In reaccrediting the GW School of Business, the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) underscored the school’s culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and noted that the gender parity in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment is a benchmark that distinguishes it from most other business schools.
“We were very pleased by the AACSB report. The accreditation team was impressed with many elements of our operations, even sharing with President Granberg the staff’s strong sense of inclusion in the school,” said Interim Dean Vanessa Perry. “The AACSB report also noted the students’ sense that they are supported by faculty and staff.”
Business schools that carry AACSB business accreditation demonstrate an ongoing commitment to excellence in teaching, research, curriculum development and learner success. In reaccrediting GW Business in early 2024, the AACSB review lauded the school’s strategic initiative for making diversity, equity and inclusion a linchpin of all programming, activities, initiatives, staff and faculty recruitment, student enrollment and even physical infrastructure.
The review also recognized the F. David Fowler Career Center as an important asset at the school. The career center is responsible for a number of student engagement and development programs, including the Communities of Practice program, now known as Careers360, that enables students to explore careers in their major through real-life consulting projects.
The latest AACSB report also spotlighted:
- The faculty produced an impressive number of articles in peer-reviewed journals and academic conference presentations during the evaluation period. Faculty members serve as officers and fellows of global management organizations and more than 40 faculty members hold editorial roles, among them on prominent academic journals.
- Faculty research was funded at impressive levels by the National Science Foundation and the Office of Naval Research, an indicator of impact that is not common for business schools. It also noted that GW School of Business faculty appear on lists of the most highly cited researchers in business and economics, including faculty members ranked among the top 2 percent of scientists in the world.
- Student praise for support provided by the school’s Office of Global & Experiential Education.
- The George Talks Business interview series, which leverages the school’s D.C. location, engages alumni, intensifies fundraising and elevates the visibility and reputation of GW Business.
- Student civic engagement and leadership development—and resulting societal impact—connected to the Business Leader Development Program (BLDP), Consulting Abroad Project (CAP) and other signature programs.
- The strong alumni service on the school’s advisory board and corporate council and the powerful way alumni provide opportunities for students.
- The school’s robust student recruitment, retention and engagement strategy, for both domestic and international students.
“The review also provided suggestions on how we can strengthen our school even more,” Perry said, “and we are already working on those recommendations.” The suggestions included fundraising for new endowed faculty positions to step up faculty recruitment and retention. The AACSB approved the school’s plan to return to a common business core in the undergraduate program.
“I am grateful to everyone who worked hard on our AACSB report and the visit by the accreditation team,” said Perry. “It was really an impressive example of our faculty coming together.”