Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/62210
excites me because I know that business can make the world better. Meet Carolyn Woo Carolyn Yauyan Woo is the 87th chair of AACSB International and the first woman to hold this position. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Woo was educated by the Maryknoll Sisters, an order of Catholic missionary nuns headquartered near Chappaqua, New York. Her Chinese name incorporates the concept of "yan"—Confucius' teaching on how people should relate to each other. Woo came to America in 1972 to begin higher educa- in our knowledge services department; and the expansion of our publications, conferences, and member services. We have worked very hard in the past few years to intro- tion at Purdue University. After receiving her doctorate in 1979 in strategic management, with a minor in quantitative methods, she worked in the private sector for two years before returning to Purdue as an assistant professor of management. In 1997, she became dean of the business school at Notre Dame and holds the titles of Martin J. Gillen Dean and The Ray and Milann Siegfried Chair in Entrepreneurial Studies at the Mendoza College of Business. Under her direction, Mendoza has flour- AON Corporation, Circuit City, and St. Joseph Capital Bank. She became a member of the AACSB Board of Directors in 1999 and was elected vice chair-chair elect in 2002. Her yearlong term as chair of AACSB International began in July. Woo is married to David Bartkus. They have two teenage sons, Ryan and Justin. American Association for Higher Education; in 2002, she received the Excellence Award for Education from the Asian American Alliance. She is a member of the Committee of 100, an organization of Chinese American leaders devoted to encouraging better U.S.-China relations. Woo currently serves on the boards of NiSource Inc., research awards, including the Salgo-Noren Award for Outstanding Teaching at Purdue's Master's Programs. In 1998, she was chosen as one of 40 Young Leaders of the Academy by Change magazine, a publication of the ished, breaking into the ranks of Business Week's best business schools for the first time. During her tenure, applications to the school's MBA program have increased by 200 per- cent, while average GMAT scores have risen from 615 to 668. The school is deeply com- mitted to values and ethics as integral parts of the business curriculum. Woo has won many teaching and duce worthwhile initiatives and make wholesale revisions to each of the major units within AACSB. What makes our accomplishments remarkable is that we brought these initia- tives to fruition during a very difficult economy. This is the first year we can assess how well our efforts are tracking, and we're pleased. But that doesn't mean the job is done. We must work hard to be smart and effective about implemen- tation. It is very helpful that the membership approved a new dues structure, for this will allow us an adequate budget to implement these new strategic plans. The Future of Business As I assume my duties as chair of AACSB, I am keenly aware of the foundation laid by former chairs and the AACSB staff. The AACSB board and many committees spend countless hours addressing critical issues and planning bold actions to shape our future. CEO John Fernandes and the AACSB staff have made it possible to realize big ideas through the grittiness of disciplined implementation and painstaking attention to details. We all recognize that the environment in We pledge our best efforts and thinking to enable our mem- bers to fashion opportunities from change and to welcome the future with the confidence that comes from preparedness. As I look ahead to the future of management education, which we operate is extraordinarily demanding and dynamic. The new standards, structures, knowledge services offerings, accreditation sum- mits, and global engagements are designed for flexibility, continuous learning, proactive assess- ment of strategic forces, and proper governance. I see a great deal that excites me because I know that busi- ness can make the world better. I hope my professional work will make a small contribution to the big agenda. I am com- mitted to the idea that those of us in business education, through the way we engage our students, can bring about a better society—one that achieves prosperity in ways respect- ful of people and the earth. I believe we can achieve a wis- dom that balances the now with the future, the tangible with the intangible. I believe we can mold hearts that expand the boundaries of "we" and "us." I feel privileged to be in education; it is a generous pro- fession. One generation prepares the next to go places and tackle challenges that we will not be here to see. ■ z BizEd SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2003 49