Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce
The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, based in Milwaukee, has been named a recipient of a community impact award by the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, which is an affiliate organization of the NGLCC, was recognized with the award at the NGLCC’s 2013 National Business & Leadership Conference, held in Dallas, at the start of the month.
The award highlights the chamber’s commitment to building relationships with local city chambers, business districts and philanthropic organizations. The Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce has also formed a relationship with the Coalition of Ethnically Diverse Chambers of Commerce in Milwaukee. The chamber launched in 2012 and currently has more than 60 business members statewide.
Lakeland College
Lakeland College, based in Sheboygan County, has revamped its business administration major program to better align learning objectives with industry needs and trends. Students majoring in business administration will now select their course of study from eight emphasis areas, which consist of business economics, finance and insurance, health care management, nonprofit management, sports management, management, hospitality management and international business. Emphasis areas are comprised of 12 to 18 credits and narrow the scope of students’ studies. Additional revisions to the business administration program include changing a capstone leadership course to a business policy and strategy course, decreasing the number of credits required for a number of majors in the business division, evolving the resort management major to hospitality management, and requiring students in international business to study abroad. Lakeland College will offer the updated major for traditional students at its main campus and will also offer the major in its evening, weekend and online program at its seven locations throughout the state. Some of the focus areas will only be available at the main campus.
UW-Whitewater
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater plans to offer a doctor of business administration degree after receiving approval from the UW System Board of Regents. With this new program, UW-Whitewater will become the only AACSB International-accredited university in the state to offer a DBA degree. Fewer than 10 AACSB International-accredited universities offer a DBA, and AACSB accredits only five percent of business schools worldwide. The DBA program is intended for business professionals with at least six years of executive or managerial experience, and interested students must hold a master’s degree in business. The program is composed of 60 credits. Students attend intensive classes one weekend per month for two years and then complete a year of dissertation work. Online activities and assignments are also included in the DBA program structure. Classes could start as early as September 2014.
Waukesha State Bank
Waukesha State Bank has renamed its Wealth Management Services division Prairie Financial Group following its expansion outside of Waukesha County. The division now serves clients in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, Missouri, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Massachusetts and Montana. The new name better conveys the division’s broader client base and also recognizes Waukesha’s 1800-era name, Prairieville. Prairie Financial Group, led by Kristin Reilly, has 20 employees and plans to hire two more this year. The division provides trust and trustee services, retirement services, investment management, estate services, financial planning, enhanced cast management and planned giving.
