The College of Business Learning Communities
A learning community is a group of people who share common interests and goals in an academic setting. Within The College of Business, we have designed seven unique experiences for incoming students to encourage and promote belonginess and academic success. Each of our Learning Communities will include a Student Success Leader (a current upper-class business student) that will provide support and engagement both in and out of the classroom.
Accounting, Economics, and Finance Learning Community
This Learning Community is open to first-year business students interested in pursuing careers in accounting, business data analytics, economics, and finance. This group will connect with each other and alumni to explore opportunities in these fields. (eligibility: for any incoming, first-year CoB student)
- Gain valuable information on the synergies between accounting, business data analytics, economics, and finance
- Connect with faculty, students, and industry professionals in these fields to start growing your network and build relationships
- Have access to student associations such as the Accounting Association (AA), Economics and Business Data Analytics Club (EDAC), UA Investment Club, among others
- Engage in employer site visits, alumni panel sessions on career pathways, and special events hosted by these departments
Aspiring Marketing & Sales Professionals Learning Community
This Learning Community is open to first-year marketing and sales majors or students interested in pursuing a career in marketing or sales. The group will explore opportunities to connect with other students in those majors, as well as get a head start in creating a network with alumni and companies in Northeast Ohio. (eligibility: for any incoming, first-year Marketing and/or Sales majors)
- Have access to join UA’s American Marketing Association, Fisher Sales Society, and other student groups that focus on these areas
- Gain valuable information about the future of Marketing and Sales, not only from a trends perspective, but also from a career perspective
- Engage with community partners in experiential learning projects and company tours
Women in Business Learning Community
This Learning Community is designed to provide a supportive environment for any woman student seeking a career in business or another related field. Topics will incorporate the impacts and challenges women face in the workplace, and strategies for leveraging strengths to achieve success. (eligibility: for first-year women)
- Make connections with local women industry leaders from UA College of Business Advisory Boards and alumni network
- Hear from special guest speakers on gender-related issues in the workplace
- Includes membership in the Women in Business student organization
- Sample class topics: Establishing a workplace presence, giving and receiving constructive feedback, navigating workplace bias, developing emotional intelligence, self-awareness
Entrepreneurship Learning Community
Have you ever wondered what it takes to own and operate your own business? This Learning Community will help any incoming business student who has the passion and drive to create new business opportunities in an ever-changing environment. Topics will include: thinking like an entrepreneur, the early steps in business planning, and strategies every new entrepreneur should keep in mind. (eligibility: any incoming, first-year CoB student)
- Network with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs
- Engage with community partners (including Bounce Innovation Hub)
- Gain valuable tools into the creation and implementation of owning your own business
College of Business Leadership Learning Community
Understanding individual leadership styles and interpersonal skills enhances one's ability for a successful future - both personally and professionally. The College of Business Leadership Learning Community will provide students with leadership concepts surrounding purpose, ethics, decision-making and empowerment in a group-curricular setting while having out-of-class experiences to engage and apply their learning. Students will learn, first-hand, what it means to be an effective leader (eligibility: any incoming, first-year CoB student)
- Access to join the Leadership Designation Program prior to other UA students
- Interactive class activities that are focused on leadership and enhancing personal skills
- Network with guest speakers who are business leaders and innovators
- Sample class topics: Intro to leadership, making decisions, lessons from idols, leading and following
Future Sport Business & Analytics Professionals Learning Community
This Learning Community is open to first-year sport business and sport analytics majors or students interested in pursuing a career in the sport industry. This group will explore opportunities to connect with other students in those majors, as well as get a head start in creating a network with alumni and sport industry professionals in Northeast Ohio. (eligibility: for any incoming, first-year CoB student majoring in Sport Business and/or Sport Analytics)
- Have access to join UA's student organization SABA (Sport Analytics and Business Association)
- Gain valuable information about the sport industry and how to prepare yourself for future career opportunities
- Connect with Sport Analytics and Sport Business faculty, students and industry professionals to start growing your network and build relationships
Business Living Learning Community
*Students enroll in this community via the Housing Application.
Experience Business in an immersive way this fall by joining our new Business Living Learning Community! Your involvement will open pathways of opportunity as you enjoy community amenities and connect with other business majors. This unique experience will integrate academic, social, and career development to support students in making a smooth, successful transition to college life at The University of Akron. Students will live as “neighbors” to one another in our newest campus residence hall, take the Business Success Seminar (BUSN110) course together, and engage in various events designed to connect students to their business education, the corporate world, and many of its key players. (eligibility: any incoming, first-year CoB student)
- Learn time management & study skills that will be valuable for first -year business majors adjusting to college life
- Build relationships with students while living in residence hall and taking Business Success Seminar (BUSN:110) as community
- Connect with business faculty and staff at various University of Akron and College of Business events
Students interested in joining one of our Learning Communities can complete the Business Learning Community interest form.
For more information, please email Dan Reichert at dreichert@uakron.edu OR the College of Business Advising Office at businessadvising@uakron.edu.