BusinessWeek considers Bryant’s two-year MBA program among region’s best

November 12th, 2009

Satisfied students, quality academics, and excellent post-graduation outcomes are three reasons BusinessWeek ranked Bryant's two-year MBA program No. 7 in the Northeast. (Click on tab that reads "Part-Time MBA.")

Flu Update from Susan Curran, Director of Health Services

November 10th, 2009

Dear Parents,

It is my hope that this message finds you all well. There has been an increase in flu activity on the Bryant campus in the last two weeks. This is consistent with the spread in the community and colleges in our area. The students who have become ill to date have recovered and others newly ill are recovering. There have been no hospitalizations at this time. I am in contact daily with the Department of Health and CDC. We follow the Rhode Island Department of Health Guidance for Higher Education recommendations for H1N1. The seasonal flu has not yet hit our area so we are to assume the flu we are seeing is the H1N1 virus.

Throughout the summer and start to the academic year, we planned anticipating that we would be facing this. As part of this plan we established a H1N1 website that can be accessed from the Bryant home page. Here we regularly update with any new information to keep the Bryant Community aware of what is going on. We established a very large prevention campaign including signage, purell dispensers through out the campus, Flu hot line, Table tents on all dining room tables, Axis slides throughout campus, flyers, classroom visits, dorm visits to educate the community. We have changed our phone system in Health Services to devote an entire line to flu calls so we can get their messages right away. And track illness.

As a parent of three children away at college myself I certainly can understand your fears and concerns. Many of you have called or emailed me with these concerns. Please know that we are doing everything humanly possible to keep your child well, to be on top of what is going on, to provide them with all the education we can, to be available to meet their needs and following the recommendations the Rhode Island Department of Health has asked us.

What we have asked the students to do is the following:

If they are ill they should call Health Services to let us know.

Health Services hours are Monday- Friday 8:30am- 4:30 pm and Saturday 10:00 - 2:00. We have extended hours on a daily basis as the needs of students have warranted. If they become ill after hours they are instructed to call DPS and an EMT will go to their room to evaluate their situation. If they are stable they are advised to call Health services in the morning as well as DPS will leave us a message to follow up with them in the morning as well. If needed they will be transported to the Emergency room. Someone is on call for them 24 hours a day.

We have been told we will be receiving the H1N1 Flu mist vaccine early December. There will also be at that time the injectable vaccine for high risk students who cannot receive the mist. We do not have a specific date and will be notified with very short notice when that date will be. We will then notify students on our website that they will need to go online and register for the vaccine. It will be free of charge.  I know this brings frustration because many of you live in other states where the vaccine has already been given to colleges but each state was allowed to distribute the vaccine the way they felt best to reach the most needed.

Other areas parents have called about that I would like to address are the following:

I hope that I have answered many of your questions. It is with deep sincerity that I tell you we do care about your son/daughter very much and truly want them to succeed here at Bryant. We are doing everything we can to successfully get through this time of illness. Please when speaking with your son/daughter refer them to our website, review with them the plan as above and remind them of taking care of themselves.

Thank you for your time. Stay well.

Susan Curran MSN FNP-BC

Director of Health Services

Bryant University

Bryant Graduate School of Business featured in Princeton Review’s “The Best 301 Business Schools”

October 7th, 2009

Students cite practical application of classroom theories, passionate professors, and cohort model of learning.

By the end of a semester-long project with a local nonprofit organization, Michael Busam, a graduate student in Bryant's Master of Business Administration program, knew success was measured by more than a grade.

Busam and his group spent the summer creating a marketing plan for Rebuilding Together Providence, which works to preserve and revitalize neighborhoods to assure low-income homeowners have a safe place to live. As part of the plan, the team recommended an overhaul of the current Web site to incorporate online giving, as well as a plan to expand the donor and volunteer base. (Learn more about Rebuilding Together Providence.)

"I put the same amount of effort, hours of research, and applied the same set of business principles as I had in other courses, but I felt that the reward was much greater," says Busam, a quality manager in the Providence, RI, office of the Gilbane Building Company.

This focus on providing "practical applications of theories and concepts" was cited by the Princeton Review as a reason the University's Graduate School of Business was featured in the publication's 2010 edition of "The Best 301 Business School." (Read Bryant's profile.)

Busam's group's real-life assignment was part of a class called Developing, Writing, and Presenting the Marketing Plan taught by Marketing Professor Frank Bingham.

"This class was a culmination of the efforts we put forth in our other courses at Bryant," explains Busam, whose group expects to complete the MBA program in December. "We had to apply all the business strategy and financial management skills we learned to develop the marketing plan. The take-away is the confidence and ability to apply all that we learned at Bryant, pull it together, and professionally present the plan."

'Irreplaceable opportunity'

One of Busam's teammates, Judd Taylor, says the project helped him learn the skills needed to be a successful consultant. The team's interaction with Rebuilding Together Providence included regular meetings with the executive director and a day spent at a project site in which they assisted in the rebuilding efforts of a house in Johnston.

"This experience differs from the traditional classroom approach in that Bryant allowed us the opportunity to apply our ability to analyze and recommend solutions in a real-life business case where we could learn from direct exposure," says Taylor, a commercial drug manufacturing manager at Amgen.

"The MBA at Bryant provides you with the confidence that you can leave the classroom and apply what you learned to affect change at any business or organization," adds Busam.

Jane Eskelund, executive director of Rebuilding Together Providence, commended Busam, Taylor, and a third group member, Ian Poole, for their effort and enthusiasm. "It was refreshing to work with dedicated students who took a genuine interest in our organization," she says.

In addition to rebuilding the Web site to include online fundraising, the organization is developing new marketing pieces in hopes of forging new community partnerships. Plans are also in the works to acquire a graduate school intern to implement the new ideas.

"The marketing plan they developed is an inspiration that has generated a newfound commitment to our mission," she says.

'People genuinely care'

The combination, Taylor says, of field work and classroom studies helps prepare students for the complex challenges they will confront in any business in any industry. "These opportunities are nothing short of irreplaceable in developing the necessary skills and abilities to succeed in today's business environment," he says.

In the two-page Princeton Review profile, students say they receive solid preparation in general management, teamwork, and communication/interpersonal skills. They also commended Bryant facultyfor bringing experiences from their professional careers into the classroom.

"Bryant faculty have been in the actual workforce and have an understanding of how ideas that they are teaching apply to the real world," wrote one student.

Another advantage of a Bryant MBA cited by the Princeton Review is a program that allows part-time students to enjoy the same benefits of cohort learning that full-time students enjoy. Students complete the two-year program with the same group of 30 to 35 students, and are also assigned to smaller study teams for the length of the program.

"By facing the challenge of this project together, our team developed a long-lasting relationship that we feel will extend long after our completion of the program," says Taylor.

Students surveyed by the Princeton Review described Bryant as a "tight-knit, small school" where "people genuinely care about the community and each other. "I wasn't expecting to become as connected to Bryant as I was to my undergraduate university," explains one student. "They have made me feel like part of a community very well here."

Students also say their classmates bring a variety of backgrounds into the classroom. "There is a wide dispersion of ages and social status," wrote one student. "There are students who are married, with children, newlyweds, singles, and just out of undergrad. The wide diversity of experience and lifestyles has made the program interesting."

Manage Bulldog Bucks card online

September 6th, 2009

Bulldog Bucks can be used at every dining option on campus.  Now you can review balances and add money online.  Visit bryant.managemyid.com

Bryant ranked in top 20 in U.S. News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” for 5th consecutive year

August 21st, 2009

Bryant University earned the number 16 spot in the Master's Universities (North) category in the 2010 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S. News & World Report.

The release of the rankings comes on the heels of Bryant's inclusion last month in the 2010 edition of Princeton Review's "The Best 371 Colleges." Earlier this year, Bryant was also mentioned among the top schools by BusinessWeek in the magazine's 2009 rankings of the top undergraduate business programs in the country.

Bryant will kick off the 2009-2010 academic year with Summer Send-Offs to welcome Bryant’s newest students.

August 4th, 2009

Bryant is going on the road to help kick off the 2009-2010 academic year.

The Office of Admission and The Office of Alumni Relations at Bryant have planned seven Summer Send-Offs in August to bring together members of the incoming class of 2013 and their families, as well as alumni, current students, and staff. The events, which will include an informal dinner and a meet and greet, will take place in Melville, NY; Lutherville, MD; Parsippany, NJ; ; Windsor, CT; Waltham, MA; Milford, MA; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"The Summer Send-Offs are an excellent opportunity for incoming students to learn a little more about Bryant from the people who know it most - our current students, alumni, and staff," says Michelle Beauregard, director of admission. "The send-offs also help the families of the incoming students connect with each other as they continue to build a strong relationship with Bryant."

          

(Photo on the left) Michelle Beauregard, director of admission, and (photo on the right) Robin Torbron Warde, director of alumni relations.

Excitement is high for the new academic year as Bryant introduces new academic programs in entrepreneurship, supply chain management, human resource management, and professional and creative writing; welcomes five new tenure-track faculty, and continues the transition to Division I athletics.

"Bryant alumni take pride in staying active with their alma mater," says Robin Torbron Warde, director of alumni relations. "The Summer Send-Offs are another way for our alumni to give back to the Bryant community."

Summer Send-Off Locations Long Island Area

Wednesday, August 5, at 6:30p.m. Blackstone Steakhouse 10 Pinelawn Rd, Melville, NY 11747 (631) 271-7780

RSVP to Katie McAtee by Thursday July 30, at (401) 232-6023.

Baltimore Area

Thursday, August 6, at 7pm Chestnut Ridge Country Club 11700 Falls Road, Lutherville, MD 21093 (410) 252-8779

RSVP to Kailin Burns by Thursday, July 30, at (401) 232-6100

New York/New Jersey

Thursday, August 6, at 6:30p.m. Sheraton Parsippany Hotel 199 Smith Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 (973) 515-2000

RSVP to Daniel Wystepek by Monday, August 3, at (401) 232-6109.

Hartford/Springfield

Tuesday, August 11, at 7p.m. Hartford/Windsor Marriott Hotel 28 Day Hill Road, Windsor, CT 06095 (860) 688-7500

RSVP to Kristy Neveu by Thursday, August, 6, at (401) 232-6417

Boston Area

Wednesday, August 12, at 6:30p.m. Hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nocera, parents of Corey Nocera '11 Chateau Restaurant 195 School St, Waltham, MA 02451 (781) 894-3339

RSVP to Daniel Wystepek by Monday, August 10, at (401) 232-6109.

Worcester, MA

Thursday, August 13, at 6:30p.m. Doubletree Hotel Boston/Milford 11 Beaver Street, Milford, MA 01757 (508) 478-7010

RSVP to Stacey Vanasse by Thursday, August 6, at (401) 232-6724.

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Sunday, August 23, at 4 pm Hosted by Pedro and Carmen Piquer, parents of Pedro Piquer '09 Piquer Residence E9 Calle La Gartia, Paseo San Juan, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00926

RSVP to Priscilla Alicea by Friday, August, 21, at (401) 232-6715.

Bryant featured in 2010 edition of Princeton Review’s “The Best 371 Colleges”

July 29th, 2009

Best 371 CollegesBryant is one of the nation's best institutions for undergraduate education, according to the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review's "The Best 371 Colleges." Only about 15 percent of America's 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are profiled in the annual publication.

The rankings are based on the Princeton Review's survey of 122,000 students - an average of 325 per campus - attending the schools featured in the book. The 80-question survey asks students to rate their schools on a variety of topics from professors and administrators to financial aid and campus food. In the survey Bryant students wrote, 'great library,' 'school is well run,' and 'the campus feels safe,' and The Princeton Review lauded Bryant's academic programs. "Students attending Bryant will receive a strong education that integrates business and the arts and sciences."

Bryant among top undergrad B-schools

March 1st, 2009

Bryant University rose five spots this year, to No. 59, in BusinessWeek magazine's annual ranking of two- to four-year undergraduate business programs nationwide. It was No. 7 among the nine southern New England public and private schools in this year's top 101 nationwide.

Bryant’s MBA program is one of nation’s best, according to Princeton Review

October 10th, 2008

For the second year in a row, Bryant University's MBA program has been named one of the best in the country, according to the 2009 edition of "Best 296 Business Schools," released Oct. 7 by The Princeton Review.

"We select schools for this book based on our high regard for their academic programs and offerings, institutional data we collect from the schools, and the candid opinions of students attending them who rate and report on their campus experiences at the schools," said Robert Franek, vice president of publishing at Princeton Review.

The information for each school is compiled in a two-page profile that describes academics, student life, and admissions, and includes ratings on academics, selectivity, and career placement services. The Princeton Review editors cite Bryant's excellent facilities as well as the cohort and team approach to its part-time MBA program, initiated in 2006.

In cohort-based education, students move through the Bryant MBA program as a cohesive group of 30 to 35. Each student is also assigned to a study team for the length of the program (typically two years).Teams are constructed by administrators to provide the widest possible range of life and career experiences to the study group.

"Our students bring hands-on experience from a range of industries, including engineering, health care, information technology, social services, government, and traditional businesses," said Jack Trifts, dean of the College of Business. "Unlike many other part-time MBA programs in the region, the Bryant MBA cohort creates an immediate professional network that exposes them to perspectives and resources beyond the classroom and supports them throughout the program and after graduation."

The profile also quotes several Bryant MBA students who praised the "very educational methods of teaching: case study, group learning, and projects" that focus on "practical applications of theories and concepts." They also appreciated the emphasis on presentations, which "prepare us for the business world."

The Princeton Review's 80-question survey asked students about themselves, their career plans, and their schools' academics, student body and campus life. In a "Survey Says. . ." sidebar, The Princeton Review lists topics that Bryant students were in most agreement about. The list includes "cutting-edge classes" and "solid preparation in teamwork, general management, and communication and interpersonal skills."

The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in the book on a single hierarchical list from 1 to 296, or name one business school best overall.

In addition to the MBA, Bryant's graduate school offers a master of science in taxation (MST) and a master of professional accountancy (MPAc).

Bryant rises to #16 in U.S. News rankings

August 28th, 2008

USNews

Bryant University earned the #16 spot among Best Universities - Master's (North) in the 2009 edition of "America's Best Colleges" published by U.S. News & World Report. It is the fourth consecutive year that Bryant has been ranked in the top 20. Last year, Bryant was ranked #17.

Highlights of the college rankings will be published in the Sept. 1 issue of the magazine, available on newsstands Aug. 25.