As an educator, researcher and professional focused on the hospitality industry for the past 20 years, I have gained a deep understanding of what makes organizations successful: the ability to build relationships and provide exceptional service.
The same two factors are important to the success of a business college. That’s why, as interim dean of the Driehaus College of Business for 2017–18, my priorities are to build relationships and to ensure that our programs and people serve our students well.
Our relationship-building goals for this year encompass both fundraising and friend-raising among our alumni and champions in the business community. The support you and the business community provide our college ensures that we can offer our students an enriching, real-world academic experience, as well as mentorships, internships and career opportunities that lead to post-graduation success.
Within the college, we are updating our programs and seeking new ways to improve the student experience. We have expanded our corporate partnerships to offer professionals the convenience of cohort degree programs at their workplaces. We recently moved our weekend MBA program to the Loop Campus to better serve students who want to attend classes downtown, near where they live and work. We also are offering more STEM-designated master’s programs, which are appealing for international students. You can read more about our new academic offerings in College News.
As this issue’s cover story about the experience-driven economy suggests, businesses must continually evolve to adjust to the needs of the marketplace. So must business schools. This year we plan to introduce a new master’s degree focused on data analytics, which responds to the market’s demand for more professionals who can mine business intelligence for actionable insights that enhance organizational performance. In addition, we are exploring an expansion of online programming and plan to introduce a second international MBA program in 2018.
While our program offerings evolve over time, one thing remains constant—our dedication to producing graduates who succeed personally and professionally while bringing value to the business world. DePaul’s most recent Post-graduate Outcomes Survey shows that this commitment is fostering positive results. The DePaul Career Center’s survey of the Class of 2016 found that 94 percent of business majors and the same percentage of Kellstadt graduates were employed, continuing their educations or not seeking employment. Among bachelor’s degree recipients, median salaries increased 3 percent, and marketing and economics majors saw 10 and 8 percent increases, respectively.
With the support of our alumni and the business community, we look forward to building on these gains and ensuring that our graduates continue to achieve success in the future.
Misty Johanson
Interim Dean
Driehaus College of Business
