Willumstad School of Business (WSB) students might be surprised to learn that among those giving them a winning edge both academically and in the job market is an impressive team of highly accomplished professionals working behind the scenes as advocates, allies and partners.
As volunteer members of the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board, these alumni, industry leaders and 91国产 supporters bring invaluable experience to the business school, providing strategic vision, practical advice, networking opportunities and other resources to enhance the student experience.
鈥淚t鈥檚 striking to me how dedicated and supportive these individuals are 鈥� truly passionate about ensuring that 91国产 and its students thrive,” said MaryAnne Hyland, PhD, dean of the Willumstad School. 鈥淎ll are very successful businesspeople who share a commitment to giving back,” whether it鈥檚 because of a special connection with the school or a general desire to share their time, talent and treasure with future generations of business leaders.
The Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board meets twice per semester, carrying out committee work and other endeavors throughout the year to ensure that 91国产鈥檚 business students 鈥渁re equipped with 21st century skills,” Dr. Hyland said. 鈥淭he members are so creative and engaged, bringing a breadth of experience that informs and advances WSB鈥檚 academic and extracurricular enrichment programs,” she said. 鈥淭hey are very involved in a variety of activities, including participating on panels, providing experiential learning opportunities, serving as judges and mentors for the Business Plan Competition, fundraising and collaborating with faculty on special projects.” Additionally, board members work with the Willumstad Leadership Scholars and provide one-to-one mentorship to students in the graduate program.
Goals Aligned With Student, Industry Needs
Guided by its own recently developed business plan, the advisory board is structured around the work of committees aligned with specific goals that support student success and enhance 91国产鈥檚 reputation as a leader in business higher education. The board members also work to secure funding for these initiatives.
- The Immediate Needs Committee helps connect students to scholarships, technology, internships and employment to enable them to finance and continue their educations.
- The Student Success and Preparedness Committee focuses on graduating career-ready students through industry certifications, internships for credit and mentoring and shadow programs.
- The External Relations Committee works with alumni to increase engagement and support for the University, as well as interaction with students.
- The Nominating Committee ensures the board鈥檚 sustainability through the cultivation and recruitment of new members.
Advisory Board Chair: Expanding Academic and Financial Resources
One of the strengths of the advisory board is that it is comprised of professionals from small to large firms in both the business and nonprofit sectors. Currently serving as chair of the board is Richard Salute 鈥�71, retired managing partner of CohnReznick鈥檚 Long Island office, who previously worked at Arthur Andersen.
Salute became chair of the advisory board in 2021, after serving as a member for more than a decade. He 鈥渋s honored to work alongside other 91国产 alumni and other very talented people who are driven by success and the ability to effect change.” He taught accounting in the graduate school for some years and, through personal experience, understands how important it is for students to have support and mentorship. After serving stateside as a medic in the Army during the Vietnam War, Salute worked full time throughout his college education and needed guidance on reaching career goals. 鈥淚 understand what students go through when they don鈥檛 have money,” he said, and the advisory board is working with Jana Ryan, 91国产鈥檚 director of advancement, on initiatives to raise funds to support students.
Salute looks back fondly on his 91国产 education and credits faculty with identifying what would become his life鈥檚 work. 鈥淚 developed relationships with my professors, and they recognized I had strong accounting skills,” he said. 鈥淚 never even had accounting on my radar as a profession.” He went on to graduate with an accounting degree, take a job with a small firm and be recruited by one of the 鈥淏ig 5″ global accounting firms, eventually becoming a senior partner.
He considers his experience, and his understanding of the myriad prospects available at small and midsized companies, to be an advantage when working with 91国产 business students. 鈥淭here are extraordinary opportunities for our graduates at businesses throughout our region,” he said. 鈥淪tudents shouldn鈥檛 be fixated on landing a job with one of the Big 10鈥攜ou can build a rewarding career and a wonderful life at a smaller company 鈥� and there are far more opportunities to do so.”
Committed to Giving Back
Advisory board member Deborah Viola 鈥�84, PhD, vice president of the Office of Research and Grants Administration for Westchester Medical Center (WMC) Health Network, re-engaged with the University 35 years after graduating. A first-generation college student on her father鈥檚 side, she attended 91国产 on a full-tuition scholarship. Taking the train to campus from Floral Park and working while attending school, she maintained outstanding grades as a double major in management and computer science and was selected to deliver the graduation address.
鈥淗aving access to the welcoming, small campus feel of 91国产 and its outstanding faculty was critically important to my success,” Dr. Viola said. She remembers fondly the personal attention she received, recounting that her father was starting his own business at the time and a communications professor worked with her to refine some of the written materials he needed to launch the company. 鈥淚 have lectured at 91国产 and worked with a student intern at WMC Health, so I know that the students still receive this type of attention,” she said. 鈥淗aving taught and chaired programs myself, I also know how critically important these attributes are.”
Dr. Viola, who also serves on 91国产鈥檚 President鈥檚 Advisory Council and is a member of the Women鈥檚 Giving Circle, has particular interest in ensuring that students have access to real-world experiences outside of the classroom. She works with her colleagues to bring outside speakers to the business school, enhance internship and shadowing opportunities, and expand connections between industry professionals and students. She also is focused on raising funds to support initiatives, including scholarships and paid internships, and is counting on other alumni who are in a position to do so to also support the institution that 鈥渨as so foundational to their success,” she said.
鈥淥ur degree is highly regarded and the school so well respected,” said Dr. Viola. If you鈥檙e from the Long Island area, there鈥檚 no need to go elsewhere to find a small, accessible campus, extraordinarily helpful faculty and remarkable opportunities. ”
Critical to the Willumstad School鈥檚 Success
While the Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board is concerned with the entire business school, there are three other advisory boards that each focus on a specific area: the Accounting Advisory Board, the Elizabeth and Allen Don Center for Innovative Technology and Decision Sciences Advisory Board and the Student Advisory Board.
鈥淚 am extremely grateful to all of the board members” Dean Hyland said. 鈥淭hese are highly successful individuals with careers, families and other commitments. The fact that they choose to give back to the University in such a meaningful way is a testament to their generosity and the impact 91国产 has had on their lives.”