The Richard J. Wehle School of Business was among 35 institutions recognized by The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, the world’s largest global education network, for innovations that represent critical work done by business schools. The list of honorees was unveiled at the AACSB International 2017 Dean’s Conference on Monday, February 6.
The second annual Innovations That Inspire initiative recognized institutions serving as champions of change in the business education landscape.
“With great pleasure, I am thrilled to recognize Canisius University for its role in driving innovation in business education and fostering positive change in the areas of diversity and global economic prosperity,” said Tom R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB international. “Through meaningful ideas and increasing opportunities for engagement, Canisius University has created a remarkable impact, to ensure a better and more connected world for many years to come.”
We are delighted and honored to receive this significant recognition from AACSB International,” said Daniel Borgia, dean of the Wehle School of Business. “The Wehle School has a long tradition of excellence. This honor is a reflection of our distinctive programs and the quality of our students and faculty and is particularly valued because of its relevance to our college mission and identity. I am proud of our students am particularly grateful to Canisius Enactus founder and mentor Professor Pat Hutton. Without her leadership, this program or its many accomplishments would not be possible.”
“Canisius Enactus is grateful to receive AACSB recognition of its initiatives as Innovations that Inspire,” says Patricia A. Hutton, PhD, professor of economics and Enactus faculty adviser. “Because these initiatives are possible only because of the community support we receive, the recognition is not only of Canisius University but of Buffalo. Our City of Good Neighbors inspires our initiatives to use the power of entrepreneurial action to transform lives.”
Enactus’ three main projects include YES, REDI, and Sew REDI. YES, or Youth Entrepreneurship Showcase, teaches underprivileged youths how to start and run their own businesses. The program is supported by grants from Erie County. REDI, or Refugee Economic Development Initiative, is a project in which Enactus assists local refugees adjust to life in America by providing them with the tools to fulfill their entrepreneurial motivations. Enactus partnered with Evans Bank to establish a $30,000 loan fund program to help a local refugee open a grocery store on the west side of Buffalo and several more loans have recently been made to business owners on Bailey Avenue. Finally, Sew-REDI, is an extension of Enactus’ REDI project in which they teach refugees of all ethnicities (mostly women) to earn income by sewing and producing bags, clutches, purses, pockets, and many other products.
Read more about Sew-REDI here.
Read more information about Enactus here.
For a detailed overview of the featured innovations, please visit www.AACSB.edu/Innovations-That-Inspire. In addition to the named 35, AACSB will continue to share exemplary practices that highlight the remarkable efforts underway to transform business education via its award-wining BizEd magazine, AACSB LINK newsletter, the AACSB Blog, and its global advocacy and awareness building initiatives.
About AACSB International
As the world’s largest business education network connecting academe with business, AACSB provides business education intelligence, quality assurance and professional development services to more than 1,500 member organizations across 97 countries and territories. Founded in 1916, AACSB accredits 780 business schools worldwide. Its global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida, USA; Asia Pacific headquarters is located in Singapore; and its EMEA headquarters is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.aacsb.edu.
Canisius University is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
