A New Chapter for CoBIT

Under the new leadership of Interim Dean, Dr. Matthew Cole, the College of Business and Information Technology (CoBIT) is updating their strategic plan to grow enrollment, optimize student success, increase research and scholarship activities, and focus on important issues that affect society. This summer Dr. Cole led a strategic planning retreat with CoBIT faculty to create a new purpose statement for the college as well as update the values, vision, and mission to reflect the new direction of the college.

Dr. Cole and the CoBIT faculty co-created a new purpose statement: “Connect. Empower. Succeed.” The goal is to connect STEM and design education with business by empowering students through technological advances and skills. The faculty provides students across disciplines with the opportunity to learn and practice business techniques and principles to make themselves adaptable and agile in their chosen professions that set them up to succeed .

The updated mission statement attests to how the college fosters student to learn and lead: “We create innovative business professionals equipped with technological skills using an interdisciplinary approach emphasizing theory and practice.” The college intends to create innovative business professionals by:

• Empowering learners to bring fresh perspectives to the business world and business technologies
• Ensuring students are well-versed in digital tools, platforms, and technologies deemed necessary for modern businesses to thrive
• Providing holistic education by incorporating knowledge and skills from various fields and disciplines
• Committing to a strong foundation in theoretical concepts that support business practices
• Placing great importance on real-world exposure, research, and exercises to practice the knowledge learned in the classroom

The new vision for the College of Business and Information Technology is to drive innovation and positive change in business. The college aims to provide theoretical, applied and technological knowledge that empowers learners to be innovative leaders who create transformative changes in their industries and businesses. Dean Cole adds, “We see leadership not as positions, but as a core practice that our students lead themselves before leading others—they are the leaders in the making!”

To create effective leaders, the college is aware of the difficulties and struggles many students often face; therefore, the college understands that to build wealth within the Metro Detroit region, resources and access need to be provided to students firsthand. Engaging individuals and students in the new Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center and engaging in partnership through the new SOAR Center for Strategic Change are two main focuses within the college to give students, faculty, and businesses the resources needed to help students, the community, and businesses thrive. Cities and communities are uplifted through dedicated individuals, institutions, and innovative education. CoBIT wants to be recognized as an institution that is driving innovation and creating positive changes in the business world through its graduates.

CoBIT’s mission and vision build on and encompass the DNA of the college through its five core values: theory and practice, innovation, technology, positive societal impact, and student success. These values are guiding the four strategic initiatives for CoBIT’s 2024-2027 strategic plan: enrollment, student success, research, and societal impact.

This marks a transformative chapter for CoBIT. The college’s ultimate goal is to prepare students to be valuable members to any organization they join and to actively engage in their chosen communities.

by Nurzahan Rahman and Matthew Cole