Helping Northwest Indiana Thrive
The School of Business and Economics not only provides human capital in the form of our graduates. Learn more about how we engage with the Northwest Indiana business community.
Business Alliance Advisory Board
The Business Advisory Board provides an avenue to develop and maintain connections between our School and the business community we serve. In concert with our faculty, advisory board members help ensure that our mission is being accomplished and that student learning is up-to-date and relevant to current business, industry, labor, and professional employment practices.
In general, advisory board members represent various stakeholders of the institution (alumni, businesses, employers, educational partners, students, etc.) who are able to provide their time, talent, and/or treasure to support our academic programs as follows:
Accreditation and Advocacy
- assisting the school in its accreditation activities
- participating in strategic planning initiatives
- serving as an advocate of the program in the community
- supporting outreach activities such as the Business Alliance luncheon
Program Effectiveness
- assisting in the development of new programs
- offering feedback from the business community related to the labor market demand for program graduates in Northwest Indiana; suggesting future trends; recommending the knowledge, skills and competencies required for successful career entry or re-entry
- assessing the currency of curriculum and teaching practice and offering feedback related to the performance of the school’s graduates
- providing advice on technology, software and equipment changes and then, advocating on behalf of the program and college for those resources
Student Learning and Career Preparation
- sharing knowledge and expertise with various student groups
- serving as a reviewer for student presentations or assessment activities
- identifying jobs or entrepreneurial opportunities, through co-op work experiences, internships, apprenticeships, topical summits, or career fair involvement
Applied Research and Consulting
- Collaborating with faculty and students on solving real world problems within a particular organization or the business community at large
Alliance Board Members
Brian Boilek Valley Bank |
Craig Bolda Powers Health Rehabilitation Center |
Katie Eaton NIPSCO |
Lorri Feldt Indiana Small Business Development Center |
Brad Harber Wells Fargo Advisors |
Charles Huges Gary Chamber of Commerce |
Brett Jacobs Cormac Benefits Group |
Matthew Lambert Crossroads YMCA |
Scott Mundell Franciscan Alliance |
Deann Patena Crossroads Northwest Indiana’s Chamber of Commerce |
Dejan Ristevski Ivy Tech Community College, Valparaiso |
Jeanne Robbins Munster Steel Company Inc. |
Todd Scheub People’s Bank |
Mary Ann Shacklett Retired, Community Foundation of NWI |
Michael Suggs Twenty Twenty Energy Group LLC |
David Wilkinson Strack & Van Til |
Center for Economic Education & Research
The award-winning Center for Economic Education & Research has been Northwest Indiana's leader in economic education and financial literacy for more than 30 years. The center is accredited nationally by the Council for Economic Education (CEE) and at the state level by the Indiana Council for Economic Education (ICEE).
The Center facilitates and supports activities that promote economic education, provide economic expertise and support, and encourage regional economic research in Northwest Indiana. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Providing continuing education & training opportunities for educators (graduate credit, PGP points, etc.)
- Providing expert commentary, interviews, and presentations on the economy of Northwest Indiana and other topics
- Facilitating faculty & student collaboration with community organizations on economic development projects
If you or your organization is interested in working with the Center for Economic Education & Research, please contact Dr. Micah Pollak, Director, at mpollak@iu.edu or 219-980-6913.
The mission of the Center for Economic Education & Research (CEER) is to:
- Provide educational programs and workshops that promote economic and financial literacy in affiliation with the Indiana Council for Economic Education and the National Council on Economic Education
- Develop and maintain economic resources, provide economic expertise, and facilitate and support economic activities in the local community
- Encourage student-faculty research and mutually-beneficial collaborations with local organizations and community members that support the campus’ Teacher-Scholar ideal and prepare students to participate in the economic development of Northwest Indiana and beyond
The Center for Economic Education & Research regularly publishes Economic Data for Northwest Indiana the form of technical reports, data and presentations that track the health of the Northwest Indiana economy.
Center for Professional Development
For more than 20 years, the Center for Professional Development has been a catalyst for business innovation and career advancement in Northwest Indiana.
From business consulting to professional certifications and training programs for small businesses, we offer affordable, high-quality programs to transform your professional success.
Resources for Businesses
Offering internships allows students to obtain real-world experience. In addition, businesses benefit from the students fresh perspective and are able to evaluate the student for possible future employment. Begin the process of creating an internship by clicking this link or contacting the IU Northwest Career Services.
Our flexible MBA schedules allow your employees to obtain their MBA while still working for your company. To learn more about our MBA program, please click the link below.
Give to the School of Business
Your gift to the IU Northwest School of Business and Economics Fund allows us to prepare our students to be the next generation of business leaders.
