People, planet and profit: Stritch connects classroom experience to broader community
Cardinal Stritch University’s main campus can be found just north of Milwaukee, but the University has had a long history of taking its innovative academic programs into the community to meet the broader needs of individuals and businesses across Wisconsin.
Stritch’s College of Business and Management offers certificate, associate, bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in daytime or evening accelerated formats throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota, and many programs are also offered online. Through Stritch’s curriculum and partnerships, its students find themselves exploring and solving the real economic and business issues facing Wisconsin and beyond.
“The community is truly our classroom,” said Dr. Peter Holbrook, dean of the college. “Our graduates are thoroughly prepared to step into the 21st century workforce with the skills necessary to make a positive impact. Our goal is to prepare adaptive, ethical graduates who will help businesses and communities achieve a balance of people, planet and profit.”
Bill O’Toole, president and CEO of Catholic Financial Life in Milwaukee, has a unique perspective on Stritch’s role in developing meaningful partnerships throughout the state. O’Toole earned his MBA degree from Stritch in 1991, and has recently worked with Stritch to bring its business and management programs on site at Catholic Financial Life.
O’Toole reached out to Stritch to develop the partnership with his organization, which provides financial security to Catholic families through life insurance and annuities. Several Catholic Financial Life employees are now enrolled in the associate of science in business program on-site at Catholic Financial Life, and plans are in the works to bring the MBA program there as well. The on-site programs also welcome students from outside the organization.
“For us, providing the opportunity for our employees and associates to achieve their degree with a highly-respected, accredited university is a terrific fit,” O’Toole said. “We made it as convenient as possible because we know the impact that this education can have.”
None of his employees or associates have received their Stritch diploma yet, but the impact of the program has nonetheless been felt within his organization.
“Stritch’s curriculum has helped them see the bigger picture, to think critically,” he said. “We’ve already noticed changes in our people taking on more responsibility. We encourage as many of our associates as are willing to enroll in the program.”
There are other examples of how the college connects the classroom experience with the broader community. The curriculum is based on high-impact educational practices, including an emphasis on intern
“That emphasis on community business and economic needs is highly valued here,” O’Toole said. “People in the program can connect and apply what they are learning immediately.”
In addition, all Stritch business and management students are asked to plan and complete a community service project as part of their academic experience, allowing them to apply practical and strategic thinking in a manner that serves others across the state. This underscores the university’s focus on Franciscan values and social responsibility.
Douglas Biggs, vice president of sales/marketing at Gilman Precision in Grafton, serves on Stritch’s Business Advisory Board, which is comprised of an impressive cross section of professionals from throughout the region. This group meets regularly to ensure the curriculum and programs of the college remain firmly connected with the latest business realities.
“The Business Advisory Board allows Stritch to be nimble,” said Biggs, who earned an MBA from Stritch in 2011. “This is Stritch reaching out to identify the needs of businesses in the community and educating students to meet those needs.”
Stritch also emphasizes internships as another method for students to gain practical experience. As Biggs hires for any entry-level position at his company, he says an internship is essential, and Stritch students therefore have an advantage.
“They carry themselves differently,” said Biggs. “They understand what it takes to deal with tasks in a business environment. A deadline in college is different than a deadline in business, and those who have completed internships know that.”
Recognized by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the leading specialized accreditation association for business programs, the Stritch curriculum is innovative in both approach and content. Students acquire invaluable cross-cultural and critical thinking abilities for our global world. Learn more at www.stritch.edu.
Cardinal Stritch University’s College of Business and Management
The key to success in the today’s business world is mastering global and cultural understanding while knowing how to manage complex change. Graduates of the College of Business and Management’s daytime, evening and online programs are prepared to step into the 21st century workforce with the skills necessary to compete at every level.
Recognized by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), the leading specialized accreditation association for business programs, the curriculum is innovative in both approach and content. Students acquire invaluable cross-cultural and critical thinking abilities for our global world.
Undergraduate Business and Management Degrees
• Accounting (B.A.)
• Business (A.S.)
• Business (B.A.)
• Business Administration (B.S.)
• Human Services Management (B.S.)
• International Business (B.A.)
• Management (B.S.)
• Strategic Management of Information Systems (B.S.)
Graduate Business and Management Degrees
• Business Administration (M.B.A.)
• Management (M.S.)
Business and Management Certificate Programs
• Human Resource Management
• Project Management
• Sales and Sales Management
