Darlene Brannigan Smith has spent years in the academic world working as a professor, program director and, most recently, as associate dean of the University of Baltimore Merrick School of Business. Today she takes over as dean.
What is the most significant improvement to the school you plan to make as dean?
My primary responsibility is developing the talent of the region. We have a responsibility to make sure each and every one of our graduates contributes here and to the state. … My priorities are to connect to the business community, and so that there is a strong relationship between the school and the business community, to make sure our curriculum is as relevant and up-to-date as it can be.
What is most challenging about taking over as dean?
The fundraising aspect. As a state school, we get good but limited funds from the state, and to do what we need to do in terms of enhancing student learning experiences, driving student outcomes, we need dollars.
How important to the city is a successful business school?
We can?t have a strong Baltimore region without a strong business school.
In business today, there are increasing concerns over the environment and the greater demand for and the limited supply of natural resources. There?s a growing number of consumers in markets. … There are parallel connections between what the business community is facing and what the business school is facing.
Where will the business school be in five years?
One of the premier business schools in the region. … We?ll have over 35,000 alumni, and my goal is to enhance our relationship with our alumni.
