Dr. Martin Meznar has been named Associate Dean for Global and Civic Engagement for the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University.
Meznar, who has served as the college’s associate dean of international programs and assessment since 2008, assumed his new role July 1, 2017.
“The change better aligns Dr. Meznar with the scope of his responsibilities,” said Walker College of Business Dean Heather Norris. “He leads initiatives that are critical to our students’ Appalachian education, including global learning, understanding diversity and inclusion, and sustainability.”
The college’s strategic plan, adopted by college faculty in May 2017 to guide the business school through 2022, lists global learning, diversity and sustainability among its eight core values.
Global Learning
The Walker College provides opportunities for multicultural and international learning and experiences.
Incorporating a global orientation as an integral component of students’ academic experience, the college has partnerships with universities across the globe and continues to expand ground-breaking opportunities in emerging markets, adding new program destinations and encouraging more students to spend a semester or year abroad.
Born and raised in Brazil, Meznar is passionate about globalizing his students, noting in a 2015 faculty profile both the cultural and professional benefits of travel.
“The world is not as it was,” Meznar said. “We live in a global community.”
Under Meznar’s leadership, the college’s international business program has grown to offer not only a sound education, but also to broaden students' perspectives by showing them parts of the world they may otherwise never know.
He guides students beyond their comfort zones and aims to grow their thinking by introducing them to “culturally and economically distant” areas such as Brazil, Thailand, Malawi and Cuba, among others.
Nearly 25% of Walker College graduates participated in international study abroad educational opportunities while at Appalachian.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Walker College respects and celebrates differences and emphasizes the power of combining uniqueness.
A diverse campus culture is critical to maintaining a living and learning environment conducive to knowledge, respect, acceptance, understanding and global awareness.
To increase diversity across the college, faculty and staff members have developed a Diversity Advisory Team to help direct the college in creating a more welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for all.
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The college’s Women of Walker initiative accelerates professional development, personal growth, and leadership abilities in female business majors at Appalachian through networking, career exploration, travel and professional development workshops and seminars.
Sustainability
The Walker College cultivates a deep understanding of the powerful role of business in advancing a productive and healthy society.
Committed to advancing sustainable business practices that promote responsible management of economic, social and natural resources, the business curriculum has expanded in recent years to include a sustainable business minor available to business and nonbusiness majors, a bachelor’s degree in environmental economics and policy, and an MBA concentration in sustainable business.
The programs focus on student engagement, research and community involvement and affirm that the economy, environment and society are interconnected and interdependent.
Prior to joining Appalachian, Meznar taught at Arizona State University and before that at the University of Victoria, in British Columbia.
Meznar earned his bachelor’s degree in history and business administration From Bryan College, a master’s in management and administrative sciences from the University of Texas at Dallas and his Ph.D. in international business from the University of South Carolina.
About the Walker College of Business
The Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University delivers transformational educational experiences that prepare and inspire students to be ethical, innovative and engaged business leaders who positively impact our community, both locally and globally. The college places emphasis on international experiences, sustainable business practices, entrepreneurial programs, and real-world applications with industry. Enrolling nearly 3,000 undergraduates in 10 majors, and approximately 175 graduate students in Master of Business Administration, Master of Science in Accounting and Master of Science in Applied Data Analytics programs, the Walker College is consistently named one of "The Best Business Schools" by The Princeton Review and is accredited by AACSB International – the premier global accrediting body for schools of business. For more information, visit business.appstate.edu.
