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11-MMr-0978 Biz-ed Ad_layout 1 9/16/11 1:58 PM Page 1 SINGULAR DRIVE, COOPERATIVE DeDICATIoN. "My Drexel LeBow MBA prepared me for a career motivated by change, transformation and success." — ANGELA DOWD-BURTON LIVE IT® TheDrexelLeBowMBA.com AngELA DOwD-BuRTOn ExEcUTIVE DIREcTOR, PhILADELPhIA OffIcE Of EcONOMIc OPPORTUNITy DREXEL LEBOW MBA '79 The Drexel leBowMBA of knowledge into a single program. But why should graduation be the end to students' learning? Busi- ness schools can cover all the skills employers want and more if they do so over a graduate's entire career. During their degree programs, schools can make sure that students understand that learning is never done. Once students graduate with a strong foundational MBA, they can continue to earn certificates in entrepreneurship or global leader- ship as their careers demand that specialized knowledge. Final Question: How Do We Change? In 1959, Robert A. Gordon and James E. Howell wrote the now- famous Ford Foundation report that leveled harsh criticism at the quality of business schools—they wrote, essentially, that there was no quality at all. That report spurred widespread reform, as business schools transformed themselves from trade schools into strong, academically driven institutions that have become an integral factor to the world's eco- nomic growth. Today, an MBA from a highly ranked school is widely recognized as an intellec- tual achievement, an indication that the graduate will make qual- ity contributions to the business world and society. Business schools have built a deeply successful model over the last 50 years. But as with any technology or system, what served us 50, 30, or even ten years ago may not serve us in the future— at least not without adaptation. Today, business schools have an opportunity to transform their industry again, but this time not because their output is low qual- ity. Quite the contrary, this time it's because they want to assure that their current high quality out- put continues to be exceptional. Business schools can achieve that goal by finding innovative ways to achieve traditional goals. For instance, through such ideas as undergraduate academic tracks, they can supply more of the AQ faculty they need. Through part- nerships, they can help each other cover more educational ground. Through quality assurance, they can expand the universe of con- tinuously improving business schools. One school can't do everything, but thousands can do anything. I see years of innovation ahead for management education, as schools overcome the industry's biggest challenges. In so doing, our indus- try will continue to do what it does best—produce graduates who are thoroughly prepared to serve society by serving business. John Fernandes is president and CEO of AACSB International in Tampa, Florida. BizEd November/December 2011 65