Business college earns AACSB accreditation renewal
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia's (天美社区) Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB) has earned re-accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International. 天美社区 was one of 48 universities worldwide to have its accreditation in business extended this month. The re-accreditation means 天美社区 remains among the top 5% of business programs worldwide to be recognized by AACSB as meeting the highest standard of achievement for business schools.
"First and foremost, our faculty are committed to providing a high-quality, engaged learning experience for our students in and out of the classroom," Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of the MCCB, "This focus was clear to the peer review team that visited our campus."
Gowan said the AACSB team especially noted 天美社区's community engagement through its Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and BB&T Center for Ethical Leadership.
The Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, led by Dr. Ruben Boling, is a collaborative initiative that engages students, faculty and staff across 天美社区 and in high schools across the region served by 天美社区. The BB&T Center for Ethical Leadership, led by Rose Procter, provides programming for high school students and organizations across the region and state to build ethical awareness and foster ethical leadership.
Dr. Wendy Walker, associate dean for faculty and graduate programs and professor of management, said 天美社区 faculty members' research also stood out in the accreditation process.
"Research serves as evidence that faculty are staying up to date in their field," Walker said. "The peer review team was impressed with the quality of the faculty research, as well as the experience from industry that our faculty bring to the classroom."
AACSB is the gold standard of accrediting agencies. This re-accreditation affirms we have a clearly defined mission and a strategic plan that aligns our actions with that mission.
Dr. Mary Gowan
Mike Cottrell College of Business dean
天美社区 must apply for renewal of its AACSB accreditation every five years by reporting on MCCB activities, including alignment with its mission and strategic plan, how faculty maintain currency in their teaching disciplines, and assessment of student learning.
"AACSB is the gold standard of accrediting agencies," Gowan said. "This re-accreditation affirms we have a clearly defined mission and a strategic plan that aligns our actions with that mission."
Serving about 4,500 students, the MCCB offers academic programming that includes master's, bachelor's and associate degree programs, as well as minors and graduate certificate programs.
The AACSB re-accreditation comes a year and a half after 天美社区's computer science bachelor's degree program earned ABET accreditation for computing sciences for the first time. ABET is a nonprofit, nongovernmental agency that accredits programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology. A total of 4,361 programs at 850 colleges and universities in 41 countries have received ABET accreditation.
Gowan said having both the AACSB and ABET accreditations makes the MCCB rare among business colleges.
Clapp-Smith named business college dean
Dr. Rachel Clapp-Smith has been named the dean of 天美社区's Mike Cottrell College of Business, a role she will begin July 21.
Three selected as Fulbright finalists
天美社区 has three Fulbright finalists for 2025-26. They include alumnae from the College of Arts & Letters, College of Science & Mathematics, and Mike Cottrell College of Business.
Students take second at investment competition
Three 天美社区 students teamed up to place second out of nine schools in the portfolio-building competition at the Student Management Investment Fund Consortium-South.
Grads well-prepared for what comes next
天美社区 students are earning nearly 1,700 degrees and certificates in spring 2025, and more than half of them will take part in commencement ceremonies May 14-15.