Knox Debuts New Major in Business and Management

Starting in fall 2018, Knox College will begin offering a major in business and management.

The new program offers students real-world opportunities to work as entrepreneurs, lead diverse teams, and tackle some of the thorniest issues in the global economy—from sustainability to international trade relations.

"This isn't business as usual," says Garikai Campbell, provost and dean of the College. "At Knox, our goal is to prepare students to identify complex problems, come up with creative solutions, and become effective and ethical leaders of diverse, global teams and organizations. By asking students to combine traditional business learning with knowledge from several other areas, I believe that Knox is launching one of the most innovative business programs for undergraduates."

Business majors will be able to choose among five focus areas, including finance and accounting, mathematical finance, human relations, global business policy and development, and environmental policy and management—or work with faculty to create a personalized focus area to align with specific career goals.

They will also spend a good deal of time learning outside the classroom. In recent years, Knox has added popular immersive programs in business for all students, including StartUp Term, a 10-week academic experience where students create and launch their own businesses. At the end of their first year, students can also enroll in the Business Intensive Seminar, a program that brings alumni entrepreneurs back to campus to coach students in communications skills, team building, and entrepreneurship. Knox also sponsors spring break immersion experiences in various industries, including a recent trip to Chicago where students networked with local alumni and business leaders.

Students will also have the opportunity to pursue summer internships with leading companies in their desired fields. Recent graduate Phelipe Graske '18 began interning with Goldman Sachs after his sophomore year and received a full-time employment offer before he began his senior year. Other students have gone on to work at Google, Amazon, and Epic Systems. Knox's new $2,000 Power of Experience Grant, which all students receive in their junior or senior year, can help cover housing and living expenses while students are away from campus.

"Business and management has long been one of the most popular minors at Knox," says John Spittell, Wagner Distinguished Chair in Business. "Employers are looking for people who have strong communication skills, who think critically and analytically, and who can apply their knowledge to real-world situations-which is what a liberal arts education prepares students to do. The new major fits seamlessly into the Knox curriculum, but it also provides a clear pathway for students who plan to pursue careers as entrepreneurs, business leaders, and changemakers."