Strategic Plan

Historical Context

The Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business at Shenandoah University is proud to be named for Senator Harry F. Byrd, Jr., publisher, business man and former United States senator from Virginia, who served the Commonwealth and the nation with great distinction. Senator Byrd's family tradition of fiscal conservatism, unquestioned integrity and distaste for political expediency, has deeply influenced the philosophy of the business school. While his influence on the political life of Virginia during the 20th century is long lasting, his legacy to the graduates of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business is even more profound.

Offering business classes at Shenandoah University dates back to 1889 when a Commercial Department was established. Since that early beginning, the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business has come a long way. It currently offers both baccalaureate and graduate degrees in business to students pursuing study in Winchester as well as at the Northern Virginia Campus. Its value-added approach to education through intense student-faculty interaction is achieved through a foundation of: experiential and team-learning; instructional technology; principled leadership; global education and an academic mindset of entrepreneurship, internship, and study-abroad experiences.

Byrd School Mission

The mission of the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business is to educate its students to become successful, principled leaders with a global perspective.

Byrd School Vision

The Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business strives to be recognized as a provider of individualized business education driven by entrepreneurial thinking, global understanding and ethical practice.

Byrd School Guiding Principles

The Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business carries out is mission through its commitment to the following guiding principles and values as shown in the following four areas.

Learning

  • Commitment to providing students with a high quality learning experience
  • Dedicated to the pursuit and promulgation of knowledge and understanding, including discovery, innovation, and application Continued expansion of personal knowledge and skills

Integrity

  • Treat others with dignity and respect
  • Recognize and support diversity within the school
  • Act with professionalism, fairness, honesty, impartiality, and without discrimination
  • Address student and constituency needs in a timely manner
  • Take responsibility and be accountable for our actions

Contribution of others

  • Recognize staff and other stakeholders have an important role to play in the success of the school
  • Listen, consult, involve, and respond to others
  • Collaborate and cooperate with each other, sharing expertise and good practice
  • Are open and transparent
  • Expect, through our action agenda, to be supported by the university and other colleagues

Continuous improvement

  • Promote entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship
  • Recognize good performance and celebrate success
  • Are enthusiastic about what we do
  • Review and develop existing ideas and practices in order to maintain high quality and to pursue excellence
  • Actively committed to all values of the university

Byrd School Strategic Directions and Goals

Guided by the above principles, two strategic directions and related goals have been established for the Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business. These strategic directions, enhancing educational excellence and enhancing recognition and reputation, will be pursued over the next 10 years; augmented with a set of implementing strategies to provide direction for a successful future.

Strategic Direction I: Enhance Educational Excellence
Goals to Enhance Educational Excellence

  • Recruit, develop, and retain dedicated students
  • Recruit, develop, and retain dedicated faculty
  • Develop and maintain excellent physical and technological resources
  • Expand external support
  • Enhance relevant degree programs and curricula
  • Strengthen student learning skills and competencies
  • Enhance global study opportunities for students and faculty
  • Strengthen faculty teaching and scholarship
  • Increase student involvement in functioning of the school
  • Develop assessment programs to monitor school progress
  • Increase effectiveness of school and administrative activities

Strategic Direction II: Enhance Recognition and Reputation
Goals to Enhance Recognition and Reputation

  • Increase engagement with the external community
  • Execute marketing plan to increase school visibility and image
  • Improve Web site for communication purposes
  • Recognize students and faculty for extraordinary accomplishments
  • Provide high-quality career services and opportunities for students
  • Maintain AACSB International accreditation www.aacsb.edu/
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