Heading into 2016, Shippensburg University’s dean of the John L. Grove College of Business sits at the helm of the Middle Atlantic Association of Colleges of Business Administration (MAACBA), serving as president of his peers.

“The purpose of MAACBA actually is to support each other,” Dean John Kooti said.

MAACBA is an organization of deans, associate deans, masters of business administration, directors — in short, leaders in business education. Kooti and his colleagues in the organization work together on a number of issues, such as accreditation and fundraising. Its members include leaders from schools in 10 different states and territories: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

After MAACBA held its election for president, Kooti started his new role in October, and will continue to serve until October 2016. As president, Kooti’s job is to make sure members of MAACBA are being heard. Following the election, MAACBA held a survey of its members, asking what services would be most beneficial.

“One of the things of interest to members is learning experiences,” Kooti said. “They want to make sure that we provide learning opportunities to members whether they’re deans, associate deans or directors, or really, faculty.”

But through all of MAACBA’s services, it really comes down to one thing, according to Kooti.

“Number one priority for all of us, would be obviously, our students — the success of our students,” Kooti said.

At SU, the College of Business is working on expanding its resources for its students. Last summer, they built the Brad E. Hollinger Stock Trading Room, a finance lab in Room 205 in Grove Hall. The facility gives students the chance to use current, live data to trade stocks and bonds.

An example of those who benefit from this resource include students in the Investment Management Program, who manage a portfolio of more than $150,000 and compete on a national scale. Last year, SU’s team ranked No. 1 for global assets in the competition.

In the fall, Kooti hopes to add a center of entrepreneurship for any business-minded student to utilize.

“If you have an idea — doesn’t matter whether you’re business students or not, and you think that might be a business idea, you bring it to the center and they work with you," Kooti said. "They mentor you through phases.”

If an idea goes well, students can move on to the small business center for further development. The entrepreneurship center may be run by faculty or other volunteers that wish to offer their business expertise. The center will also have its own advisory board, according to Kooti.

SU has also approved the addition of an entrepreneurship minor to the College of Business. Students who wish to add the minor will be able to do so in the upcoming fall semester.

Between managing MAACBA and leading the College of Business, Kooti has many plans in store for 2016.

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