Bryant unveils innovative cohort program for sophomores

Students work together and professors collaborate to create an integrative approach to learning core business concepts.

Victoria Raccuia ’12 (Wilton, NY) understands employers will expect her to function efficiently as part of a team, as well as have the confidence and expertise to take a leadership role.

“You need to stand out, be able to come up with solutions to problems, and work with others,” says Raccuia. “As a student, I want to gain the best understanding of the business world I possibly can to put me in position to succeed after graduation.”

To continue to build her skill set, Raccuia is taking part in the first Sophomore Year Business Cohort Program (SYBCP). Modeled after Bryant’s Master of Business Administration program, second year students will take core business classes together. Within the three sections of 33 students each, groups of 5-6 students have been created that will work closely together for the duration of the academic year. Students applied to be part of the cohort program.

(L-R) Associate Management Professor Angela Wicks, Executive in Residence Jim Segovis, Timothy Cournoyer ’12 (Chepachet, RI), Dhara Shah ’12 (Lincoln, RI), Matthew Schur ’12 (Paris France), Assistant Accounting Professor Kwadwo Asare, Victoria Raccuia ’12 (Wilton, NY), Bryan Remmen '12 (Ridgewood, NJ), Sara Morrison '12 (Bristol, RI), Associate CIS Professor Ken Sousa, Assistant Marketing Professor Jane McKay-Nesbitt, and Finance Professor Betty Yobaccio.

“Team projects are becoming more and more prevalent in the work world and being a well-rounded employee is very important,” says Raccuia.

Adding to the experience, the professors in the program have been working together to create a curriculum that integrates the core business concepts of accounting, CIS, finance, management, and marketing. They will teach classes together in a block format three times a week and complement in-class work with site visits and guest speakers.

“Our goal is to continue to teach fundamental skills, as well as impart practical aspects of business such as working in teams, developing leadership abilities, and emphasizing the importance of character in the workplace,” says Jack Trifts, dean of Bryant’s College of Business.

Building a team

Last Wednesday, Raccuia met her teammates for the first time. After a morning of team building activities, they received a case study that incorporated principles in accounting, management, and CIS – the three courses they are taking together during the fall semester. Their challenge was to examine the case, brainstorm solutions, and prepare an executive summary and five minute presentation – all by Sunday afternoon.

“When we first got the case, we were a bit nervous,” admits Raccuia. “After our early jitters, we settled down to read the case, and we all brought different perspectives and ideas. Even though we just met, we hit it off right away. We were able to discuss and debate our ideas and come to a consensus for our case summary.”

“We all worked hand in hand on this project,” adds teammate Matthew Schur ’12 (Paris France). “We kept challenging each other, and we truly functioned as a team.”

Executive in Residence Jim Segovis explains the rules for a team-building activity that challenged teams to get the most tennis balls into the buckets - on one bounce - in 90 seconds.

Their hard work paid off. When the case competition was complete, their team was judged the best out of the 18 group presentations.

Timothy Cournoyer ’12 (Chepachet, RI), who helped present the final recommendations, is excited to see the team’s progress and future results as they continue to learn how to work together.

“Once we make it through the ‘forming’ and ‘storming’ stages,” says Cournoyer referring to the group development model, “we will have an entire year to produce the highest quality work our group can achieve.”

“I am looking forward to the public speaking, social, and networking skills I will gain from the program,” adds Dhara Shah ’12 (Lincoln, RI) who co-presented with Cournoyer. “I hope to become a more confident, intellectual and communication-savvy person.”

Integrating concepts

Another SYBCP participant, Anthony Nader ’12 (Milton, MA), says he was drawn to the program by the opportunity to understand how important business concepts are interrelated.

“An employee who can link the different operating parts of a business and understand how they work with one another is armed with the capabilities needed to climb the corporate ladder,” he says.

“I believe that we learn more when we can look at the big picture of running a business,” adds Sarah-Elizabeth Rindo ’12 (Batavia, NY). “It helps us understand the relationships instead of focusing on topics individually.”

Dan Webb ’12 (Harrisville, RI), whose team was one of three to advance to the final round of the competition, is excited about what his team can accomplish. “The cohort takes working with others to a whole new level by integrating three classes,” he says. “If we work together well, some pretty incredible things can happen.”

“I felt it would be an amazing opportunity to surround myself in an environment where everyone from teachers to the students are excited about challenging themselves both inside and outside of the classroom,” adds SYBCP participant Chelsea Health ’12 (Windsor, CT).

Working in groups that are assigned to them simulates what the students will face in the real world one day, says Nichols Andrianas ’12 (Miller Place, NY). “This experience will help us strengthen our interpersonal and group skills, and allow us to see what working in a team is really like,” he says.

Teaching as a team

A professor known for using candy or toys to explain a key business topic, Associate Management Professor Angela Wicks says she has always been interested in team teaching. Her goal in this program is to make the learning active and engaging. She will teach Operations Management this spring, which will be integrated with Financial Management and Marketing Management.

“As a professional, you can’t operate in a silo,” she explains. “Students have to be prepared to understand how the actions they take or decisions they make impact other things.”

Ken Sousa, associate professor of CIS teaching Fundamentals of CIS this fall, says he hopes to create an environment that builds problem solving and analytical skills.

“The customized program develops an educational experience that focuses on integrated business decisions, teamwork, and connecting with professors in a more direct way,” he says.

Keith Murray, associate dean of the College of Business says, instead of the traditional undergraduate experience in which students work largely on their own, the new cohort program will allows students to work with others, which mirrors what they will encounter in the real world.

“Beyond conveying information on key business topics, we are committed to changing our students as individuals and future managers and infusing the learning process of how that is done with a lot more power.”