Elnor Kinsella, PhD

Academic Chair, School of Business

Dear MABC and BABC Students,

Thank you for being such great students! Many of you have recently given me feedback that is quite helpful for rapid program improvement, as well as long term. Your end-of-course surveys and emails to me provide JIU with the tools to consistently provide high-impact educational experiences for you while you progress toward your degrees.

At this time, I have the distinct pleasure of announcing that our graduating class is the largest to date, and that many of you are about to achieve your goal to graduate this spring. This is an achievement not only for those graduating, but also for those of you who observe our June 9 online graduation and become newly inspired to progress toward your goals for graduation. Commencement begins at
11:00 a.m. ET at http://graduation.jiu.edu.

Here are some items of special interest about the BABC Program:

BC315 Challenges of the Global Business Environment has been taken out of the program. Those of you who have it on your degree plans may choose any 300- to 400-level course in the BABC or BBA programs as an elective to substitute for this course. This offers students a greater ability to tailor their course of study to their individual professional interests. Your Academic Services Counselor will be pleased to assist you in making a choice.
The following courses have been updated to reflect industry needs and your professional development:

BC465 Negotiation and Conflict Management
BC350 Human Communication
BC372 Intercultural Communication

Here are some items of special interest about the MABC Program:

BC500 Business Research Methods has been revised and I believe you will be highly pleased with its new focus, which is tied specifically to business development goals.
BC607 Leading from a Global Perspective was introduced recently to offer you the opportunity to become more aware of the distinct nature of doing business across cultures, as well as continents. This course replaces MBA563 Negotiation in the Leadership and Influence specialization, but remember that you can also take BC607 as an elective within your core program.
BC605 Leading the Customer Driven-Organization will be running for the first time in June. A customer-focused organization is key to business success in the 21st century, and this course is packed with helpful information that you will use long past your time at JIU. This course can be taken as an elective if you are not pursuing the Leading the Customer-Driven Organization specialization.
BC563 Enterprise Innovation Through Telecommunications Technology is a course whose inclusion in the MABC program has been questioned by some. Not only is technology a foundational aspect of business communication, but the course contains a very exciting exercise in the process of innovation. MIT Fellow Debra Amidon, who designed the innovation process, is currently working across the world with governments and business innovation teams using this method. I have inserted her book into the course’s optional resources, should you wish to learn more and to practice these innovation skills for your business portfolio.

As always, business communication cuts across all professions; communication skills are a make-or-break aspect of leadership. No matter where you find yourself in the future, you will look back on your JIU experience as being fundamental to your success.

Graduates, I hope to hear from you regularly about your continued success in your chosen professions. You each have my most sincere congratulations for your persistence toward your degree!

Sincerely,

Elnor Kinsella, PhD
Academic Chair, School of Business
ekinsella@international.edu