The trailblazing summit furthers the driving force of business education in preparing the next generation of civic, nonprofit and business leaders to strengthen the economic ecosystem.

The annual summit was developed by Quinnipiac School of Business Dean Holly Raider and Yale School of Management Dean Kerwin Charles to foster a professional community built on meaningful collaboration and shared insights.

“It was a great honor to gather again with fellow business school leaders from across Connecticut,” Charles said. “These conversations allow us to exchange ideas, understand our varied contexts within the state, and think collectively about the real challenges facing business education.”

Joining Dean Charles and Dean Raider at the summit were business deans Lisa Frank, of Central Connecticut State University; Aarti Ivanic, of the University of Hartford, Brian Kench, of the University of New Haven; Greg Reilly, of the University of Connecticut; Siamack Shojai, of Western Connecticut State University; David Taylor, of Sacred Heart University; and Zhan Li, of Fairfield University.

“The business deans from across the state made space in their demanding schedules because we genuinely value the insight we gain from one another,” Dean Raider said. “We each lead different institutions and communities across the state, yet we share common goals to advance the access, quality, and impact of business education. I find it valuable to hear how others approach similar challenges in innovative ways.”

The summit’s featured guests were Connecticut Business & Industry Association Foundation Director Dustin Nord, and Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges Executive Director Jennifer Widness.

A conversation led by Widness, “AI Landscape in Connecticut” brought AI into focus at the summit. The talk prompted discussion among the deans on the dramatic evolution of AI in just one year’s time, and the importance of providing students with both strong technical expertise and durable, interpersonal skills to remain competitive in a shifting economic landscape.

Nord’s talk, “Bridging Business Education and Industry in Connecticut” reinforced the essential value of higher education as a proactive partner in the state’s economic development. With business schools serving as primary architects of a future-ready workforce, the talk also invited insightful views on the evolving needs of employers.

In pursuit of continuous improvement, Dean Kench moderated a conversation on standards of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), with deans Frank, Taylor and Shojai as panelists. As a top global standard-setting body for business education, AACSB accreditation signifies a business school has passed rigorous, voluntary external reviews in areas of faculty qualifications, curricula, and mission to meet the highest standards of quality.

The second annual Connecticut Business Deans Summit took place in the Business Innovation Hub at Quinnipiac’s new School of Business building, which opened in this past fall. Designed around student-centered learning and infused with cutting edge technology, the new building is a catalyst for innovation, creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.

In Focus