Gannon University’s Dahlkemper School of Business has received accreditation status from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

The school received accreditation in June.

The school has received accreditation for the maximum period of 10 years after reaffirming its accreditation back in 2010.

It was the first business school to receive national accreditation for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

The ACBSP assesses business programs based on criteria focused on leadership, strategic planning, academic program and educational support, among other things.

The Dahlkemper School of Business goes above and beyond these standards.

It implements ethics-based business programs in order to offer a business education from a global perspective. The school strives to produce powerful leaders who will metamorphose the business realm and inevitably become the entrepreneurs and business giants of the future.

Two things set the Dahlkemper School of Business above other business schools.

The school partners closely with engineering programs as a result of its close association with the College of Engineering and Business. It also houses the Small Business Development Center, which allows students in the program to work with local businesses through classes and internships.

The Center for Business Ingenuity is the parent for the Small Business Development Center. The center encourages students to become entrepreneurs and connects students with aid from regional and university experts. This facility is designed to look and operate like a corporate headquarters in order to give students a real-world experience.

Graduates of the school are prepared to succeed in the modern business world driven by science and technology.

Students who come out of the program are equipped with the tools to be innovative and creative leaders.

Dr. Karinna Vernaza, Ph.D., associate dean of the Dahlkemper School of Business, said the school has been producing influential leaders for more than 70 years. She is proud that the school has been given the credit it deserves after a number of years.

“The successful implementation of the ACBSP benchmarks demonstrates a level of quality that gives external validation to our programs,” Vernaza said.

Amy Doolan, DBA, associate dean of the Dahlkemper School of Business, also expressed her pleasure with the news.

“The highly respected reaffirmation is a testament to the outstanding work of our faculty, providing quality educational experiences to our students while simultaneously showing a commitment to the accreditation process and continuous quality improvement to our business programs,” Doolan said.

The school has worked diligently to connect students with developmental opportunities.

Some of these opportunities include international internships, dual study programs and study abroad opportunities in Germany, Poland and China.

Phillip Vargo, a senior business administration major, has taken advantage of opportunities through the Dahlkemper School and the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovative Beehive, which provides market research to prospective business owners and entrepreneurs.

“As a result of these opportunities, I have vast professional experience, improved networking skills and enhanced confidence in my ability to embark on my career,” Vargo said.

“The real world networking opportunities and possibilities have been second to none.”

The Dahlkemper School of Business also fosters a tight-knit community among faculty, students and alumni.

Faculty are committed to student success and progress. Eric A. Brownlee, Ph.D., chair of market focused system for the Dahlkemper School of Business, agrees that the faculty within the school work tirelessly to create opportunities for students.

“DSB professors go above and beyond on a regular basis and they are always trying to involve students with industry and relate course material to actual business practices,” Brownlee said.

“I have worked at three other universities prior to Gannon and I have never seen such an engaged and active group of faculty members.”

Alumni have secured numerous prominent positions in the business world.

Some of these include careers with Fortune 500 companies, health care providers and nonprofit organizations. In the Dahlkemper School of Business, students are trained to have similar careers and are given the skills to become effective and renowned leaders.

ANNA MAE MALESIEWKI
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