This immersive program explores critical infrastructure risk, mitigation, and resilience, with a special focus on the Bahamas. A unique international learning journey takes students to Nassau to meet with the management of Bahamas Power & Light (government-owned electric power generation, distribution, and management), Bahamas Water and Sewage Corporation (government-owned potable water supply and sewage treatment), and Lynden Pindling International Airport (largest airport in the Bahamas and the largest international gateway into the country). These meetings are centered on the unique geographical and financial challenges the Bahamas faces in consistently and sustainably meeting the utility and transportation needs of the country. The country's critical infrastructure is vital not only to its citizens directly, but also indirectly as the Bahamian population relies on relatively few industries for its economic health, all of which are heavily dependent on infrastructure for their operations. The Bahamian economy relies predominantly on tourism, which is responsible for approximately 50 percent of the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The financial services sector is the second largest industry, comprising between 15 and 20 percent of GDP. Other industries that make a sizable contribution to the economy include agriculture, retail and wholesale trade, fishing, and manufacturing. Students in this course experience the islands of New Providence and Exuma during their travel. While on campus, the coursework examines the Bahamas infrastructure risk and resilience to that of the coastal Southeastern U.S., comparatively.
Courses
BUS 4055 - Critical Infrastructure Risk & Resilience in the Bahamas (3 credit hours) Pre requisite : 84 earned hours
MBA 5020 - International Seminar on Critical Infrastructure Risk & Resilience in the Bahamas
Credits (3 credit hours)
BUS 4055 - This course counts as an IB elective (major, approved, required or other), Sustainable Business minor or major concentration elective, COB elective or upper level elective and fulfills the Global Issues requirement.
MBA 5020 - This 3 semester hour course fulfills the international requirement for the MBA program and is an elective for the international business and/or interdisciplinary concentration.
Cost
Talk with the program leader regarding the cost of this program.
Leaders
Dr. Lori Medders - meddersla@appstate.edu
Dr. Medders serves as the Joseph F. Freeman Distinguished Professor of Insurance (since August 2017) and as Chair of the Department of Finance, Banking & Insurance (since July 2023) for the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University. She also served as Director of the Walker College of Business Honors program (2018-23). Prior to joining ASU, she was on faculty at Florida State University (risk and insurance, 2009-17), Georgia State University (risk and insurance, 1999-2008), and Georgia Southern University (finance and economics, 1994-98). Ph.D. in Business Administration - Risk Management & Insurance, Georgia State University (1995); B.S. in Commerce & Business, magna cum laude, University of Alabama (1990).
Dr. Brandy Hadley - hadleybe@appstate.edu
- David A. Thompson Distinguished Scholar of Applied Investments
- Ph.D., Finance, University of Tennessee
- MBA, International Business, Appalachian State University
- B.S., Finance & Banking, Appalachian State University
- B.S., Risk Management & Insurance, Appalachian State University
Application Instructions
- Contact the program leader to express your interest.
- To apply, click on the program link: https://appstate.via-trm.com/program_brochure/23502
- Go to the "Term Information" tab and click "Apply Now" under FLEAP Spring 2025.
- Complete, sign, and submit the application form online.
- Pay the $300 deposit and follow payment guidelines.
- Remember, you will need to register for the course in addition to completing this application.
- Application Deadline: December 1st. Applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.
