Message from the Dean

Bob Wood

The students returned to campus in mid-August hopefully signaling that the long and hot Mobile summer is soon to draw to a close.  We’ve had a busy summer preparing for their return.  We’ve also been joined by an outstanding group of new faculty; I’ll introduce them in the next Mitchell Report.  The fall calendar is starting to fill up.

Our Professional Readiness Engagement Program (PREP) kicked off with the entering freshman.  This six hour credit program, culminating in a required internship, will enhance Mitchell student professional skills through a number of assignments and experiences.  To increase awareness, we’ve added an interactive kiosk 9 displaying internship and employment opportunities.  Dr. Sonya Clark is directing that program.  There are a number of opportunities for student/community engagement; please contact her for details.

This year’s crop of Mitchell Scholars has joined us.  Their academic excellence and geographical diversity exceeds any group enrolled since the program began.  It is also our largest class.  We look forward to their academic leadership in the coming years.

We also welcome a number of new Mitchell Ambassadors.  These student leaders excel both in the classroom and in extracurricular activities across campus.  In addition to representing the College on campus, these students serve as liaisons between the College and external constituents.  The group includes the USA Student Government Association President, an All-Sun Belt Conference distance runner, and other student leaders.  The students participate in Get Connected Day, USA Days, numerous PREP activities, and serve on the College Strategic Planning Committee.  

I’m pleased to announce that we’ve formalized an exchange agreement with Adolfo Ibáñez University.  UAI, a private school in Santiago Chile, is considered by many to be the preeminent business school in South America.  We anticipate sending our first Mitchell College students next fall.  Currently we have students at ESC Rennes (France) and in Germany.  Dr. Alex Sharland and I visited universities in Hong Kong and Korea in July and hope to announce agreements in the near future.

In the coming months, we’ll have Get Connected Day, celebrate National Business Women’s Week, host our Executive Leadership Speaker and Executive in Residence, and welcome prospective students and parents to campus on USA Day.  This list doesn’t include the PREP activities and student organization speakers.  We’ll also teach a few classes this fall.

See you in October.