University of Montevallo’s Stephens College of Business is groundbreaking: 5 reasons to check it out

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Groundbreaking at the UM Stephens College of Business groundbreaking
University of Montevallo + Stephens College of Business Board Members and Staff at the groundbreaking for the new Stephens College of Business building. Photo by Beth Cunningham for Bham Now

Thursday, September 5 was the groundbreaking for a new building at the University of Montevallo’s Stephens College of Business. We’re here with five reasons why this matters.

If you want to apply for undergrad business school or the MBA program, hop over here to find out how.

1—The Stephens College of Business’ new building will provide significant upgrades to business students

Rendering for the new Stephens College of Business
Rendering of the new Stephens College of Business building at The University of Montevallo. Image supplied

The new building will give the Michael E. Stephens College of Business a major upgrade. Here’s some of what makes it awesome:

  • It’ll be state of the art, with technology to support students’ experience.
  • It features spaces designed to enhance student learning and collaboration.
  • A large student commons and event space will provide an ideal environment where students, faculty and the business community can interact.
  • Two technology-enhanced classrooms.
  • Student team study rooms.
  • Professional development spaces.
  • Technology-rich case presentation boardroom.

It’ll be right next to and attached to Morgan and Comer Halls—the current home of Stephens College. When all is said and done, the College of Business will occupy all three buildings.

2—The Michael E. Stephens College of Business has a lot to offer, and the new building will only make it better

According to Dean Stephen Craft,

The Stephens College of Business at the University of Montevallo is a comprehensive and premier college of business with rock star credentials and student outcomes.

People gathered at the groundbreaking for the UM College of Business
People gathered at the groundbreaking. Photo by Beth Cunningham for Bham Now

Some more things you want to know about UM’s Stephens College of Business, in case you’re ready to uplevel your life and career:

  • Fully accredited: Its business programs are fully accredited by AACSB International, the senior and most prestigious accrediting body for business programs anywhere on the planet. 
  • Undergrad and graduate programs: It offers a BBA degree with majors in Accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing as well as the MBA—Masters of Business Administration degree.
  • Non-business degree program: Starting in Fall 2018, the college began offering its first non-business degree with the BS in Computer Informatics. 
  • Traditional degree programs: all degree programs are available in traditional seated format.  Meaning, in-person, real-time, live instruction and learning in a classroom.
  • Online degree options: and, Management, Marketing and Finance majors are available for online degree completion for students who’ve already met the general education requirements. 
  • Accelerated format programs: Management, Marketing and Finance degrees can be completed in accelerated format—this means students can now complete a four-year BBA degree in only three years. Lower education cost=more money in the bank over the long haul.

3—UM’s Stephens College of Business MBA Program is one of the university’s most notable programs

Dean Stephen Craft at the UM School of Business groundbreaking
Dean Stephen Craft at the Stephens College of Business groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Beth Cunningham for Bham Now

We’ve written about this unique program here. Unlike the other in-person programs offered by UM’s School of Business, the MBA program offers a unique hybrid that you can design for yourself as you go along.

Depending on your schedule or your mood, from day-to-day, you can decide if you prefer IRL instruction at a graduate center in Pelham or onlne instruction. You can do the program entirely one way, or, like most students, you can create the mixture that works best for you.

This flexibility makes it super-appealing to working professionals who want to take their careers to the next level.

If you’ve got undergrad business courses, you can complete the MBA in less than one year.

If you’re new to business studies, you could complete the program in 14 months.

Pretty cool, huh?

Check it out here.

4—The Grainger Center for Professional Practice helps students transition to the working world successfully

The Grainger Center for Professional Practice is what most people who went to college elsewhere wish they’d had. 

It helps undergrad and MBA students transition successfully from the books to the boardroom. 

Here are some of the soft skills students develop at the Grainger Center that help them navigate the job market:

  • networking
  • interviewing
  • professionalism  

In addition, The Grainger Center helps place students into paid internships and ultimately launches graduates into careers of distinction. 

The Grainger Center for Professional Practice was named in appreciation for the financial support provided by Stephens College alum Michael Grainger and his wife Donna Grainger.

5—Business school is cool

Here are just a few of things that make business school cool:

  • Great faculty
  • Internship opportunities with local businesses
  • Awesome mentors
  • Scholarships
  • State-of-the-art facilities

If all this sounds good to you, and if you’re in the market for a business school, why not give the University of Montevallo’s Stephens College of Business a look? Find out how to apply here.

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Sharron Swain
Sharron Swain

Writer, Interviewer + Adventurer | Telling stories to make a difference

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