A message from the Interim Dean
Succeeding Together
Greetings!
I’m excited to present the 2023–2024 VCU School of Business Annual Review. In the pages that follow, you’ll find examples of our many recent achievements over the past year. And what a year it was! Despite facing uncertainty and various challenges, we moved forward with purpose. Indeed, last year was one of growth and success.
As the spring semester unfolded, we sought stability and began to build momentum. In finding this balance, we leveraged our strong foundation, remained focused and paved the way for future accomplishments.
Student success is at the heart of everything we do. For us, that means it’s more than offering students an opportunity to earn a diploma. It’s about creating an exceptional learning environment, producing impactful research and creating a community where each of us feels as though we’re a part of something special. With that mission in mind, we experienced growth at every level.
For instance, our commitment to teaching excellence was exemplified by Dr. Maurice Brown, the recipient of the inaugural Walter S. Griggs Jr. Teaching Excellence Award. Through creative programming, the Office of Student Engagement and Business Career Services increased student participation and retention. Our International Consulting Program relaunched, offering 16 students a life-changing study abroad experience in Greece, made possible by the generosity of Sharon Baxter Phillips and Mary Ann Steiner. These and other programs ensure our students are supported on campus and wellprepared personally and professionally as alumni.
Our faculty demonstrated their impact by producing groundbreaking research, increasing grant funding and solidifying their reputations as thought leaders in their fields. Their expertise benefits students as well as the business community, as exemplified by the launch of the innovative supply chain management major.
Not to be overlooked, our development team celebrated a successful third annual Giving Day, raising over $7.4 million to support scholarships, innovative programs and essential resources that directly benefit our students!
These are just some examples of how we are creating an exciting academic community. As we look ahead, the future looks bright. We have a compelling story to tell—one of resilience, excellence and impact. I invite you to read through this review to learn more about how the School of Business continues to build on its successes.
I am honored and humbled to be a part of the VCU School of Business community. Thank you for your continued support.
Brian P. Brown, Ph.D Interim Dean, VCU School of Business
Academic Excellence
BY THE NUMBERS
A Year of Growth
The VCU School of Business awarded over $411,000 in scholarships this year, supporting the financial needs of both current and incoming students. With a diverse student body and new graduate programs, the school continues to provide access and support for all Rams on their journey toward the finish line.
Undergraduate
3,027 students enrolled
Enrollment fall 2023
42% underrepresented minority 35% Pell Grant-eligible
36% first generation
$344,833 awarded to 125 current undergraduate business students from 75 different scholarship funds. Current student scholarships
$67,000 awarded to 27 students (8 fall 2023 incoming first-year students and 19 continuing students) from 31 different scholarship funds. Incoming student scholarship renewable awards
2
Graduate
740 students enrolled
Graduate certificates launched: Decision Analytics Supply Chain Management
In empirical research productivity among global research institutions The SCM Journal List 2024
Supply Chain Management and Analy tics #49
Evening MBA - Online Cohort
Best Online MBA Programs for 2024 Princeton Review #39
Best Online MBA Programs for 2024 Fortune #31
#55
Best Online MBA Programs U.S. News & World Report 2024
In the Limelight
Over the past year, the VCU School of Business captured campus-wide attention with a variety of notable stories.
Check out the Top 10 headlines that made the front page. Visit VCU Business News to see all our featured stories.
VCU to offer undergraduate degree in supply chain management beginning in fall 2024
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VCU Brandcenter tied at No. 1 in rankings of U.S. graduate programs by the One Club for Creativity
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VCU Executive MBA team’s project is one for the books
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With a game show as his guide, VCU researcher uses AI to predict deception
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VCU joining national Work+Collective to enhance on-campus student employment
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Answer to untrustworthy academic research findings? VCU professor outlines steps to address ‘crisis of confidence.’
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VCU’s Shift Retail Lab wins Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Award
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Personal finance lessons – for teachers, not just students – offer real value at VCU conference
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First year of VCU School of Business funding program sets a strong foundation for career engagement
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Success and adventure were in the cards for VCU’s Stephen Custer, who helped build a key program in the School of Business
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VCU BUSINESS SCHOOL IN THE NEWS
Unstoppable Inspiration
Be inspired by the achievements of our talented students through these featured stories! Visit VCU Business News for the full collection of success stories from 2023-24.
Clean sweep: VCU AMA chapter students make history, take top three at international conference
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International business students gain global consulting experience through ICP program
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Black History Month Leading Voices: Hussein Alhassan Leads Beyond Borders
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Road Trip! VCU Business Tours RVA’s Who’s Who of Real Estate
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VCU students and alums deliver the entrepreneurial pitch at Demo Day
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Summer internship on Italian island offers a bit of la dolce vita for VCU undergrad Maya Aboulhosn
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Building real-world expertise: Internship funding award expands opportunities for VCU Business students
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FACULTY & STAFF SPOTLIGHT
Our People, Our Community
Our success is driven by a talented team and collaborative community. We proudly recognize the achievements of longstanding members and welcome new faces to the School of Business.
New hires
Lillian M. Butler
Program Manager
Executive MBA
Shannon W. Cain
Creative Project Manager
Dean’s Office
Xunyu Chen
Assistant Professor Information Systems
Jessica D. Collins
Assistant Professor Brandcenter
Stephen G. Fier
Associate Professor Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
Jonathan R. Gilbert
Assistant Professor Term faculty, Director of the VCU Center for Professional Selling Marketing
Deborah Goode
Director of Development Development and Alumni Relations
Ambria N. Ingram
Academic Advisor
Undergraduate Studies
Pawan Jain
Interim Chair
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
Jakob Kovar
Program Coordinator
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
David Kraft
Leadership Annual Giving Officer Development and Alumni Relations
Morgan A. Matthews
Undergraduate Recruitment & Enrollment Counselor
Undergraduate Studies
Kalyn McDonough
Assistant Professor Center for Sport Leadership
Alexandra Moore
Executive Director of Development Development and Alumni Relations
Sarah W. Moore
Communications and Marketing Manager Brandcenter
Megan Nash
Senior Content Writer Dean’s Office
Moige M. Nyamweya
Program Coordinator
Management and Entrepreneurship
Julian Perkins
Program Coordinator
Supply Chain Management and Analytics
Resshma Rajendran
HR Coordinator Dean’s Office
Yong-Chae Rhee
Associate Professor Center for Sport Leadership
Amelia Rooks
Art Director & Designer Dean’s Office
Laura Ruxton
Director of Development Development and Alumni Relations
Petr Savelyev
Visiting Assistant Professor
Economics
Erin Sheridan Business Manager Center for Sport Leadership
David Skandera
Assistant Professor Management and Entrepreneurship
Hawley A. Smyth
Director of Graduate Program Recruitment
Graduate Studies in Business
Abbey Stanzione
Alumni Engagement Officer
Development and Alumni Relations
Vivian Tran
Marketing Assistant Dean’s Office
Jennifer P. Waldman
Admissions and CRM Assistant Graduate Studies in Business
Victoria Weade
Graduate Studies Program Coordinator
Graduate Studies in Business
Elizabeth L. Woodhead
Executive Assistant to the Interim Dean Dean’s Office
New roles
Emma Barone
Director Strategic Initiatives & Enrollment
Brandcenter
Seong Byun
Associate Professor
Finance, Insurance and Real Estate
Shannon Harris
Associate Professor
Supply Chain Management and Analytics
Rachel Kaeser
Director of Operations
Decision Analytics
Jim Liu
Associate Professor
Supply Chain Management and Analytics
Max Mohan
Professor
Marketing
Andra Serban
Associate Professor
Management and Entrepreneurship
Candice Tam
Executive Director
Finance and Research Administration
Jamie Zhou
Associate Professor
Accounting
Faculty Awards
Maurice Brown
Walter S. Griggs Jr. Teaching Excellence Award
Brendan Dwyer
2024 Distinguished Term Faculty Award
Bowe Hansen
2024 Distinguished Teacher Award
Jason Merrick
2024 Distinguished Scholars Award
Jeffery Smith
2024 Distinguished Service Award
Daniel Stephenson
2024 Distinguished Early Career Award
Staff Awards
Katybeth Lee
2024 Excellence in Creativity Award
Rachel Kaeser
2024 Excellence in Service Award
Legacy of Success
Our alumni continue to make us proud with their outstanding achievements. Catch up on where they are today in these featured stories. Visit VCU Business News for more alumni news in 2023-24.
Fruits of their labor: VCU School of Business alums are now at the core of Blue Bee Cider
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Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Kasama Collective celebrates cultural pride, community
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7 VCU Business alumni reunite at rvatech summit, look ahead to what’s next in data and AI
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Two recent MBA graduates from VCU earn prestigious Presidential Management Fellowships
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In the rarefied airtime of Super Bowl ads, VCU Brandcenter alums get plenty of attention
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Rams’ resilience: VCU Business celebrates the Class of 2024
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4 pillars of advice from VCU Business Careers in Marketing and Sales symposium
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‘You work on your business, not in it’ and other takeaways from VCU Business’ Woman Entrepreneur panel
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Three minutes to impact: Ahmad Rashidi’s path to success
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Real Talk: Black in Business ‘Dropping Bars’ and Staying Focused
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RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
Another Year for the Record Books
The VCU Business community once again demonstrated why the school has a global reputation for cutting-edge research that leads to innovative solutions to the biggest challenges our world faces.
TAMUGA Rankings
The SCM Journal List
BYU Accounting Rankings
The VCU School of Business continues to push the boundaries of academic excellence through impactful research. In 2023–24, our faculty had 94 unique peer-reviewed journal articles accepted or published, with 51 faculty members contributing at least one article. Among these, 19 were classified as A*, the highest ranking on the Australian Business Deans Council (ABDC) list and 11 appeared in journals listed on the influential Financial Times 50 journal list. Publications have appeared in prestigious journals including:
• Academy of Management Review
• Accounting, Organizations and Society
• Auditing: A Journal of Practice & Theory
• Decision Sciences
• Human Resource Management
• Information Systems Research
• Journal of Banking and Finance
• Journal of Business Ethics
• Journal of Corporate Finance
• Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization
• Journal of Management Accounting Research
• Journal of Service Research
• Management Science
• Organizational Research Methods
• Personnel Psychology
• Production & Operations Management
• The Review of Economics and Statistics
Our School of Business faculty lead the way in their fields, with 18 members holding positions as editors or associate editors at 24 prominent journals. Their scholarship continues to earn accolades, including two faculty members being named fellows by their professional organizations, five receiving “best reviewer” rewards and four honored for best or top journal publications and conference presentations
The academic excellence extends to departments, which have also been recognized for their achievements:
• The Supply Chain Management Journal list ranks our VCU Supply Chain Management and Analytics Department #19 in the U.S. and #31 worldwide for publications in empirical journals over the last five years
• The Kornblau Real Estate Program recently ranked #27 globally based on the total number of publications in three top-tier real estate journals.
• For publications appearing in top accounting journals in the past six years, the BYU Accounting Research Rankings list VCU’s Accounting Department as ranking #49 worldwide for experimental research, #43 worldwide for qualitative research, and #28 worldwide for accounting education research.
• VCU Information Systems is ranked #52 in research in the Americas based on the Association for Information Systems’ (AIS) list of high-quality journals.
• The TAMUGA rankings, an annual listing of management research compiled by Texas A&M and the University of Georgia, ranked VCU #71 over a five-year period and #55 in the nation for 2023.
Setting new marks for external funding, we had a record number of 16 submissions for external funding and a total of $1.8M in grant funding awarded to the school.
DEVELOPMENT SPOTLIGHT
VCU School of Business third annual Giving Day success
On April 24, the VCU School of Business marked a successful third annual Giving Day, with 281 supporters making 302 contributions, raising over $7.4 million. Thanks to the matching challenges by VCU alumni donors, Pamela K. El and Stephen L. Worley, the school achieved record funding for scholarships. These contributions also suppported the Business Annual Fund, the VCU Brandcenter Annual Fund and the da Vinci Center for Innovation Shift Retail Lab.
Griggs Family Endowment
On May 3, 2024, Business Essentials and Mathematics instructor, Dr. Maurice Brown, received the inaugural Walter S. Griggs Jr. Teaching Excellence Award. The award recognizes a VCU Business faculty member who demonstrates outstanding teaching excellence and a strong commitment to student success.
The Griggs Family Endowment was established in 2019 through generous contributions from numerous family members, friends, colleagues and former students, commemorating Walter S. Griggs Jr.’s 45 years of service. Griggs was the longest-serving faculty member in the history of the VCU School of Business and was named professor emeritus upon his retirement in 2016.
Dr. Maurice Brown, recipient of Walter S. Griggs Jr. Teaching Excellence Award with Frances Griggs and daughter Cara.
Service Leadership
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
OSE delivers consistent and authentic level of student support, community building
In 2023–24, the VCU Business Professional Development Fund was launched, distributing $39,632 to 49 students, providing substantial support for their career exploration endeavors.
The Office of Student Engagement (OSE) focused on strengthening the School of Business community, emphasizing three key aspects of the student experience: sophomore year, the first six weeks of school and student organizations. The sophomore year is critical for student retention, as students solidify their academic and social identities, declare majors and face increased academic pressure.
OSE initiatives led to a 94.6% increase in sophomore participation, with 430 check-ins and a 195.2% rise in unique registrants.
The first six weeks of the semester are vital for student retention due to significant adjustments in building community and establishing new habits. The “Weeks of Welcome” events saw a 72% increase in attendance with 320 check-ins. Additionally, the BOSS Days student organization recruitment fair experienced a 31.5% increase in participation, attracting 826 students.
BUSINESS CAREER SERVICES
Shaping futures with proven success
VCU Business Career Services supported 3,446 students and alumni through personalized career guidance and development. The office conducted 2,142 one-on-one career coaching meetings and hosted five career fairs connecting 127 employers with 1,248 students.
Key initiatives included 96 classroom presentations and workshops, two student career conferences focused on Finance, Insurance and Real Estate and careers in marketing that connected students with alumni and industry experts, the Suit Yourself Closet pop-up, which provided 574 pieces of professional clothing to 230 students and funding for 30 students to support their summer internships, primarily from the VCU Internship Funding Program. The Peer Career Coaching program joined the Transforming Federal Work Study cohort, creating on-campus internships.
The Employer Partnership Program expanded to 13 partners, and two MBA alumni received the prestigious Presidential Management Fellowship. According to the VCU First Destination Survey, 89% of May 2023 graduates reported positive outcomes with average annual salaries of $55,689 for undergraduates and $88,388 for graduates.
School of Business students networking with recruiters at the 2024 Business Internship and Career Fair.
Student organizations greet prospective members at the spring BOSS Days event.
VCU FINANCIAL SUCCESS CENTER BY VACU
Soaring to new heights in financial education
The VCU Financial Success Center by Virginia Credit Union (VACU) had a record-breaking year, providing financial education to 10,918 individuals.
Relocated to the Atrium within Snead Hall, the center now offers a larger, more unified space for VCU students to receive confidential financial wellness coaching. This new location, combined with satellite offices in Cabell Library and the Student Financial Management Center, ensures greater accessibility. The center also continued to offer virtual appointments, meeting the diverse needs of the student body.
Throughout the year, the VCU Financial Success Center by VACU hosted 57 webinars, workshops and events, facilitating 720 one-onone appointments and engaging over 900 workshop participants. To further its reach, the center launched a monthly newsletter and boosted its social media presence, ensuring consistent and broad communication with the VCU community.
A generous gift from Virginia Credit Union has led to a growing partnership with VCU Athletics, engaging more than 200 studentathletes in financial education programs since 2022. Among these programs, the second VCU SUMMIT stands out as a highlight. The summit offers financial education alongside team building, leadership development, personal branding and networking opportunities. Interactive sessions enable participants to immediately apply their new knowledge to improve their financial wellness. The Summit model was presented by our executive director and the VCU assistant athletic director for student-athlete development at the LSU Student-Athlete Support Conference in April to universities across the country.
THE CENTER FOR CORPORATE EDUCATION
VCU Center for Corporate Education elevates training through global, local partnerships
The Center for Corporate Education (CCE) at VCU delivered 150 programs to clients including non-profits, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Services spanned consulting, workshops, simulations and courses on topics like process improvement, leadership, artificial intelligence (AI) and mental health.
Positioning itself as a key partner for chief learning officers and HR professionals, CCE advanced programming evaluation techniques and utilized labor market data. Through skills gap analysis and ROI demonstrations, clients successfully met their strategic goals.
The center’s influence extended globally, impacting three continents. Through the Henry Ford Entrepreneurship Academy, CCE supported the advancement of female entrepreneurship in the Middle East and helped lead faculty-led programs for micro-businesses in South Africa.
Back home, CCE’s contributions can be seen cross-campus. Featured in VCU News, the center’s support for the AmeriCorps VISTA program has assisted leadership development for volunteers, including VCU alumni.
Financial Success Coaches provide one-on-one appointments for students on money management.
VCU’s Center for Corporate Education introduced the concept of HumanCentered Design to a team of 12 participants from the Virginia Housing Alliance’s AmeriCorps VISTA Program this past spring.
INSTITUTE FOR TRANSFORMATIVE LEADERSHIP
Transformative leaders in action
The Institute for Transformative Leadership (ITL) celebrated a year of achievements in advancing impactful leadership across the VCU community.
Facilitating five cohorts of faculty and staff leaders, ITL offered seven-week programs for diverse VCU stakeholders. These programs culminated in an online credential known as a Level 1 Leadership Badge, with over 100 individuals trained across VCU.
In addition, ITL delivered more than 25 hours of training for Deans through the Dean Transformative Leadership Experience (DTLE), drawing on and developing leadership skills among senior leaders. Leadership principles were also integrated into M.B.A. coursework and student experiences.
To promote relationships across campus, ITL organized multiple socials and mixer events and co-hosted the DisruptRVA event. Training and team-building support were provided for the VCU Repositioning Taskforce, VCU HR and the Office of the Provost for Culture of Care and empathy interview initiatives.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Org-anized to succeed
Across 22 organizations, VCU Business students explored everything from leadership and marketing to technology.
Monthly leadership workshops, facilitated by the Office of Student Engagement (OSE), provided business student leaders with valuable insights, including increased awareness of the VCU Business Professional Development Fund, improved financial planning and effective membership engagement. Leaders were also inspired to increase their brand management and organizational visibility, boosting their impact within the VCU community.
Based on data from the Journal of College Student Retention, participation in extracurricular activities can enhance student satisfaction and academic performance. With signs of progress showing through a 31.5% increase in participation at the biannual BOSS Days Student Organization Recruitment fair–826 attendees compared to 628 in 2022-23–this outcome highlights the effectiveness of our strategies and strengthening connections.
At the fourth DisruptRVA exchange, community members, faculty, staff and students gathered to improve workplace environments.
Each semester, the VCU Business Office of Student Engagement hosts BOSS Days, a recruitment fair that connects students with campus organizations.
ACCOUNTING
Accounting celebrates international partnerships and top honors
The year started with the launch of an international partnership with Rajagiri University in Kochi, India. High-achieving accounting students will earn a B.S. in Accounting at Rajagiri and an M.S. in Accounting at VCU.
A record number of employers attended the September Meet the Firms event, and over 365 students engaged with 45 professionals, along with VCU faculty and staff, at the November Accounting Expo
VCU’s accounting faculty had an impressive year, with 11 research articles accepted in top-tier journals such as Accounting, Organizations and Society, Computers in Human Behavior, Journal of Information Systems and Journal of Management Accounting Research.
Recognition of faculty excellence was highlighted by Bowe Hansen receiving the Distinguished Teaching Award. Additionally, Lindsay Andiola and Devon Jefferson won two international awards for their co-authored teaching case, “Wealthy Watches Inc.: The Substantive Testing of Accounts Receivable in the Evolving Audit Environment,” securing the 2023 Best Paper in Issues in Accounting Education and the 2024 Innovation in Auditing and Assurance Education Award.
ECONOMICS
Economics faculty advance research with help from new awards
Research faculty from VCU Business’ Department of Economics are diligently working to advance their studies with support from research grants. Faculty members contributed to securing four major grants, including two from the National Science Foundation focused on financial market information disclosure and vaccine inequity. A Department of Energy grant is establishing a Center of Excellence for research, while a Spencer Foundation grant is exploring changes in college finances and accessibility.
VCU students excelled in the 2023 College Fed Challenge, reaching the semi-finals and showcasing their analytical prowess.
From May 17–19, the department hosted the Spring 2024 Midwest Macroeconomics Meeting , drawing 200 scholars for discussions on macroeconomic advancements with keynote speakers Nobuhiro Kiyotaki, Ph.D. and Emi Nakamura, Ph.D.
On October 26–27, the Ninth I-85 Macroeconomics Workshop convened 30 economists for in-depth dialogues on current issues. Additionally, the 2023 Diversity in Economics Conference on October 13, in collaboration with the Richmond Federal Reserve, promoted inclusivity within the field, gathering experts to discuss diversity strategies.
Students representing accounting and cross-campus majors had the opportunity to scout out future jobs and internship opportunities during the VCU Accounting Expo.
Keynote and macroeconomist Emi Nakamura, Ph.D, presenting at the Spring 2024 Midwest Macroeconomics Meeting.
FINANCE, INSURANCE AND REAL ESTATE
FIRE lights up research and learning
The Department of Finance, Insurance and Real Estate (FIRE) excelled in research and teaching this year. Faculty published in top journals: Professor Seong Byun, Ph.D., in the Journal of Corporate Finance and Professor Stephen Fier, Ph,D., in the Journal of Risk and Insurance. The Real Estate faculty gained global recognition, with Professor David Downs, Ph.D., ranked among the top 20 worldwide and Professor Brent Smith, Ph.D., named a fellow of the Homer Hoyt Institute. Professor Chintal Desai, Ph.D., collaborated with the Federal Reserve and the Reserve Bank of India on bankruptcy laws.
Faculty also excelled in Financial Technology and financial advising. Professors Nanda Rangan, Ph.D., and Manu Gupta, Ph.D., studied technology investment profitability, while Professor Pawan Jain’s, Ph.D., research in Blockchain Technology and Robo advising gained media attention. Jain also serves on Virginia’s Blockchain Council. The commitment to student learning is evident through innovative teaching methods. Students experience theory, case analysis and real-world applications, including industry competitions and company visits. Professors Pete Vatev, Sang Ahn, Daniel Salandro, Ph.D., Greg Waller, Ph.D., Miroslava Straska, Ph.D. and Robert Taylor enhance the curriculum with their insights. The inaugural Careers in Finance event offered valuable networking. The Bachelor’s in Fintech program is ranked #6 by TechGuide, reflecting a dedication to leading education in emerging financial fields.
KORNBLAU REAL ESTATE PROGRAM
KRE builds knowledge and futures, one brick at a time
In 2023, the Kornblau Real Estate (KRE) Program launched the Kornblau Fellows program, offering students a 12-week experiential learning internship across three firms. This unique rotation helped students gain comprehensive real estate experience, leading to several job offers.
Celebrating its 31st year, the 2023 Real Estate Trends Conference attracted over 1,500 guests, including students, alumni and top industry professionals.
The Real Estate Circle of Excellence initiated a “Lunch and Learn” series, holding interactive discussions between students and industry experts on the latest real estate trends. The Association of Real Estate Alumni (AREA) and Rho Epsilon student organization played a key role in organizing the inaugural Real Estate Expo, connecting over 25 companies with students from VCU and nearby universities.
Students also enjoyed the annual KRE Field Trip, visiting sites such as the new Amazon Fulfillment Center, Wegmans Distribution Center, Henrico Sports and Events Center and Deep Water Industrial Park. Robert Taylor completed a six-year term as trustee of The Appraisal Foundation.
VCU School of Business students learn about uses for blockchain technology at the IBM Food Trust headquarters in New York.
RISK MANAGEMENT AND INSURANCE PROGRAM
Navigating Uncertainty: A Year in Risk Management and Insurance
The Risk Management and Insurance (RMI) Program hosted numerous events, including a back to school social for VCU and industry guests, a panel on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity, a Career Expo and an election speaker. The inaugural Expo brought together 25 industry partners in a casual setting to expose students to RMI’s many career opportunities.
Thanks to a Spencer Educational Foundation grant, the program hosted Danny Holtsclaw of the Wildlife Conservation Society/The Bronx Zoo. He spoke to classes and the broader RMI community, engaging audiences with details of a unique career in the RMI sector.
Students also participated in numerous industry conferences across the country, including Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA), the Risk Management Society (RIMS), and Gamma Iota Sigma (GIS).
Thanks again to the Spencer Educational Foundation, students participated in a rotational summer internship program, spending four weeks at three companies to gain a comprehensive understanding of insurance.
Dr. Steve Fier was elected President of the Southern Risk and Insurance Association. He was named co-editor of the Journal of Insurance Regulation and received the Journal of Risk and Insurance Excellence in Reviewing Award.
Investing in Excellence
The Capital Markets Center (CMC) experienced a strong year, with hundreds of students utilizing the 12 Bloomberg terminals for class projects and Bloomberg certification. Bloomberg educational modules are now integrated in many classes, providing students with practical, hands-on experience with the platform and enhancing their resumes with proficiency in Bloomberg data collection and analysis.
The Student Managed Investment Portfolio (SMIP) continues to grow, celebrating its 14th year of operations. More than 50 students now manage a $400,000 stock portfolio for the School of Business endowment.
Five SMIP students delivered an impressive performance in the finals of the CFA Virginia Stock Pitch Challenge. Each year, VCU fields a team to compete against top schools from across the state. Students write a stock recommendation report, and the best papers are invited to the finals for an oral presentation before a panel of judges. VCU has won this competition several times, competing against institutions like the University of Richmond, the College of William & Mary, James Madison University and others.
A team of VCU Business students took third place at the CFA Society of Virginia Inaugural Stock Pitch Competition held at the Westwood Club.
RMI students gained industry knowledge at a Wholesale & Specialty Insurance Association (WSIA) event.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Faculty feats and student triumphs: Information systems on the rise
The Department of Information Systems saw success in faculty, teaching and research. The faculty team includes eight tenure-track, three term and 20 adjunct members, with two new professors joining in the fall and one departing. Long-serving members, Amita Goyal Chin, Ph.D. and Peter Aiken, Ph.D., celebrated 30 years of service. Teaching achievements include completing an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) self-study and contributing four new classes to the minor in Practical AI. The M.S. in Computer and Information Systems Security will re-launch in fall 2024, and the updated Postbaccalaureate Certificate allows graduate electives. New student enrollment rose from 19 in 2022 to 37 in 2023 in the Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS).
The department actively supported student involvement in regional conferences and international programs, standout moments include two Ph.D. students securing tenure-track positions, Elizabeth Baker’s, Ph.D., nomination for Educator of the Year and Elena Olson, Ph.D., organized and led the International Consulting Program (ICP) experience for students from the University of Córdoba, Spain. Research saw nine papers published and significant grant funding, including a $470k Office of Naval Research (ONR) grant. VCU hosted the Virginia Research Seminar Series (VRSS) conference and the department ranked #52 in the Americas for research.
Two student organizations thrived, with Information Systems Organization (ISO) coordinating events and TechConnect engaging 96 students.
MANAGEMENT AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Management and Entrepreneurship welcomes alumni, RVA voices
The VCU School of Business brought diversity and entrepreneurial spirit through several initiatives this year. In collaboration with the Office of Student Engagement, a series of entrepreneur panels were hosted for Black History Month, Women’s History Month and the local food industry.
For Black History Month, the “Real Talk: Being Black in Business” panel featured alumni Shirley Crawford (B.S. ’06) of 2nd Chance Consulting and Dominic Baah (B.S. ’22) of Rose Intelligence, sharing with an audience of students and faculty both personal and professional perspectives on how identity, support and wellbeing has fueled their entrepreneurial journeys.
In Women’s History Month, the “Real Talk: Being a Woman in Business” panel gathered alumni Juanita Leatherberry (B.S. ’73) of Keller Williams, Candice Hardy (B.S. ’11) of Society 11:11 and Liz Kincaid (B.S. ’08) of RVA Hospitality Group, who all shared wisdom learned from years of experience as an entrepreneur, from the inspiring power of failure to why it’s important to follow your intuition.
The “Side Hustle Community: Food Industry” panel brought together local entrepreneurs Carlos Ordaz-Nunez of TBT El Gallo, Chris Harrington of All Dis Puddin’ and Drew Goldy of Ghost Wolf Pepper Co., who turned their side gigs into thriving businesses. Additionally, VCU alumnus Larry Rose established the Rose Family Entrepreneurial Leadership Scholarship, a need-based endowment supporting entrepreneurship students at the School of Business, supporting future business leaders from diverse backgrounds.
Entrepreneur panels for Black History Month, Women’s History Month and the local food community celebrated diversity and the many paths of VCU Business alumni.
Dr. Paul Brooks, department chair and professor of Information Systems (second row, second from the right), is joined by VCU Business and information systems students at the RVAsec 13 conference.
MARKETING
Sweeping competitions and new classes in marketing
The VCU School of Business Department of Marketing launched “Social Media Research,” a new course for undergraduates and master’s students. New courses such as this spurred growth in the department, with marketing majors increasing from 228 in fall 2022 to 274 in spring 2024 and sales minors doubling from 26 to 54. Fall 2024 will introduce new electives, MKTG 336 “Content Marketing” and MKTG 345 “Personal Branding and Becoming a Digital Influencer,” ensuring that VCU students are well-prepared for the latest industry trends and career opportunities.
The newly established VCU sales team, consisting of 28 students, made a victorious entrance onto the national competition scene in the 2023-24 season. Their outstanding performances earned them a top 25 national ranking. Spring 2024 was particularly notable as VCU students swept the top three spots at the Insight Global Perfect Pitch competition at the American Marketing Association International Collegiate Conference, competing against 700 participants from 300 programs worldwide. Additionally, two senior marketing majors ranked in the top 60, with another securing fourth place overall in the Sherwin-Williams Role Play Competition.
SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT AND ANALYTICS
SCMA fills an ongoing need for tech talent
The Department of Supply Chain Management and Analytics (SCMA) received state approval for a new undergraduate major, a B.S. in Supply Chain Management, set to launch in fall 2024. This program, the first of its kind at any public institution in Virginia, offers a specialized alternative to the existing concentration in supply chain management.
SCMA hosted its first Circular Mineral Resilience Workshop, where industry experts and students discussed innovative strategies to address the challenges in managing critical mineral resources like lithium.
The department has made progress in research, climbing to 31st globally (19th in the U.S.) in empirical research productivity among global institutions, up from 41st in 2023 and 101st in 2022. Faculty members Dr. Jeff Smith and Dr. Jim Liu were recognized in VCU’s inaugural National/International Recognition Award.
SCMA student teams presented their skills in case competitions by the Institute of Supply Management and Texas Christian University and represented VCU at the Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence conference.
A simulator exhibited at the Women Impacting Supply Chain Excellence conference gives students hands-on insight into driving a semi-truck.
VCU’s American Marketing Association (AMA) student chapter made history at the 2024 AMA International Collegiate Conference in New Orleans sweeping the top three positions in the Insight Global Perfect Pitch competition.
BRANDCENTER
The Brandcenter at VCU earned top accolades, placing students at leading agencies and launching new initiatives. It was named the No. 1 U.S. graduate program in the Global Creativity College Rankings by The One Club for Creativity and was the only program with an A+ rating by Budding Creative.
Students received recognition from global competitions D&AD, The One Club, Communication Arts and Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards. Students secured internships and jobs at top agencies and brands such as Nike, Apple, Amazon, Wieden+Kennedy, BBDO and National Geographic.
Brandcenter extension programs thrived, collaborating with McCann, UVA and the University of Richmond on initiatives tackling professional development and product branding, in addition to launching a study abroad program in Cannes, France.
CENTER FOR SPORT LEADERSHIP
The VCU Center for Sport Leadership excelled as one of the top sport management graduate programs, placing 9th globally and 1st in North America for Career Advancement in the latest SportBusiness Postgraduate Course Rankings. Over 75% of the recent cohort secured full-time jobs or paid internships in the sport industry upon graduation.
In the Richmond sports community, CSL partnered with organizations like the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Tournament, Richmond Raceway and the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame for experiential learning. Students engaged with leaders in professional and college sports through trips to Washington, D.C. and North Carolina. Twentyfive students participated in study abroad programs, including tours of AC Milan, Bayern Munich and a residency in Spain with Real Madrid C.F.
DAVINCI CENTER FOR INNOVATION
The VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation and Shift Retail Lab had an exciting year marked by student success and groundbreaking achievements. The Lab won Fast Company’s Innovation by Design award in the Learning category for its innovative approach to retail education.
Renowned industry leader Everette Taylor, CEO of Kickstarter, visited campus, engaging with VCU leadership, Master of Product Innovation students and Shift Retail Lab entrepreneurs, providing insights and inspiration.
The Center spearheaded VCU’s inaugural Innovation Month, showcasing the university’s creative talent, entrepreneurial spirit and groundbreaking research. Shift Retail Lab students even made headlines with their April Fool’s Day collaboration with VCU’s mascot, Rodney the Ram, creating the fictional fragrance “Ewe de Rodney.”
Fast Company highlighted how VCU and the da Vinci Center are reimagining entrepreneurship training in higher education.
Graduates of the 2024 cohort from the VCU Center for Sport Leadership stand at center court in the Stuart C. Siegel Center.
The VCU Brandcenter is ranked No. 1 U.S. graduate program in the Global Creativity College Rankings by The One Club for Creativity.
Acknowledgements
The editorial team would like to acknowledge the dean’s administration, department leaders, academic unit chairs and the many, many content contributors who made this edition of the VCU School of Business 2023–2024 Annual Review possible. We are proud to represent our collective accomplishments and excited to share the story of the VCU School of Business on these pages and via these links.
Editorial Team
Andrew LeVasseur, Marketing Director (Interim)
Shannon Cain, Creative Project Manager
Megan Nash, Senior Content Writer
Amelia Rooks, Art Director & Designer
Vivian Tran, Creative Brand Manager (Interim)
