RADFORD – Radford University’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) has tapped Elizabeth Jamison as the new director of its Master of Business Administration program.

“We are very pleased that Elizabeth has accepted this position as the new MBA director, and, under her direction, we look forward to meeting and exceeding the extraordinary goals set forth for this program,” said Faye Gilbert, dean of COBE.

“This is a really exciting time to be in this position,” said Jamison. “The college and university are heading in a remarkable direction.”

COBE’s most recent initiatives include a cutting-edge global capitalism course, which began Jan. 20, and plans for a $44.2 million signature building designed to house the entire college. Ground-breaking is scheduled for 2010.

Jamison, who formerly served as the director of RU’s Leadership Development Center, will oversee various changes to the graduate program, including the move from a 30-hour credit program to a 36-hour program. There will also be a change in the number of prerequisites, which will be reduced from nine to four courses.

“The 36-hour program gives us the opportunity to incorporate international study into the curriculum. That is the focus of many graduate courses today, and it is one of the goals of the university’s 7-17 strategic plan: to foster a global perspective in all faculty, staff and students,” explained Jamison. “The reduction in prerequisites reduces barriers to entry for students who want an MBA but who have not yet taken that step.”

A resident of Roanoke, Jamison has been with RU for eight years, serving as an adjunct professor in COBE for more than five years. She has also worked as a consultant in the private sector. She received her undergraduate degree in cultural anthropology from James Madison University, her MBA from Vanderbilt University with concentrations in organizational behavior and human resources management, and is currently taking Ph.D.-level classes in interdisciplinary studies at Virginia Tech.

Jamison plans to build on an already solid foundation in the MBA program and is focused on providing students more opportunities for professional development outside of the classroom. She is also dedicated to increasing enrollment in the Radford program and the Roanoke program. There are currently 80 students enrolled in RU’s MBA program, but Jamison hopes to nearly triple that number in the coming years.

“We are going to increase awareness of our outreach programs, particularly in Roanoke,” said Jamison. “We are going to be integrally involved with businesses in the Radford and Roanoke areas, targeting those who will be able to offer tuition reimbursement assistance to students. A master’s degree in the field of business is a hot commodity, and it is vital in order to stay competitive. RU’s MBA program is going to be the top business program for business people who want to continue to progress.”

Jamison hopes to incorporate more distance learning opportunities into the masters program, and COBE is already planning to offer video conferencing in Roanoke for at least two classes this spring. Beginning in the fall, two additional sessions of the MBA program will be offered during the day, a first for the program.

Jamison is also dedicating time to connecting with current students and reconnecting with MBA alumni. “I want to build a strong student body,” she said. “I want to create a community of past, present and future students.”

To learn more about COBE and the MBA program, both of which are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), visit http://cobe-web.asp.radford.edu/.