A Message from the Dean
Greetings from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
One of our most ambitious goals as a business school is to define the future of management. And when we look at the ways we are forging that path, one of the key components is innovation. The world is changing rapidly, and the way people work, live and consume is evolving too. Those changes are inspiring innovation across industries, technologies, companies and individuals, and you’ll see evidence of that innovation in this issue of Buffalo Business.
Our cover story on the gig economy demonstrates a number of examples, including how our students and graduates are creating opportunities that allow them to lead more flexible lives, and how we as a B-school are helping them navigate their options.
You can read how our MBA Social Impact Fellows are partnering with grad students in social work and other disciplines to apply novel solutions to some of today’s most pressing social challenges, such as helping local refugee women by promoting cross-cultural exchange and economic empowerment.
And on the topic of innovation and cross-cultural exchange, you can read in Startups how several alumni, local leaders and I were part of a nationwide group of business school deans and CEOs who signed an open letter to U.S. policymakers calling for a change in our country’s approach to high-skilled immigration. The letter underscores our need to attract the world’s best and brightest to remain competitive in a global economy.
Innovative programs like our Small Business Summer School provide guidance to a broad range of budding entrepreneurs, and our faculty are creating new knowledge through their research, such as how AI is affecting jobs.
You can also read how alumna Akruti Babaria identified a market for books that authentically depict the customs and stories she was raised on, so she started a company that curates books, content and workshops on Indian culture for families, schools and libraries across the country.
Moving at (or ahead of) the speed of business is not easy, but I am confident that with the caliber of our faculty, students and alumni, we are up to the task.
All the best,
Paul Tesluk
Dean