Preparing Women for Business Success
Before spring break, in celebration of Women's History Month, our Women of Walker program hosted professionals in Peacock Hall who shared with students their workplace experiences and offered advice on the business world from a female perspective. Key tips included: take advantage of the opportunities available in the Walker College as early as possible, build relationships and networks, and find your own voice and motivation. Drawing from her own experiences as a female in a predominantly male field of study, CIS professor Dawn Medlin founded Women of Walker to accelerate professional development, personal growth and leadership. National business trends indicate a need to support gender diversity, and our college is no exception. Events like this month’s—as well as initiatives such as the Women in Financial Services program housed in the Department of Finance, Banking and Insurance—are aimed at making every student aware of opportunities in business.
A Tradition of Academic Integrity
2018 marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Appalachian’s chapter of Beta Gamma Sigma (BGS)—the international honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB. BGS honors academic achievement, develops leaders and connects student and alumni members. Thirty-six Walker College students—selected from the top 10 percent of the junior and senior classes and the top 20 percent of the graduate student body—were installed last Tuesday. As a fellow BGS member, I share these students’ commitment to foster the society’s values: honor and integrity, pursuit of wisdom, earnestness and service. You can see the threads of these values in our college’s mission. See below for opportunities taking place in our college this week.
30 Years of Bringing Thought Leaders to Campus
When we think about the complex challenges of the world around us, we must think about identifying our purpose,” said Lord Dr. Michael Hastings, Global Head of Corporate Citizenship for KPMG International and a thought leader in corporate sustainability, during last Friday’s Boyles Distinguished Lecture. Being purposeful and overcoming indifference is critical to social progress and personal happiness, explained Lord Hastings, who spent the day engaged with our students, faculty and members of our Business Advisory Council as part of our 60th lecture. Founded in 1988, the Boyles Lecture Series has brought to campus a long list of thought leaders and business executives. Review the past lectures. If you missed Lord Hastings’ talk, I encourage you to watch the lecture video now on our YouTube channel. See below for opportunities taking place in our college this week.
Walker College Professors: Teachers, Researchers and Engaged Community Members
Unlike many peer schools, who utilize graduate students to teach courses, Appalachian offers professor-led classroom experiences. Beyond being excellent teachers and engaged community members, Appalachian’s business faculty are exceptional researchers, a dual role that further benefits our students. In the past five years, our faculty has published more than 500 peer-reviewed academic journal articles and conference proceedings. One forum for sharing our research is the Appalachian Research in Business Symposium—a program begun in 2013 in partnership with Eastern Kentucky, East Tennessee State and Western Carolina Universities. This year’s event, held last month at ETSU, saw six Walker College professors presenting with their students on five topics. Students who seek opportunities to engage in research alongside our faculty members should visit business.appstate.edu/students/research for information on how to get started or to apply for a Barnes Research Grant. See below for opportunities taking place in our college this week.
