McDonough Professor Named Finalist for 2017 edX Prize
Ricardo Ernst has been named as one of the 10 finalists for the 2017 edX Prize for Exceptional Contributions in Online Teaching and Learning. Ernst is the Baratta Chair in Global Business and professor of operations and global logistics at the Georgetown McDonough School of Business. Continue reading…
Full-Time MBA Battle: New York vs. Philly
Whether it’s Giants vs. Eagles or the Statue of Liberty and the Liberty Bell, New York City and Philadelphia are two cities famous for being at odds with one another. Continue reading…
Kogod Introduces New Graduate Certificate in Islamic Finance
American University has launched a new graduate certificate at the Kogod School of Business: the Graduate Islamic Finance Certificate.
The new program was founded by Professor Ghiyath Nakshbendi. He held his first Islamic finance conference at Kogod in 2009 and created two classes on the topic afterward. Following feedback from Kogod’s students and faculty, Nakshbendi officially launched the program for the fall 2017 semester.
“This program offers a special opportunity to become an educational leader in the field,” Nakshbendi says. “I’m excited for what lies ahead.”
Students in the Graduate Certificate in Islamic Finance program can expect:
- Business courses, such as Financial Accounting and International Finance
- Economics courses, such as Economics of the World Regions
- Mathematics-focused courses
- Guest lecturers who offer students real-life perspective from the business world
Nakshbendi has an all-star line up of speakers for the program’s inaugural semester, including CEOs, lawyers, and high-profile Islamic finance professionals from Kuwait, Doha-Qatar, and Bahrain. “I make a point of inviting guest speakers who can help my students with job prospects,” Nakshbendi said.
It’s all about networking for Nakshbendi, and he hopes that his program will attracting Islamic finance professionals to Kogod. His “ultimate goal” is that these professionals will bring their work experience and job contacts with them. Nakshbendi told Kogod that he hopes to place his students at places like Citibank or Goldman Sachs.
Along with launching the Graduate Islamic Finance Certificate, Nakshbendi also founded the American Center for Alternative Finance (ACAF), a non-profit that promotes Islamic Finance and other alternative finance methods in the United States.
Through seminars and conferences, ACAF offers students opportunities to network and gain experience outside of the classroom. Nakshbendi says the organizations helps provide “great supplemental experience” for students.
Nakshbendi hopes the Certificate program is a conduit for success. Outcomes are his priority, and he wants to ensure students are flourishing after graduation.
Quinlan Dean Kevin Stevens Honored by Crain’s Chicago Business
Quinlan School of Business Dean Kevin Stevens has officially been named to the 2017 Who’s Who in Chicago Business list. Continue reading…
$16.6 Million Grant to Fund Cal State LA Dental Care Project
Here’s some news that may make you smile.
Cal State LA has been awarded a $16.6 million grant from the California Department of Health Care Services. According to a press release issued by the school, the grant is the largest in Cal State LA history.
The money will be used to promote dental health in some of Los Angeles most underserved communities. The project is targeting areas that experience high rates of dental diseases, such as children with special needs, American Indian, and Alaska Native families.
“This grant recognizes our long history of service and engagement in underserved communities,” Cal State LA President William A. Covino said. “With this grant we will be able to assist children who desperately need dental care. We’re grateful for the opportunity to serve in new ways.”
The stated goals of the grant include:
- Increasing access to oral health care.
- Identifying and treating dental disease.
- Incentivizing continuity of care for children enrolled in Denti-Cal, a program that provides dental services to approximately 6 million children in California.
- Deploying mobile care teams to provide oral health screenings.
- Establishing ongoing relationships with a dentist.
“Oral health is directly connected with overall health status and well-being across the lifespan. Oral health can affect academic achievement, self-esteem, relationships, income, and quality of life,” Cal State LA Professor Rita Ledesma also added. She is the Associate Dean of Diversity and Student Engagement in the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services.
Ledesma continued: “The grant provides a unique opportunity to build partnerships with community-based organizations and deliver oral health screening, oral health education and supplemental services to address dental health disparities that children and families experience in our community.”
Cal State LA is one of 15 recipients of the Local Dental Pilot Project funding. The project will be directed by Ledesma and Ashley Munger, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Child and Family Studies.
The Best MBA Return on Investment in the Houston Metro
One of the top things an MBA looks for when choosing a business school is the return on investment. Return on investment, or ROI, is one of the most common profitability ratios, and an easy way to determine if an MBA is “worth” your time and money. We took a look at the Houston metro, and ranked the top business schools in the area based on their ROI, comparing average starting salaries with tuition costs. Continue reading…
