Rockhurst Sentinel

Issue date: 9/26/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Katharine Agnew The Helzberg School of Management: A gateway to the business world for Rockhurst students

Media Credit: Rockhurst.edu The exterior of Conway

Though Conway Hall has become an ordinary sight for many Rockhurst students trekking to class, most cannot deny the building's impressive appearance both inside and out. Home to the Helzberg School of Management, the stone structure with its arched entrance projects a distinguished and academic appearance. The interior, however, includes modern classrooms equipped with some of the most current technology students can enjoy. However, one of the most impressive features the Helzberg School of Management is intangible. Therefore, few students are aware the building they walk by on their way to class can boast the same accreditation the prestigious Harvard University, Dartmouth College and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology schools. Recently, Rockhurst's business school has achieved accreditation for both its graduate and undergraduate schools from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). This feat was not easily accomplished, but with it comes great opportunity for the school and its students.

The accreditation is a rare honor. The Helzberg School of Management is among less than 10% of business schools worldwide to achieve AACSB distinction. Furthermore, it is the only private institution in the area to have received the accreditation. To understand what this means for Rockhurst University, one must understand the association's aim for international collegiate universities. AACSB International is a non-for profit agency dedicated to nothing short of excellence in colleges' and universities' business management programs. With its accreditation Helzberg School of Management has proved to be a superior place of learning for business students.

However, the path to proving oneself as worthy of accreditation is a long and scrutinizing process. First, a school must apply to be recognized as a candidate for endorsement. The dean of the Helzberg School of Management, James Daley, Ph.D., expressed not even the application process simple. In fact, those working towards accreditation toyed with it for fourteen to eighteen years prior to the application's completion. Daley went on to explain a school must undergo a one year candidacy and another five year process of annual reports and auditing before being interviewed by a three dean team associated with AACSB. From there, a committee reviews the team's findings and offers its suggestion to members of an assembly who then vote whether to accept or reject an applicant. Due to obvious hard work and dedication by faculty and staff of the Helzberg School of Management, Rockhurst was successful in its quest to further improve the university.

Both current and prospective students can benefit from the school's AACSB certification. Those unfamiliar to the institution can look to the accreditation as proof of the school's quality. After graduation, prospective employers can also look to this proof of excellence. Finally, the AACSB accreditation enables Rockhurst to participate in the Jesuit Network Articulation Agreement. In short, the contract allows students beginning an MBA at one accredited Jesuit institution can complete his/her classes at another and, upon graduation, has the opportunity to receive his/her degree from whichever institution he/she chooses. This agreement is something students at state intuitions with similar accreditation cannot enjoy.

With this honor, however, comes great responsibility. Though the Helzberg School of Management has proved itself an excellent source of learning, it is required to maintain that level of success. If it fails to do so, its accreditation can be stripped in a five year period. It is the liability of school officials as well as the students to maintain the business school's achievement. In the end, it is the people dedicated to superior learning that make Conway Hall and the Helzberg School of Management an impressive structure to pass on a daily basis.

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