SBA’s CIBRE integrates voice of customer, creates value

By Claudette Zolkowski, contributing writer

More than 100 guests joined Oakland University’s School of Business Administration to celebrate the opening of its new Center for Integrated Business Research and Education (CIBRE), learn more about CIBRE and get a glimpse of the SBA’s new student service center at the March 18 open house.

Those who attended were impressed with CIBRE's vision and focus on the business community and students.

“Congratulations on getting it right,” said Ray Gunn, (’80 Accounting) member of the SBA Board of Visitors and managing partner for Wingspan Capital Partners. “With CIBRE, the SBA integrates the voice of the customer and all stakeholders to create value for the business community and its students.”

“The CIBRE model breaks the mold,” said Satish Dharwadkar, a financial investment manager at Merrill Lynch.

Through CIBRE, established last November, the SBA has put a mechanism in place so area businesses have a place to build the region’s economic future together with other professionals and researchers, while educating a workforce that’s fully prepared to succeed.

While CIBRE itself is new, it is built on the success of existing SBA programs, which have expanded to encompass the full spectrum of business and industry. With a focus on integrating three key areas – research, education, and business and community education – the CIBRE at OU’s SBA helps business today, while looking ahead to prepare for and influence the future.

“The SBA’s partnership with the business community (through CIBRE) is a huge plus,” said Dennis Drenikowski of Merrill Lynch. “Employers benefit greatly from the chance to work with your student base.”

SBA students also welcome the opportunity CIBRE offers to enhance their business education.

“Through CIBRE’s Experiential Learning and Innovation (ELI) program, I had a chance to enhance my project management and presentation skills, and to learn about specific business issues in the non-profit sector,” said Dean Pryzmusinski, SBA graduate assistant and student of the Masters in Technology and Information Management program. “It was a great way to augment my classroom experience.”

“In these challenging times, it’s great to be part of something positive and to press forward with initiatives that will make such an impact,” agreed MBA student Casey Dittmer.

OU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Virinder Moudgil attended the event and commended the SBA, the dean and faculty team for its leadership in creating an education environment that integrates the knowledge of faculty research with the reality of business issues to offer relevant curriculum and serve as a key partner in the transformation of the southeast Michigan community.

“Everyone had a chance to see how the CIBRE will represent us as a school and showcase all of its accomplishments in research and teaching, and partner with us as we help change the regional economy,” adds SBA Dean Mohan Tanniru.

In addition to learning about CIBRE, guests had a chance to tour and hear about the SBA’s newly renovated Student Advising and Leadership Center, which serves as a testament to the SBA’s excellence through integration philosophy. The new center integrates skill enhancement opportunities with academic career planning, and facilitates students building relationships with one another and faculty members.

Located in the lower level of Elliott Hall, across from the auditorium, the center offers a one-stop shop of services for SBA undergraduate and graduate students, including a graduate programs suite that offers advising, a graduate lounge and an office for the SBA’s executive-in-residence. The adjoining undergraduate area offers a student lounge, space for the Scholars and ACHIEVE programs, a Career Services office and tutoring rooms. A conference room also is available.

The SBA originally opened this comprehensive center for academic and career advising, student support, program, leadership development and tutoring to serve the undergraduate business students in 2006. Though the original space was limited, SBA students took advantage of the consolidated services and space frequently. Renovations began in Fall 2008, services expanded to include graduate students, and the new center opened for students during Winter 2009.