EIU Lumpkin College of Business and Technology

Message from the Dean

In the midst of unprecedented challenges in our nation and across the world, Lumpkin College has maintained a focus on engaging our students and developing them into leaders that make a positive impact on the world around them.  Much of our efforts during the past year have involved bringing together our faculty and staff to discuss what Lumpkin College strives to be and chart a path toward a sustainable future.  Prior to the pandemic changing our lives last March, we were able to have two one-day workshops that crystallized our purpose, mission, vision, and values.  This clarity has served us well during the coronavirus crisis and throughout our strategic planning process, which is nearing completion of a formal set of goals and objectives for the coming years.

COVID-19 has presented us all with opportunities to innovate and overcome.  We made significant modifications to our Management Information Systems program, changing the program direction and name to Business Analytics and Information Systems.  We’ve also started two new advisory boards.  To better connect with more recent alumni, keep them engaged in the college, and have them help current students to seamlessly make the transition from school to work, we created the Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Board.  In addition, we reached out to alumni and business leaders to create the Lumpkin Executive Advisers to the Dean (LEAD) Board.  The LEAD Board had its first meeting on the Friday before Homecoming and focused on enhancing our strategic plan.  We are fortunate to have strongly engaged alumni and community leaders!

Extremely high levels of engagement, both within and external to the institution, will further distinguish the college and allow us to invest more significantly in connecting our faculty, staff, and students with business and industry partners, the surrounding community, and our alumni.  One example of the opportunity for Lumpkin College alumni to be involved and updated is through our Virtual Coffee with the Dean series, launched in October 2020 and held the second Friday of each month at 1:00 pm (CST), where alumni can reconnect with each other and the college.  I invite all alumni to take part in these sessions!

Lumpkin College values the strength inherent in our diversity.  It is through the breadth of ideas and perspectives that we become better, individually and collectively.  I welcome your participation as a stakeholder in Lumpkin College.  Our future success depends on your involvement.

We achieve more together!

Warm Regards,