W ES T C H E S T ER U N I V ER S I TY O F PENNSYLVANIA

FALL 2 0 1 8

RAM REPORT

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS and public management

SAXBYS OPENS AT WEST CHESTER >>> page 3

SUMMER AROUND CAMPUS >>> page 5

SUMMER ABROAD >>> page 7

PLUS Department, Faculty, and Student Highlights

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

2

C ONTEN T S 3

SAXBYS OPENS AT WCU

12 DEPARTMENT NEWS & NOTES

Saxbys partners with West Chester

Highlights of student success, faculty in

University for an Experiential Learning

the news, and department events.

Cafe run by WCU students.

13 STUDENT ORIENTATION 5

SUMMER AROUND CAMPUS

The College of Business and Public

Geography and Planning students did

Management welcomed new students

tree mapping around West Chester,

to different programs and campuses

while Criminal Justice hosted a Police

throughout the summer.

Symbology Conference.

14 FACULTY RECOGNITION 7

SUMMER ABROAD

The College of Business and Public

Find out which faculty members have received awards, grants and publications.

Management offered two study abroad trips to China and Kyrgyzstan.

16 MEET THE NEW FACULTY

9

Meet the six new faculty members

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

in the College of Business and Public

A minor in Human Resource Management

Management.

is now offered, as well as Master of Public Administration at the West Chester University Philadelphia campus.

17 FACULTY PROMOTIONS Find how which College of Business and Public Management faculty members

10 COTTRELL CENTER NEWS

earned promotion.

WCU Business Idea Competition expanding to include students from Beijing Union University; Leadership changes at the

18 EVENTS IN THE FALL Important dates to remember this fall.

Cottrell Center; Startup Weekend.

FOLLOW US ON THESE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS:

@ WCUCBPM

FOR INQUIRIES, FEEDBACK OR COMMENTS, PLEASE CONTACT: D a n a h Al l e n Office of the Dean C o l l e g e o f B us i n e s s & P ubl i c M a na g e m e n t 610- 436- 2055 c bpm @wc upa . e du

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

SAXBYS OPENS AT WCU Saxb ys Pa r t n e r s w i th We s t C hest er Unive rsit y t o I nt r od uc e a B r a n d N e w E xperient ial Le arning Caf e Courtesy of the WCU Office of Communications supporting the brand’s core

surface. Underscoring the

mission to “Make Life Better”

brand’s core mission to

in the communities it serves.

“Make Life Better,” Saxbys

WCU is the sixth cafe location

ELP is instilling a sense

and fifth partner institution

of entrepreneurship in

in Pennsylvania to offer the

undergrads, namely, the

program.

willingness and ability to take risks and drive change

Each Saxbys ELP cafe is

towards the productivity of a

exclusively student-run and

business and the betterment

helmed by a Student Cafe

of its community.

Executive Officer (SCEO) who is supported and empowered

“West Chester University

to develop their peers

actively promotes learning

H ome-grown coffee and

into team leaders, ideate

beyond the classroom by

hospitality company,

and implement creative

empowering undergrads and

Saxbys, and West Chester

marketing initiatives,

inspiring the entrepreneurs of

University have brought

strengthen relationships with

tomorrow,” said Nick Bayer,

their innovative Experiential

community organizations, and

Founder and CEO of Saxbys.

Learning Program (ELP) to

enact change with meaningful

“We are thrilled to expand

the institution’s main campus

social impact outreach. All

Saxbys’ Experiential Learning

with a brand-new, exclusively

the while, the students are

Program with an institution

student-run cafe at 701

responsible for managing

that mirrors our company’s

South High Street in West

their peers, overseeing

values and commitment to

Chester.

all cafe operations, and

providing both education

presenting profit and loss

and opportunities through

Saxbys first introduced

statements monthly to

the lens of what we call

its ELP initiative in 2015

Saxbys’ Executive Team.

the 3 Pillars of successful

to embolden the next

organizations: Team

generation of entrepreneurs,

Each SCEO in the program

Development, Community

providing undergraduate

receives ongoing mentorship

Leadership and Financial

students with tangible

and training, wages, bonus

Management.”

experience as a supplement

opportunities, and full

to traditional classroom

credit for the semester, but

Kelly Ingram, a senior

learning, and further

that is just the quantifiable

Business Management

3

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

4

major, will serve as the

using critical thinking skills,

educational, fiscal, and

cafe’s inaugural SCEO. The

problem solving, effective

personnel policies.

Quakertown, Pennsylvania

communication, and team

native served in the

building, West Chester

“Student success is the top

AmeriCorps National Civilian

University students working

strategic priority for the

Community Corps on the

in the new Experiential

State System and for each

West Coast following high

Learning cafe will be

of our 14 universities,” said

school and went on to attend

able to tackle a variety

David Maser, Vice Chair of

Bucks County Community

of work situations upon

the Board of Governors and

College prior to enrolling

graduation. This learning-

Chair of the Student Success

at West Chester University.

working laboratory is the

Committee. “As we work to

Now, as SCEO, she will lead a

perfect complement to

redesign our system for the

team of 45 peers.

the University’s General

future, we are embracing

Education Learning

innovative ideas—such as this

Ingram will be supported

Outcomes, as well as the

one—to ensure our students

in her role by Chad Cohen,

overall goals of our Division

are more prepared than

a Marketing major at WCU,

of Student Affairs.”

ever to succeed after they

who will be Cafe Operating

graduate.”

Officer, and who has been

This location marks Saxbys’

working with Saxbys for

second within Pennsylvania’s

In the weeks to come, Saxbys

six months while receiving

State System of Higher

and WCU look forward to

full academic credit for

Education. The State

announcing a lineup of alumni

his experience. Cohen will

System’s 20-member Board

who will serve as Celebrity

offer training resources and

of Governors is responsible

Baristas for special event

operational support to West

for oversight of the State

programming on campus this

Chester’s ELP location on an

System and establishes broad

fall.

ongoing basis. “Thank you to Saxbys for selecting West Chester University as its partner in this important entrepreneurial venture,” says West Chester University President Dr. Christopher Fiorentino. “WCU is quite pleased to be able to collaborate with such a visionary company in order to help students directly apply what they are currently learning in the classroom to a professional setting. By

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

SUMMER AR O UN D C AMP U S

5

MAPPING THE TREES IN WEST CHESTER West Chester University Geography and Planning Professor Dr. Joan Welch and students Eric Chapman, Connie Driedger, Michael Dunn, and Kimberly Kutzler spent much of May and June developing a geodatabase by inventorying and mapping the street trees in the Borough of West Chester. The students used Environmental Systems Research Institute’s (ESRI) ArcCollector online application to collect the data on their smart phones.

ArcGIS software program.

collected on approximately

The online data collection

Data collected in the

two-thirds of the Borough’s

system then populated a

field included some of the

street trees. A total of 2,133

geodatabase set up through

following variables: tree

Borough trees had data

WCU’s GIS and Spatial

species, common tree name,

collected, and there were

Analysis Center and the ESRI

date collected, location,

670 empty tree wells as

diameter, size at maturity,

possible locations for new

and current condition.

street trees.

“The database that this

The project was made

project is building will

possible through a WCU

help the West Chester

Office of Sustainability grant.

Borough understand and

The development of the

better maintain the trees

database was in collaboration

for everyone’s enjoyment

with the West Chester

and benefit now and in the

Borough Tree Commission and

future,” said Driedger.

Michael Dunn of Bartlett Tree Experts.

The initial phase of the geodatabase and data collection was completed at the end of June with data

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

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SUMMER AR O UN D C AMP U S

SYMBOL INTELLIGENCE GROUP CONFERENCE WCU’s Department of Criminal Justice and the Criminal Justice Student Association hosted the 2018 Symbol Intelligence Group Conference in May. The focus of the conference was Police Symbology: Decoding Gangs, DTO’s, Extremists and Subcultural Groups. Narco trafficking, the occult, homicide, and prison gang experts all presented, and officers from Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia attended the conference. tattoos, graffiti, clothing,

of symbolic evidence for

This three-day training

masks, vehicle decals, and

identification, interdiction,

introduced law enforcement

other identifiers found during

corrections, intelligence,

professionals to ‘Police

searches on vehicles, on

crowd control, investigation,

Symbology’. Attendees were

social media, at protests,

and countering violent

trained on identifying the

crime scenes, and in

extremism was also

emblems, flags, insignia,

prisons. Officers will now

emphasized.

be able to recognize and evaluate symbols and other

Overall, the conference

identifiers of drug trafficking

assisted officers in

organizations, nationalists,

recognizing and evaluating

anarchists, special interest

potential threats.

extremists, designated terrorist groups, and violent extremists. The conference included a special segment on antipolice symbols, movements and cyberattacks that target officers. The significance

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

SUMM E R A B R OA D

7

    BUSINESS & ECONOMICS STUDENTS IN CHINA                                       In early July, six WCU

taking classes at SWUFE,

students from different

experiencing more Chinese

academic disciplines and

culture, and exploring

academic years traveled

ordinary Chinese life in

to the cities of Chengdu,

more depth.

Xi’an and Beijing, China. During this three-week trip,

During orientation, students

students studied, traveled,

attended the opening

and explored the Chinese

ceremony of SWUFE’s Global

society, and were exposed

Academy Program. Here,

to the culture and economic

they saw performances

After finishing classes

development of China.

including the Sichuan

at SWUFE, the students

Opera’s face changing

traveled to the second

The first destination was

technique, traditional

stop in Xi’an. Serving as

Chengdu, the hometown

dance, and Tai Chi. During

the capital city between

of the Giant Panda, and a

their two-week study, WCU

200 BC and 900 AD, Xi’an

city famous for its food and

students joined students

represents the ancient

culture. It is also where

from SWUFE and Texas A&M

history of China. The group

WCU’s partner-university,

in classes, business trips,

spent two days in Xi’an,

Southwest University of

and excursions such as

and visited the Terracotta

Economics and Finance

traveling to the Chengdu

Warriors, the Ancient City

(SWUFE), is located.

Museum and Sichuan Science

Wall, the Giant Wild Goose

Students spent two weeks

and Technology Museum.

Pagoda, and Shaanxi History Museum.

WCU students visited the Breeding Research Base of

The final destination of the

the Giant Panda, where

trip was Beijing, the capital

you can see the most

city. The students spent

pandas, from newborns

three days visiting some of

to adult, in the world.

the most famous attractions

Students also visited the

in China: the Forbidden

ancient town called Luodai,

City, the Temple of Heaven,

where traditional Hakka

the Great Wall, the Summer

architecture beautifully

Palace, and the Bird Nest

preserved dates back to the

(the main stadium of the

1600s.

2008 Olympics).

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

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SUMM E R A B R OA D     GEOGRAPHY & PLANNING STUDENTS IN KYRGYZSTAN                                       The Geography and Planning Department led a summer abroad trip to Kyrgyzstan for four faculty and staff members and eight students. During the threeweek trip, they traveled all over the country learning about how the geography and culture of Kyrgyzstan are related. One of the many highlights from the trip was the amazing landscape.

The Kyrgyz people were

to witness. They also still

Kyrgyzstan is a mountainous

historically nomadic, and

often use summer pastures

country and there were

while they are no longer

– where shepherd families

snowcapped mountains in

nomads, some vestiges of

will take their livestock up

view almost all the time.

that history remain. These

to the high mountains for

The group was able to go

include their national game

the summer to graze. The

on several hikes across

of kok-boru (a bit like rugby

faculty, staff and students

very different kinds of

on horseback), which the

spent two nights at one of

landscapes.

group had the opportunity

these pastures. The trip also included a two-night stay with a Kyrgyz family, who hosted a toi, a feast of celebration, to demonstrate some of their cultural traditions. It was five-plus hours of eating, singing, and even some dancing. The family sang traditional Kyrgyz songs, and the WCU group sang the theme song from The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

NEW OPPORTUNITIES     MINOR OFFERINGS EXPANDED    

Mino r i n H uma n Re s o u rc e M a n age m e nt no w offe re d Human resource management plays a vital role in the life of all organizations, and the field has evolved such that human resource professionals are now viewed as strategic business partners who assist senior managers in key areas of organizational leadership. West Chester University’s Management Department now offers an 18-credit blended minor in Human Resource Management to introduce students to the core competencies of the field, including employment law, staffing and development, and compensation. In addition, students will gain key insights about organizational behavior and a marketable skill set that transcends disciplines.

    WCU IN PHILADELPHIA PROGRAMS EXPANDED                     Maste r i n Pu b l i c A d mi n i st r a t i o n (M PA ) Co m i ng t o W CU i n Phi l ade l p hia Beginning in the Fall of 2019, students at West Chester University in Philadelphia will be able to earn a Master in Public Administration (MPA). Offered through the Department of Public Policy and Administration, the Master of Public Administration (MPA) is a professional degree designed for individuals, both with and without professional work experience, who desire to enhance their administrative and public management skills. For students without public service leadership experience (pre-service), a relevant internship will also be incorporated into the program. The Nonprofit Administration concentration will be available at the Philadelphia Campus. The MPA curriculum provides students with a foundation in the practice of public administration, and will increase students marketability, improve leadership skills and help students stand out amongst their peers in the workforce. Students earning the degree will possess a high level of competency in administrative processes for the public (and private) sector. The application is easy and no GRE scores are required. Most students complete the program while working full time. Now accepting applications!

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RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

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COTTRELL ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP CENTER

WCU BUSINESS IDEA COMPETITION EXPANDING West Chester University’s

training program

Business Idea Competition

focused around the

is expanding globally as a

WCU Business Idea

training session was held

Competition. Patricia

this summer at Beijing Union

Diggin, Director of

University.

the Cottrell Center, and Dr. Linda Zhu,

Beijing Union University

Chairperson of

(BUU) is a comprehensive

the Department of

municipal university

Management, visited

invited to submit their ideas

administered by the Beijing

BUU during the first week of

in this year’s upcoming WCU

government of China,

July.

Business Idea Competition.

with more than 30,000

The top team will be invited

students and 1,800 full-time

Teams of students worked

on campus to participate in

teachers in 61 specialties

together to develop

the Business Idea Pitch on

in management, economics,

their problem solving,

April 17, 2019.

law, education, and others on

idea development and

13 campuses.

presentation skills. At the

Participation in the Business

conclusion of the training

Idea Pitch is just one part

BUU asked the Dr. Edwin

session, approximately 15

of a week-long visit for the

Cottrell Entrepreneurial

students presented their

student delegation from

Leadership Center to prepare

ideas in a two-minute pitch.

Beijing Union University in

and deliver a three-day

Students from BUU have been

the spring.

COTTRELL CENTER LEADERSHIP CHANGES With the growth of

Center after previously

Executive Director.

the Dr. Edwin Cottrell

serving as the Executive in

Zimmerman, PhD, CPA, is a

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Residence. Diggin earned

professor in the Management

Center and WCU’s

an MBA from West Chester

Department where she

ongoing commitment to

University, and has been

teaches entrepreneurship

entrepreneurship, the

teaching at WCU in the

and strategic management

Cottrell Center is pleased

Marketing and Management

courses. She served as the

to announce the following

Departments for the past

director of the Cottrell

leadership changes.

seven years.

Center from its founding through 2014, and resumed

Patricia Diggin is now the

Monica Zimmerman is

Director of the Cottrell

now the Cottrell Center’s

her leadership role in 2016.

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

COTTRELL ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP CENTER

STARTUP WEEKEND WEST CHESTER Entrepreneurs just had 54

startups and launching

prototype to present on

hours to take their greatest

successful ventures. More

Sunday evening. At the final

idea from concept to creation

than 60 people from six

presentations on Sunday,

at an event 100 percent led

states packed a room at

judges assessed the teams

by volunteer community

West Chester University

on three main criteria:

leaders.

for Friday’s kick-off night,

validation of problem,

with 25 people standing up

solution and design, as well

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell

to pitch their ideas before

as business model.

Entrepreneurial Leadership

a panel of professionals

Center, the Greater

and investors. After much

The following three winners

West Chester Chamber

deliberation and rounds

were chosen.

of Commerce, and the

of voting by the collective

Chester County Economic

group, seven ideas were

• 1st place: Work Out On

Development Council program

chosen to be worked on in

Wheels, a mobile gym that

Ideas x Innovation Network

teams over the remaining 50

comes directly to your home

(i2n) partnered to deliver the

hours.

complete with a Red Cross

first-ever Techstars Startup

Certified Driver/Personal

Weekend for the Philly ‘burbs

All day Saturday and into

Trainer.

June 1-3, 2018 on the campus

Sunday morning, the seven

of West Chester University.

companies were built. With

• 2nd place: InstantFund,

the help of 20 mentors

a web-based platform that

Techstars Startup Weekend

(and more than 80 hours of

serves as an intermediary to

West Chester was a 54-hour

volunteered time) from the

speed up the refund process

event that brought together

region’s leading businesses,

for online purchases.

active and empowered

the seven teams received

entrepreneurs who learned

guidance and framework

• 3rd place: End of Life

the basics of founding

to help them create a

Wishes, a website that has all the information needed to manage the death of loved ones, including counseling services, burial options and estate management.

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RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

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DEPART M E N T N E WS & N O TES (NEACJS) Undergraduate

Trike Challenge at the West

A C C O U N T I NG B e ta A lp ha P si Re ce i v e s S u p eri o r St a t us

Student Paper Competition.

Chester Benchmark Twilight

Butt traveled to Portsmouth,

Cycling Classic on August 11,

Rhode Island, to accept

2018.

Under the leadership of

her award and present her

Professor Dr. Peter Oehlers,

paper at the NEACJS 2018

West Chester University’s

Conference held June 7-9.

Chapter of Beta Alpha

Her paper was about the

Psi, has received Superior

pros and cons of body-worn

Status, the second-highest

cameras for police. As the

distinction, for the fifth

winner of the competition,

year in a row. Beta Alpha Psi

she was awarded a

is the accounting, finance,

certificate, a $500 check,

and information systems

a one-year membership

M.S. HRM

Honors Fraternity on campus.

to NEACJS, conference

The group participates in

registration, and a one-night

Second Group of S tu d e n ts E a r n D e g rees

community service events,

stay at the conference hotel.

The second group of students

networking events with firms

from the M.S. in Human

and corporations, social

M AN AGE ME NT

Resource Management

events, and professional

Pr o f es s o r s Re p r e s e n t Int er n a ti o n a l B u s i n e s s a t Tr ike C h a l l e n g e

program were conferred

CRI M I NAL J U S T IC E

Management Professors Dr.

of their experience and

N oo r Butt Wins N EACJS St udent Pa per Compe tit io n

Matt Shea and Dr. Vicky

education attained in which

Katsioloudes, Economics

100% agreed and strongly

and Finance Professor Dr.

agreed they have a greater

Thomas Andrews, and Pre-

understanding of the HR

International Business

field and how to proactively

student Emily White formed a

contribute to the business

team which competed in the

environment.

presentations.

degrees in the Spring 2018. Graduates provided feedback

BETA GAMMA SIGMA RECOGNIZED West Chester University’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter was recognized on the Chapter Honor West Chester University

Roll for 2017-18 as an Honors

Criminal Justice student

chapter. The Chapter Honor Roll

and Nu Beta (Honor Society)

program awards active collegiate

member, Noor Butt, won the

chapters, which engage its

2018 Northeastern Association

members and in turn, allows members to take advantage of

of Criminal Justice Sciences

all BGS has to offer our members.

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

STUD E NT ORI E N TATI O N     WELCOME NEW STUDENTS                                      West Chester University was busy this summer welcoming new students with several orientations for its new business and public management students. Main campus held its First-Year Student Orientation across eight days in June as it welcomed the class of 2022. The College of Business and Public Management had approximately 650 incoming undergraduate students pass through the Business and Public Management Center from June 14 through June 29 for the first part of the orientation

As the fall semester approached, orientations

program.

were held for the new students at both the Philadelphia and Delaware County Community

Students and their families had the

College campuses. It marks the first time

opportunity to meet fellow new students

that a WCU bachelor’s degree in Business

and families, explore campus and find out

Management is being offered at both those

about the resources available to make them

locations.

successful at WCU. A key part of the firstyear student orientation experience was

Additionally, the online M.S. in Human

meeting with their academic advisor or

Resource Management program hosted a

counselor and receiving their first-year

“Meet & Greet” on August 22. It was as an

schedule.

opportunity for students to connect with one another and faculty in the program and gain

The College of Business and Public

valuable information regarding curriculum

Management’s four Pre-Business Counselors

and scheduling. Students attended both in

and faculty members from all the departments

person and by livestream.

were hard at work making sure the new students felt welcomed and informed.

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RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

14

FAC ULT Y R E C O G N I TI O N     AWARDS, GRANTS, AND PUBLICATIONS                                      DR. PETER OEHLERS, ACCOUNTING Oehlers Recognized As Beta Alpha Psi Outstanding Faculty Advisor Accounting Professor Dr. Peter Oehlers received the Outstanding Faculty Advisor Award sponsored by RSM US LLP at the Beta Alpha Psi Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. on August 9-11, 2018. The award recognizes faculty advisors who make substantial contributions to the professional growth and development of business financial information students. Faculty Advisors often work many additional hours to be present at various Beta Alpha Psi meetings, community service activities, firm receptions, member initiations, and to meet with chapter officers to plan for the months ahead. In addition to being recognized in front of their chapter and their peers, recipients also received a plaque and a $5,000 cash award from RSM US in recognition of their achievements. This year’s award recipients included: Ahmed Goma, Lambda Pi Chapter, Manhattan College, Atlantic Coast region; Peter Oehlers, Nu Zeta Chapter, West Chester University, Atlantic Coast region; Diana Franz, Gamma Epsilon Chapter, University of Toledo, Midwest region; Deb Cosgrove, Delta Omicron Chapter, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Missouri Valley region; and John Malloy, Gamma Chi Chapter, The University of Memphis, Southeast region. DR. MICHELLE WADE, PUBLIC POLICY & ADMINISTRATION Wade Recognized by Graduate Student Association Public Policy and Administration Assistant Professor Dr. Michelle Wade was recognized by the Graduate Student Association this past spring for advising. The award recognized her service above and beyond one’s prescribed position to improve the graduate student experience at WCU. Publication: Michelle L. Wade (2018). “Let’s not get sexist” women and identity in community organizations. Politics, Groups, and Identities, DOI: 10.1080/21565503.2018.1472017

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

    AWARDS, GRANTS, AND PUBLICATIONS                                      DR. JOHNNA CAPITANO, MANAGEMENT Accepted Publication: Johnna Capitano & Quinn Cunningham (2018). Suspicion at Work: The Impact on Counterproductive and Citizenship Behaviors. Organization Management Journal.

DR. MA GA (MARK) YANG, MANAGEMENT Publication: Mingu Kang, Ma Ga (Mark) Yang, Youngwon Park & Baofeng Huo (2018). Supply chain integration and its impact on sustainability. Industrial Management & Data Systems, DOI: 10.1108/IMDS-01-2018-0004 Publication: Mingu Kang, Kihyun Park, Ma Ga (Mark) Yang & Mark H. Haney (2018). Supply chain integration and coordination for international sourcing in the context of China’s processing trade. Industrial Management & Data Systems, DOI: 10.1108/IMDS-11-2017-0528

B.S. IN URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING & MASTER OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING HIGHLIGHTED IN GRID MAGAZINE West Chester University’s B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning and Master of Urban and Regional Planning programs were highlighted in Grid Magazine in August 2018. The magazine’s August edition was The Education Issue, and served as a guide to higher education’s rapidly diversifying sustainability programs.

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RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

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MEET T HE N E W FAC U LTY D R . J OY EMBREE

He was previously an Assistant Professor at

A C C O UN TI N G

the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Dr. Joy Embree returns as an Associate

His research spans Behavioral Economics,

Professor of Accounting. She is CPA licensed

Environmental Economics, and Public

in Pennsylvania, and has work experience in

Economics/Finance. In this research, he uses

public accounting. Her college teaching expe-

tools ranging from applied theory and experi-

rience is in financial accounting, managerial

mental techniques to simulations and applied

accounting, and taxation. Her research inter-

microeconometrics. He especially enjoys cre-

est areas are taxation and retirement plans.

ating novel experimental designs to apply to areas in which experiments are rare, which

DR. SELCUC KA RA HAN

has also led him to venture into other areas

ECO NO MICS/FINA N C E

such as behavioral and corporate finance. He

Dr. Selcuc Karahan is

has also participated in interdisciplinary col-

an Assistant Professor

laborative work with researchers in areas

in the Economics and

ranging from Supply Chain Management to

Finance Department.

Meteorology.

Dr. Karahan earned his B.A. in Business

D R. L E AH N D AN G A

Administration

M AN AGE M E N T

from Marmara University in Turkey in 2005.

Dr. Leah Z. B.

Following graduation, Dr. Karahan worked

Ndanga is an

for different banks in Turkey for four years

Assistant Professor

before deciding to pursue a career in aca-

in the Management

demia. He earned a M.S. in Finance from

Department. She has

West Virginia University, and Ph.D. in Finance

a BSc (Agriculture)

at the University of Cincinnati.

from the University of Fort Hare, South Africa, a MSc (Agricultural

Dr. Karahan’s research generally focuses on

Economics) from the University of Pretoria,

empirical corporate finance, and more spe-

South Africa, a M.S. (Agribusiness) from

cifically, his interest is in corporate structure

Purdue University, and a Ph.D. in Strategic

and its implications on firm value and eco-

Management from the University of

nomic activity. Dr. Karahan previously taught

Massachusetts Amherst. Earlier, she was an

courses in Corporate Finance, Investments,

economist, focusing on emerging market

and Derivatives, and while at the University

segments and market actors. Her current

of Cincinnati, was recognized in the Dean’s

research continues to have an international

List of Teaching Excellence.

focus, especially the strategic management of emerging market multinationals, with a

DR. MATTHEW MCMAHON

particular interest in international knowledge

E C O NOMI CS/ F I N ANCE

transfer, indigenous knowledge systems and

Dr. Matthew McMahon is an Assistant Professor

culture.

in the Department of Economics and Finance.

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

DR. PHUOC PHAM

D R. K I K Y U N G S ON G

MA NA GEMENT

AC C OU N T I N G

Dr. Phuoc Pham joins

Dr. KiKyung Song is an Assistant Professor in

the Department

the Accounting Department. She received

of Management

both her M.S. in Accounting & Financial

as an Assistant

Management and her Ph.D. in Accounting

Professor. Dr. Pham’s

from Temple University. Her research inter-

teaching inter-

ests are on performance measure for the

est are Operations

public sector such as governments, executive

Management, Supply Chain Management,

compensation, and financial ratio analysis for

Project Management, and Management

professional service firms.

Information System. Before pursuing his doctoral degree, he enjoyed a 10-year career in sales and marketing and project management. His research interests include: supply chain technology, and marketing and supply chain interface.

FAC ULTY PR O M O T I O N S T H E FOLLOW I N G FACULTY MEMB ERS EA RNE D PROM OT I ON : A S S I STAN T PR OF ESSOR: Phyllis A. Belak

Dr. Marek R. Marciniak

Accounting

Economics and Finance

A S S OCI AT E PR OF ESSOR:

Dr. Jeremy N. Phillips

Dr. Sami Abdel-Salam

Public Policy and Administration

Criminal Justice Dr. Christopher Przemieniecki Dr. Gerald M. Abdesaken

Criminal Justice

Economics and Finance Dr. Matt B. Saboe Dr. Michael E. Antonio

Economics and Finance

Criminal Justice Dr. Ma Ga (Mark) Yang Dr. Susan R. Fiorentino

Management

Management F U L L PROF ES S OR: Dr. Guohua Jiang

Dr. Simon Condliffe

Management

Economics and Finance

Dr. Michael A. Malcolm Economics and Finance

17

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

18

U PCOMING E V E N T S

EV ENT S IN TH E FA L L    CALENDAR                                    

SEPTEMBER

29

MENTAL HEALTH being held at Willistown & THE CRIMINAL Friends Meeting in Newtown MEET THE FIRMS J U S T I C E S Y S T E M Square. Doors open at 10:30 Join the Twardowski Join WCU Criminal Justice a.m. with the workshop Career Development Center Professors Dr. Michele P. beginning at 11 a.m. a n d W C U ’s A c c o u n t i n g Bratina and Dr. Michael E. Department for its annual Antonio for a community Meet the Firms Night at Sykes f o r u m a n d p a r t i c i p a t o r y Student Union. All Accounting w o r k s h o p o n “ M e n t a l C R I M I N A L a n d Pre- B usi ne ss majors H e a l t h & T h e C r i m i n a l JUSTICE EXPO interested in Accounting Justice System: Correctional Over 35 criminal justice are encouraged to attend. a n d C o m m u n i t y - B a s e d agencies will be in Sykes Meet representatives from Responses”. The event is Ballrooms. over 30 regional and local accounting firms as well as DAT E S T O R E ME MBE R other employers recruiting A U G U S T in the accounting field. 27 First Day of Fall Semester 2018

06

OCTOBER

01

20

W E L C O M E BACK WCU J o i n W C U Pr e s i d e n t D r. Christopher Fiorentino at 12:30 p.m. in the Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall as he highlights new University initiatives, celebrates accomplishments, and shares his vision of how we as a University community can best fulfill our mission of student success.

S E P TE M BE R 3

Labor Day - No Classes

5

Fall Involvement Fair

11

Graduate Information Session

12

WCU in Philadelphia Open House

19

Study Abroad Fair

OC TOB E R 12-14

Family Weekend

18

Graduate Open House

24

WCU in Philadelphia Information Session

NOVE M BE R 2-4 Homecoming 14

Graduate Information Session

21-25

Fall/Thanksgiving Break

D E C E MBE R 10

Final Day of Fall Semester 2018

11-15

Fall 2018 Final Exams

RAM REPORT | Fall 2018

16

CRIME & JUSTICE LECTURE SERIES The Department of Criminal Justice and The Center for Women & Gender Equity present the Crime & Justice Lecture Series at 7 p.m. featuring “Crazy Love Not So Crazy: A Tale of Domestic Violence” with Leslie Morgan W C U Steiner, author, advocate, DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE THE CENTER FOR WOMEN & GENDER EQUITY wife, mother and victim. present EST

HESTER

NIVERSITY

in the Sykes Student Union from 11-11:50 a.m. in room Ballrooms. The event allows 101 of the Business and students to meet and speak Public Management Center. with WCU alumni who have graduated from law school and are pursuing myriad careers in law.

NOVEMBER

12

C O T T R E L L CENTER GLOBAL Crime & Justice ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK Lecture Series E a c h y e a r, t h e C o t t r e l l Tuesday, October 16th, 2018 Center celebrates Global Main Hall Auditorium 168 7:00 - 8:30 pm E n t r e p r e n e u r s h i p We e k . Featuring T h e C e n t e r, a l o n g w i t h CRAZY LOVE NOT SO CRAZY: universities, communities, A TALE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE and organizations AUTHOR, ADVOCATE, WIFE, MOTHER AND VICTIM LESLIE MORGAN STEINER around the globe, host e n tre preneurship-related events. This year, Global Entrepreneurship Week is November 12 through 18. The Cottrell Center has an exciting lineup of Global FREE - DON’T MISS THIS! P PtoAthe PUBLIC!! A L U M N I Entrepreneurship events to OPEN E V E N T promote entrepreneurship Join the Public Policy and at WCU and throughout the Administration Department region. Please check the for an alumni networking Cottrell Center website for event from 5:30 to 7:30 the week’s full schedule. p.m. at Mas Mexicali Cantina in downtown West Chester. G I S D AY West Chester CAREERS IN LAW alumna Madeline Schueren The P r e - L a w (‘14, MA’16) will be the Society, Phi Alpha Delta, and keynote speaker on GIS Day. the WCU Law Alumni Chapter Schueren, who is a Solution will be co-hosting a Careers Engineer on the Geodesign in Law event on Tuesday, Team at Esri, will be speaking October 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. about her background in GIS Domestic Violence Awareness Month

Graduate of Harvard University and the Wharton School of Business. She is a successful business women and an outspoken advocate for survivors of Domestic Violence…. INCLUDING HERSELF

18

23

14

DECEMBER

15

G R A D U A T E COMMENCEMENT The Fall 2018 Graduate Commencement Ceremony will be held inside Hollinger Field House on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 10 a.m.

16

UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT The Fall 2018 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony will be held inside Hollinger F i e l d H o u s e o n S u n d a y, December 16, 2018, at 10 a.m.

19