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You Visit Tour. Webb Lion Fountain. June 1 2017. Photo David B. Hollingsworth

Filer Appointed Associate Dean in ODU’s Business College

As Old Dominion University's College of Business and Public Administration (CBPA) wrestles with the competitive environment for M.B.A. programs, regionally and nationwide, the college has appointed Larry "Chip" Filer, associate professor of economics, as associate dean of executive programs and external affairs.

Filer will oversee the consolidation of the college's M.B.A. program, its Executive Development Center (EDC) and external relations. In announcing the appointment, Dean Gilbert Yochum said that "natural synergies" would be realized with this consolidation, placing the college in a more competitive position moving forward.

"In the process of pursuing several of the college's most important objectives, including student and executive learning and fundraising, I have been reviewing the synergies that exist between the M.B.A. program, the Executive Development Center and external relations," Yochum said.

"As a result, the consolidation of these functions will increase our engagement with the community, and the promoting of our own activities in the region."

Filer, who has been at Old Dominion since 1999 and has served as director of the college's M.B.A. program since 2010, said the consolidation of the M.B.A. program and EDC will provide a central location for individuals to find the right development program at any stage of their career.

"For early-career professionals, our M.B.A. programs offer rigorous and relevant for-credit coursework to open the door for corporate advancement," Filer said. "Seasoned professionals can take our executive development programs for training and skill development. This merger will allow us to serve the Hampton Roads business community more efficiently and effectively."

Filer said there have always been common interests and career-development needs for students in both the EDC and the M.B.A. program. With a more formalized arrangement, students will be able to easily tailor their graduate management education to access a course being offered in the other program. Filer describes it as "making the door swing both ways."

In addition, the consolidated organization will better link students seeking mentors with faculty and adjunct faculty experts, individuals such as Norman Hoffmann in mergers and acquisitions, Marty Kaszubowski in entrepreneurship, Gary Baum in wealth management and Steve Terrell in executive leadership, Filer said.

In his new post, Filer will report to Dean Yochum, and will have three main areas of responsibility:

  • Enhancing the quality of the M.B.A. programs as demonstrated by external rankings, student evaluations and enrollment growth;
  • Increasing the quality of executive education offerings as demonstrated by center profitability, faculty engagement in center programs and growth in corporate contracts; and
  • Securing growth in private funding for the CBPA from private individuals and corporations.

Filer said that despite the challenges the college has faced in the current environment, there are real strengths that it can exploit, including ODU's proximity to a major port and naval base, and the close links that already exist with the local business community.

"It's not just about the M.B.A. and EDC programs. It's about seeking ways to grow and enhance the entire college," Filer said.

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