Center Welcomes John Stoner as New Chair of Advisory Council

The Center welcomed John Stoner, a Principal in the Washington, DC office of McKinsey & Co, the global management consulting firm, as its new chair. Stoner joined McKinsey in 1998 after an 18- year career of active federal service. His military experience includes formal training and deployment as a tank commander, directing line units and managing a complex supply chain in Somalia, and serving as a Senior Military Assistant to Vice President Gore, entrusted with personal responsibility for emerging actions (carrying the “football”) and Military Operations in support of the National Command Authority. John is a leader in McKinsey’s Operations, Public Sector, and Transportation and Logistics practices, and has served as diverse portfolio of client companies on operations topics since joining the firm. John holds a Bachelor’s degree with honors in Engineering from West Point, a Master’s degree from Harvard University, and a Master’s degree in Strategy from the U.S. Army’s School of Advance Military Studies (SAMS). He has also completed doctoral studies in International Politics and Economics from the University of Salzburg, Austria as an Olmsted Fellow. He serves as the Chair of the Advisory Council of the Center for Global Leadership at Villanova University.

Center Welcomes Rick Smith to Advisory Council

Rick Smith, the leader of a the Accenture Organization Effectiveness Practice in Asia Pacific and the global leader of Accenture’s Leadership Consulting Practice has joined the Center’s Advisory Council. With 25 years of experience in the areas of strategic alliances, organizational change leadership, and organization strategies, Rick has extensive experience working with global clients to align, improve, and develop the people-side of business to deliver results. During his career he has had the opportunity to live and work in the Americas, Europe, and in Asia. Over the last several years, Rick has been based in China focused on the talent and leadership challenges in that region. Rick earned a degree in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University and completed his graduate work at The Pennsylvania State University in Organizational Behavior. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at Villanova University Business School and as a guest lecturer at Wharton Business School, UCLA, Pennsylvania State University, Singapore Management University, and Hong Kong University.

Rammrath Foreign Student Scholarships Awarded

Two students from the VSB class of 2014, Bich Ngo of Vietnam and Xianjin Teo of Malaysia, received the 2009-2010 Rammrath International Student Scholarships. So far, both of these students have been warmly welcomed by the VSB community and are enjoying their time on campus.

Rammrath Study Abroad Scholarship Awarded

Judy Choi, an Accounting and International Business Co-Major from the VSB class of 2011, and Helene Purcell, an Economics major from the VSB class of 2011, are the recipients of the Rammrath VSB Study Abroad Scholarships. These awards will support the students’ study abroad experiences in Tokyo, Japan and Salamanca, Spain, respectively, during the 2010 spring semester.

"Business without Borders" Students Travel to Kenya

In August 2009 three senior students, Abigail Butkus, Amber Brennan and Thomas Meehan, traveled to Meshanani, Kenya with Dr. Debra Arvanites, a faculty member and Associate Dean VSB. The purpose of the trip was to explore the possibilities of the on-campus organization, Business Without Borders, to work with the local Meshanani community on a number of business opportunities. The trip was partially supported by CGL.

Management Students Visit Nicaragua

A group of three VSB students travelled with Dr. Debra Arvanites to Nicaragua over Fall Break to explore potential partnerships between the community and the on-campus organization, Business Without Borders. The students are in the process of exploring collaborations with NGO Water for Waslala and a women’s eco-friendly and sustainable restaurant. The trip was partially supported by CGL

China Program Undergoes Revamp

This year, VSB introduced a six week / two course summer program in China for both undergraduate and MBA students. The students take two courses entitled Transitions of China’s Economy and International Finance at the East China Normal University. During the past summer, seven undergraduate and twenty MBA students participated in the program.

New Global Political Economy Course Piloted

As part of VSB’s revised undergraduate curriculum – a new course, Global Political Economy – will not be required of all students, A faculty committee has been formed for the development and refinement of the course guidelines and structure and Dr. Miron Wolnicki of the Department of Economics and Statistics is piloting the course during the fall, 2009 semester.

Panama Immersion Trip to Continue for Fourth Year

The special section of International Economics, which includes a trip to Panama over spring break, will be offered for a fourth time during the spring of 2010. This special section allows students to learn first-hand international economic theory in the context of an emerging nation.

MBA Students Study European Integration and Italian Economy

This past summer VSB MBA students took part in a summer elective course on the Italian economy in Milan, Italy over two weeks. The course consisted of both in-class instruction at Bocconi University and local firm visits, making for an intensive experience.

Kilby Presents in Nottingham

CGL funded the travel of Professor Christopher Kilby of the Department of Economics and Statistics to Nottingham University, U.K. where he presented his paper "Changing Aid Regimes? U.S. Foreign Aid from the Cold War to the War on Terror”. Kilby’s paper has since been accepted for publication at the Journal of Development Economics.

Doh Takes on Additional Editorial Responsibilities

Center Director and Rammrath Chair Jonathan Doh has been appointed as an Associate Editor of the European journal Long Range Planning. Doh is also Associate Editor of Academy of Management Learning and Education and Business & Society. He is co- Editor-In-Chief of MRN International Environment of Global Business.

Doh Helps Thailand's SCG Group

Center Director and Rammrath Chair traveled to Thailand to assist SCG, one of the largest business groups in South-East Asia, with its short- and long-term business strategy.

Center Releases Annual Report

The Center has released its second annual report. Click here to review a copy in PDF Format.