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College of Business

The College of Business offers undergraduate programs and a Master of Business Administration graduate program, which are supported by our highly qualified and dedicated faculty committed to your success. All our undergraduate programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). Central State is one of 10 HBCUs that hold this specialized accreditation.

The College was named Best Business Program by HBCU Digest in 2018. 

Mission and vision

Mission

The College of Business is committed to providing students with a nurturing educational environment to meet their personal and professional endeavors. We emphasize academic excellence in teaching, research, and outreach in a dynamic, global business environment. The College prepares students for careers in business, government, private and public nonprofit organizations, and graduate school. The College takes great care to ensure that graduates are well-rounded individuals through its Triad for Success, which emphasizes academics, experiential learning, and professional development.

Vision

The College of Business aspires to be globally recognized for preparing graduates for success in business and society.

    Master of Business Administration

    Become a change agent

    Power change in workplaces with an MBA. Our new Master of Business Administration program can be completed in as little as one year. Take advantage of flexible schedules with a fully online program. The future is ours to change. Join our community of learners to become a change agent for diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. 

    An African American student wears a Central State University Presidential Seal lapel pin while standing on the historic campus in Wilberforce

    Academic programs

    The College of Business has two undergraduate programs and one graduate program, the Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

    For information regarding any of the academic programs in the College of Business, please contact the corresponding department chair or MBA coordinator.

    • 2022-2023 Business Advisory Council members

      The Business Advisory Council (BAC) is the advisory body for the College of Business. Members specifically advise the dean through three committees that function on behalf of the College and students in the COB. Members represent organizations from the Miami Valley of Ohio, the state of Ohio, the U.S., and globally.

      Check out the pictures from the 2022 Annual Ron Cosey Memorial Scholarship Golf Outing.

      BAC members and associated companies represented in 2022-2023 are as follows:

      • Ms. Ayanna Bennett, JPMC
      • Mr. Keith Borders, Union Savings Bank and Guardian Savings Bank
      • Ms. Monica Brown, Whirlpool Corporation
      • Mr. Justin Castleberry, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
      • Mr. Rusty Clark, Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
      • Mr. Dwight Dewberry, PNC Bank
      • Ms. Elaine Diggs, corporate HR, American Electric Power
      • Mr. Keith Edwards, KBR Wyle
      • Ms. Sanserrae Fraizer, First Financial Bank
      • Mr. Jonathan Gaupp, Walmart Transportation
      • Mr. Kunta Jackson, treasurer, FDIC (treasurer)
      • Mr. Wayne Knox, COB Alumni Member (vice chair) 
      • Mr. Eugene Lee, LinkedIn
      • Mr. Isaiah "Ike" Lipsey, Lipsey Enterprises
      • Ms. Tiara Love, Enterprise Holdings (secretary)
      • Dr. Shendorah Nalls Fisher, Microsoft Company
      • Ms. Sarah Ross, Fifth Third Bank
      • Ms. Alicia Reed, Protective Life Insurance Company
      • Ms. Marya Rutherford-Long, Fifth Third Bank
      • Ms. Randi Salyer-Frazier, Wright-Patt Credit Union 
      • Mr. Kevin Sanford, Synchrony Financial
      • Mr. Patrick Simmons, Walmart Private Fleet
      • Mr. Maxton Singletary, retired, WPAFB (chairperson)
      • Mr. Alfonzo Smith, COB alumni member
      • Mr. Ernie Sullivan, Sullivan Staffing Strategies
      • Ms. Cheryl Lavender Wright, P&G

      Honorary members

      • Mr. Vernon Ford (retired)
      • Ms. Urcelle Willis, university professor (retired)
    • 2022-2023 Student Advisory Council

      Tamarea Green 
      Major: Business Administration 
      Concentration: Management
      Classification: Senior

      Diana Williams 
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Management Information Systems 
      Classification: Senior

      Jevonne Barrett
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Management Information Systems
      Classification: Senior 

      Bryce Campbell
      Major: Business Administration 
      Concentration: Management
      Classification: Senior

      Priscilla Watts
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Management
      Classification: Senior

      Sara Birkett
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Management (Career Plus)
      Classification: Senior

      Louronia Phillips 
      Major: Accounting 
      Classification: Sophomore

      Jaylen Jones
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Marketing
      Classification: Senior

      Shernice Armbrister
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Finance and International Business
      Classification: Senior

      Josiah Smith
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Undecided
      Classification: Freshman 

      Teresa Williams
      Major: Business Administration
      Concentration: Management (Career Plus) 
      Classification: Senior

    • 2021-2022 scholarship winners 

      Scholarship recipients were awarded scholarships during the Spring semester of 2022 to be used during the 2022-2023 academic year. 

      • Diana Williams, Dean Saima Bashir Award
      • Daniella Dorsette, COB Scholarship
      • Essynce Mackey, College of Business Student Recognition Award and Joseph P. Blackshere Scholarship
      • Lendeic Smith, Business Administration Chairman’s Award
      • Tealiah Hilmon, Hospitality Management Program
      • Samuel Hurst, Larry Kelly, LTD Scholarship
      • Omar D. Davis Jr., Roy A. Burrows Jr., and Deja D. Campbell, James and Emily Turner Academic scholarships
      • Esther Cartwright, Vernon Ford Foundation Scholarship
      • Omar Davis, Herbert H. Willis Student Development Scholarship
      • Taylor Elliott, Ron Cosey Memorial Scholarship
      • Esther Cartwright, Rodney Wyse Scholarship
      • Kristine Trauth, Isaiah Lipsey Scholarship
      • Diana Williams and Jaylen Jones, Jonas L. Waits scholarships
      • Shernice Armbrister, Richard D. Kidd Memorial Award Scholarship
      • Ian Davis, Almon Sims Scholarship
      • Ariyana Irving, Tiara Love Scholarship
      • Prinika Smith, KeyBank Scholarship
      • Roy Burrows, Walmart Transportation Scholarship
      • Deja Campbell, Stephanie Denhartog, Jevone Barrett, Kentin Wallace, and Lendeic Smith, Burger King Corporation scholarships
      • Roy Burros, Harry Johns Scholarship Book Fund
      • Faith Bazilio, Raven Golliday, and Tamarea Green, Fifth Third Bank scholarships
      • Jonathan Carey, College of Business Graduate of the Year Award

      Congratulations to all the recipients and honorees!

    • Dr. Fred A. Aikens
      Dean and Professor of Management

      Dr. Marvin Reid
      Associate Professor and Chair, Business Administration

      Dr. Michael Simmons
      Associate Professor and Chair, Accounting

      Dr. Saima Bashir
      Professor, Business Administration

      Wendy Berry-West
      Assistant Professor of Marketing

      Dr. Jeng Hong Chen
      Associate Professor of Finance

      Santhi Harvey
      Assistant Professor of Business Administration

      Dr. George Owusu-Antwi
      Associate Professor of Economics/Finance

      Dr. Andrew Raschid
      Associate Professor of Hospitality Management

      Dr. Kristen Schroath
      Associate Professor of Marketing

      Dr. Alberta Thrash
      Associate Professor of Management

      Marchelle Jarrett-Thomas 
      Administrative Coordinator

      Holli Trammell
      Administrative Assistant

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      ACBSP Accredited Logo

      ACBSP accreditation

      Central State University’s College of Business received 10-year accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) in 2015.

      Established in 1988, ACBSP is the only organization offering specialized business accreditation for all degree levels, from associate and baccalaureate to doctoral degree programs. ACBSP accreditation certifies the teaching and learning processes within the College of Business at Central State University meet the rigorous educational standards established by ACBSP.

      The accreditation covers both undergraduate degree programs offered in the College. Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Accounting and Business Administration, including all concentrations.

      The Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program currently has eight concentrations, which are all accredited by ACBSP. The concentrations are agribusiness, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality management, international business, management, management information systems, and marketing.

      The Master of Business Administration, launched in 2021, has not yet gone through the accreditation process. It is expected that it will be included in the upcoming reaffirmation in 2025 or sooner.

      The accreditation acknowledges the University’s commitment to teaching excellence and quality improvement.

      Assessment reports

      2015-2016 Assessment Report

      2016-2017 Assessment Report

      2017- 2018 Assessment Report

      2021-2022 Assessment Report

      2018 to 2022 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Business Administration)

      2018 to 2022 Peregrine Outbound Comparison (Accounting) 

    Earn a degree in three years

    Now, students can get a Bachelor of Science in three years.

    Central State University and other Ohio public colleges and universities are implementing plans to enable students to complete traditional bachelor's degrees in three years. The three-year graduation plan was created to demonstrate that it is possible for students to graduate in fewer than four years.

    A three-year graduation plan is not recommended for every student. In addition to close interaction with faculty advisors at the onset, the following specifications are assumed:

    • No remedial coursework is required.
    • The student does not fail any classes.
    • The student does not change their major.
    • The student is willing to take classes each summer.

    Central State University students must earn 120 credits to complete the three-year degree. Credits may be granted on a case-by-case basis using Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination (CLEP), Transfer, and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) credits. Participating degree programs include two summer sessions. More details to follow.

    Three-year business degree options

    Apply now

    If you are ready to step into your future, apply online today. Simply complete the application, upload your documents, and have your transcripts emailed to graduateadmission@centralstate.edu.