Business Management

Capstones with a Cause: Inside Kettering’s Business Consulting Capstone

lmadaus — Thu, 29 Jan 2026 13:12:35 +0000

Capstones with a Cause: Inside Kettering’s Business Consulting Capstone

lmadaus Thu, 01/29/2026 - 08:12

For nearly a decade, Dr. Ken Williams, professor in the School of Management at 911��, has guided senior business majors through a capstone experience that goes far beyond the classroom.

Rather than completing simulated cases or hypothetical business plans, students in Kettering’s Business Capstone course step into the role of consultants, partnering directly with nonprofit organizations across the Flint community to address real operational challenges. The work is hands-on, sustained, and rooted in service, with measurable impact for both students and the organizations they support.

A capstone built around real work, not theory

The required senior-level Business Capstone is a project- and problem-based course designed to help students integrate and synthesize what they have learned across their undergraduate business education.

Students apply classroom knowledge alongside professional experience gained through their Co-op employment, bringing practical insight into budgeting, operations, supply chains, pricing, and organizational strategy. Each student team partners with a local nonprofit organization to collaboratively diagnose challenges, develop recommendations, and deliver actionable solutions.

Over the years, student consulting projects have addressed needs such as:

Website development
Volunteer recruitment and retention strategies
Funding opportunities, including grants and revenue diversification
Inventory and supply chain management
Pricing strategy and operational planning

Long-term impact for students and the Flint community

The Business Consulting Project was formally added to the curriculum in 2016, and its impact has grown steadily since then. To date, students have contributed nearly 5,700 hours of consulting support, benefiting 20 nonprofit organizations through these partnerships.

For students, the experience provides tangible consulting credentials and a deeper understanding of how business decisions affect organizations and communities. For nonprofit partners, the projects offer capacity-building support, fresh perspectives, and solutions that strengthen long-term operations.

Sharing results beyond campus

Dr. Williams has also examined the educational and community impact of the capstone through formal research. In April 2024, he presented findings on the course at the Small Business Institute Conference, where his work was recognized with the Best Pedagogical Paper award. The paper, Community Engagement in Business Education: Addressing Sustainability Issues Through Student-Team Consulting, was subsequently published in the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice.

That recognition underscores the course’s value not only as a student learning experience but as a replicable model for integrating business education, professional practice, and community engagement.

In practice, that value shows up in the nonprofit organizations strengthened through student consulting and in graduates who leave Kettering having applied their education to real challenges with real consequences.

School of Management

Business Management

Research.com Recognizes 911�� in Best MBA Degree Programs Ranking in Michigan

lmadaus — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:37:06 +0000

Research.com Recognizes 911�� in Best MBA Degree Programs Ranking in Michigan

Business Management

lmadaus Tue, 01/27/2026 - 08:37

911�� has once again earned recognition from Research.com, this time being named to the 2026 Best MBA Degree Programs Ranking in Michigan. The distinction continues a strong history of recognition from Research.com, following Kettering’s ranking as No. 4 in Michigan in the 2024 Research.com Best Colleges rankings and placement among the top 4% of colleges nationwide.

This latest recognition highlights 911��’s excellence in graduate business education and reflects its ongoing commitment to academic rigor, student satisfaction, and career-focused outcomes.

The 2026 MBA ranking was developed by Research.com’s team of data scientists, led by Imed Bouchrika, PhD, Co-Founder and Chief Data Scientist. The evaluation was conducted using a rigorous, data-driven methodology designed to provide prospective students with reliable, transparent guidance when choosing an MBA program.

To ensure accuracy and credibility, Research.com analyzed data drawn from authoritative third-party sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), Peterson’s Database, the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard, and the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). These sources provide insight into institutional performance, student outcomes, graduation rates, and long-term value.

“911�� was distinguished for its outstanding achievements in MBA education,” Research.com noted. “This award reflects the institution’s dedication to academic excellence and its success in fostering an enriching learning environment for MBA students.”

Kettering’s understanding of success—long recognized through its undergraduate programs—extends to its graduate offerings. The university’s emphasis on applied learning, leadership development, and industry relevance prepares MBA graduates for advancement in management, finance, marketing, and innovation-driven roles across Michigan and beyond.

The continued recognition from Research.com underscores the measurable outcomes of a Kettering education at both the undergraduate and graduate levels: graduates who are prepared to solve complex problems, lead with confidence, and deliver impact in their fields.

School of Management

Business Management

Management Day

eoboyle — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 19:39:28 +0000

Management Day

Business Management

Campus

eoboyle Tue, 09/16/2025 - 15:39

2025-11-07T10:00:00-0500 _2025-11-07T13:30:00-0500

911��, 1700 University Ave., Flint, MI 48504

See what makes Kettering’s Business Management programs stand out.

On Friday, November 7, 2025, we’re inviting high school business teachers, DECA advisors, and school counselors to campus for a day designed just for you.

Why attend?

You’ll leave with a clear picture of how Kettering develops students into industry-ready business leaders from day one.

What you’ll experience:

Student Panel & Luncheon: Hear directly from students about their experiences.
Conversations that matter: Meet with Admissions, Co-op experts, and Dr. Terence J. Pitre, Dean of the School of Management.
Campus Tour (optional): See firsthand the spaces where business leaders are shaped.

At Kettering, business students don’t wait until graduation to build experience. They start full-time, paid Co-ops in their first year. By the time they graduate, they’ve built a résumé that stands out and even have the option to earn both a bachelor’s and MBA in just 5.5 years.

Don’t miss this chance to see our Co-op model in action and hear directly from the students and faculty who make it work.

Management Day at 911��

School of Management

Business Management

911�� Set to Welcome Dr. Terence J. Pitre as New Dean of its School of Management

rnorris — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 12:08:56 +0000

911�� Set to Welcome Dr. Terence J. Pitre as New Dean of its School of Management

Business Management

Campus

Faculty & Staff

rnorris Mon, 06/09/2025 - 08:08

911�� announced today the appointment of Dr. Terence J. Pitre as the new Dean of the School of Management, effective June 30, 2025.

"We are pleased to welcome Dr. Pitre to 911��," said Dr. James Zhang, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. "His deep expertise in business education, commitment to experiential learning, and strong industry background make him an ideal fit to lead the School of Management. We are confident that under his leadership, the school will continue to grow in impact, further strengthening the role of business education within our STEM-driven institution."

“I also want to thank Professor John Grether for his dedication and leadership as Acting Dean,” Dr. Zhang said. “His commitment to advancing the School’s strategic goals, including the crucial work toward our self-study with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, has positioned us well for continued success.”

Dr. Pitre joins Kettering with a strong background in academic leadership, industry insight, and a passion for bridging classroom learning with hands-on experience. A U.S. Navy veteran and former faculty leader at multiple institutions, he brings a visionary approach to business education that aligns with Kettering’s distinctive Co-op model.

“When I looked at Kettering’s approach to education, I saw the future,” Dr. Pitre said. “The Co-op model isn’t just a value-add. It’s a game-changer. It answers the question so many students and families are asking today: Is college worth it? At Kettering, the answer is yes because students leave here with knowledge and real experience.”

Dr. Pitre sees the School of Management as a vital driver of innovation within Kettering’s STEM-focused environment. He is committed to strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering, computer science, supply chain, and data analytics to equip graduates with leadership skills that scale across industries.

Dr. Pitre plans to hit the ground running, meeting one-on-one with faculty, connecting with alumni, and deepening understanding of how business programs can better serve Kettering’s mission.

“Our graduates don’t wait to lead. They leave here ready to shape industries,” he said. “I want to ensure our business students are equipped not just with theory, but also with two and a half years of applied experience behind them. That’s how you stand out.”

With deep ties to community engagement and a proven track record of building forward-thinking programs, including creative alternatives like Google certificates in data analytics, Dr. Pitre brings a student-centered and mission-driven mindset that reflects Kettering’s commitment to innovation and outcomes.

“Being military, you have to do what they call ‘live the brand,’” he said. “You’re always representing your institution. That mindset is exactly what I bring to Kettering.”

Dr. Pitre comes to Kettering with over two decades of academic leadership and teaching experience. Most recently, he served as Dean of the College of Business Administration at California State University, Stanislaus. He previously held key academic and administrative roles at institutions including Bowling Green State University, Minnesota State University, Miami University, California State University–Sacramento, Saint Mary’s College of California, and the University of St. Thomas.

Dr. Pitre earned his Ph.D. in Accounting from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business, his MBA in Accounting and Finance from Tulane University, and his B.S. in Finance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

School of Management

Business Management

911�� DECA Students Excel at Michigan State Conference

rnorris — Wed, 19 Feb 2025 15:44:33 +0000

911�� DECA Students Excel at Michigan State Conference

Business Management

DECA

rnorris Wed, 02/19/2025 - 10:44

911�� Collegiate DECA students showcased their skills at the Michigan Collegiate DECA State Career Development Conference on February 8 and 9, competing against more than 200 students from 11 colleges and universities across Michigan.

Students competed in individual and team events, demonstrating their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business acumen. Among them, ten were finalists in individual events, earning two first-place, one second-place, and two third-place awards. In team events, seven of Kettering’s nine teams advanced to the finals, securing one first-place, one second-place, and two third-place finishes.

A total of 16 Kettering students were named finalists, with 11 earning top-three finishes. These 11 students have now earned the opportunity to represent 911�� at the Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in San Francisco on April 5-8, 2025.

Top Finishers

Individual Event Winners:
First Place

Ethan Arun (Computer Science, B-Section DECA President) – Fashion Marketing
Benjamin Bollman (Mechanical Engineering) – Entrepreneurship Operations

Second Place

Jack Krugh (Mechanical Engineering) – Travel and Tourism

Third Place

Harrison Ketchum (Mechanical Engineering) – Hotel and Lodging
Ria Kapoor (Management) – Restaurant and Food Service Management

Team Event Winners:
First Place

Emilio Lord (Management) & Adam Quintana (Mechanical Engineering) – Sports Marketing

Second Place

Adam Meyer (Mechanical Engineering, A-Section DECA President) & Aidan Petras (Computer Engineering & Computer Science) – Entertainment Marketing

Third Place

Benjamin Bollman (Mechanical Engineering) & Rishika Santhosh Kumar (Computer Science) – Business Ethics
Ria Kapoor (Management) & Joseph Kowalski (Chemical Engineering) – Business Research

Additional Finalists

Jack Hernandez (Industrial Engineering) – Hotel and Lodging, International Marketing
Ryan Hociota (Electrical Engineering) – Entrepreneurship Operations, Entertainment Marketing
Meadow Loukmas (Mechanical Engineering) – Marketing Management
Aidan O'Neill (Mechanical Engineering) – Event Planning
Leopold Richter (Chemical Engineering) – Event Planning

Other Competitors

Ally Raymer (Mechanical Engineering)
Jack Sigelko (Computer Engineering)

All students demonstrated exceptional preparation, determination, and professionalism throughout the competition. Their hard work and dedication continue to exemplify the excellence of 911��’s Collegiate DECA program.

School of Management

Business Management

Kettering Students Awarded at DECA International Career Development Conference

eoboyle — Mon, 29 Apr 2024 13:32:33 +0000

Kettering Students Awarded at DECA International Career Development Conference

Business Management

DECA

Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate

eoboyle Mon, 04/29/2024 - 09:32

Eleven 911�� students joined nearly 1,200 students from the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to compete at the 2024 Collegiate DECA International Career Development Conference in Austin, Texas, from April 20 through April 23.

Kettering students earned three test medals, one presentation medal, three finalist medals, and a third-place finish.

Morgan Main ('24, Mechanical Engineering) earned a presentation medal, a finalist medal, and the 3rd place award in Restaurant and Food Service Management.

Ethan Arun ('27, Computer Science) and Ben Bollman ('27, Mechanical Engineering) received finalist medals and a top 10 finish in the Entertainment Marketing team event.

Skyler Chinn ('24, Industrial Engineering) received a test medal in Fashion Marketing and Merchandising.

Ralph Mancini ('25, Chemical Engineering) and Adam Meyer ('25, Mechanical Engineering) earned test medals in Travel and Tourism.

Other Kettering DECA participants at the conference included the B-Section President, Jack Sigelko ('25, Computer Engineering), Joshua Parker ('27, Mechanical Engineering), Crystal Smalligan ('24, Management), Meadow Loukmas ('26, Mechanical Engineering), and Ally Raymer ('27, Mechanical Engineering).

The International Career Development Conference (ICDC) by DECA is a premier event where teams showcase their business expertise and compete to become international champions. The conference also features networking opportunities, career exhibits, and exclusive activities that enhance the professional growth of all attendees.

College of Engineering and Computer Science

School of Foundational Studies

School of Management

Business Management

Computer Engineering

Mechanical Engineering