The Mission of the Division of Business at Concord University is to transform undergraduate students into responsible, informed professionals and leaders, primarily through quality teaching by professionally involved, intellectually engaged faculty. The Division of Business prepares students to serve locally, regionally, and globally as competent professionals and to pursue graduate education
Goals
Goals of the Division of Business include the pursuit of excellence in teaching and learning. We nurture learning and intellectual development for both students and faculty. All business students are required to demonstrate competency in several disciplines.
The faculty’s primary responsibilities are instruction, advising, and professional development activities that enhance learning. Faculty goals also include providing students with group and individual attention, along with contributions to instructional scholarship. Service activities of our students and faculty include but are not limited to contributions to the Division of Business, the University, and the regional community.
Setting
The Division of Business resides within Concord University, a small state-supported institution that serves primarily West Virginia residents. It is located in a 90-acre park-like campus, a rural setting in the southern West Virginia town of Athens. A large percentage of the University’s students are first-generation college attendees; most students are from smaller high schools, many originating from rural West Virginia. The student population also includes out-of-state and international students who bring global perspectives to the classroom.
Vision
The Division of Business strives to:
- be the preferred business program in Southern West Virginia and Western Virginia, characterized by excellent teaching and high levels of student achievement as defined by the faculty, the business community, and national standards.
- be a leading provider to employers seeking graduates.
- engage in academic and pedagogic research.
- develop curricula that includes the values of teamwork, ethics, and diversity in the workforce.
- create processes that will emphasize continuous improvement. We will continually provide professional development opportunities for faculty to enhance their instructional abilities and offer appropriate intellectual contributions.
- provide service to the University and the region.
- be engaged in grant and proposal writing.
- work with the business community to develop networks for student entrepreneurs.
- be in a supportive role to enhance student entrepreneurial learning in the University.
All of the above will be achieved under the auspices of a future School of Business.
Core Values
Ten guiding principles inform our goals to achieve the mission and vision.
- Excellence in teaching and involvement in research and publication.
- Continuous revision of the program to maintain currency with the changing business environment.
- Inclusion of the teaching of ethical values in the curriculum.
- Inclusion of diverse viewpoints and cultural values essential to success in the global economy.
- Provide a work environment conducive to teaching, research and service.
- Attract, maintain, and support high quality staff.
- Apply leading edge technology to the curriculum and research.
- Interaction with the community, with the goal of improved programs.
- Provide a broader University experience that includes international travel, business practica, internships, regular symposia and leadership development in student organizations, as well as joint research with faculty.
- Develop support within the community about the importance of a School of Business format to achieve the aforementioned goals, and cooperate with University administration towards achieving the objective.
Students seeking careers in business may seek the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Degree with areas of emphasis in accounting, administrative systems, finance, management, and marketing; a minor in Business Administration, or the Bachelor of Science in Education.
AACSB Membership
Concord University is a member of AACSB International – the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. (www.aacsb.edu/about/) AACSB International is a membership association of educational institutions, business, not-for-profit and government organizations devoted to the advancement of higher education in business administration and management. Membership does not imply accreditation by the Association.
ACBSP Membership
Concord University is a member of ACBSP Global Business Accreditation – Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs. (www. acbsp.org) ACBSP is a membership association of educational institutions dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and rewarding teaching excellence in business education. Membership does not imply accreditation by the Council.
Programs and Courses
Additional Program Enhancements
The Division of Business offers options to satisfy the following: Concord’s Honors Program, Independent Studies courses, Interdisciplinary degrees, McNair Scholars research, and distance learning courses. Details of these programs and courses are contained in other sections of this Catalog.
Symposiums
The Division offers a series of symposiums organized around a variety of current business topics. Attendance at symposiums is a means by which the Division can provide students with an enhanced understanding of business through their interactions with presenters.
In order to matriculate with a degree from the Division of Business, students must attend at least 2 symposiums in both their junior and senior years; thus, attendance at a total of 4 symposiums is required for graduation. Information about times and dates can be obtained at the Division Office, from the business division listserv, the Business Division website, or in local news coverage.
If students cannot attend symposiums due to scheduling conflicts, they may access the events on the Business Division website by clicking on the symposium link.
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS BA)
Associate of Arts in Office Supervision (AA OFF)
Minors
