Some events promise beneficial outcomes; others actually deliver.
A roundtable discussion of 27 student leaders recently hosted by Joyce J. Elam, executive dean in the College of Business Administration at Florida International University (FIU), resulted in an enriching event and new directions, including a faculty-student networking event planned for the fall.
The top three officers in nine business organizations met at Elam’s home to share ideas with her. Organizations represented were ALPFA, Alpha Kappa Psi, American Marketing Association (AMA), Beta Alpha Psi, Finance and Management Association, Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), International Business Honor Society (IBHS), Phoenician Investment Fund and Real Estate Student Association (RESA).
“It was a fantastic event with better-than-expected returns,” said Mohales Deis of Alpha Kappa Psi, the discussion facilitator. “The students were truly engaged and showed their passion through ingenious and attentive discussion. We saw that the college’s leadership cares and is open to hearing our perspective.”
Yanyn San Luis (BA ’10), student and alumni relations coordinator, organized the event.
“We have had social opportunities in the past, but this roundtable was for students to give important feedback and to offer new ideas,” she said.
“I wanted our students to know firsthand that the college values their input and I was eager to get their insights,” Elam said. “I was impressed by the range of their ideas and the extent of their commitment to our shared goals, and thought it was a very fruitful conversation.”
Specific ideas allow dean to receive important input.
“Students are diligent problem solvers with creative solutions,” Deis said. “The college needs to tap into that reservoir and leverage it.”
Deis suggested having a “Business Student of the Year” award. Some students asked for more faculty involvement; others proposed to Elam that the curriculum be more case-based.
“I’m working on action items to see which of the students’ ideas can come to life,” San Luis said. “This fall’s faculty-student networking event is just one example.”
