Maling Ebrahimpour | Dean, College of Business, University of Rhode Island
1. The College of Business at URI recently hired 10 faculty. What was the catalyst for the increase? The College of Business is growing … and has created a demand for additional classes and faculty. There has been a tremendous uptick in interest for business majors over the last couple of years, causing undergraduate enrollment to increase 20 percent from 2015 to 2018. It is the third-largest college at URI, with business majors comprising 14 percent of the school’s undergraduate student body.
2. Given the ever-evolving nature of business, why do you feel an MBA degree still has value for Rhode Islanders? The skills learned in these programs – such as critical thinking, problem-solving and communications – are in constant demand. In terms of pure monetary value, statistics still indicate people with graduate degrees typically move up in the corporate hierarchy and command higher salaries. So, the incentive [still exists] for individuals to seek an advanced degree, and URI offers an outstanding MBA program for the state and its residents.
3. Other additions to the College of Business include a new entrepreneurship major. When was it added to the curriculum and what are the core tenants of that course of study? Innovation and entrepreneurship is a new and exciting initiative. This [past] fall, we launched three [related] offerings: a major, a minor and a certificate. Many factors contributed to our decision, [including that] 95 percent of Rhode Island companies are small and chances are our students will own, work for or advise one. Also, URI’s course of study prepares students to start and manage their own businesses, or work for companies in an entrepreneurial role. Forty-one percent of students surveyed want to start their own company.
4. Have you seen much interest in the new innovation and entrepreneurship courses? Indications are that there is strong interest across the URI community.
5. What aspect of the education provided by the URI College of Business do you wish more of the public better understood? The College of Business is the only public institution offering an array of programs at the undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. levels. The net positive value and the net economic and social impact that the College of Business brings to the state ... far exceeds the support we receive from the state’s coffers. We are a great value to the state by any measure.