New Offerings from the Business Student Success Center

Kyungmin Yeo (left) tutors student Mohammed Khan (right) in the Business Student Success Center.

With 2,773 students declaring business administration as their major, the College of Business has its hands full with ensuring student success. The Business Student Success Center (BSSC) opened its doors to all business majors in fall 2015, with aim to provide students with the tools and resources they need to achieve their academic goals. With help from generous donor and alumnus Dennis O’Connell (BS, Business Administration, ’68), the BSSC has been providing students with tutoring services, a collaborative space to study, and professional development workshops and events since its inception.

“I have found some of my most rewarding endeavors have come when I have had the opportunity to work closely with others. My wife and I saw the opportunity to allow Chico’s business students to have that kind of an experience when the proposal for the Business Student Success Center was presented to us,” said O’Connell. “It continues to amaze me the fantastic opportunities the University offers to its students.”

Three specially designed programs have been incorporated into the center this fall, bolstering student support with an emphasis on supporting low-income students, students involved in business clubs and organizations, and international students.

The Professional Attire Fund was created out of the necessity for students to make a positive and lasting first impression during professional career fairs, job interviews, business competitions, and the like. With many students receiving financial aid, providing students with affordable, professional attire to help boost their academic and career opportunities helps relieve a struggle that many students experience. The goal is to give every student the opportunity to dress their best, regardless of their financial situation. 

The business clubs and organizations receive a wide variety of new opportunities each year, in which some activities require extra funding. The Special Activity Club Grant gives students the chance to reward their extracurricular endeavors, and ensures their success in developing professionally as individuals or as a group. Through generous donations, students can utilize extra funds to attend national competitions, attend conferences or workshops, and discover current trends in their field of study.

Open to all business students, Lunch Connections is geared toward students looking to build a stronger connection with their professor. This program has a strong emphasis on international students and the goal to help them succeed by hearing their story one-on-one, although all students are encouraged to utilize the program. Faculty also utilize this program to get to know students on a more personal level, to help them with personal and academic growth.

In addition to these three specialized programs, the BSSC in collaboration with the Seufferlein Sales Program will host five professional development workshops during the fall 2017 semester. These workshops include a How to Excel series; Powerful Presentations series; and an Are You LinkedIn? session.

You can help support the students as well by giving today.