Skip to Top NavigationSkip to ContentSkip to Footer
Ferris State University BulldogFerris State University Logo
 

College of Business - Mission, Values, and Strategic Initiatives

Mission

Empowering a diverse student body with valuable skills for career readiness and success through accessible, practical learning and experience in relevant professional disciplines.

Values

As a college, we are committed to upholding the following values:

  • Opportunity: We embrace our Founder’s vision of universally accessible education by offering practical knowledge in various disciplines to a diverse student population.
  • Relevance: We align our applied learning approach with evolving industry trends, bridging theory and practice through real-world experiences.
  • Leadership: We develop future leaders and innovators by providing students with valuable skills that lead to a marketable advantage in career success.
  • Engagement: We promote community and workplace engagement which positively benefits both students and regional partners through collaborative efforts.

Strategic Priorities

To advance our mission, we will focus on five areas of strategic importance over five years, AY24-25 to AY28-29:

Recruitment

Increase student enrollment rates in the College by 10% over the next 5 years.

  • Design and implement improved incoming student experience
  • Increase high school engagement activities
  • Develop a program marketing toolkit
  • Increase number of online programs and classes, new and current
  • Increase community college engagement activities

Student Retention and Success

Increase student retention and success rates in the College by 10% over the next 5 years.

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive student resource awareness program
  • Establish a Premier Student Professional Development Program
  • Develop and implement a soft skills workshop series
  • Develop and implement targeted exit survey analysis
  • Strategic storytelling of student achievements

Faculty and Staff Support

Increase professional development opportunities by 5% over the next 5 years, improve support for faculty and staff.

  • Increase professional development opportunities
  • Create a best practices and policies guide
  • Develop and implement student intervention procedures
  • Develop a recognition program for faculty and staff
  • Improve onboarding experience for new faculty and staff

Community Outreach and Engagement

Increase community outreach and engagement rates in the College by 5% over the next 5 years.

  • Coordinate competition attendance and host at least one competition annually
  • Develop partnerships with businesses and organizations in the local community
  • Coordinate experiential learning initiatives
  • Increase applied learning opportunities for students
  • Enhance internship program through industry partnerships

College Resiliency and Innovation

Improve efficiency and effectiveness of the College, reducing complaints, grievances, processing time, etc.

  • Review the college’s departmental structure
  • Redesign a Business Core Curriculum
  • Improve Dean’s office operations
  • Review transfer agreements
  • Evaluate overlap among programs

 

Strategic Planning Committee Members

Emily Zoet, Co-chair
John Kinuthia, Co-chair
Adam Antor
Joseph Ferrandino
Joseph Hatch
Paul Kwant
Nick Kuiper
Aaron Madziar
Alex Manga
Nicolas Mata
Jennifer Njenga-Kinuthia
Leslie Sukup
Linda Goulet, Ex Officio Member
Patrick Klarecki, Ex Officio Member