Dean's Biannual Report

December 2024

You are invited to read our latest College of Business and Engineering (COBE) Newsletter that features our excellent faculty, staff and students. COBE comprise the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership and Wilkes School of Engineering with outstanding undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business and engineering. The two schools with relationship with Small Business Development Center (SBDC), Family Business Alliance (FBA) and newly created Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CEI) foster a new era of built-in collaboration and partnership between business and engineering. At COBE, our business and engineering students focus on their respective majors while embracing new opportunities that integrate concepts and tools of CEI innovative and entrepreneurial projects. CEI program is enhanced by the activities of independently operated Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and The Family Business Alliance (FBA) housed together with the College of Business and Engineering in the SIMMS building. Our business students are taught to become effective global leaders that can solve complex and technical enterprises problems with high ethical standard and the ability to excel in a sustainable business environment. Our engineering students are taught with the state of the arts technological tools with ethical standards to become most proficient innovators and problem solvers in their respective engineering fields by equally understanding the demands of modern business enterprises. The two schools, although very different in orientations are vital for the prosperity of each another.

Dr. Abel Adekola serves as the Dean of the College of Business and Engineering at Wilkes University. He came to Wilkes in June 2016 as the Dean of Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership and Professor of International Business and subsequently at the helm of the merged two Schools of Business and Engineering. Prior to Wilkes, Dr. Adekola served as the dean of the College Management and Professor of International Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He was a Fulbright Scholar at ISM University of Management and Economics in Vilnius, Lithuania during the 2005-06 academic year and participated in the Vietnam Faculty Development Fellowship for International Business Program sponsored by the Center for International Business and Education Research (CIBER) grant. Dr. Adekola is an Oxford University Round Table Fellow, Senior Distinguish Fellow of the Academy of World Business, Marketing and Management Development. He completed Harvard University Institute for Management and Leadership Education and, Harvard Continuing Education Executive Communication Skills certificates. He authored and Co-authored two books with another in-press. He has presented a wide variety of seminars and workshops to many representatives of corporations, governmental agencies and academic institutions from the U.S., Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia.

Homecoming 2024: AACSB Celebration

In the Spring of 2024, the Wilkes University Sidhu School of Business and Leadership was honored to have received AACSB Accreditation and join the approximate 6% of business schools worldwide that are a part of the same status. This accreditation is celebrated throughout the business school, the University, students, and alumni. During our 2024 Homecoming Celebration, what this accreditation means for the students and the school was celebrated with speeches from Wilkes University President, Dr. Greg Cant, Dean of the Business School, Abel Adekola, Chair of the Dean's Executive Advisory Board, Jim Burke, and Current President of the Dean's Student Advisory Board, Jackson Shafer.

WELCOME NEW FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS

Dr. Sonia Wasan

First row; bottom right

Dr. Sonia Wasan, CA, joins Wilkes University's College of Business and Engineering as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Accounting. Previously, she served as an Assistant Professor at Zayed University in Dubai, UAE. Dr. Wasan holds a Ph.D. in Accounting from Louisiana State University and is a Chartered Accountant with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). She also earned a master's degree in commerce from the Delhi School of Economics, India.

Dr. Wasan has a distinguished academic and professional background, having held tenure-track positions at Virginia Commonwealth University and Northern Kentucky University. Her research focuses on the capital markets' response to accounting information, accounting education, and corporate governance. She has published in reputable peer-reviewed journals, including Advances in Accounting, Accounting Educator’s Journal, and the Journal of Theoretical Accounting Research. At Wilkes, Dr. Wasan teaches courses across various levels of financial accounting, bringing her extensive experience and scholarly insight to the classroom. Welcome to Wilkes, we are lucky to have Dr. Wasan's knowledge on our team!!

Dr. SM Zahid

Third row; top left

Dr. S.M. Zahid is an Assistant Professor of Finance at Wilkes University's College of Business and Engineering. Before joining Wilkes, Dr. Zahid served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Zahid holds a diverse academic background, having earned a Ph.D. in Finance from Washington State University and a Ph.D. in Economics from Florida International University. Additionally, they obtained a Master of Arts in Economics from Central Michigan University and both a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Dr. Zahid's research interests focus on corporate finance, including areas such as asset structure, corporate investment, corporate risk management, and the intersection of supply chain and finance. Their expertise and scholarly contributions are expected to enrich the academic community at Wilkes University, particularly in the finance discipline. We are ecstatic Dr. Zahid at Wilkes to support our standard of the highest education for our students, welcome to Wilkes!!

Corey Moore

Corey has been on the Wilkes University campus in some capacity since 2013, whether as a student or an employee. Most recently, he held the role of Associate Director of Admissions. Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, PA, Corey graduated from the previously named G.A.R. Memorial High School, where he also served as the Head Coach of Junior High Football for three years. Following graduation, Corey pursued a brief career in education, teaching 7th/8th mathematics before joining the Upward Bound Program at Wilkes University as the Academic Coordinator on a full-time basis. He earned both his B.A. and M.Ed. at Wilkes University and is pursuing his Ed.D. as he nears completing his dissertation on “Employee Satisfaction within Higher Education,” focusing on the importance of leadership within education. Corey also owns and manages C. Moore Learning, LLC, a reading and mathematics curricula for various after-school programs and individual families. We are excited to have Corey as the Associate Director of Graduate Programs!!

WELCOME TO WILKES

We are very happy and fortunate to have Corey Moore, Dr. Wasan, and Dr. Zahid join our faculty and staff here at Wilkes University!!

Student Spotlight

Lourdes Navarro

Lourdes Navarro is an international student from Panama and a senior majoring in Environmental Engineering. During the summer of 2024, she interned with Cedarville Engineering Group (CEG) in engineering consulting. At this year’s SHPE National Convention, Lourdes earned first place in the undergraduate poster competition at the National STEM Research Competition for her project, Comparison of Air Pollutants in Different Industry Sectors: Education and Energy Production, which she developed with two classmates as part of a spring 2024 class. Lourdes plans to pursue graduate studies and has begun applying to programs while seeking scholarships. If unable to secure funding, she intends to begin working in the field. We're so proud of Lourdes' accomplisments and wish her the best in her future!

Nick Splain

Nick Splain is a current senior within the Sidhu School of Business and Engineering. For the past year he has been working as a Marketing and Outreach Intern with North Branch Land Trust, a non-profit conservation organization located in Dallas, PA. Within the school, he is a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and has done work with business ethics engagement through competitions and workshops. Upon graduating with his undergraduate degree, Nick is pursuing his 4+1 MBA program with hopes of obtaining a graduate assistant position. After getting his master’s degree Nick hopes to find a job within the marketing outreach or consumer relations field. Nick has achieved so much during his time at Wilkes and we're excited to watch him continue his success!

COBE Welcomes New Class of International Students

The College of Business and Engineering is beyond proud to welcome over 50 international students to our program! We are ecstatic to have a number of international undergraduate business and engineering students, in addition to graduate students. In COBE this year, we are welcoming students from all over the globe. Our new colonels come to us from Nepal, Finland, Slovakia, Canada, Hong Kong, Oman, Greece, the Dominican Republic, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, India, Norway, and Japan. With a larger introduction of international students, our culture in COBE is continuing to support diversity and provide more opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Our students continue to impress us everyday, and we aim to do the same here in COBE. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to all our international students as we wish them the best of luck in their programs! Go Colonels!!

COBE Freshmen Welcome Event

September 19, 2024 marked the day of our annual Freshmen Welcome Event for COBE students. We were honored this year to host Dr. Jaewon Ryu as keynote speaker for this event.

Jaewon Ryu, MD, JD, is the CEO of Risant Health. He served as the Chief Medical Officer at Geisinger before being named President and CEO. Dr. Ryu came to Geisinger in 2016 from Humana, where he was responsible for the company’s care delivery functions and capabilities, and previously, he held various leadership roles at the University of Illinois Hospital & Health Sciences System, Kaiser Permanente, and in government at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and as a White House Fellow placed at the Department of Veterans Affairs. He started his career as a practicing corporate healthcare attorney.

Dr. Ryu earned his B.A. from Yale University and his M.D. and J.D. from the University of Chicago. He completed his residency training in emergency medicine at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center.

Business and Engineering Innovations and Engagements

Mondelez Tour & Executive Discussion

On October 29, 2024, our PPD 401 students were fortunate enough to take a trip to the Mondelez International factory in Wilkes-Barre, PA, to gain firsthand insight and knowledge of career paths with the international snack company in a variety of different roles. Mondelez International is a worldwide snack manufacturing company whose mission is to “empower people to snack right.” The company makes some of our favorite snack brands, such as Chips Ahoy!, Oreo, Stride, Ritz, Triscuit, and many more.

At Mondelez, the our students learned more about the company from Joe Farrell, Wilkes Alum and Dean's Executive Advisory Board Member, and Todd Wagaman, two current Mondelez employees. After the information session, the students were led on a tour through the facility. We are so grateful to Mondelez for giving our students this wonderful opportunity!

Society for Hispanic Engineers (SPHE) In California

Dr. Nelson Anaya and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) proudly represented Wilkes University at the 50th Annual SHPE National Convention held in Anaheim, California, from October 30 to November 3, 2024.

This milestone event brought together thousands of STEM leaders, professionals, and students from across the country to celebrate Hispanic contributions to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. During the convention, the SHPE club was recognized as one of the most dedicated chapters in the region—a testament to its members' commitment to fostering community, professional development, and academic success.

The club, led by President Lourdes Navarro, continues to uphold its mission of empowering Hispanic students to excel in their chosen fields. Dr. Anaya’s leadership and guidance have been instrumental in the club's accomplishments, making this recognition a proud moment for all involved.

AxelRad Site Visit

On October 17, 2024, our PPD 401 and PPD 201 students traveled to the AxelRad Screen Printing Studio, a company that hosts marketing and business internships for Wilkes University students. AxelRad specializes in design, screen printing, embroidery, vinyl, and contract printing.

The visit to AxelRad had an impressive number of student attendees. Employees at AxelRad led a Q&A session with the students, in which the students had the opportunity to engage with employees to discuss the cross function of graphic design, general production, marketing, contract printing, IT, and ownership to learn more about AxelRad. After the Q&A session, AxelRad facilitated a tour of the studio step by step, and graciously printed custom designed Wilkes shirts for everyone. We can't thank AxelRad enough for this amazing hands-on experience.

Ashley O'Connor Earns Prestigious Scholarship and Job Offer

Environmental engineering major Ashley O'Connor has been awarded the $2,000 Future Leaders Scholarship from the Pennsylvania Municipal Authorities Association for her dedication to wastewater treatment. She also presented at the PWEA conference and gained hands-on experience with Entech Engineering, where she has secured a position after graduation. Congratulations, Ashley, on your outstanding achievements!

Cornell Cookson Tour & Executive Discussion

On October 24, 2024, PPD 401 and PPD 201 students were eager for the opportunity to tour rolling door manufacturing facility, Cornell Cookson, in Mountain Top, PA. Cornell Cookson gave our students a hands on perspective of operations leadership within manufacturing and supply chain. CornellCookson is home to many employees with both business and engineering degrees.

On the visit, students listened to a brief presentation on the history and leadership of Cornell Cookson. Tours were led by guides from Cornell Cookson throughout the manufacturing facility to observe day to day operations, and understand how manufacturing contributes to the demand for many professional positions for this company. We're so grateful to Cornell Cookson that our students had another chance to get off campus and expand their professional network.

PPD 201 student Victoria Butler and her father at the CornellCookson site visit.

AWMA & SWE Team Up for River Cleanup

On October 30th, members of the Air and Waste Management Association (AWMA) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) student chapters joined forces to clean up along the Susquehanna River. Their efforts showcased a commitment to environmental stewardship and community impact. Great work, team!

MKT 419: Collaborative Projects with Business and Engineering Students

Marketing and engineering students teamed up for a collaborative project focused on new product development. Together, they brainstormed innovative ideas, with engineering students creating 3D-printed prototypes and marketing students conducting research to gather consumer insights, refine target markets, and perform situation analyses. To bring their concepts to life, both groups collaborated on promotional videos for their final products. This project highlights the strength of interdisciplinary teamwork, blending technical expertise with strategic marketing.

HL 201: Inspiring Experiences – Site Visit & Guest Speakers

COBE is very fortunate to have a large of inspiring, professional, and proud alumnus. As a result of this, the students had the opportunity to engage with Mr. Alec Norton, a proud alumnus of the Hospitality Leadership program and Revenue Manager (RMAS) at Marriott International. He shared his impressive career journey and provided insights into using data analytics in the hotel industry. Students found his story both inspiring and valuable, gaining a clearer understanding of industry practices and future career possibilities. Thank you, Mr. Norton!!

Hands-On Experience in Club Management and Operations

Students participated in an immersive site visit to the prestigious Westmoreland Club, where they explored the practical aspects of club management. They interacted with General Manager Mr. Matthew Riviello and Marketing Director Ms. Brittany Lynn, who shared their professional experiences and strategies for achieving excellence in club operations. This experience allowed students to directly connect classroom theories with real-world applications, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the industry.

MGT 356: Guest Speakers

Mr. James Zardecki shared his expertise in leadership, mentoring, and conflict resolution, as well as his profound knowledge of emotional intelligence (EQ). His insights were both inspiring and impactful, encouraging students to explore these critical skills further.

Mr. Mike Wood brought extensive expertise to the class discussion, offering students valuable insights into social responsibility and practical applications in business.

Integrated Management Experience (IME) Success

Dr. Tanya Pyke runs our IME program in the Sidhu School and has been the facilitator of many student and program successes.

12 terms: Launched business selling various products (e.g., windbreaker, water bottles, towels).
Aggregated Net Income: $4,806.42
Charitable Donations: $2,109.17 donated to various organizations including
1. 1. Blue Chip Farm (animal rescue)
  2. Fork Over Love
  3. CEP Weinberg Food Bank
  4. Souper Sundays
  5. Ruth’s Place
  6. United Blend PA Community Center
  7. Hillside Farms

Thank you Dr. Pyke and wonderful job to our students!!

Teaching Innovations

International Virtual Exchange

6 Classes Participating:

International Business
Accounting
Sustainable Management
Environmental Engineering
Corporate Social Responsibility
Computer Science

124 Wilkes University students working with international colleagues in:

Canada
Chile
Mexico
Brazil

Fall 2024: Over 130 Wilkes students will work with student teams in:

Philippines
Japan
Mexico
Brazil

Thank you to Dr. Mona Pearl for this innovative teaching!

Practical Experience-Professor Cynthina Chisarick

Another successful tax season with 12 Junior and Senior Accounting students, under the supervision of Professor Cynthia Chisarick, preparing over 100 tax returns for eligible clients at the Commission on Economic Opportunity. Congratulations!!

COBE College of Business & Engineering Career & Internship Fair

The College of Business and Engineering held their annual Career and Internship fair on Tuesday, October 1. Wilkes University's Career Center arranged for a total of 63 graduate school programs, business employers, and engineering employers to be in attendance this year! The COBE Career Fair is geared towards our students of the College of Business and Engineering, focusing on helping these students find internships during their college career, post-grad educations, and future careers opportunities with the employers in attendance. Wilkes University's university-wide Career and Internship fair is set to take place on March 12, 2025.

FACULTY & STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS (01/01/24-12/31/24)

Please see the links below for a full list of faculty Scholarly Activity https://docs.google.com/document/d/19aGiP5YNk5Iy9ifTaV7lJ0UxouRwvBoopaZOGI_Cq-k/edit?usp=sharing

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