On September 13, the CBA held its first Career Exploration Day. Fifty-four companies attended, representing a diverse range of industries.

The event provided employers with the opportunity to meet students, collect résumés, and increase their company exposure. Students were able to begin networking and explore internship and career options–conveniently–before or after their classes. Faculty members took advantage of the in-house location to meet employers and learn what positions they were looking to fill.

Increasing student awareness of internship and career opportunities is one of the main goals of the CBA Career Development Office, and Career Exploration Day served that goal.

To become an employer partner with the CBA, contact Tracy Haney, director, at tracy.haney@nau.edu or Deirdre Frank, program coordinator, at deirdre.frank@nau.edu. 

The Sustainable Energy Solutions research group continues to move from Concept to Realization. Last year’s project funded by the Arizona Department of Commerce led to two interesting new projects regarding energy planning. Dean Smith, professor of economics and Applied Indigenous Studies, is working with the Shonto Chapter on the Navajo Nation to develop a fully detailed community energy plan. A partner on this project is the Grand Canyon Trust. The SES team hosted an August meeting with representatives from Shonto, Sandia National Laboratories, Arizona Department of Commerce, Grand Canyon Trust, Department of Energy and others to scope out the project.

A second project stemming from the energy planning workshop effort is working with the Just Transition Coalition. Formed following the closing of the Mohave Generating Station (MGS), the Just Transition Coalition is making progress toward discovering just, fair and equitable energy development ideas for the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe. The idea is to use SO2 credits from the MGS to finance renewable energy development for the benefit of the rate payers in California and simultaneously provide economic development opportunities for the tribes. This idea creates unique legal, political, social, and economic challenges never before faced in the realm of tradable permits. This is an exciting practical application of business practices merging with social and environmental justice issues.

Susan Williams, assistant professor of management, is continuing her work on the economic impacts of wind farms as an economic development venture. Her current project, “Wind Energy Mapping using Geographic Information Systems,” is an extension of her previous work.

As of September 2006 SMIF has $875,000 under management, a profit of $375,000 over their endowment from the NAU Foundation of $500,000.
 

CBA has partnered with the Maricopa Community College district to provide students living in the Phoenix area the opportunity to earn a B.S. in Business Administration – Management without leaving the Valley. This 2+2 BSBA program kicked-off this semester.

Students satisfy the first two years of the degree by completing classes at one of the Maricopa Community Colleges. In the process, they earn an Associates Degree in Business (ABUS). Students then apply to the CBA, and when accepted, take classes from NAU at Paradise Valley Community College to satisfy the last two years of the Bachelor’s degree. All classes are taught by CBA faculty using a variety of delivery methods – in person, instructional television, and online.

The 2+2 BSBA program offers an excellent option for many students, especially those looking for the personal touch of the CBA. Although the program has just begun, the response from potential students has been outstanding.