in its students,” said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. “Entrepreneurship is about problem solving and working to make improvements — whether on a business or society at large — and AACSB celebrates the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration for striving to instill that same sense of responsibility in its business education curriculum.”
Lawrence Rose, dean of the college, called the recognition a great honor as the college strives to provide innovative and thoughtful entrepreneurship programs that challenge and enhance students’ experiences.
“In an effort to be more than a degree, the Jack H. Brown College seeks experiential learning opportunities for our students and this is an excellent example of the impact such activities have on our students, community stakeholders and faculty,” Rose said.
As part of the selection process, the nominations were reviewed by a panel of corporate leaders from a variety of disciplines, including venture capital, consulting, and accounting. Core to the Collective Vision for the industry, AACSB supports the collaboration of business practice with business education. By integrating the perspectives of business professionals into the selection process, relevant impact could be identified.
A total of 120 nominations were submitted by AACSB-accredited schools across 34 countries, all of which highlighted unique approaches to fostering and developing entrepreneurship in undergraduate and graduate students
The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration was recognized for its submission centered on the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) whose mission is to support and promote entrepreneurship on campus and in the community through education, mentoring and startup support, business advisory services and advocacy.
Through its academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate level and community-focused business assistance programs such the Women’s Business Center (WBC) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC), IECE prepares the next generation of local entrepreneurs and has achieved extensive impact in the community with existing and aspiring business owners. In addition, the center serves as the focal point for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship among faculty and staff on campus by facilitating technology transfer, providing mentoring and support through the Entrepreneur in Residence and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows programs, and the annual CSUSB Innovation Challenge Competition that helps accelerate innovative ideas toward commercialization.
“The Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship (IECE) is honored to be included in AACSB’s Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge, and are proud to be recognized among a select group of 35 member institutions from 11 countries who have demonstrated how business schools can and should foster entrepreneurship in innovative ways,” said IECE director Mike Stull. “The recognition by AACSB is validation that our team of staff and faculty at IECE are delivering impactful and creative programs that support the entrepreneurial development of students and the community.”
Visit the 2017 Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge website to view the selected nominations, and to learn more about the review panel.
About AACSB International
As the world’s largest business education alliance, AACSB International (AACSB) connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and professional development services to over 1,500 member organizations and more than 785 accredited business schools worldwide. With its global headquarters in Tampa, Florida, USA; Europe, Middle East, and Africa headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore, AACSB’s mission is to foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify impact in business education. For more information, visit aacsb.edu.
About the Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration
The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration at California State University, San Bernardino serves a culturally and globally diverse student body and works to create a student-centered learning community that prepares students to become productive members in business, government, and global society by providing quality undergraduate and graduate programs that positively affect students' development as professionals. The college places priority on excellence in teaching that is enhanced by the commitment of faculty to continuing professional development, intellectual contributions and service.