Pacific University Adds College of Business

Pacific University president Lesley Hallick has announced a new College of Business that will begin operating on July 1, 2013.

The university's Board of Trustees approved a proposal to add the college during a meeting last month based on recommendations from the faculty and staff senates and University Council.

The College of Business will be led by Founding Dean Howard L. Smith and joins Pacific's existing colleges of Arts & Sciences, Education, Health Professions and Optometry.  

Smith came to Pacific last summer following a highly successful post as dean of business and vice president of university advancement at Boise State University. Prior to that, Smith served as dean of the Anderson School of Management and professor at the University of New Mexico.

Initial offerings within the College of Business will be undergraduate degrees in the areas of marketing, finance, accounting, international business and integrated business, programs that previously have been offered within the university's College of Arts & Sciences.

Business Department faculty will move from the College of Arts & Sciences to the new College of Business.

"Elevating our programs to the level of a college will be a significant attraction for prospective students who value our small, personal learning environment and who endeavor to make their mark on the world through business and management," Hallick said.

Smith indicated the college will seek accreditation from the most recognized accrediting organization, the Association to Advance College Schools of Business -- International. Only five percent of business schools and colleges worldwide meet or exceed the AACSB's rigorous standards.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs John Miller said the popularity of a business degree among undergraduate students, factored into the Board of Trustee's initial exploration 15 months ago of adding a College of Business. Thirteen percent of students currently major in business and non-majors often take business courses or focus on a minor.

"In concert with the President's Vision 2020 focus on globalization, we want to increase our number of international students," Miller said. "For many of them, business is the most popular program, especially with AACSB accreditation."

Hallick believes Pacific is well-positioned to prepare students to become world and local business leaders, given its status as the only four-year university in Washington County — Oregon’s economic hub and home to such global giants as Nike and Intel.

"The creation of this college marks the opportunity to partner with our neighboring industries, to develop internship and networking options for students, graduates and corporations, and to educate the next generations of creative and thoughtful leaders and entrepreneurs," she said.

The addition of the college will fortify Pacific University's reputation as an institution that promotes interdisciplinary endeavors resulting from a strong liberal arts foundation.

"Students will continue to cross between colleges as they take a rich selection of business and liberal arts courses," Hallick said.  "The liberal arts base feeds business students’ intellectual curiosity and creativity, preparing them to excel in innovation and entrepreneurship."

Smith said the College of Business curriculum will give students exposure to real-world applications, study abroad opportunities, internships and an environment for all students to develop and implement a “micro-business."

"The college will also develop extensive relations with other globally-focused international universities and will welcome international students to Pacific University," he added. “We will be selective and focus on specific niches and strive to be superior in those initiatives."