Dear Colleagues, Students, Alumni and Friends of the Romain College of Business,
It’s hard to believe that the holidays are upon us. The Fall 2020 Semester is nearing its end, and at USI, we were able to stay open the entire planned amount of time. This was due to the exceptional determination of our faculty and staff, reliable contact tracing and support of the USI Dean of Students Office, and the continued adherence to social distancing protocols of our faculty and students, among so many other things.
While our planning efforts have been largely successful this semester, we are keenly aware the threat of COVID-19 is still rearing its ugly head. USI continues planning for the potential “twindemic” (where Covid and flu season collide) by reducing our employee/student campus density from Thanksgiving until February 8, 2021. Communication and instructional technologies allow us to continue to conduct business and classes online as students complete the Fall 2020 Semester and begin the Spring 2021 Semester. After a “soft” opening in January, with only a few predetermined courses meeting face-to-face and all other courses starting out online, the Spring 2021 Semester in the RCOB will look much like our Fall 2020 Semester–a mixture of traditional, hybrid and online classes, with masks and social distancing. We continue to maintain a positive outlook, smiling with our eyes and teaching from our hearts.
In this edition of our newsletter, we learn about two students who completed internships in Germany during the pandemic. You will see evidence that the RCOB has begun living its new Strategic Plan titled Creating Value Through Impact. We are focusing on areas of greatest and lasting impact in teaching, research and service. With regards to the curriculum, we highlight changes in our Business Administration Program through incorporating more data analytics, and we learn how the Marketing Program is transforming one of its courses to train students to help businesses reach lucrative markets through targeted social media campaigns. We see how an innovative app with ties back to our entrepreneurship minor program is drawing national attention. We read how a student secured a scholarship to improve her likelihood for successful achievement of professional certification, and we celebrate the impact of a beloved instructor as he enters retirement. New to this edition are highlights from each discipline’s research and engagement activities.
The faculty, staff and students of the Romain College of Business have been resilient this year, and as a dean, I couldn’t be prouder of them. If you are an alum or friend of the College and have been involved with our students in some way, please continue to stay engaged with the faculty and students virtually. If you have not been involved, but would like to be, contact me, and we can discuss ways that you can still present to classes, mentor students, and/or contribute financially to advance the excellent work of the College to impact the lives of faculty, staff, students and the community for which we serve.
Best wishes for a safe and healthy holiday season.
Dr. Cathy Carey, Dean