The Business Department tracks its enrollment and course section offerings very closely. We try to adjust to what students need and be aware of trends. The Business Department currently has 9 programs and certificates.  The Business Department has experienced six FT faculty retirements (three in spring 2019 and three in spring 2021).  We have hired one replacement in Fall 2019 to teach Business Law classes. Since 2019 the enrollment in Business degree programs has decreased by 23% -- while the FT faculty members supporting these degree programs has decreased by 47%.

The Department is anticipating approval of a NEW AS Healthcare Administration degree program for Fall 2022. We have been asked on several occasions to become involved in entrepreneurship and workplace initiatives.  We are too understaffed to participate in these type of initiatives that support the college’s strategic plan. We would like to hire a FT faculty member with additional expertise in this area to both teach and serve as a liaison for community and workforce initiatives and student entrepreneurship.

ACBSP ACCREDITATION STANDARD 5: FACULTY AND STAFF FOCUS The ability of a business unit to effectively fulfill its mission and meet its objectives is dependent upon the quality, number, and deployment of the faculty and staff. Each business unit: (1) develops and implements policies and plans that ensure an excellent faculty, including a staffing plan that matches faculty credentials and characteristics with program objectives, (2) evaluates the faculty based on defined criteria and objectives, (3) provides opportunities for faculty development and ensures scholarly productivity to support department and individual faculty development plans and program objectives; and (4) fosters an atmosphere conducive to teaching and learning.                                     

STANDARD 5 Criterion 5.2 is where faculty credentials are addressed. From their document is states - Criterion 5.2 Faculty Qualifications Employee qualifications and credentials are a critical foundation for business success. Qualified faculty must teach all class sections taught within the business unit. Faculty qualifications in the business unit are defined as Master’s or Doctorate Degree Qualified, Professionally Qualified, or as Exceptions. A Master’s or Doctorate Degree Qualified faculty member meets at least one of the following criteria: (The institution must provide documentation) 1. Doctorate in teaching field 2. Juris Doctorate— qualified to teach law courses 4. MBA—The MBA is the qualified master's degree in the teaching field for business management and marketing degrees. The MBA is also the master’s qualification to teach any introductory or principle level business unit courses (for example, entry level accounting, economics, software applications, finance, intro to computers, etc.). 5. MED —The Master's in Education with a concentration in a business discipline is the master's degree in the teaching field for office administration. 6. Related or out-of-field master’s or doctorate degree with 18 semester/27 quarter credit hours or equivalent of courses in field beyond the introductory principles level

The Business Department Goals 1 & 2 are most impacted by not replacing the retired FT faculty members. These goals further tie into the Programming Theme of the Academic Master Plan and 2.1 & 2.3 of the College’s Strategic Plan.