Fairfield University Dolan Update Winter 2018

DOLAN UPDATE COMING FALL 2019 New 86,000+ Square-Foot, State-of-the-Art Building

Winter 2018

Message from the Dean Ethical Business Leaders For A Global Future

Dolan friends, As you will read in the pages that follow, a lot

WINTER 2018

has happened at the Dolan School this past

DOLAN UPDATE

year! To say that this has been a transformative Mark Ligas, PhD Interim Dean Dawn Massey, PhD Interim Associate Dean and Professor of Accounting Dawn DeBiase, LCSW Assistant Dean and Director of Undergraduate Programs

year would be an understatement, though such sentiment is fitting considering all that is taking place at Fairfield to herald in our era as the modern, Jesuit Catholic University.

We continue to be blessed with the most amazing students.

Whether through gaining highly competitive internships and fulltime employment opportunities, or giving of their time and talents,

Meredith McAloon, LCSW Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Programs

our students represent the best of what comes from a Fairfield

Sarah Bollinger-Feiner, MEd Director of Internships and Professional Development

mentoring students, members of the Dolan School serve the greater

Eve Liptak Program Coordinator

And then there is the larger community that binds us all together.

Allison Wade Integrated Marketing Manager

to community service advocates, loyal and generous alumni and

Roberta Reynolds Designer

education. And Dolan faculty and staff are truly one-of-a-kind. From innovative teaching and cutting-edge research, to advising and community in myriad ways.

From advisory board members to entrepreneurs, firm executives friends of the Dolan Scool to prospective families just beginning to experience the pride of association, each is essential to what makes our school so special. Thus, it is no surprise that this Dolan Update is dedicated in part to highlighting our new home, where all these

Send Inquiries to: Dolan School of Business Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road Fairfield, CT 06824-5195 203-254-4070 fairfield.edu/dsb

entities will find space to interact.

I hope that you will be inspired by what you read, and that you will be left with a sense of pride for your connection with the Dolan School and with Fairfield University.

All the best in 2018!

Mark Ligas, PhD Interim Dean and Associate Professor of Marketing 1

Dolan School Fast Facts of graduating seniors completed at least one internship (Class of 2017)

*

95%

*Based on a 100% response rate

of internships are gained through networking with alumni and the University community

79%

96%

96% Professional Development Series (PDS) participation is stronger than ever

BEST GRAD SCHOOLS #19 Marketing #21 Finance #23 Accounting

96% participation increase

The average salary of class of 2017 graduates RANKED #16 Business, Management, and Marketing of 831 Nationally #16 for Accounting of 599 Nationally

$57,399 30%

Enrollment in the MS in Accounting program increased by 30% in the last year 2

Dean’s Lecture Examines the Impact of Income Inequality With economic disparities on the rise around the country and around

create wealth,” said Dr. Nantz. “But if people at the bottom of income

the world, the gap between the haves and the have-nots is widening,

distribution don’t have income to spend, then there is no one to buy.”

creating a culture that leaves some behind while others continue to gain. To help the Fairfield University community understand the concept of income inequality and what it means, the Dolan School hosted a lecture entitled, “Why Should We Care About Income Inequality?”

Rev. Hannafey followed Dr. Nantz and shared his view that income inequality is connected to how we relate to one another as a society. He outlined the five principles of Catholic Social Teaching and focused on Dignity of the Human Person in Community. Rev. Hannafey discussed how this principle teaches that people are

The Dean’s Lecture was moderated by former dean of the Dolan

created in the image of God, and that people have sacred value. He

School Don Gibson, PhD, vice provost for Academic Affairs. Joining Dr.

explained that serious income inequality can harm human dignity and

Gibson was a panel of University experts including Phil Cagnassola

the development of persons, which is something we should all be

’92, Dolan School Investor-in-Residence, Frank Hannafey, S.J.,

concerned about.

associate professor of religious studies, and Kathy Nantz, PhD, professor and Roger M. Lynch chair in Economics.

Finally, Phil Cagnassola shared his beliefs on income inequality.

He said, “I do not believe that income equality is what people

“There has been much discussion about income inequality in our

really want. A certain amount of inequality is healthy and rewards

divided political landscape,” said Dr. Gibson. “The top one percent

innovation. However, when inequality becomes extreme, it can erode

are getting richer at a much faster rate than the other ninety-nine

trust which is an essential element to all business transactions.

percent. Some contend that this is an issue all of us should be

There’s a balance we need to have.”

concerned about. Others argue that high incomes are a reward for ingenuity and cleverness, and that we all benefit from an economy that awards achievement,” he said.

While a concrete conclusion was not drawn based on presentations and discussion with the audience, it is clear that income inequality is an important, global issue to continue to discuss as a community.

The evening began with a presentation from each of the panel members followed by an audience Q&A. Dr. Nantz discussed principles in economics associated with income inequality. She used diagrams to explain the Lorenz Curve and Gini Coefficient, presented charts showing income inequality in various parts of the world, and discussed the economic theory of French economist Thomas Piketty in his book, “Capital in the Twenty-First Century.”

“Some economists would argue that increasing levels of inequality are good for the economy because it helps create incentives for people to produce and 3

Dean’s Lecture panel: (left to right) Phil Cagnassola ’92, Dolan School Investor-in-Residence, Don Gibson, PhD, vice provost for Academic Affairs (moderator), Kathy Nantz, PhD, professor and Roger M. Lynch chair in Economics, and Frank Hannafey, S.J., associate professor of religious studies.

Faculty Travel to Ukraine to Combat Academic Corruption As part of a four-year partnership, Kathy Nantz, PhD, professor

academic integrity as a key component of the university system in

and Roger M. Lynch chair in Economics, and David Schmidt, PhD,

the country.

director of the Center of Applied Ethics and associate professor of Management, traveled to Ukraine in partnership with American Councils for International Education. The purpose of their trips to cities across Ukraine has been to contribute to the Strengthening Academic Integrity in Ukraine Project (SAIUP), a partnership with the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine, and American Councils for International Education.

During their first visit to Ukraine in 2015, Drs. Nantz and Schmidt visited Kiev and worked with Ukrainian faculty through personal development workshops using case studies to illustrate various academic ethics scenarios. In their second visit in 2016, they used active role-plays with faculty members to help them develop their own case studies from personal experience to explore ways to enforce academic integrity in their schools.

The partnership with American

“During our last trip to Ukraine

Councils stemmed from earlier

we focused on Article 42 which is

work Dr. Nantz led in central Asia.

legislation passed by the Ukrainian

There, she led faculty workshops to

government that articulates

improve business education in the

standards in academic integrity for

region. Teams of Fairfield University

the country,” said Dr. Nantz. “This is

faculty — including Ahmed Ebrahim,

a big step for Ukraine and articulates

PhD, associate professor of

how people understand academic

accounting; Don Gibson, PhD, vice

integrity in their own context.”

provost for Academic Affairs; Joan Lee, PhD, professor of accounting;

Most recently, Drs. Nantz and Schmidt

Dr. Schmidt from the Dolan School;

conducted faculty and student academic integrity workshops in

and Betsy Bowen, PhD, professor of English from the College of Arts and Sciences — engaged faculty

Kiev, Sumy, and Kharkiv. They visited several universities to speak

participants in activities focused on active learning pedagogies. Drs.

with university rectors (presidents), groups of leading faculty, and

Nantz and Schmidt have now partnered with American Councils to

students. Nantz and Schmidt’s presentation at Sumy State University

carry on similar work in Ukraine by travelling to cities across the

even attracted regional news coverage. Meetings ranged from large

country to conduct presentations on the importance of ethics in

audiences of packed lecture halls to small conference rooms, but

higher education.

the same message from students was clear: Ukrainian students are

According to American Councils, “The current [Ukranian] higher education system remains academically, administratively, and

genuinely concerned about the value of their degrees and are highly motivated to improve the ethical climate in their schools.

financially reminiscent of the early post-Soviet era that was marked

SAIUP is actively working with Ukranian students to develop

by corruption.” To combat academic misconduct, 10 Ukrainian

advertising campaigns to combat academic corruption. There is

universities have joined the SAIUP project to support sustainable

potential for Drs. Nantz and Schmidt to continue their work in

change for education in Ukraine. The goal of the project is to establish

Ukraine next year.

4

New Advisory Board Members The advisory board of the Dolan School of Business includes 28 members with demonstrated knowledge, leadership, and professional experience in a particular field. The Dolan School would like to welcome and recognize the following new Advisory Board members who joined the board last fall.

JENNIFER ABATE ’94, MBA

“When the call came to join the Dolan School Advisory Board, I

Managing Director, Financial Institutions Group

didn’t think twice,” said Ms. Lafnitzegger. “As an alumna of Fairfield

Lazard Asset Management

U and the Dolan School of Business, I am grateful for a world-

Ms. Abate currently works as a co-leader for the Financial Institutions Group at Lazard Asset Management where she began her investment career in 1995. She serves on the board of directors of the Money Management Institute, the board for Project YESS (Young Executives Supporting Schools), and is a member of the sales force marketing committee of the Investment Company Institute (ICI). She holds a BA from Fairfield University and a MBA from New York University.

“I am very excited to be part of the Dolan School Advisory Board and am looking forward to connecting my pride in Fairfield with my business experience,” said Ms. Abate.

KELLY LAFNITZEGGER ’89, MIM Vice President Human Resources GE Power

class education, a broad network of professionals, and many deep friendships. All are a result of my time at Fairfield. By joining the Advisory Board, I hope to share those gifts with the current students, help them navigate their careers, and, in some small way, influence the future of this great school.”

PATRICIA PRESTON ’80 Senior Vice President, Legal, Franchise, and Integrity Mastercard International Ms. Preston is the senior vice president of Legal, Franchise, and Integrity at Mastercard. In her previous roles with Mastercard, Ms. Preston served as senior vice president of Global Products and Services, and senior vice president of Product Management. Before joining Mastercard, she served as senior vice president of JPMorgan Chase’s Treasury Service Division. She holds a BS from Fairfield

Ms. Lafnitzegger serves as vice president of human resources for GE Power. She joined GE in the Financial Management Program in 1989 before moving to human resources in 1997. Ms. Lafnitzegger has held a series of leadership roles in human resources and has played a key role in the development of GE’s corporate, capital, healthcare, global research, and transportation divisions. She holds a BS from Fairfield University and a master’s in human resources management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.

University and a MBA from Pace University.

“My experience at Fairfield had a huge positive impact on me both personally and professionally, and I am now at a point in my life where I want to give back to the school that gave me a fantastic start,” said Ms. Preston. “Being on the Advisory Board allows me to share my expertise as well as support students through mentorship, finding internships, and helping them with career opportunities.”

45% of Dolan School students study abroad (class of 2018) 5

Welcome New Faculty Members The Dolan School of Business would like to welcome and introduce the following new faculty members:

KARA HUNTER, PhD Assistant Professor of Accounting Kara Hunter, PhD, joined Dolan faculty as

online coupon sites and she also worked at IBM where she was responsible for detecting mobile fraud. Dr. Sharma teaches Digital Marketing and Principles of Marketing.

an assistant professor of accounting. She received her PhD in 2017 from Bentley University. Prior to pursuing her PhD Dr. Hunter worked as a CPA at Deloitte for four years. She serves as a board member for the Fairfield/Westchester chapter of

The Dolan School would like to welcome the Economics Department

the Institute of Internal Auditors and is a member of the American

who joined the Dolan School from the College of Arts and Sciences

Accounting Association and the American Institute of Certified Public

at the start of the academic year.

Accountants. Dr. Hunter teaches Introduction to Financial Accounting.

STEVEN KOZLOWSKI, PhD Assistant Professor of Finance Also joining faculty is Steven Kozlowski, PhD, as an assistant professor of finance.

Dr. Kozlowski received his PhD from University of Connecticut in 2017. His research addresses the impact of credit cycles on investors’ valuation of discretionary loan loss provisions, and explores why distressed companies’ stocks earn anomalously low returns. Dr. Kozlowski teaches Introduction to Finance and Principles of Investment.

NAZUK SHARMA, PhD Assistant Professor of Marketing Nazuk Sharma, PhD, joined Dolan faculty as an assistant professor of marketing. Dr. Sharma earned her PhD in 2017 from University of South Florida. Before pursuing her PhD, she was a business analyst at one of India’s largest

6

Students Engage One-on-One with Alumni and Professionals The Professional Development Series (PDS) at the Dolan School is

companies. By participating in mock interviews, students had the

designed to provide a structured way in which students can gain the

chance to gain real-world interview experience guided by alumni and

knowledge and skills that will complement their coursework to help

employer partners who helped prepare them for the real thing.

them find success in the working world.

Open to all Dolan School marketing majors, the mock interview week

This comprehensive program gives Dolan School of Business

followed the format of a real job interview beginning the moment

undergraduates a competitive edge as they enter a challenging

students were greeted by the interviewer. The interviews lasted

job market. The program is optional, but highly encouraged for

20 minutes and students had the opportunity to debrief with their

all business students. Consisting of four levels, meant to coincide

interviewer for feedback. Participating companies included Coca-

with a student’s four years at Fairfield, the PDS program offers 20+

Cola, ESPN, Estée Lauder, Nestle, Save the Children, and Viacom

workshops and events annually across multiple fields of interest.

Comedy Central.

As new PDS events and workshops are created and favorites are

Students reported that having an open dialogue with interviewers

repeated, alumni participation continues to be a cornerstone of the

to learn where they can improve during the interview process was

program. PDS events are built around the expertise and industry

highly beneficial. Students also said they benefited from hearing

insights that our alumni bring to each event to further students’

advice from business professionals about making career choices and

development and prime them for jobs after graduation. This past year,

taking into account personal values when it comes to selecting a job.

more PDS events have been offered that allow students to have oneevents are just a few examples of the professional development

MONEY TALKS: FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AND NEW GRADUATES

opportunities Dolan students took advantage of this past year.

Financial literacy is a crucial life skill to have regardless of a student’s

on-one interactions with alumni professionals. The following PDS

major or professional field of interest. Due to its popularity and high

MARKETING MOCK INTERVIEW WEEK

attendance, the Dolan School is hosting, for the second year in a row,

Interviewing for a job is a skill. Knowing how to greet an interviewer,

the Money Talks seminar entitled, “Financial Planning for College

present an elevator pitch of credentials, and navigate an interview

Students and New Graduates.”

are crucial to landing a position.

financial life skills that are not taught in college. In this one-hour

Last February, the

seminar, topics such as saving for retirement, budgeting, as well as

Dolan School’s

managing debt are covered. Students are challenged to think about

Marketing Club

how they can hit the ground running once they receive their degree,

sponsored

and how they can place themselves on sound financial footing.

Marketing Mock Interview Week featuring 12 local and national

7

The seminar teaches students and newly minted graduates certain

Instructing the Money Talks seminar is Scott Brenner, adjunct professor of accounting and managing partner at Dylewsky, Goldberg & Brenner, LLC., who explained the significance of the seminar.

Through the Professional Development Series “The Money Talks program really surpassed our expectations last year because I think it struck a nerve with our student body’s concern about personal finances,” he said. “I am so proud of what we have accomplished so far, and I look forward to continuing the Jesuit values of cura personalis at Fairfield through expanding this program to other parts of the University and potentially offering more financial literacy opportunities to students.”

The seminar will take place on five separate dates throughout the academic year.

WALL STREET BOOTCAMP: INTERVIEWING FOR SUCCESS Dolan students seeking jobs on Wall Street put their interview skills to the test at this year’s Wall Street Bootcamp as they sat down with alumni and business professionals working in finance to conduct mock interviews. The event took place over two days in the fall, providing finance students with real-world interview experience guided by alumni and local finance professionals.

Created as a result of strong student interest in succeeding in competitive investment banking job interviews, the event was structured like a real job interview. Students received entry-level job descriptions to prepare for the interview, and at the conclusion of the meeting, they heard real-time feedback from the professionals.

As one alumnus who interviewed students explained, interviewing is a skill like anything else that requires practice. “You can never be over-prepared for any meeting, so why not be most prepared for the meeting that could land you a job,” said Kyle Siebert ’08, VP of J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

Luke Rizzo ’18, who participated in the Wall Street Bootcamp, described how the feedback he received following his mock interview was invaluable. “The constructive feedback I received regarding my body language was very helpful. I learned I needed to make better eye contact and to not move my hands as much when I talk. As a senior these tips will help me in my upcoming interviews,” said Rizzo.

8

A New State-of-the-Art Facility for the Dolan School

9

It is an exciting time for the Dolan School of Business. This

“The extension of the Fairfield Rising Campaign ensures that

past summer Fairfield University announced that the Dolan

Fairfield continues its rise as the modern, Jesuit Catholic

School would be getting a new state-of-the-art building,

University, building a community animated by innovative

which, with town approval, will open in the fall of 2019.

teaching and learning, so that we may continue to best serve

As one of the highest-ranked business schools in the country, U.S. News & World Report named the Dolan School among the country’s best undergraduate business schools

the world as it is,” said University President Mark R. Nemec, PhD, who was formally inaugurated as the ninth president of Fairfield last October.

in their annual rankings, in addition to including several of

As the time gets closer to groundbreaking, a planning

Dolan’s graduate business programs. College Factual ranked

committee has been meeting regularly with David

Dolan’s accounting, finance, and marketing disciplines in

Frassinelli, vice president of Facilities Management,

the top 25 nationally and in the top 20 for highest paid

members of Fairfield’s Information Technology Services

graduates. The Princeton Review included the MBA program

(ITS) department, an educational technology consultant,

among the best on-campus programs in the country, as well

and building architects to discuss and finalize technology

as one of the best in the Northeast. Additionally, the Dolan

needs for the new building. The 86,000+ square-foot facility

School is one of only 5 percent of schools worldwide to

will feature modern simulated trading in a dynamic and

be accredited by AACSB International,

interactive learning

the Association to

The technology will support teaching for the 21st

Advance Collegiate

century college classroom, with flexible learning

Schools of Business.

“The Dolan School

spaces fully equipped with digital technology.

of Business is at a truly transformative time in its history,” said Interim Dean

environment, a big data analytics lab, an entrepreneurship center with ideation lab space, active learning and case-

based classrooms, a gaming lab, and more.

and Associate Professor of Marketing Mark Ligas, PhD. “As

The technology will support teaching for the 21st century

we eagerly anticipate the groundbreaking for the new facility,

college classroom, with flexible learning spaces fully

we need to pause and reflect on all of the ‘gifts’ that will

equipped with digital technology. It will also support the

be housed within its walls: teacher-scholars who advance

scholarly needs of faculty as thought leaders in their

discipline knowledge via research while also engaging

respective fields.

students at the highest levels in the classroom; friends, benefactors, and alumni of the Dolan School who tirelessly support our ongoing initiatives in order to maintain the highest quality for education and professional development; and the students who seek out the Dolan School, not just

As plans for the new building are underway the search for the next dean of the Dolan School officially commenced last month and will continue into the spring. The goal is to select a new dean by this May.

to earn an excellent education at either the undergraduate

“Building on its strong foundation, the Dolan School of

or graduate level, but also to be in a place where all feel

Business is poised to advance its national reputation,”

welcomed and inspired to develop their vocations.”

said Christine Siegel, PhD, interim provost and senior

The new $42 million building is one of several planned for or under construction as part of Fairfield University’s Master Plan supported by the Fairfield Rising Campaign, the largest capital campaign in the history of the University.

vice president for Academic Affairs. “We are excited to commence the search for the school’s next dean, with the goal of securing a visionary and entrepreneurial leader who can further promote Dolan’s upward trajectory and contribute modern excellence at Fairfield University.”

10

From IBM Internship to Job Offer Despite the challenges that accompany internship hunting while

One of the highlights of her internship was touring IBM’s Think Lab

studying abroad, Ellie Hartman ’18 conquered this feat while in

and Thomas J. Watson Research Center. During her visit, she learned

Madrid, Spain during her junior year. Throughout her internship

about the latest in the race to solve the greatest world issues

quest, Ellie was simultaneously taking an advertising course. The

through Quantum Computing, how to program and code TJ bots,

course included a presentation where students shared recent advertisements they had seen. Ellie presented one of IBM’s “You to the Power of IBM” campaign ads. From this assignment she knew

robots that IBM distributes to consumers, and had a chance to try and beat IBM’s Watson while playing Jeopardy.

that IBM was at the top of her list for summer internships.

Ellie set up a call with IBM’s Human Resources Department and applied online for an Industry Marketing Intern position. She then had three initial calls with different associates from the company before having a final interview with both the Industry Marketing Department and their external agency, Ogilvy & Mather. A week later Ellie was offered the internship and accepted for the summer of 2017.

Over the summer Ellie worked as a social media lead for IBM where she was given responsibility and control over the content IBM Industries published on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Not only did she have to focus on social media content for IBM’s US audience, but the content also had to appeal to an international audience.

“After only a short time in my internship I began to feel like I was at home at IBM. I worked in multiple offices and each day I was greeted with a smile and exciting projects to work on. I was never treated like

During her internship, Ellie Hartman ’18 toured IBM’s Think Lab and Thomas J. Watson Research Center where she had a chance to try and beat IBM’s Watson while playing Jeopardy.

an intern, but rather as a part of the team,” she said.

As a double major in international business and marketing, Ellie explained that her courses at Fairfield prepared her well for the internship.

“As a result of my coursework I felt that my Excel skills were advanced for an entry level employee, which made me a more dynamic team member,” she said. “I was on daily calls with IBM’s

11

“My advice to students looking to get an internship is to keep an open mind about environments they might not have initially seen themselves in,” she said. “Internships are an opportunity for students to see what they like or don’t like. By interning one can discover where they may unexpectedly thrive.”

metrics team, and my ability to understand VLRC (Value Lead

Ellie is continuing her internship with IBM part-time during her senior

Revenue Created) was essential to the revenue of the company.”

year and has accepted a job with IBM upon graduating.

International Business is Booming at Dolan While the Dolan School accounts for a small slice of the world, a new

intersected with her career thus far. The hope, Abigail and Dulce say,

club at the University seeks to help the community think beyond the

is for more alumni who have been involved in the global arena to

boundaries of Connecticut and consider the world at large.

return and share their experiences with club members.

Created last year, the International Business and Studies Club seeks

But beyond having guest speakers like Delicia join their meetings, the

to help the Fairfield University community expand knowledge of

presidential duo is seeking to launch a mentorship program within

global issues. Furthermore, the club aims to encourage students to

the club. Such a program would help first and second-year students

take up active participation in international leadership and internship

receive advice from upperclassmen and alumni on what courses to

opportunities, striving to connect global professionals and community

take, how to attain an internship, studying abroad, and even finding a

leaders with students to further their horizons in academic and

job following graduation.

professional development.

Run by Dulce Villanueva ’18 and Abigail Donovan ‘20, the copresidents have been on a mission since the club’s inception to create an environment of inclusivity, aiming to keep Fairfield alumni involved by sharing their experiences working on the global front.

Most recently, the club welcomed Delicia Alarcón ’14, a psychology and Spanish double-major with a minor in educational studies. Right after graduation, she accepted America and taught secondary Carolina and later transitioned to Higher Education working at the University of Scranton in Multicultural Education.

a position with Teach For Spanish in South

With high ambitions for the club, Abigail and Dulce have even higher hopes for what studying international business at Fairfield can do for them in the future. In short, they know their education is the key to the world — literally.

“International business is all about how the world functions as a whole, and that being a key part of my education is going to help me go so much further at whichever company I end up,” said Abigail.

“I love to travel and love the adventure of finding other places and other cultures, and international business has only broadened those

Members of the International Business and Studies Club hosted guest speaker Delicia Alarcón ’14 to discuss how international business has intersected with her career thus far.

horizons.”

For Dulce, it’s all about harnessing opportunities in the present to

Currently, Delicia is working at

build a better tomorrow. “Students

Fairfield University as an academic

are really committed to bringing

counselor in Project Excel, but

the international aspect to the

will continue her international

community,” she said. “They want

adventure next year on a Fulbright

to be part of the global culture,

English Teaching Assistant (ETA)

and globalization and technology

Grant to Brazil.

are key. In order to stay

In speaking to students, Delicia

competitive and well-rounded, we

shared not only how she found

need to be global citizens and take

her way to Fairfield, but also

advantage of these opportunities

how international business has

that the club offers.”

12

Entrepreneurship is Rising at the Dolan School business plans into real-

Scheraga, PhD, chair of the Management Department and professor

world context. One

of business strategy and technology management at the Dolan

example of this is a

School, “entrepreneurship is a lifestyle.”

recent partnership

interest in entrepreneurship from prospective and current students. According to the Kauffman Foundation, about one third of business incubators are based at universities, and the Dolan School is among them. Since opening Fairfield University’s

investments. Among these companies is international lifestyle brand with Nike. As plans for construction are underway to build a Center

Product Development and Commercialization class, developed with the Westfield

Trumbull Mall in Trumbull, Connecticut.

ey a

B

SoccerGrlProbs, founded by Fairfield alumnae, who recently signed

Entrepreneurship

rly Ca s:

the space, resulting in 25 jobs and over $500,000 in fundraising and

students in the

b Pro

Entrepreneurship Laboratory (FUEL) in 2013, 13 companies have used

Chris Hamer, and

rGrl ders of Socce

Now more than ever the Dolan School is seeing an increased

Co-fo un

What does it mean to be an entrepreneur? According to Carl

r’ 14 ,

Sh

’12 ann ast on F ay ’14, a Alanna Loc nd

for Entrepreneurship in the new 86,000+ square-foot Dolan School

The business, Gondoola™, is an

building, students continue to build business ideas in the classroom

on-demand, same-day delivery service

through coursework in the Management Department.

connecting online shoppers to local inventory. The business idea

Within the management major, entrepreneurship is a dedicated concentration. Students may also elect to pursue entrepreneurship as a minor. The idea is to expose students to all aspects of

was generated in response to Amazon’s influence on the traditional retail game. As online sales continue to jump, retailers are in need of more ways to compete with Amazon Prime. Gondoola™ is a

entrepreneurship, from concepts of creativity, technology, and innovation, to implementing business plans.

“Every year we’re offering students more and more hands-on experience working with alumni entrepreneurs and local business professionals in the classroom,” explained Dr. Scheraga.

New this past semester, students worked with Michael Garvey ’89, founder and managing director of License Monitor, Inc. This semester, adjunct professor and Dolan School Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Chris Hamer, will teach Entrepreneurship Consulting.

WHEN BIG IDEAS FROM THE CLASSROOM TAKE FLIGHT As students study all aspects of entrepreneurship and develop business ideas in the classroom, Dolan faculty strive to put those 13

Gondoola: Chris Hamer and students from Entrepreneurship Product Development and Commercialization

same-day delivery service that fulfills online orders through a fleet of

pitches, and compete in the qualifier round in December. During this

drivers who pick up inventory from local retail stores, thus beating

round, StartUp teams make their pitches to a panel of judges, and the

two-day delivery and rivaling Amazon Prime Now. To pilot the idea

teams that score the highest will advance to the Showcase in April.

of Gondoola™, Hamer and students have partnered with Westfield Trumbull Mall to secure a mall kiosk where they will recruit drivers and promote the service among potential customers.

ENTREPRENEURSHIP OUTSIDE OF THE CLASSROOM To diversify offerings for students, co-presidents of the Dolan School Entrepreneurship Club are bringing entrepreneurs to campus to speak with students. Alec Black ’18 and Patrick Heeks ’18 have

But the work isn’t over after the Showcase. For the second year in a row, Fairfield StartUp has supported teams through the Summer Fellows Program where expert mentors guide students through the process of launching their companies during the summer months.

Through the program, students participate in local angel investor events and meetups in New York City and Boston where they can attract direct investment from local and alumni investors.

hosted many speakers including Patrick Sweeny ’83, partner and co-

“Entrepreneurs, especially young ones, are notorious for needing to

founder of Symmetry Partners and John Casano, fintech entrepreneur

do things differently, which can make the experience of starting a

and founding partner of Paragon Intel. Recently Black and Heeks

company pretty lonely,” said Chris Huntley, PhD, associate professor

hosted venture capitalist pioneers William Egan ’67, founder and

and program director of Fairfield StartUp. “Thus it is critical that

general partner at Alta Communications and Marion Equity Partners,

our StartUp students spend time with experienced entrepreneurs

and Ed Glassmeyer, co-founder of Oak Investment Partners.

who can tell them what comes next after the Showcase, when the

From Egan and Glassmeyer’s visit, Heeks said, “Something that really struck me was that neither one was afraid to fail and both were okay

crowds clear and the real work begins. Fortunately, we have a whole community of alumni entrepreneurs to draw on.”

with taking risk. In college, failure is seen as something very negative,

Don’t miss the seventh annual Fairfield StartUp Showcase on April

while failure in entrepreneurship is par for the course.”

26, 2018 at the Quick Center at Fairfield University.

SHOWCASE: THE DOLAN SCHOOL’S BUSINESS PLAN COMPETITION For student entrepreneurs up for the challenge, the Dolan School hosts an annual business plan competition. The Fairfield StartUp Showcase event provides an opportunity for students to pitch their business ideas to a panel of investors for seed money in front of a live audience. Last year, over $30,000 in funding was awarded. And now in its seventh year, the competition is rising.

In order to pitch at the Showcase, students must qualify by going head-to-head against other StartUp teams during the fall semester.

Through a series of workshops students declare their interest in pitching at the Showcase, form teams, identify mentors, practice their

Showcase: Team Africa Team Requests Trees of shake Life shake handshands with the with judges the judges at the at 2017 the 2017 StartUp StartUpShowcase Showcase

14

Finance Programs Recognized by CFA Institute “Students in these programs study the Candidate Body of Knowledge, which includes the core knowledge, skills, and abilities identified by practitioners worldwide as essential for successful practice,” said Neil Finance majors at the Dolan School are on the path to career success thanks to the School’s recognition by the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute’s University Recognition Program last spring. This

Govier, CFA, Head of Education, APAC, at CFA Institute. “By mastering the fundamentals of the CFA Program as well as the Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional Conduct, these future investment professionals gain a strong foundation that helps prepare them well

certification acknowledges that finance programs incorporate at

to join the growing CFA Institute community dedicated to promoting

least 70 percent of the CFA Program Candidate Body of Knowledge

the highest standards of ethics, education, and professional

(CBOK) and place emphasis on the CFA Institute Code of Ethics and

excellence.”

Standards of Practice within the program. These programs allow students to attain the Chartered Financial Analyst designation, which

Participation in the CFA University Recognition Program

is known as a respected and recognized investment credential

demonstrates that Fairfield finance students can achieve the

worldwide.

pinnacle of a liberal arts education, receiving both a broad education in the humanities, social, and natural sciences, as well as a solid

“The CFA credential has become widely recognized as a signal that the charter holder has achieved a high level of understanding of the body of knowledge necessary to succeed in finance,” said Walter Hlawitschka, PhD, associate professor of finance at the Dolan School.

“Whether a person goes into wealth management or investment

understanding of finance that demonstrates the Dolan School’s commitment to educating well-rounded, career-minded professionals in finance with both general knowledge of the world and specific knowledge of the profession.

banking, the CFA designation gives an edge for individuals looking to

“Our finance curriculum and programs, both graduate and

advance their careers.”

undergraduate, are well-aligned with the CFA Institute’s Candidate

Both the Dolan School’s BS and MS Finance degrees have received this distinction, indicating that the curriculum helps students prepare for the CFA exam, one of the most prestigious exams in the discipline. Not only do students benefit academically and professionally from the CFA-style programs, the University is also

Body of Knowledge,” said John McDermott, PhD, department chair and associate professor of finance at the Dolan School. “Thus, our graduates are well-prepared to pursue the rigorous and highly regarded CFA credential. We are excited to have been recognized by the CFA Institute in this regard.”

eligible to receive three student scholarships for the CFA Program each year.

Fast Facts About Dolan School Faculty faculty hold the 91% ofhighest degrees in their field 15

earned 28% have one or more degrees from an international school

male 64% are and 36% are female

‘Men and Women for Others’ Give Back Last spring, the University came together to participate in the Dolan

one week in March. Nearly $2,000 was raised and participation

School Week of Service. For the second year in a row, a planning

almost doubled to over 350 students, faculty, and staff.

committee designed and coordinated 14 service opportunities during

“We are thrilled that our second annual Dolan School of Business Week of Service generated such a resounding response from our faculty, staff, and students — all taking time to give back to the community in meaningful ways,” said Dawn DeBiase, LCSW, assistant dean and director of undergraduate programs at the Dolan School.

“We are proud of creating tangible opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff to collaborate and demonstrate that they truly are ‘men and women for others.’”

Service opportunities included partnerships with local organizations including the Future Business Leaders Association at Central High School, meal preparation and delivery with the Norma Pfriem Urban Outreach Initiatives, and volunteer opportunities with the Wakeman Boys and Girls Club, to name a few.

New this year, students organized a lip sync battle as the week’s kick-off event to raise money for Hole in the Wall Gang, a camp

From top to bottom: winners of the lip sync battle Damian Rosales ’17, Corey Novak ’13, MA ’17, and Nicole Lambi ’17; meal preparation for Operation Hope; Week of Service planning team members Joe Pisano ’18 and Anthony Crasto ’18.

founded by Paul Newman that creates fun and friendship for seriously ill children and their families. Over 100 spectators packed Alumni Hall to see student, faculty, and staff go head-to-head and battle it out for first place.

“We wanted to plan an event that would bring the students and teachers outside of the classroom to come together and have fun,” said AJ Pope ’18 who helped plan the lip sync event. “Teachers asked their students to be their ‘backup dancers’ and they even coordinated full choreographed routines. Most importantly the event benefited a great cause.”

The Dolan School would like to thank Anthony Crasto ’18, Joe Pisano ’18, AJ Pope ’18, and Brianna Tancredi ’17 for their leadership and participation in planning last year’s Week of Service.

16

Faculty Newsbreakers ANNA-MARIA AKSAN, PhD, assistant professor of economics,

NEAL LEWIS, PhD, adjunct professor in the Information Systems

William Vásquez Mazariegos, PhD, associate professor of economics,

and Operations Management department, received a Best Paper

and Jennifer Trudeau, PhD, ’09, assistant professor of economics

award at this year’s national conference of the American Society

at Sacred Heart University, co-authored an article which has been

for Engineering Education. Along with co-author Gillian Nicholls

accepted for publication entitled, “Water System Unreliability and

of Southeast Missouri State University, they received the New

Diarrhea Incidence Among Children in Guatemala.” Their research is

Engineering Educators division Best Paper for “Using a Course

forthcoming in the International Journal of Public Health.

Learning Management System to Promote Academic Honesty.”

KATYA BARDOS, PhD, associate professor of finance, presented

LISA MAINIERO, PhD, professor of management, co-authored a

her research paper, “The Mediating Role of Brand Asset on the

paper with Don Gibson, PhD, vice provost, entitled “The Kaleidoscope

Valuation Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility,” co-authored

Career Model Revisited: How Men and Women Diverge on

with Mine Ertugrul and Lucia Gao of UMass Boston at the Southern

Authenticity, Balance, and Challenge in Midcareer” in the Journal of

Finance Association Annual Meeting last November. The paper was

Career Development. Dr. Mainiero was also quoted for an article by

also presented at the Financial Management Association.

The Atlantic entitled, “Online Dating Tries to Flirt with the Workplace.”

MOUSUMI BOSE GODBOLE, PhD, associate professor of

JOHN MCDERMOTT, PhD, department chair and associate

marketing, recently published the article, “How Gender Identity

professor of finance, published a paper in the Journal of Index

Affects Consumer Behavior: Overview and Historical Analysis,”

Investing entitled, “U.S. Low and Minimum Volatility Indexes: An

in the Journal of Business Diversity. Bose Godbole also provided

Empirical Analysis of Factor Exposure.”

commentary for the recent Connecticut Post article, “Chillybear in Greenwich Rides the Wave of Pop-Culture Trends.”

article accepted for publication in the University of Baltimore Journal

PAUL CASTER, PhD, professor of accounting, presented, “The

of Land and Development. The article is entitled, “On Dangerous

Impact of Lease Accounting Standards on Airlines with Operating

Ground?: The Turf War Over Crumb Rubber: Potential Liability for

Leases,” at a poster session at the American Accounting Association

Manufacturers and Municipalities.” Dr. McEvoy was also chosen as an

Annual Meeting last summer. The piece was co-authored with Carl

Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Scheraga, PhD, chair of the Management Department and Michael Olynick ’16, MSA ’17, tax consultant at Deloitte.

YING “CLEMENT” ZHANG, PhD, associate professor of finance, had the following research accepted for publication: “Can we Have

Dr. Caster also proctored the American Institute of Certified Public

More Real Estate to Hold? - Evidence from Statistical Properties of

Accountants (AICPA) fall 2017 CPA Exam Field Test at the Dolan

Listed REITs Versus Listed Property Companies in the USA,” (co-

School with Kara Hunter, PhD, assistant professor of accounting.

authored with John Glascock, Wikrom Prombutr, and Tingyu Zhou),

GREGORY KOUTMOS, PhD, professor of finance, presented at the 84th International Atlantic Economic Conference in Montreal, QC Canada. The paper, “Asymmetric Fund Performance Characteristics,” was co-authored with K. Hogholm, K. Knif, and S. Punnomen.

17

SHARLENE MCEVOY, PhD, professor of business law, had an

forthcoming in the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics.

Thank You to Our 2017 Corporate Partners

Bank of America is one of the world’s largest financial institutions, serving individuals,

thankful for our partnership with Fairfield

“In the world of public accounting, your

University and the many talented alumni on

people are the face of your brand. They are

our team.” Hugh Davis ’95, Co-CEO

mission critical to everything you want to do

......................................

small and middle-market businesses, and

and other financial and risk management

Fairfield alumni have made in furthering the At NFP Corp., our solutions and expertise

products and services.

are matched only by our personal

“Addressing issues that are fundamentally

a leading insurance broker and consultant

connected to economic mobility is critical to building a pathway to economic progress.

Bank of America is proud to support the Dolan School’s Professional Development Series, which prepares undergraduates for success, building a productive workforce in our community and fueling a healthy economy.” Bill Tommins, Southern CT Market President ......................................

commitment to each client’s goals. We’re

private client solutions through our licensed

Symmetry Partners, LLC is an investment

subsidiaries and affiliates.

advisory firm registered with the Securities

“At NFP, we know that good relationships lead to great success. The Dolan School does an amazing job of fostering ethics and social responsibility to create strong leaders in business and in life. As a proud alumnus and University trustee, I’m honored that NFP is a

......................................

business decisions with easy, collaborative

traditional investment approaches and looking instead to academia for investment insight, Glastonbury-based boutique investment manager Symmetry Partners has built a thriving business providing portfolio management to individuals, retirement plans, and institutions.

“Symmetry is dedicated to helping our clients reach their financial goals through solutions. Our team consists of many proud

program engaging surveys, and visualized results. Insights professionals around the

At PwC, our purpose is to build trust in so-

world rely on our simplified data solutions to

ciety and solve important problems. We’re a

help them innovate and grow.

network of firms in 158 countries with more

the business leaders of the future. We are

and Exchange Commission. Sidestepping

innovative, academically derived, investment

tools to access global target audiences,

School of Business on its mission to prepare

......................................

and casualty, and retirement and individual

Doug Hammond ’86, Chairman and CEO

“Critical Mix is proud to support the Dolan

PwC brand.” Scott Davis, Partner

that provides employee benefits, property

corporate partner for such a fine institution.”

Critical Mix creates insights that drive

ation with the Dolan School and am equally appreciative of the contributions that our

large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management,

as an organization. I am proud of our associ-

than 236,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory, and tax services. Find out more and tell us what

Dolan graduates and affiliates including our Chief Investment Strategist and Director of Research, as well as numerous interns.

Our partnership is invaluable and integral to Symmetry’s growth.” Patrick Sweeny ’83, Partner and Co-Founder

matters to you by visiting pwc.com.

18

MY DOLAN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS