Business & Public Management

JONGWOONG KIM RECEIVES 2023 KATHY A. POSSINGER HOUSING POLICY FELLOWSHIP

December 8, 2022

Dr. Jongwoong Kim, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning, is a recipient of the 2023 Kathy A. Possinger Housing Policy Fellowship from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Kim will receive a stipend during the year to conduct research benefiting the affordable housing industry. Kim's fellowship project will connect and analyze issues that are often discussed separately but have consequences from their combined impact on seniors: those are property taxes and aging-in-place. 

Read the official Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency press release for more information. 

WCU’S BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN URBAN AND ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING RECEIVES ACCREDITATION

November 11, 2022

This past June, the Planning Accreditation Board (PAB) announced initial accreditation for West Chester University’s Bachelor of Science in Urban and Environmental Planning degree for a five-year term effective January 2023. WCU joins only 15 other undergraduate programs in the United States to be nationally accredited.

In its report, the review committee noted many areas of excellence including a notable strength in the use and application of technologies embodied in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which is supported by a close linkage between program faculty and ESRI, faculty engagement in community and regional planning practices, and high-quality and energetic students who gain valuable real-world experience.

“The department has spent many years carefully developing a planning program that builds on the strengths of the Geography & Planning Department and the College of Business & Public Management,” said Dr. Dottie Ives Dewey, Associate Dean of the College of Business and Public Management and Professor of Planning. “Accreditation by the PAB is a great acknowledgement that our program aligns with the performance expectations, quality standards, and values central to the planning profession. We’re especially pleased that the PAB recognized the quality of our students, as they are the true testament of the quality of the program. We believe the B.S. in Urban & Environmental Planning program is well-positioned to continue to educate new planners and make lasting contributions to local communities in Chester County and beyond.”

PAB’s mission is to promote excellence among planning programs and ensure high quality education for future urban planners. PAB currently accredits 15 bachelor’s and 78 master’s programs at 81 North American universities. Accreditation by the PAB indicated that the program has undergone an external review and substantially meets the PAB standards and criteria. PAB bases its decisions on the overall quality of the program, its performance relative to its mission and strategic plan, and its performance relative to PAB’s five standards.

Accreditation (or a degree from an accredited program) serves as a marker of approval from the planning academy as well as the planning profession. Practitioners and employers view accredited programs highly in providing the core for professional education with commonly recognized standards for skills, knowledge, and values. Accreditation provides an assurance that a program’s graduates are well prepared for practice with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively serve in the workplace and with the public. Graduates from accredited planning programs are also eligible for AICP Candidacy status immediately upon graduation.

While the Department of Geography and Planning had been educating planners for many years, the B.S. in Urban and Environmental Planning officially launched in Fall 2016 with the growing demand in the region and nationally. The curriculum equips students with the professional and technical skills needed to guide the complex processes of a changing world, to utilize modern technology to create a sustainable built and natural environment, and to enrich communities through leadership, entrepreneurial creativity, social responsibility and environmentally sustainable planning and policy. As of May 2022, the program has awarded degrees to 62 students.

“I think that the planning studio courses helped solidify that planning was the career path I wanted to follow,” said Patricia Quinn ’21, M’22, who is currently a Transportation Planner for the Chester County Planning Commission. “They laid out a structured but amenable roadmap for projects and students made the final product their own.”

The most recent 2022 graduation class has a 100% placement rate of either being employed or admitted to graduate school upon graduation. Employers include townships, counties, engineering services firms, GIS and technology firms, and not-for-profit entities including environmental organizations and community development organizations.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND PUBLIC MANAGEMENT OUTSTANDING STUDENTS CELEBRATED

April 21, 2022

The College of Business and Public Management held its annual Outstanding Student Awards event Wednesday, April 20, recognizing a total of 27 students from its programs for their outstanding accomplishments. The event honored 17 undergraduate students, including students from WCU’s Philadelphia and DCCC Campus programs, and 10 graduate students.

The Outstanding Student Award is presented to both undergraduate and graduate students in each College of Business and Public Management program. Each department or program nominates and selects their award winner(s) based on criteria individual to that department.

Congratulations to the following students:

Outstanding Undergraduate Students

 

CONFIRMING GLOBAL QUALITY AND DISTINCTION IN BUSINESS EDUCATION

April 8, 2022

WCU has extended its accreditation in business with AACSB International (AACSB), a global nonprofit association that connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders.

Since 1916, AACSB accreditation has been synonymous with the highest standards in business education. Today, a total of 935 institutions across 59 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation in business.

Evan Leach, dean of the College of Business and Public Management, noted, “Our quest for reaccreditation was a real team effort in which our faculty, staff and students played a significant role in the process. It is great to have external affirmation of the hard work that everyone has put in to make our business programs strong and impactful.”

Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal focus, engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor, and peer-reviewed evaluation. During this multiyear path, schools focus on developing and implementing a plan to align with AACSB’s accreditation standards. These standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement.

“Every AACSB-accredited school has demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning,” said Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB. “The intense peer-review process exemplifies their commitment to quality business education.”

10TH ANNUAL BUSINESS IDEA PITCH IS APRIL 20: MORE ENTRIES, MORE PRIZES

April 8, 2022

As West Chester University wraps up its Sesquicentennial, it is also celebrating the 10th anniversary of the annual Business Idea Competition hosted by the Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center. The finalists will compete in person on Wednesday, April 20, at the WCU Alumni and Foundation Center before a panel of judges that consists of business angel investors, entrepreneurs, and business advisors. Doors open for networking at 4 p.m. and the in-person pitches begin at 5 p.m. Register to attend here.

Sponsored by the Cottrell Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the WCU Business Idea Competition promotes creativity and idea generation by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology.

An increase in prize money to $15,000 for this 10th anniversary competition was made possible by a generous gift supported by the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic.

The Business Idea Competition draws entries in four categories: WCU undergraduates; WCU graduate students, faculty/staff, and alumni; Chester County high school students; and Chester County startups. This year’s Round 1 and Round 2 panel of judges selected the following to advance to the finals:

WCU Undergraduate Track

Matthew Zwilgmeyer, VR Warehouse: a space where individuals can come to experience virtual reality in the most realistic way, as it combines both the sense of sight and touch.

Anthony Leipziger, The Ring Beat: a smart ring that tracks a person's heart rate and has GPS & telecommunication capabilities.

WCU Graduate, Alumni, Faculty & Staff

Morris Cohen, Holodeck: an experiential learning experience that combines elements of virtual reality and teacher curriculum, resulting in high levels of student engagement.

Janear Hankerson, 7th & Northampton Studio Production LLC: a program that addresses the issue of teacher shortages and how it’s rooted in the lack of classroom management. This program provides educators with humor theories, techniques, and exercises to keep their audience engaged.

Chester County High School Students

Alyana Wybranski, Brendan Pappas, James Spaulding, Kenneth Profeto, CASS – Computerized Automatic Suppression System: a computerized autonomous suppression system that can be used in place of typical sprinkler systems.

Joseph Richter, Split: an app that solves the lack of communication that divorced parents have and the effect it has on children. The features of the app include a shared calendar to manage a child's schedule, a direct line to counseling hotlines, and can be used to split expenses.

Chester County Startups

Kevin Boylan & Nicole Boylan, SCAPES: a virtual landscape design business that produces 3D custom landscape designs based on a customer's envision.

Devin Marlin, Beach Runner: a full concierge beach gear set up and clean up service.

Cottrell Center Director Pattie Diggin M’96 is pleased with the growth of the competition. “Ten years ago the WCU Business Idea Competition was established with one track and 40 participants. Since then, it has expanded to include not only our own University students, faculty, and staff but also Chester County community members and Chester County High School students, drawing more than 300 participants this year. The Cottrell Entrepreneurship Center looks forward to supporting the continued growth of creative idea development at WCU and beyond.”

The presenting sponsor for this year’s Business Idea Competition is Meridian Bank. Univest Financial is the gold sponsor.

The Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center fosters entrepreneurship across West Chester University and throughout Chester County by preparing students to contribute to the entrepreneurship ecosystem, providing access to a rich network of entrepreneurship resources and enhancing the startup and growth of new ventures to develop a strong WCU entrepreneurship culture and a vibrant Chester County entrepreneurship ecosystem.

WCU TEAM PLACES 12th IN ERPsim NORTH AMERICA COMPETITION

March 31, 2022

On March 25, 2022, a team of three students from West Chester University’s College of Business and Public Management finished 12th at the 2022 ERPsim North America Competition. Over 100 students from 25 universities took part in this year’s virtual event jointly organized by SAP Next-Gen University Alliances NA and ERPsim Lab –HEC Montréal.

The WCU team consisting of Joseph Harkins, Seth McLaughlin, and Andrew Zou displayed excellence in teamwork and problem-solving skills. The trio, coached by WCU Department of Management faculty members, Dr. Linda Zhu, Dr. Phuoc Pham, and Dr. Qi Zou, completed a 4-day intensive training and was able to quickly grasp the new system, comprehend the game logic, and develop strategies for maximizing the corporate valuation.

The top three teams in the North America competition advance to the ERPsim International Competition, which is being held on June 16, 2022. The teams advancing from the North America region are: Sherbrooke University, Governors State University, and San Diego State University, placing first through third, respectively.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENTS COMPETE AT 2022 ACJA-LAE NATIONAL CONFERENCE

March 29, 2022

West Chester University criminal justice students recently attended the 85th Annual American Criminal Justice Association (ACJS) – Lambda Alpha Epsilon (LAE) National Conference in Kansas City, Mo., and the Golden Rams came away champions in several categories of the competitive events. A total of 23 WCU students had the opportunity to attend the conference accompanied by CJSA faculty advisor Dr. Chris Przemieniecki and adjunct professor Terence Sweeney.

The competitive events included academic competition challenge knowledge exams in Criminal Law, Police Management, Juvenile Justice, Corrections, and ACJA/LAE Knowledge. There were two new exams added in 2022 reflecting Homeland & National Security and Forensic Psychology. There were also competitions in Crime Scene Investigation, Physical Agility, and Firearms.

West Chester University placed in the following categories:

• 1st place (Upper Division) Juvenile Justice
• 1st place (Upper Division) Forensic Psychology
• 2nd place (Upper Division) Corrections
• 2nd place (Upper Division) Crime Scene Investigation
• 3rd place (Upper Division) Crime Scene Investigation
• 1st place (Lower Division) Police Management
• 2nd place (Lower Division) Juvenile Justice
• 2nd place (Lower Division) Corrections
• 1st place (Lower Division) Team Firearms
• 1st place female (18-25 yrs old) Individual Physical Agility
• 1st place male (18-25 yrs old) Individual Physical Agility
• 2nd place male (35+ yrs old) Individual Physical Agility
• Spirit Award – Best Overall Chapter/School at Nationals

PROFESSOR MATTHEW MCMAHON PROVIDES ANALYSIS ON LOCAL ECONOMICS TO CBS3

WATCH: CBS3 discussion with Professor McMahon

WCU’S ENTREPRENEURIAL LEADERSHIP CENTER SEEKS “BIG IDEAS” FOR 2022 BUSINESS IDEA COMPETITION

February 3, 2022

Now celebrating its 10th year, the Annual Business Idea Competition (BIC) at West Chester University welcomes all those who have business start-up dreams and big ideas to compete for $11,500 in prize money in the 2022 contest.

Ideas that have not yet been commercialized and can be used as the foundation for a new business are eligible for one of the four tracks in this competition:

• WCU Undergraduates
• WCU Graduate Students, Alumni, Faculty, and Staff
• Chester County-based Startups
• Chester County High School Students

Pattie Diggin, director of WCU’s Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center, notes that “This competition provides an opportunity for individuals and teams to explore new and exciting solutions through creative idea development. It promotes creativity and idea generation by recognizing innovative ideas for new products, services, and technology. The goals of the competition are to foster idea generation and to facilitate commercialization of business ideas.”

Participants will be evaluated in two steps. Ideas will initially be reviewed by business angels and business advisors. In a fast pitch competition on Wednesday, March 30, the top ideas in each category will be selected for the in-person Business Idea Pitch Competition that will take place on Wednesday, April 20, at the West Chester University Foundation, 202 Carter Drive, West Chester.

Prizes include:

• Grand Prize $2,500
• First Place Prize in each track $1,500
• Second Place Prize in each track $750

Proof that WCU’s BIC is a springboard to entrepreneurial success is evident in past winners from all categories, some of whose ideas have become reality. One example is last year’s start-up track first place winner Gene Williams, whose concept for Athletes Untapped sports coaching platform launched in August.

Another is Jake Henry, a junior Honors Pharmaceutical Product Development major and the 2021 BIC grand prize winner with his new venture, Lectra, a wireless and portable electrically conductive athletic tape designed for athletes who suffer from muscle strains. “The University’s Business Idea Pitch Competition was my first chance to test my entrepreneurial skill set,” he said. He later pitched Lectra at Entre’s Pitch Competition and took second place.

“Throughout the different phases of the competition, I learned how to create a successful elevator pitch and business model and I got first-hand experience pitching in front of a live audience. It has also given me connections that have helped me finish prototypes, acquire funding for business ventures and patents, and develop even more skills to take my business from an idea to a market disruptor.”

Henry was also among the 100 top collegiate entrepreneurs in the country who competed at the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization (CEO) People’s Choice Awards in Florida. He attended the conference with Diggin and Patrick Bassil, a WCU Business Management and Biology major, where they placed 4th of 35 competing teams in the market simulation segment.

The 10th Annual WCU Business Idea Competition is co-hosted by WCU’s Dr. Edwin Cottrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Center, the Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic, and the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce.

The presenting sponsor of the competition is Meridian Bank and the Gold Sponsor is Univest.

WCU Business Idea Competition partners are SCORE of Chester & Delaware County and the Chester County Economic Development Council initiative i2n.

Business experts, Keiretsu Forum Mid-Atlantic Angel Investors, and members of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce will judge the idea pitch.

Winners will be announced, and awards will be presented at the conclusion of the Idea Pitch.

For more information, e-mail cottrellcenter@wcupa.edu.

LORI FULLER RECEIVES OUTSTANDING AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION AWARD

February 3, 2022

Lori Fuller, professor and department chairperson in the Department of Accounting, received a 2021 Emerald Literati Award for Outstanding Author Contribution for the chapter, “Will Cognitive Style Impact Whistleblowing Intentions.”

The chapter, published in Volume 23 of Research on Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Accounting, was co-authored by Tara Shawver, Chairperson of the Department og Accounting at King’s College.

In the chapter, Fuller and Shawver conducted an exploratory study to determine if one’s cognitive style affects whistleblowing judgment and intent.
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that explores whether cognitive style affects moral sensitivity,whistleblowing judgments, and whistleblowing intentions.

The full chapter is available to read here: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/S1574-076520200000023003/full/html

ONLINE MBA STILL A TOP PROGRAM ON TWO U.S. NEWS LISTS

January 26, 2022

In an increasingly crowded and competitive market, West Chester University’s online graduate programs continue to be ranked highly among more than 1,200 programs surveyed by U.S. News for its 2022 best graduate programs. Only regionally accredited institutions whose programs are offered mostly or entirely online were evaluated.

The University’s online Master of Business Administration is ranked at #56 nationally on the newly released 2022 U.S. News Best Online MBA Programs list. MBA Coordinator Brian J. Halsey, WCU professor of business law, noted, “We’ve generally maintained our status in a fiercely competitive environment.”

WCU shares the #56 spot with five other institutions on this list of 328 qualified schools. The majority of schools are tied, with a single point on their scores often representing a large movement up or down in the rankings. U.S. News lists the tied universities alphabetically.

U.S. News also released the list of the top Online MBA Programs for Veterans, placing WCU at #38, tied with three other schools. Only 95 institutions are ranked on this list.

WCU’s online MBA is one of the most affordable AACSB-accredited programs in the country. Tuition has been frozen since 2019. The program has been online for more than 10 years and is offered in an asynchronous format with respected faculty, many of whom have taught online for more than 20 years.

For the 2022 rankings, U.S. News evaluated institutions using five categories: engagement (30%), expert opinion (25%), faculty credentials and training (15%), student excellence (15%), and student services and technologies (15%).

U.S. News surveys schools annually to collect the data necessary for its rankings.

In addition, for the third consecutive year, U.S. News administered a separate peer assessment survey directly to deans of business schools with online MBA programs and top distance-learning officials at those institutions. Their methodology states: “A survey of high-ranking academic officials at MBA programs helps account for intangible factors affecting program quality that statistics do not capture.”

The complete rankings are available online from U.S. News.