The Annual Undergraduate Deans Conference, March 1-2, 2021
No Registration Fee
Are you responsible for the competitiveness of your undergraduate programs?
Are you experiencing difficulties in recruiting First-Time-in-College Freshman students?
Would you like to improve the overall ranking of your undergraduate programs?
Would you like to build quality relationships with industries to market your programs?
Are you in the process of developing a STEM program or enhancing your curriculum?
If you experience these issues, you are not alone. The conference hosted by Jindal School of Management brings a unique colloquium specific to assistant and associate deans who are involved in developing and managing different aspects of undergraduate programs and curriculum.
This conference is a premier colloquium for designing, developing, and even reinventing undergraduate programs. We plan to encourage thought-provoking conversations, debates on several issues confronting business school leaders/deans, and discussions of emerging ideas to promote program success at every level from the classroom through the dean’s suite.
Interested in Being a Speaker or Serving on a Faculty Panel?
Experts from various universities will provide insights and share their innovative techniques. If you are interested in sharing your experiences as a speaker or panelist, please email Associate Dean, Shawn Alborz. The agenda may include:
Brand Development and Differentiation
University and Industry Rankings
Methods to Grow Domestic Enrollment
Mentoring and Alumni Programs
Virtual Student Engagements
Curriculum Development
Honors, Research and Faculty Excellence
Study Abroad and Exchange Programs
Program Assessment (AACSB)
Building Industry Advisory Board and Relationships
Organizing Committee
If there are topics you would like to see on the program, please let us know and we would be happy to add it to the program agenda.
Shawn Alborz, PhD
Conference Chair, UT Dallas Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Welcome to the 2021 Undergraduate Deans Conference. We are pleased to welcome you to Naveen Jindal School of Management (JSOM), at UT Dallas and we hope you enjoy your time with us.
This year’s conference will focus on differentiation, competitiveness and several exciting topics, and the importance of strong industry engagement and partnerships for outstanding undergraduate programs and curriculum. This is a wonderful opportunity for business school leaders to share their successes and exchange ideas as together they confront challenges and recognize innovations in the field.
I would like to thank the conference program committee, for their time and dedication to planning and delivering this conference. I am confident you will have a reinvigorated view of the work you do in your programs.
Best wishes for a productive and enjoyable conference.
Dr. Klaus Dohrmann is the Vice President of Sector Development for DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation (CSI). His team is responsible for the strategic development and positioning of DHL’s global cross-divisional focus sectors Engineering & Manufacturing, Energy, Auto-Mobility, Technology, as well as e-Retail and Fashion. This involves driving the success of the global sectors in close collaboration with DHL’s top customers, divisions and innovation teams.
Klaus joined DPDHL Corporate Development department in 2008, advanced his position to become head of strategy for DHL Customer Solutions and Innovation (CSI) and Vice President Sector Development Engineering & Manufacturing, Energy before taking over his current role.
He holds a Diploma in business administration and a Diploma in economics from the University of Hagen, Germany. In 2015 he completed his PhD titled “Electric vehicles for last-mile delivery – an economic analysis” at the University of Duisburg-Essen (3rd place Science Award for Supply Chain Management, BVL).
Keynote: Differentiation Matters in a Hyper Competitive World Speaker: Klaus Dohrmann, DHL, Vice President of Sector Development
11:00 – 12:00 PM
Session #1: Developing Your Undergraduate Brand and Culture: How Differentiation Helps Drive Enrollment
In a hyper-competitive market for undergraduate business-schools must offer distinct, relevant, and attractive academic and co-curricular journeys for prospective students and their parents. Many business schools have developed winning brands for decades that have helped them drive program interest and enrollment. During this session, three successful business schools will share their experience in creating a winning brand.
Panelists: Robert Whitelaw, PhD – UG Vice Dean, Stern School of Business, New York University Tom Tripp, PhD – Sr. Associate Dean, Carson College of Business, Washington State University Wei Loon Leong, MBA – Director of International Alumni relations, University at Buffalo
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Virtual Coffee Break
12:15 – 01:15 PM
Session #2: Growing Enrollment: Understanding The Market, Developing a Winning Strategy, and Measuring Your Success
Successful business schools have developed sophisticated marketing strategies that attracted ideal candidates for their institutions. A successful strategy can be monitored by following key metrics as applicants move through the applications pipeline. During this session, three schools will share how they have evaluated their market to create effective enrollment strategies and how they have learned how to measure outcomes to adjust their efforts.
Panelists: Michele Pfund, PhD – Associate Dean, W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University Collett Niland, PhD – Associate Dean, Lundquist College of Business, University of Oregon Frank Kelley, PhD – UG Associate Dean, Bauer College of Business, University of Houston
01:15 – 02:15 PM
Session #3: The Magic of Mentoring Programs for Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate business school applicants expect their school of choice to offer an attractive mentoring program but developing a successful program can be daunting. Any quick review of mentoring program suggests that there is no “one-size-fits-all” model and that schools must develop their model based on their school’s assets. During this session, learn more about how three different business schools have developed successful mentoring programs that have added real value to their student’s overall experience and satisfaction.
Panelists: Rebel Smith, PhD – Assistant Dean and Graham Peace, PhD – Associate Dean, West Virginia University Kaustav Misra, PhD – Associate Dean, School of Business, Central Connecticut State University Prasad Vemala, PhD – Associate Dean, School of Business, Robert Morris University
02:15 – 02:30 PM
Wrap up: Shawn Alborz (UT Dallas)
02:30 – 03:00 PM
Happy Hour: Meet your peers virtually and talk freely about the topics you are interested.
Freshman Recruiting and Enrollment
Essential Student Services
Schedule for Tuesday March 02, 2021 (Central Time)
Session #4: Adding Value to the Undergraduate Experience through study abroad, exchange and international internship programs
Helping students develop a global perspective in today’s complicated world has become increasingly important and competitive business schools know that students have a richer experience when they have engaged in an international component during their academic studies. During this session, several business schools share their knowledge and expertise in developing robust study abroad, exchange and international internship programs.
Panelists: Raman Randhawa, PhD – UG Vice Dean, Marshall School of Business, University of Southern California Jakob Iversen, PhD – Associate Dean, College of Business, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Maryanne Hyland, PhD – UG Associate Dean, Robert B. Willumstad School of Business, Adelphi University
11:00 – 12:00 PM
Session #5: Lessons Learned from Engaging Undergraduate Students Virtually and What Can We Expect Post-Covid?
Undergraduate students seem to have been challenged by attending streaming classes and understanding what it means to by engaging asynchronously during Covid semesters. What have we learned about what works, what does not work and how to inspire undergraduate students to commit in an unfamiliar environment? Learn from schools that have traversed this new horizon and discuss how the silver linings of virtual engagement may extend beyond our Covid semesters.
Panelists: Jennifer Percival, PhD – Associate Dean, Manning School of Business, University of Massachusetts Lowell Shannon Deer, PhD – Interim UG Associate Dean, Mays Business School, Texas A&M University Shu Schiller, PhD – Associate Dean, Raj Soin College of Business, Wright State University
12:00 – 12:15 PM
Virtual Coffee Break
12:15 – 01:15 PM
Session #6: Programs that Differentiate Your School: Honors, Undergraduate Research Programs and Senior Capstone Projects
Competitive business schools are finding their identity and brand through the development of distinct programs for undergraduate students. Some schools are known for their study abroad efforts or their mentoring programs, but what about Honor’s Programs, Undergraduate Research Programs and Senior Capstone Projects as programs of distinction? During this session, learn from a panel of experts who can talk about, how their school developed unique and distinct programs that provided rich and robust experiences for their students.
Panelists: Robert Reichle, PhD – Director, School of Undergraduate Studies, University of Texas at Austin Jennifer Percival, PhD – Associate Dean, Manning School of Business, University of Massachusetts Lowell Shawn Alborz, PhD – UG Associate Dean, Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas
01:15 – 02:15 PM
Session #7: Integrating Meaningful Communication into Business School Curriculum: Why Does this Matter to Today’s Undergraduate Students?
Being successful in business is not just about acquiring technical skills, but is also about learning to communicate and influence others. Integrating communication into business curriculum has become fully appreciated by most business schools but doing it is another matter. During this session, learn how these schools have tackled integrating communications successfully into their curriculum.
Panelists: Sarah Moore, PhD – Director, Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas Jennifer Johnson, MBA – UG Associate Dean, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University Patrick Hopkins, PhD – Chair Undergraduate Program, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Laurie Colglazier – UG Programs Executive Director, Kelley School of Business, Indiana University
02:15 – 02:30 PM
Wrap up: Shawn Alborz (UT Dallas)
Places to Visit just in case
The conference is virtual. However, just in case you are in the Dallas area, you may want to consider visiting places.
