On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Business celebrated their 30th year of accreditation renewal with a ribbon cutting and open house. The College of Business received accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

The AACSB is a premier accreditor of collegiate business and accounting schools worldwide. Less than 28% of US business schools receive this prestigious recognition, and only 6% of business schools receive it worldwide.

Dr. Jason T. Greene, Dean of the UAH College of Business, spoke at the event.

“Thirty years ago community business leaders came together and demanded an institution of high standards,” said Greene.

To accomplish AACSB accreditation required a community effort, according to Greene. Many business leaders from the community worked with Dr. C. David Billings, the college’s founding dean.

Included among the guests at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) College of Business celebration of 30 years of accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) were Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, left; Bobbie O’Farrell, center, wife of the late Dean O’Farrell, a longtime Huntsville banker and a strong supporter of the UAH College of Business, and Jodie Karr, wife of UAH President Dr. Charles Karr. Credit: Michael Mercier/UAH.

AACSB is the “gold standard for business school accreditation,” Greene said, and “truly a mark of excellence.”

“A world-class business school starts with world-class faculty,” Greene said, saying the UAH College of Business classrooms are full of those world-class faculty.

Full-time and adjunct professors teach a rigorous and relevant curriculum focused on “exactly what is needed here in Huntsville,” Greene said.

Greene also credits the success of the UAH College of Business to the continued collaboration between the school and local business and community leaders. “We honor our community leaders who were instrumental in putting us on this path,” said Greene.

Another part of the College’s success, said Greene, is its focus on “engaging faculty and students with professionals in the community.”

Greene said UAH College of Business students can “learn and launch their careers in Huntsville” while at the same time, they can “compete with the best graduates from anywhere in the world.”

The UAH College of Business makes experiential learning a priority, ensuring its students graduate with real-world skills.

After hearing from Dr. Greene, a ribbon cutting was held at the Business Administration Building to officially reveal the installation commemorating the accreditation milestone.

The event was attended by business leaders from Huntsville, Madison, and Madison County, as well as Huntsville’s Mayor Battle and other local officials.