Upper Iowa University welcomes new MBA program chair
 |
|
Kristopher Blanchard, Ph.D., now serves as |
FAYETTE, Iowa (August 31, 2012) – Upper Iowa University recently named Kristopher Blanchard, Ph.D., as its master's of business administration program chair. Blanchard joins the UIU faculty as an associate professor in the Division of Business.
Blanchard said Upper Iowa is a perfect fit for him, and he is happy to be joining the Division of Business faculty at a time when Upper Iowa University has increased the value of the master's of business administration degree by improving the quality of the program and stressing the importance of social responsibility. "The business world is constantly evolving," he said, "and we need to get students ready for that. We need to teach them more about innovation and social responsibility, as well." Blanchard's research focus is social entrepreneurship, which he said goes hand-in-hand with social responsibility and changing the world for the better using sound business practices. "These are things companies are dealing with today," he added. "We need to train our students to think this way as well, and that is what Upper Iowa University has done by upgrading its curriculum for the MBA program."
Blanchard's teaching philosophy includes getting students involved in real-world situations and projects to help them fully grasp the concepts taught in the classroom.
Blanchard comes to UIU with experiences in higher education teaching and administration, serving as associate professor, dean of faculty and graduate program chair coupled with more than a decade of experience in corporate management. He held management positions in two Fortune 500 companies and pursued several entrepreneurial ventures. He earned his bachelor of science in accounting and master of business administration in finance from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, Ind., and his Ph.D. in organization and management from Capella University.
He and his wife, Kellie, reside in Hawkeye, Iowa. The Blanchards have three children, Andrew, Alathia and Gracie. Kellie has taught special education for over 20 years, with post-graduate work in the area of autism.
About Upper Iowa University
Founded in 1857, Upper Iowa University is a private, not-for-profit university providing undergraduate and graduate degree programs and leadership development opportunities to over 6,800 students—nationally and internationally—at its Fayette campus and learning centers worldwide. Upper Iowa University is a recognized innovator in offering accredited, quality programs through flexible, multiple delivery systems, including online and independent study.
Contact:
Monica Bayer Heaton
Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Phone: 563-425-5773
Cell: 515-291-2070
heatonm@uiu.edu