CoBE on the Road
By Dean Marcia Sakai

You may see me or other members of the CoBE faculty at a number of college/career fairs in your neighborhood.  High school students are also coming to the UHH campus to learn more about academic pathways in business.  This is particularly appropriate with the launch of the new accounting major in Fall 2008.  Let us know if you are aware of students who would like this--we are working with area high school teachers to establish networks for the purpose of spreading information about Business at UH Hilo.

The message that we want to send students is that they can attend a high quality business program right here at UH Hilo!  We are accredited by the AACSB-International, the gold standard of business education accreditation.  Virtually 100 percent of the core business courses are taught by professors who have earned a doctoral degree.  Classes are small and afford the personalized attention that is difficult to get at larger institutions.  We offer opportunities for hands on learning through internships, class projects and applied research.  Our professors serve as our advisors and can guide students in career development, as well as course selection.

In January, CoBE sponsored a half-day workshop “Effective Leadership:  Lessons from the Top Leaders” facilitated by Dr. David Hyslop of Bowling Green University.  Over 30 participants from Hilo’s business community learned pointers on becoming true organization leaders, using the model of leadership-motivation-training.  People indicated an interest in continuing workshops, suggesting other topics of particular interest.  CoBE will be responding with new titles.

Continuing its presentation of economics speakers, CoBE is co-sponsoring a speaker with the UHH Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center.  Dr. Seiji Naya, former Director of the Department of Business and Economic Development and faculty of the University of Hawaii, will share his findings on the “Income Distribution of Native Hawaiians” on Monday, February 25, 2008, in Campus Center 301 at 5 pm.  The study was commissioned by the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.  Community members are invited to attend; they will find the results of interest.

CoBE’s business program and Hawaii Community College’s associate of arts program were articulated in an historic signing ceremony in late January.  The ceremony featured Chancellors Rose Tseng and Rockne Freitas, accompanied by myself and Noreen Yamane, with a formal Hawaiian chant of welcome to the institutions that share our wonderful place of Hilo—Hilo of the new moon and place of innovations.  The agreement, while recognizing a pathway that always existed, will serve to better light the way for those students who wish to begin their collegiate education at a community college and then continue to a four-year degree program.

The lengthy search process for the new Hawaii State Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network was successfully concluded with the hiring of Dr. William Carter.  Dr. Carter assumes his post in mid February and comes to Hilo from his post as State Director for the Oregon State Network.  He plans to create greater visibility for the activities of the SBDC and will begin to establish connections with our college and local business community soon.  I served as the chair of this search committee.  The process was particularly intense, and at times grueling, but the outcome was worth it.

Professors are known to be prolific writers and CoBE professors are no exception.  Dr. Jerry Calton and Dr. David Hammes are major contributors to the new “Encyclopedia of Business Ethics and Society,” with ten articles between them.  Dr. Drew Martin has edited a book, “Tourism Management Theory:  Analysis, Behavior and Strategy,” with Dr. Arch Woodside, of Boston College and our 2006 Distinguished Visiting Professor in Tourism.