Restructuring The EMBA

Dean Hille's analysis of the college led to an early decision to restructure the executive MBA (EMBA) program which included naming a new director, Dr. Curt Bayer. This change in the management of the program met opposition from many members of the faculty. Dr. Ambrose had supervised the EMBA program for many years and provided it with many innovative ideas, including internationalization of the program. From a faculty standpoint Dr. Ambrose gave strength to the EMBA. However, Dean Hille's opinion was that the program was ready for new leadership

Another of Dean Hille's first steps to lift the college was to change the focus of the college by placing increased emphasis on what he termed, its customers. The customer base was made up of its constituents: students, faculty, college and university staff, business community, and any of its many friends. The goal was to serve each with consistent high quality. One way of serving the college's customers was to reshape the organization's culture. To initiate this shift, Dean Hille made clear that teaching alone was not an acceptable way for faculty to continue their existence.

He emphasized that teaching combined with research had to become faculty combined priorities. He took pains to provide faculty with financial substance to accomplish their research objectives. In many instances, significant research cannot be accomplished without decisive financial support. In one situation he was able to help a member of the faculty purchase a $4,000 database.

Dean Hille has improved other financial resources available to faculty. For example, each faculty member has a $1,000 travel budget and a $1,000 faculty development fund available for use within established guidelines.