A business school for the next generation
Despite the uncertainty of the past year, Concordia’s John Molson School of Business community has much to be proud of and to look forward to in 2021 and beyond.
Advancing research
Announced at a virtual event on March 30, BMO Financial Group has pledged major support of next-gen teaching and learning for students at the John Molson School and the Faculty of Fine Arts. The new L. Jacques Ménard–BMO Centre for Capital Markets at the John Molson School’s Department of Finance will provide students an education grounded in theory and practice, will develop future finance professionals and will drive scholarly research on challenges the industry faces.
Additionally, the Barry F. Lorenzetti Centre for Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership was announced on May 26. The $500,000 gift from Barry F. Lorenzetti, founder of BFL CANADA, will create a sustainable hub of expertise and research on women in entrepreneurship and leadership, which aligns with the school’s efforts to better identify what organizations and individuals need to do to create a society that embodies the values of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Gender-parity certification
For the second time, the John Molson School of Business has earned the Parity Certification from Women in Governance. The Canadian non-profit organization supports women in leadership development, career advancement and access to board seats across the country.
“It is imperative that we work together to create and support opportunities for women to advance in the areas of leadership and governance, and to support true gender parity,” says Anne-Marie Croteau, dean of the John Molson School of Business. “I am very proud and thankful for all the efforts our community has undertaken to make strides in this respect.”
In 2019, the John Molson School became the first business school in Canada to receive the certification.
Updated curriculum for Master of Science programs
While all John Molson Master of Science programs are undergoing major curriculum changes, the MSc in Management is the first to run a new Seminar in Consulting course (MSCA 654) as a pilot project in September.
“There has always been this sense that by pursuing a research-based degree, the path ahead of you remained in academia,” explains Kathleen Boies, associate dean of Research and Research Programs at the school.
“While this is a fruitful and important path, entering industry is actually very accessible and an important option to consider.” The new course was designed to combine research and practice. Enhanced by the inclusion of notable guest speakers, students gain a greater understanding of fundamental consulting concepts and engage with important research conducted in that area.
Additionally — and for the first time — a number of MSc management students can now register for the John Molson MBA program’s Community Service Initiative (CSI) course. The MBA CSI course encourages and promotes community service and connects John Molson resources and talent with the needs of communities, including nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, small businesses, governmental agencies and institutions.
Finally, as of September 2021, all students in the MSc Management program will be required to participate in professional-development workshops, which will better position them to enter fields like consulting.
The remaining MSc programs in finance and marketing, and the Master of Supply Chain Management, will each see its own curriculum updated over the next two years. “We are excited about this evolution of the MSc programs,” says Boies, “and look forward to working with our students to better equip them for all available career paths.”
“All these important revisions made in our research-based programs will attract talented students who want to become experts in their field of interest by deepening their knowledge while developing important skills that will prepare them very well for their next professional move,” says Croteau.