New grant adds sustainability focus to international programs

Cleveland State University’s Nance College of Business has been awarded a fourth consecutive Title VI-B grant in the amount of $189,449 from the U.S. Department of Education to integrate the principles of sustainability across all international business programs, partnerships, and alliances. The grant will be used to ensure a high level of quality, sound financial stability and the capacity to prepare a new generation of leaders, educators, and practitioners with the skills and tools necessary to lead competitive businesses in terms of financial success, social value and environmental quality in today’s global marketplace.

The award recognizes Nance College for “Best in Practice” standards nationwide for global business and makes CSU one of only a few (approximately 5 percent) universities nationwide to receive four consecutive Title IV grants. With this award, the College has received over $720,000 in highly competitive grants for international business programs since 2003.

The College will use these funds to develop new international business programs and resources that bring students, faculty and companies together to actively engage in sustainably focused global business activities.

“We are honored to receive this latest grant from the U.S. Department of Education, and we deeply appreciate this recognition of our international business programs and the trust placed in us to make the best possible use of these funds. With this award, we will be able to keep the momentum going in our College that is solidifying our place as a nationally recognized leader in sustainability, now and for the long-term future,” said Robert Scherer, Dean of the Nance College of Business.

The award will enable the College of Business to:

• Design and deliver a graduate-level concentration in Global Sustainable Management in partnership with Groupe ESC Clermont Graduate School of Management, France with an international study aboard component.
• Leverage Cleveland State’s University Partnership with the University of Concepcion, Chile and Groupe ESC Clermont Graduate School of Management, France to establish a portfolio of internships overseas for international business students in French and Spanish.
• Establish a Net Impact student chapter to provide students access to an international business network of students, faculty and professionals; engage in projects and conferences; and access educational materials and career and internship opportunities in the global marketplace.
• Establish the Global Leaders in Sustainability Forum in collaboration with the Corporate Sustainability Network for Northeast Ohio business leaders and CSU faculty.
• Partner with the North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE) Association and Professional Examination Services to establish a sustainable business model to advance the NASBITE Certified Global Business Professional certification.

For additional information, contact Colette Hart, Director of Business Outreach in the Nance College of Business, at 216.875.9715.

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