Message from the Dean
Mohan Tanniru

Transforming business education

With the business world constantly shifting, changing and adapting to new models, it has never been more important than now to make sure business schools educate students in the important theories of business, as well as in the actual application of those theories and development of related skills, including cultivating global understanding.

That means business education has to change as often – or even more so – than the business world. It is also imperative to the success of our students and the world economy that the core foundation remains steadfast. The education our business students receive must equip them with the framework to adapt and operate in a business climate that evolves daily.

That is just what Oakland University’s School of Business Administration is focused on through its efforts to lead the transformation of business education. Here, the transformation into a school that integrates education with real-world application and skills, and research with business needs of today and the future, while providing an overarching global perspective is well under way. And, it is something that has remained constant in SBA’s 40-year history, as highlighted on our 40th anniversary website.

The SBA is continuing its transformation through its Center for Integrated Business Research and Education (CIBRE) with the philosophy that says "integrative thinking, experiential learning and global understanding" helps advance our impact and reach from a regional institution into an international one.

Our commitment to providing hands-on experience to our students has remained steady throughout our history. Using participation in active student organizations, teamwork in class projects, and engagement in community and business internships, SBA has integrated hands-on experiences with strong curricular foundations to deliver an outstanding business education.

Over the last few years, SBA has expanded the experiential learning opportunities available to students with the introduction of several niche programs including ATiB (Applied Technology in Business), ACHIEVE (career introduction and preparation), Experiential Learning and Innovation (fostering critical thinking and problem solving) CIBRE internships (supporting experiential learning and economic development), SAIFE (offering investment experience), i2B (entrepreneurial experience), and undergraduate and graduate business leadership (leadership opportunities in research, virtual collaboration, business interactions and more). 

What was missing, however, was a student-centered environment that enriches these experiences by bringing students to a common place so they could be a part of SBA community of faculty, alumni and business partners.  

The new Stinson Student Advancement Center which opened December 2010, combined with other student labs in Elliott Hall, now fosters a student-centered environment that is critical to fulfilling SBA’s objective of educating and preparing students for success in life. The Stinson Student Advancement Center offers both technological and collaborative opportunities to expose students to diverse learning opportunities, and distinctive learning, networking and social experiences that will prepare them for a competitive workplace.

We could not deliver on this without the outstanding contributions of the SBA faculty and staff, and the dedicated -- and transformational -- support from our longtime friends Craig and Ann Stinson, and R. Hugh and Nancy Elliott.  In the Stinson's honor, the student center is named Stinson Student Advancement Center. These contributions and those of others -- such as Marsha and Tim Healy (Healy’s Café) and others -- are helping transform the SBA's home in the Elliott Hall into a community, which we believe will transform students' lives.

Key to the future of the SBA’s continued transformation is the ongoing involvement and support of our alumni, partners and friends. I invite you to join us in our goals to create a new understanding of business student education by sharing your insights, talents and treasures with the SBA as we work to bring minds together to address organizational issues, share passions to educate professionals and future leaders, and reach out to partners to transform our economy.

Thank you

Mohan Tanniru (Dean)
In partnership with OU Administration, SBA Faculty and SBA Staff

	Mohan Tanniru Dean, School of Business Administration Oakland University, Rochester MI 48309 Contact Information Email: Tanniru@oakland.edu   Phone: 248-370-3275/3286 Download Resume