Delta State University College of Business and Aviation Newsletter
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FBLA Chapter Achieves Historic Milestones
The Delta State University delegation of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) demonstrated excellence at the State Leadership Conference held recently at Northwest Community College. This year marks a historic achievement as all participants from DSU have advanced to the national competition, marking only the second time this feat has been accomplished in the chapter’s history.(more)
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Goad Receives CFA Society Award & Selected as Swayze Finalist
Tyler Goad, a senior finance major and defender on the DSU soccer team from Tupelo, recently received the CFA Society Mississippi Award and was selected as a finalist for the prestigious 2024 Mississippi Young Bankers (MYB) Orrin H. Swayze Scholastic Award. (more)
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8th Annual Tech Savvy Conference hosted at DSU
The 8th Annual Tech Savvy Conference, a collaborative effort between Delta State University and the American Association of University Women (AAUW), hosted 274 enthusiastic girls eager to delve into the realms of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Held on campus at Delta State, the conference featured a diverse array of hands-on workshops designed to inspire and empower the next generation of female leaders in STEM fields. (more)
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COBA Sees Consecutive Dramatic Enrollment Increases
The Delta State University College of Business and Aviation (COBA) released enrollment statistics for the Spring 2024 semester that detail an overall increase of 23.3% over Spring 2023. Enrollment in the Fall 2023 semester saw an increase of 24.1% over Fall 2022. An increased focus on marketing to prospective students and on retention of current students has led to gains in almost every program within the college.
In our business programs, the largest increase was in the BBA in Management, which saw growth of 75%. The fully online iMBA program grew by 26.2% and the traditional MBA program grew by 15.1%. The BBA in General Business, which is available online and in-person grew by 26.9%. The BAS in Business Administration, a degree for students with technical degrees, grew by 44.4%. The BBA in Marketing grew by 26.1%, the BBA in Accounting grew by 9.8%, and the BBA in Computer Information Systems grew by 6.1%.
The aviation programs saw significant growth as well. The BCA in Aviation Management grew by 33.3%, the BCA in Flight Operations grew by 24.3%, and the Master's in Commercial Aviation grew by 11.1%. there were also increases in the BAS in Aviation Management.
"Our growth demonstrates the quality of our programs and the commitment of our faculty and staff. Our faculty have gone above and beyond to not only recruit but to also advise the influx of students. Our faculty have worked hard to stay ahead of the curve to ensure our programs provide relevant content. Over the last few years, we have added a Digital Marketing concentration, an online BBA in General Business, a Nonprofit Graduate Certificate, a BAS in Aviation Management, and a BAS in Business Administration. Faculty are constantly working to ensure that offerings are relevant and in-demand," Dr. Tomeka Harbin, Interim Dean.
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DSU MBA Students Present at Academic Conference | |
DSU MBA students Issabella Ampofo and Peter Asiegbu along with their faculty mentor, Dr. Don Kim recently presented their research project titled 'AI-Powered Personalized Learning: Factors on Learning Efficiency' at the Society of Business, Industry, and Ethics (SOBIE) conference in Destin.
Dr. Kim explained: "This project not only highlights the potential of AI in transforming educational practices but also exemplifies the dedication of our students to pushing the boundaries of technology and learning. We are excited to see how their work will contribute to more personalized and effective educational experiences."
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COBA Introduces Digital Marketing Concentration
Delta State University's BBA in Marketing now offers a Digital Marketing concentration. Students in our Digital Marketing concentration will obtain the skills needed to pursue careers in digital marketing management, social media strategy, analytics, and more.
"We began working on this digital marketing concentration several years ago. We introduced it after receiving significant demand from employers and students. It is crucial that our degree offerings match industry demand, and digital marketing is a fast-growing area of business. We are thrilled to be the first small college in Mississippi to offer this concentration," Dr. Tomeka Harbin, Interim Dean.
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Aviation Open House
DSU's Aviation Department recently held its annual Open House. The event brought in hundreds of prospective students from all over the country. Alumni attend the event each year; they speak with prospective students about their experience at DSU and in the field. DSU's Aviation program is one of the fastest-growing programs at DSU.
| Pictured above are DSU Flight Ops Alumni including Natalie Jeffries, Clea Lauderdale, Tristan Crockett, Matt Tutor, Eliazar Myles, and Malik Senegal. | | | |
College of Business & Aviation Awards & Scholarship Banquet
The COBA held its annual Awards & Scholarship Banquet on April 18th in Jobe Hall. During the event, 70+ students received awards and 90+ students received scholarships.
These privately funded scholarships provide much-needed support for our students.
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MBA Student Participates in FedEx Internship
MBA student, Peter Asiegbu, recently spoke to students as the university’s representative for the FedEx Internal Audit Internship Program. As an intern serving as a junior auditor at FedEx, Asiegbu shared his experiences and encouraged fellow DSU students to seize the opportunity to participate in the prestigious program.(more)
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COBA Alumni Spotlight: Rhonda Roark Bagby | |
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DSU degree and year – BBA Accounting in 1990; MBA Accounting in 1991
Hometown – Cleveland, Mississippi
Current town/city – Madisonville, Louisiana
Significant other – Husband, Hugh Bagby; Children, Sydney & Dylan Bagby
Current job – Head of Finance and Business Strategy, Yale Health, Yale University;
CEO, Bagby CPA, LLC
Previous jobs of note – Market Vice President & Regional Vice President of Finance, Humana 2005-2021
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DSU COBA Alumni Create Internship Program for Current Students
Mellany Evans, Vice President of Training at Planters Bank and Keshawn Jennings of Planters Bank (both DSU COBA grads) visited students recently about internships and careers with the bank.
Jennings and Evans have partnered with DSU to create an internship program with Planters Bank. Undergraduate students in the COBA receive course credit for completing internships.
While pursuing his BBA in Finance, Jennings served as DSU's first Planters intern, a role which he brokered while attending the Mississippi Bankers Association Conference last year. Jennings went on to join the bank full-time upon graduation. He is currently a Presidential Scholar in DSU's MBA program.
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DSU Accounting Honor Society Induction
Sydney Pevey and Meredith Cole were recently inducted into the DSU Accounting Honor Society. This society recognizes superior achievement in accounting; promotes, encourages, and maintains academic and professional excellence in accounting; and encourages service in the accounting profession.
Members exemplify academic achievement, professional attitude and conduct, adherence to ethical standards, dedication to service in accounting, and promotion of the accounting profession.
Pictured below are Sydney Pevey and Dr. Michael Amspaugh (Dr. Charles Seeman pictured in back) and Dr. Glendscene Williams and Sydney Pevey.
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Several COBA students were inducted into Delta Mu Delta, an international business honor society that recognizes the academic distinction of students at select colleges and universities.
This year's DSU inductees included:
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Amelia Bridges
Jennifer Brown
Sandra Chow
Tiera Cook
Kelsey Farmer (not pictured)
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Shavia Johnson
Jordan Latham
Anna Slocum (not pictured)
Sarah Williamson
Michah Young
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Students & Faculty Attend Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum
Students and faculty from the College of Business & Aviation recently attended the Mississippi Entrepreneurship Forum (MEF).
This annual forum brings together entrepreneurial students from universities across the state with agencies that provide resources for entrepreneurs.
MBA student Aaron Fernandes served on a panel with student entrepreneurs. Dr. Lisa Cooley serves on the MEF Planning Committee and moderated a panel on Mississippi's Innovative Workforce. Dr. Zina Taran also attended the event.
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Faculty Present Research at MBAA International Conference
COBA faculty recently attended the MBAA Conference in Chicago, IL where they presented their research.
Dr. Zina Tara served as Chair of the Operations Management and Entrepreneurship Association. She presented on Faculty Adaptability and Mental Health, Measuring the Economic Impact of an Event on the Local Businesses, and Social Responsibility and Environmental Issues. Dr. Lisa Cooley served as President of OMEA and presented with Dr. Taran on Measuring Economic Impact. Dr. Conrad Puozaa presented on Coping with Uncertainty: Risk Management Strategies of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Ghana.
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DSU Aviation senior Timothy Hubbard with one of the university's new Cirrus TRAC 20's. | |
DSU Aviation Students Soaring in New Aircraft
The Delta State University Department of Commercial Aviation has recently begun training students to operate the new Cirrus TRAC 20 state-of-the-art, technologically advanced aircraft. Last summer, the department purchased five of these new planes, which will allow Delta State students to receive top-notch training in the newest equipment in the workplace and prepare them for successful careers in the aviation industry(more).
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DSU programs receive rankings from U.S. News and World Report
U.S. News & World Reports has ranked Delta State University’s iMBA, MPAC, & MCA among the best online business programs in the United States in 2024.
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