College of Business Alignment Plan Overview

With over 30,000 Alumni, the College of Business (COB) is one of the largest colleges of business in the University of North Carolina system. We focus on student success, public service, and regional transformation by building leaders. The College of Business is comprised of five departments (accounting, finance, marketing and supply chain management, and management information systems) and three schools: the Miller School of Entrepreneurship, the School of Hospitality Leadership, and the Thomas D. Arthur Graduate School of Business. We maintain an enrollment of over 4,000 undergraduate students and nearly 900 graduate students. We have over 140 faculty and nearly 40 staff members who are all focused on serving our students and our community.

Mission

East Carolina University’s College of Business provides an engaging learning environment to the leaders of today and tomorrow while expanding business knowledge and serving our communities. The foundation of our mission is the integration of four elements: Think, Value, Communicate, Lead.

  • Think: Critically and holistically based on sound business knowledge
  • Value: Appreciation for the importance of ethics, diversity, globalization, and the natural environment (EDGE); developing and articulating one’s own values
  • Communicate: Using strong written, spoken, interpersonal, and virtual skills
  • Lead: Prepared to make a difference and achieve positive outcomes in diverse settings

Vision

To be the business school of choice for tomorrow’s leaders.

Summary of Unit Strategies

Mission Priority 1: Student Success: We offer transformative experiences for all students during their time at ECU and beyond.

  • M1.2: We will increase the number of our graduates with significant experiential learning to meet critical workforce needs.
    • M1.2.1.1 Sales Academy: Increase the number of students enrolled in Sales courses each year. This includes National and Regional Sales competitions, working with clients in the region, and networking events with industry partners.
    • M1.2.1.2 Immersive MBA Pathway: Develop a sustainable program to support an intensive comprehensive pathway designed to equip high-achieving undergraduates with meaningful business experience, culminating in an immersive internship experience with an eastern North Carolina company.
  • M1.2.2: We will increase the number of our graduates with a significant co-curricular experience designed to encourage diversity of thought.
    • M1.2.2.1 Student Engagement: Increase the total number of students engaged in co-curricular activities such as the Pirate Entrepreneurship Challenge, Leadership Conference, and Student Organizations participation.
    • M1.2.2.2 Copeland Fellowships: Sustain fellowships with an annual cohort of 15, offering students a unique dynamic co-curricular experience, including projects that support diversity of thought within the region.
  • M1.3: Align university programs to meet the demands of a dynamic innovative economy and an evolving workforce.
    • M1.3.1.1 Innovative Instruction: Increase the number of faculty participating in innovation training opportunities.

Mission Priority 2: Public Service: We focus our efforts with the community in mind and to achieve goals that enable us to be more engaged citizens.

  • M2.1: Increase public engagement with and access to educational and cultural offerings.
    • M2.1.1.1 Professional Development and Advisory Services: Increase the number of attendees at public workshops (Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary, Heart for ENC), pro bono professional workshops for non-profits in the region, and enrollees in micro-credentialing and professional development programs.

Mission Priority 3: Regional Transformation: We evaluate our success by the development of our region informed by local and global perspectives.

  • M3.1: Strengthen the regional workforce.
    • M3.1.1.1 Support Organizations in Region: Increase the number of faculty/staff serving on boards of directors or boards of advisors in our region.
    • M3.1.1.2 Expert Services: Increase the number of clients (organizations/people) served.

Vision Priority 1: Social and Economic Mobility: We will be an engine of access and advancement for all learners through innovative teaching, research, and creative activities.

  • V1.3: Expand curricular and non-curricular workforce development programs aimed at workforce upskilling and reskilling.
    • V1.3.1.1 Truist Emerging Leaders Program: Provide unique leadership-building opportunities and networking events. Our goal is to increase the number of students that participate in this program.

Vision Priority 2: Workforce Success: We cultivate a culture of care, belonging, and opportunity for our faculty, staff, learners, and all stakeholders.

  • V2.1: Increase support and utilization of faculty and staff well-being resources.
    • V2.1.1.1 Arthur Teaching Fellowship: Establish an independently funded cohort of 6 faculty annually.
    • V2.1.1.2 Staff Professional Development: Increase the number of staff participating in training opportunities.

Contact Dr. Lee Grubb with questions or opportunities to collaborate.