Powers, Katelyn M. – Business Dialog

November 5, 2024

Exploring the cultural significance, festivities, and community spirit of Ethiopian New Year

On September 11th, our CBE grad assistant, Bemnette Kassa, brought everyone in the office flowers and dessert in honor of the Ethiopian New Year. Unfamiliar with the Ethiopian New Year, I wanted to know more and this is what I learned…..

The Ethiopian New Year, or “Addis Amet,” holds deep cultural and religious significance, marking the start of a new season. Each year corresponds to one of the four disciples of the New Testament, with this year being the season of Matteos (Matthew). The Ethiopian calendar begins in September, believed to be the month God created the earth.

Ethiopian Orthodox Christians celebrate the New Year with religious connections, such as honoring the birthday of John the Baptist. A ceremony called “tabot” includes a church parade and songs of praise, coinciding with the blooming of the yellow “Addey Abeba” flower, which is central to the celebrations. According to legend, King Solomon once gave the Queen of Sheba this flower in the form of a ring.

Celebrations involve family and friends, with coffee ceremonies, feasts, and traditional foods like dabo, qolo, and popcorn. Children don new clothes, distribute artwork, and participate in singing and dancing. The song “Abebayehwosh,” meaning “Have you seen the flower?” is a key part of the festivities.

Ethiopia follows a 13-month calendar, starting in 7 BC, which differs from the Gregorian calendar. Even Ethiopian communities abroad celebrate Addis Amet, maintaining traditions and fostering togetherness, love, and community.

For me, the highlight of Addis Amet is singing “Abebayehwosh” with the women of my community. One of my fondest memories is when, during a New Year celebration at church, the children were invited to sing. As we sang, the elder women—our mothers, aunts, grandmothers, and sisters—joined in, creating a beautiful, unbreakable bond.

In preparation for the New Year, my family often searches for yellow flowers reminiscent of the Addey Abeba, dresses in our best yellow or gold attire, and cooks up a large feast. Addis Amet is a time for family, tradition, and joy, bringing together loved ones to welcome the year ahead with peace, prosperity, and love.

By Lisa Simmons, Assistant Dean, CBE

This story is a part of the college’s CBE Celebrates Diversity Series, which highlights student, faculty and staff stories from our diverse community.

April 19, 2024

TU’s accounting and business advisory services M.S. receives STEM designation

Program emphasizes the growing role of technology and data analytics in the accounting profession

Towson University’s accounting and business advisory services master’s degree earned designation as a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) program from the Maryland Higher Education Commission. This designation serves as a recognition that the courses in the curriculum reflect what students need to be successful in the accounting industry today and in the future.

This designation recognizes the program’s emphasis on the growing role of technology and data analytics in the accounting profession.

“As the accounting profession has evolved, technology has played an increasingly important role in professional practice,” said Dr. Charles Russo, associate professor of Accounting and director of the M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services at Towson University. “Data analytics with the use of technology pushes the profession toward higher order thinking skills.”

The program’s updated curriculum reflects the evolving demands of the profession.

The landscape of accounting services is being fundamentally reshaped by technological advancements, data analytics, and the rise of generative AI. The STEM designation highlights TU’s commitment to equipping the next generation of accountants with the modern skills they need to be successful in the profession.

A key advantage of the TU program is that it’s offered jointly by Towson University and the University of Baltimore, a partnership which began in 2004. The joint program allows students to enroll in accounting courses at both universities and offers a flexible format, including courses offered online and on-campus, making it ideal for working professionals seeking to advance in their careers.

The new designation gives international students the benefits of optional practical training (OPT) eligibility and an additional 24 months of United States residency with the STEM OPT extension on their visas. Towson University also offers a five-year accelerated dual degree in accounting (B.S.) and accounting and accounting and business advisory services (M.S.), which allows international undergraduate students to be eligible for OPT if they choose to add on the master’s degree.

Learn more about the accelerated dual degree in accounting and business advisory services

Towson University’s accounting programs emphasize high-quality academics and applied learning. In this program, students learn advanced skills in applied information technology, finance, and other relevant areas. Towson University is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), the highest standard for business education.

With a STEM-designated degree, students can expect hands-on learning experiences with real-world application, a high return-on-investment; and higher pay scales, job availability and longevity when entering STEM-oriented positions.

Learn more about TU’s M.S. in Accounting and Business Advisory Services program and the College of Business and Economics.

April 18, 2024

MentHER program receives recognition for empowering students throughout Baltimore

College of Business & Economics’ program makes a difference for women in business

BY TOWSON UNIVERSITY

Towson University’s MentHER program in the College of Business & Economics (CBE) received the 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the field of business. TU is featured, along with 27 other recipients, in the April 2024 issue of the magazine.

The MentHER program connects professional businesswomen with CBE sophomores in one-on-one mentoring relationships, who in turn mentor high school students within Baltimore. Program content focuses on financial literacy, career planning and life and workplace skills through guided discussions, workshops, mentoring sessions and presentations.

“This recognition attests to our success in empowering women not only at TU but in high schools throughout Baltimore,” says Lauren Tigue Meredith, professional development partner in CBE and facilitator for the MentHER program. “The relationships these women build through one-on-one mentoring prepares them for their academic and career journeys.”

Insight Into Diversity magazine selected the MentHER program in CBE at Towson University because it combines networking and mentorship among women to support the growth, education and empowerment of college and high school students in the Baltimore area. Combining evidence-based practices for mentorship programming, the program has proven success in preparing participants for a career. In fact, 67% of participants had more confidence with their career plan after participating.

“Our goal at TU is to help all our students succeed in college and beyond graduation, and the MentHER program supports this goal,” says Aneil Mishra, dean of the College of Business & Economics. “This program grows personal and professional networks for students by meeting and building connections with other supportive women. It provides the foundation for identifying and advancing the essential components for students’ future success.”

Inspiring Programs in Business Award winners were selected by Insight Into Diversity based on efforts to inspire and encourage a new generation of young people to consider careers in business through mentoring, teaching, research and successful programs and initiatives.

“We know many business programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication and mentorship for underrepresented students,” says Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in business. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

For more information about the 2024 Inspiring Programs in Business Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.

For media inquiries, email Jamie Abell at jaabell@towson.edu.

About Towson University
Towson University is Maryland’s university of opportunities. With more than 150 years of experience pushing possibilities, TU is a nationally recognized leader in inclusive excellence, social mobility, research and discovery. As the largest university in greater Baltimore, TU’s momentum is always accelerating, with nearly 20,000 students and 200 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in the liberal arts and sciences and applied professional fields. Located amid one of the East Coast’s cultural and economic epicenters, TU is a beacon and powerful catalyst in the Mid-Atlantic, partnering with hundreds of businesses and organizations, impacting communities and fueling change. TU meets the holistic needs of each student to achieve success, a result of a deeply inclusive culture with a focus on equity among all students, faculty and staff.

About INSIGHT Into Diversity
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education today and is known for its annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. Insight Into Diversity magazine presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion in higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as explorations of best practices and profiles of exemplary programs. On our Career Center, readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of Insight Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

April 8, 2024

CBE Student Abigail Kuehl Wins 2024 College Cup

Antidote Haircare, a plant-powered haircare brand developed by Abigail Kuehl, a Towson University College of Business and Economics student, won the third annual College Cup.

Kuehl was one of seven finalists to pitch at the April 2 event, held at the StarTUp at the Armory in downtown Towson. She took home a cash prize of $10,000 to put towards her venture and a spot in the 2024 StarTUp Accelerator, where she will join several other founders for eight weeks to collaborate and accelerate their ventures.

“Thank you so much. I didn’t honestly think I was gonna win. I really came into it for the experience. Throughout this journey working with [the StarTUp Team] I have learned so much. Their feedback was so helpful and it was non-biased, and that’s exactly what I needed. I needed the outside perspective,” said Kuehl during her acceptance.

Kuehl boasts a wealth of experience as a master stylist and boutique salon owner and has a passion for addressing her clients’ needs. She’s committed to crafting a professional brand centered around clean, ingredient-first formulas. Along with her business partner, David Calle, they brought together product developers, stylists, and product testers to develop their brand.

“This has been a journey for me and I’ve put my heart and soul into this business. I hope you can tell. And I’m really out here to make a difference and make healthy living easier for people. That’s really the goal. So thank you again,” she added.

The College Cup is a university-wide challenge that helps students develop new socially- or commercially-oriented ideas and innovations to positively impact the world.

This year, a record number 25 student-led ventures applied for the challenge. Students came from nearly every TU college. Eventually, 15 ventures made it through all the programming, which includes a bootcamp, submitting an executive summary, a “learn to pitch” classroom session, and practicing pitching to the StarTUp team. The students also had access to and gained feedback from members of the ETU Council, a coalition of faculty and staff engaged in developing and strengthening entrepreneurship across campus.

A group of students pose together after competing in the competition. — Towson University students participated in the 2024 College Cup pitch event at the StarTUp at the Armory on April 2, 2024.

Seven made it through to the end. And, over the course of the last several weeks, they honed their ideas, developed pitch decks, and refined their pitches before pitching in front of a live audience and a panel of business leaders and TU alumni.

The other six finalists include:

Campus Connect, led by Xavier Sabree and Derek Knight: An app that connects college students with other student entrepreneurs/student-run companies on campuses.
Dropped, led by Aliya Pemberton Lightbourne: A platform/business that gives commuter students access to bus transportation to and from campus.
Events by Elle B., led by Lianna Banks: An event planning company.
MAI PT, led by Molli Chang: An app for physical therapy patients to remind them of at-home physical therapy exercises and uses AI technology to guide patients through PT goals.
My Campus Hubs, led by Andres Londoño, Jake Furtaw, Matt Dibbern, William Duckworth III, Caleb Blomquist and Ryan Kraft: An app that connects college students with each other socially, with professors and classmates academically, and with the community surrounding their campuses.
Urban Companions, led by Anastasia Kolomytseva and Eliza Petrova: An app that connects college students with shared housing options off campus.

The finalists each received $1,000 to put toward their venture.

(This article has been reproduced from EngageTU and was originally written and posted by TU StarTUp on April 4, 2024.)

October 2, 2023

CBE Launches “Meet the Majors” Series

This fall, Student Academic and Career Services (SACS) in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) will host three “Meet the Majors” sessions as an opportunity for students to learn more about all of CBE majors and academic program offerings.

Geared toward freshmen and sophomores but open to all students, the Meet the Majors series will give students the opportunity to talk with current students of the major, ask questions of faculty members, and learn more about the majors’ courses and projected career outcomes.

The schedule for the Fall 2023 Meet the Majors series includes:

Thursday, 10/5: Meet the Majors: Accounting and Finance
Tuesday, 10/24: Meet the Majors: Economics and BATM
Tuesday, 10/31: Meet the Majors: Marketing and Management

Each session will take place in the hallway outside the Dean’s Office (ST218) in Stephens Hall between 12pm and 1:30pm.

These informal sessions are a great opportunity for students to get a sense of what the majors are like to help them make decisions on which major to pursue. Professional development partners (PDPs), faculty members, and current students in the major will be on site to provide guidance and answer questions.

Questions? Contact Meghan Behm at mvbehm@towson.edu.