With the retirement of Dean Georgette Chapman Phillips announced in June 2023, change is inevitable for the College of Business. But her legacy is one that embraces change to meet the needs of an evolving economy and technological marketplace. With the transition of leadership, the College will continue down the path she’s forged.
So much of the groundwork Phillips has laid in her 10 years of influence embraces innovation and crashes through the traditional methods of teaching business. While a new dean is expected to be appointed in time for the next academic year, the college will undoubtedly continue the approach of producing groundbreaking research with innovative classroom pedagogy. The College of Business continually cultivates the next generation of future makers in business — breaking boundaries, breaking convention, and breaking out of the box.
Think you know all there is about Lehigh Business? Here are the top five things that might be news to you:
It’s evolving to serve today’s business world — and beyond. The undergrad curriculum and graduate programs are evolving to serve a dynamic world where business and technology meet. Communications, leadership, data analytics, and coding skills have been added into the undergraduate core to prepare students for a distinguished career where business majors turn into business makers.
For graduate students, the college is offering more impactful programs for high-potential professionals ready to gain new perspectives, many of which are interdisciplinary. In January 2022, the part-time FLEX MBA program launched a concentration in public health in response to the demand for managerial professionals with expertise in population health, health innovation, and technology.
If health isn’t your focus but speed is, Lehigh Business also offers a full-time, one-year MBA program as well as a nine-month, full-time, STEM-designated management master’s program.
For working professionals with senior management goals, the late Sanjay Shah '89G established a path for executive education through the Vistex Institute for Executive Education. Shah’s legacy provides high-impact, short-duration programs offering opportunities for individuals and custom programs for organizations. Housed in the new Business Innovation Building, the Vistex Institute has access to flexible, tech-supported classrooms.
The faculty reach extends beyond the classroom. Retaining and growing a wealth of exceptional faculty is at the core of an elite Lehigh Business education. Not only are the faculty outstanding teachers, College of Business faculty are top-notch researchers and acknowledged thought leaders in their fields with an unwavering commitment to excellence in research. They are published in high-quality industry and business journals, addressing the complexities of conducting business in an ever-changing global economy. Many are experienced business people from a wide range of disciplines who enhance their classrooms with real-world expertise.
The new Behavioral Research Lab, expanded Bosland Financial Services Lab, and Bloomberg terminal room serve as vehicles for faculty and student understanding through the meeting of theory, practice, and research.
Centers and institutes enable unique hands-on learning opportunities. Within the centers and institutes of Lehigh Business, students and faculty collaborate on real-world, relevant business issues, accessing and contributing to an extensive body of research, allowing Lehigh Business to serve as both a learning and research facility.
The Center for Financial Services, the Murray H. Goodman Center for Real Estate, the Small Business Development Center, the Center for Supply Chain Research, the Lehigh Ventures Lab, and the Martindale Center for the Study of Private Enterprise all serve as a bridge between academics and industry.
As a complement to the scholarly activities of academic departments, these centers provide rich opportunities to learn beyond the classroom and make knowledge applicable in the professional setting.
Lehigh Business offers a wide range of curricular offerings in entrepreneurship. Both through its class offerings and in partnership with the Baker Institute, Lehigh Business is a hub for entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation. In addition, there is a summer experiential Startup Academy in San Francisco in conjunction with Lehigh@NasdaqCenter. Other experiential opportunities are offered through the Baker Institute for Entrepreneurship, which engages students at all levels and supports economic development in the region by facilitating the creation of startup companies and nonprofit ventures.
Through the Baker Institute, Lehigh Business students are able to participate in programs such as the Hatchery (to guide the ideation process) and Eureka (to assist in developing a business model). To help advanced student entrepreneurs, alumni, and faculty launch their startups, Lehigh Business and the Baker Institute have partnered to form Lehigh Ventures Lab, a milestone-based business accelerator for full-time founders. Check out what Lehigh Venture Lab founders have accomplished so far.
Corporate and alumni partners fuel Lehigh Business, directly impacting student outcomes. From the Class of 2022, 98% of Lehigh Business undergraduates were employed, continuing education, or pursuing military or volunteer service within six months of graduation. Of those, 84% found employment, with the starting salary averaging $80,792. The graduate programs boast similar success outcomes.
College of Business graduates are recruited by the most recognized economy-driving companies, such as Accenture, Amazon, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PwC, Goldman Sachs, Microsoft, Walmart, and Wells Fargo. They span diverse industries such as financial services, management consulting, accounting, information and technology services, marketing and advertising, insurance, and real estate.
Lehigh Business relies heavily on our alumni and corporate partners to strengthen our status as a top-ranked business school. Through experience and insight, they identify the skill sets necessary for success in the job market and provide vital input into shaping the Lehigh Business education. Their willingness to mentor, network, and provide experiential learning opportunities is pivotal in helping our students gain a competitive edge. With over 2500 alumni mentors eager to help Lehigh students break into successful careers, programs like the Startup Academy allow students to work alongside founders and entrepreneurial leaders on business-critical milestones key to company growth.
Follow the Lehigh University College of Business on Instagram or LinkedIn to learn about upcoming events and engagement opportunities available to the extended Lehigh community. Please reach out directly to Jim Mann or Nicole Rogai to learn about other initiatives or ways to get involved and support the College of Business mission!
