A seismic shift is underway at Rockhurst University, which in December 2023 not only decided to change the name of its business school, but also embarked on a curriculum innovation initiative. In a strategic move designed to meet the rapidly evolving demands of the profession, the university is moving in a new direction with an unwavering focus on business, technology and communications, and an emphasis on education that shapes tomorrow's leaders. is showing.
The most obvious change is that the former Rockhurst College of Business, Influence and Information Analytics has been renamed the now rebranded Rockhurst College of Business and Technology. The name change reflects the school's renewed focus on improving students' acumen and society's ever-changing technological knowledge.
“We started talking about this over a year ago. We continued to build on ideas, have conversations with people and listen to their input to make the program better. These changes will take approximately three to five years to fully implement, but they are well worth the time,” said Dr. Miles Gartland, dean of the College of Management and Technology.
In contrast to many other universities, Rockhurst uses an innovative method of dividing majors into their own schools. The School of Business & Technology includes business majors as well as communications, mathematics, computer science, political science, and public policy. By incorporating each of these majors into one of her schools, Rockhurst aims to foster discussion and collaboration between different degree-seeking students.
“At almost every university in the country, the business department is in its own school, the communications department is in another school, the technology department is in a third school, and there is no interaction,” Gartland said.
This change is also reflected in the alignment of focus within Rockhurst's established majors, from Business Communication to now Strategic Communication, Mathematics to Applied Mathematics, and Data Analysis to Business Analytics. In making this change, Gartland explains that Rockhurst's majors need to become more specialized to meet the diverse needs of the modern workplace.
It is within this broad inclusion of skills that competitive advantage is found in the relationships between business, communications, and technology. This will help develop well-rounded students who are skilled in all fields and better support their professional careers.
“This is a great opportunity for Rockhurst, and if we bring our Jesuit values into this and have all three, we will have a very different, stronger and more attractive workforce. can be made. [communication, business and technology skills]'' Gartland said.
Seeds of change are being planted in the heart of Rockhurst's College of Business and Technology, but much of the growth won't happen overnight. Further changes will be implemented at the school in the coming years, including the addition of courses, majors, and curriculum.
Many of these changes will reflect the school's existing emphasis on health care and STEM fields, as well as Kansas City-area standards.
“Kansas City is becoming a huge data and technology region in the Midwest. A lot of companies are moving there, and it makes sense to create degrees for these industries,” Gartland said. Stated. “In the coming years, we expect the Rockhurst community to expand in areas such as cybersecurity, health, artificial intelligence, social media and STEM.”
The bold decision to rename and reshape the School of Business is a testament to Rockhurst's dedication to preparing students for the challenges of today as well as the dynamic changes of tomorrow. With a new curriculum focused on the intersection of business, technology and communications, the university will embark on a transformational journey that promises to develop resilient and forward-thinking leaders.
