College of Business
Dr. Joshua D. Jensen, Dean
The Spring 2026 Dean’s Report reflects a season of thoughtful transition and strategic alignment within the College of Business. Across our programs, we remain committed to our core mission of developing students not only as competent business professionals, but as individuals formed in habits of heart, soul, mind, and strength equipped to lead with integrity and serve as redemptive influences in their organizations and communities This commitment continues to guide both our programmatic decisions and our long-term strategic direction
As part of our continued emphasis on industry engagement and experiential learning, a group of students from our Student Managed Fund recently traveled to New York City to attend the Financial Management Association’s 2026 Finance Leaders Conference I was honored to accompany these students as they engaged with peers from universities across the country, networked with finance professionals, and gained exposure to current trends in the financial industry In addition to the conference, the group visited the New York Stock Exchange, offering a firsthand look at one of the world’s most influential financial institutions Experiences like this reinforce our commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world application and preparing students to confidently enter the professional marketplace.
GRADUATE DEAN’S UPDATE
Graduate business programs remain a vital component of the College of Business, serving both traditional students and working professionals seeking to advance their knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity Our current portfolio includes a 33-credit Master of Business Administration (MBA), a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Business Analytics, and a 12-credit Graduate Certificate in Organizational Management Together, these programs are designed to provide a strong foundation in core business disciplines while offering opportunities for focused, career-relevant development
Over the past year, we have taken intentional steps to better align our graduate offerings with student demand and market needs This included the difficult but necessary decision to sunset the Master of Accountancy program due to sustained low enrollment At the same time, we have continued to stabilize and strengthen our MBA program, which, while below historic enrollment levels, remains steady We have also refined our certificate offerings by maintaining the Business Analytics certificate and introducing the Organizational Management certificate as a more accessible and relevant pathway for students whose interests are not centered in data analytics
These programs play an important role in extending the College’s impact beyond the undergraduate experience, equipping students with advanced competencies in strategic
thinking, data-informed decision-making, and organizational leadership As the business environment continues to evolve, we remain focused on ensuring our graduate programs are responsive, accessible, and positioned to deliver meaningful value to both students and the organizations they serve
UNDERGRADUATE
Undergraduate business programs serve as the foundation of the College of Business, providing students with a comprehensive and applied education that prepares them for a wide range of professional pathways Through a combination of core business disciplines and specialized areas of study, our programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to succeed in today’s dynamic and competitive marketplace Emphasizing practical application alongside academic rigor, we incorporate experiential learning opportunities such as internships, case studies, and industry engagement to ensure students can effectively translate classroom learning into real-world impact
Momentum at the undergraduate level remains strong The upcoming addition of majors in Financial Planning (aligned with the CFP pathway) and Entrepreneurship reflects our continued commitment to offering relevant, career-focused programs Increased campus visits from prospective students now averaging 5–6 per week are yielding positive results in student interest and enrollment Currently, 15% of NNU students major in business, with additional participation through minors While experiential learning remains a priority, we are navigating a leadership transition in our internship program and actively exploring ways to strengthen employer partnerships and expand community engagement. Looking ahead, our strategic focus includes continued program innovation and the integration of emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, ensuring our graduates are well-prepared to add immediate value in an evolving business landscape.
STEP
Over the past several years, enrollment in the STEP Business program (our undergraduate adult degree completion program), an offering that has served working professionals for nearly 30 years, has steadily declined, most recently reaching its lowest levels in program history At its peak, the program enrolled approximately 134 students and played a meaningful role in extending access to business education for adult learners After careful evaluation of enrollment trends, market demand, and long-term sustainability, and considering the rollout of NNU's new e-Campus initiative, we have made the decision to sunset the program While this marks the conclusion of a long-standing and impactful offering, it also allows us to focus our resources and strategic efforts on areas of growth and opportunity within our undergraduate and graduate programs
LOOKING AHEAD
We are continuing to explore opportunities to strengthen and expand our undergraduate programs to ensure they remain relevant, rigorous, and aligned with the needs of today’s students and employers This includes ongoing program development, refinement of existing majors, and the addition of new offerings that reflect emerging areas of opportunity in the business landscape.
A key area of focus is the thoughtful integration of artificial intelligence (AI) throughout the curriculum We have already incorporated the use of AI in several courses, introducing students to its practical applications and implications in business contexts Looking ahead, we are working to bring greater alignment and intentionality to how AI is integrated across the curriculum Our goal is to prepare students to effectively engage with AI as a tool in the workplace, while continuing to develop the critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills that should not be outsourced to technology. Navigating this balance presents both opportunities and challenges, and we are committed to equipping students to use AI responsibly and strategically enhancing their capabilities without diminishing their own intellectual development.
INTERNSHIPS
Experiential learning remains a cornerstone of our undergraduate business programs, and our internship program continues to be a key driver in connecting students with meaningful, career-relevant experiences This program has a strong and meaningful history it was this Business Advisory Board that helped launch the internship program and provided the initial seed funding to make it possible Since that time, it has grown into a defining element of our undergraduate experience and is now a requirement for every business major. Through partnerships with local and regional employers, students gain practical exposure, develop professional skills, and build networks that support their transition into the workforce, while also strengthening our relationships with the business community.
Earlier this year, our Internship Director, Dr. Kevin Mokhtarian transitioned to NNU's eCampus program, and just recently announced his retirement from NNU at the end of this academic year. We are actively searching for a new director and using this opportunity to thoughtfully evaluate and potentially restructure the role. Our goal is to expand employer partnerships, increase student placement opportunities, and further elevate our presence within the business community. We view this transition not only as a change in personnel, but as a strategic opportunity to build upon the strong foundation this Board helped establish and continue growing one of the College’s most impactful programs
LOOKING AHEAD
Building on the strong foundation of our internship program, we are focused on expanding both the depth and quality of experiential learning opportunities available to our students. This includes developing more intentional, long-term partnerships with employers, increasing the number and diversity of internship placements, and exploring additional ways to integrate internships more fully into the academic experience.
We also see an opportunity to further engage our Business Advisory Board and alumni network in supporting internship growth whether through mentorship, project-based experiences, or expanded placement opportunities.
As we move forward, our goal is to ensure that every student not only completes an internship, but does so in a way that is meaningful, professionally formative, and closely aligned with their career aspirations.
PARTNERING FOR IMPACT
We are grateful for the continued support and engagement of our Business Advisory Board and other community partners As we look ahead, your partnership remains essential in helping us strengthen programs, expand opportunities, and ensure our students are well-prepared to meet the demands of today’s business environment
There are several meaningful ways to engage with and support the College of Business.
We invite your continued engagement in several key areas:
Provide internship and employment opportunities for our students
Partner with us through your organization as part of our Business Partnership initiative
Support the continued growth and evolution of our MBA program
Serve as a guest speaker or engage with students in the classroom
Mentor students as they explore career pathways
Provide insight on curriculum development and emerging industry trends
Your involvement is critical in connecting our students to meaningful, real-world experiences and ensuring our programs remain relevant, responsive, and impactful Thank you for your continued partnership and investment in the College of Business and our students
The NNU College of Business is committed to shaping students for meaningful impact. You can make a difference by going to nnu.edu/businessgiving or scanning the QR code.
