Center for International Business Education and Research Becomes Global Management Center

PROVO, Utah — Aug 02, 2002 — Brigham Young University's President's Council approved the renaming of the Marriott School of Management's Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) as the Global Management Center. The center's name was changed to represent its expanded role beyond the Department of Education's CIBER program and to elevate international business within the school.

In addition to the name change, new administration and a wider scope of global management offerings were included in the recent reorganization of the center.

C. Brooklyn Derr was appointed director of the Global Management Center. Derr previously served as director of the University of Utah's CIBER. Kristie Seawright was named academic director and Tad Brinkerhoff managing director. The expanded leadership will continue to emphasize CIBER's mission to internationalize faculty, students and curriculum at BYU as well as facilitate global outreach with other universities, colleges and businesses in the region.

"The purpose of the new Global Management Center is to expand and further develop the traditional CIBER model, motivating exceptional growth in international business programs and opportunities," Brinkerhoff says.

From 1990–2002, BYU and the University of Utah have received funding from the Department of Education to support the development of international curriculum. In October 2002, BYU will receive funding as an independent CIBER school. Global Management Center leaders hope to raise additional funds to support the center's efforts to expand international business education.

"The DOE grant is very significant," says Brinkerhoff. "It puts us in a good position to become a full-fledged global management school."

One of the new programs offered by the center is an International Management Certificate. The certificate, available to undergraduate and graduate students, certifies competence in three areas: international course work, foreign language ability and practical international experience.

"Placing strong emphasis on global management is key to training qualified business leaders," says Marriott School Dean Ned C. Hill. "The Global Management Center will be the driving force behind our growth in this vital area."

The Marriott School is located at Brigham Young University, the largest privately owned, church-sponsored university in the United States. The school has nationally recognized programs in accounting, business management, public management, information systems, organizational behavior and entrepreneurship. The school's mission is to prepare men and women of faith, character and professional ability for positions of leadership throughout the world. Approximately 3,000 students are enrolled at the Marriott School's graduate and undergraduate programs.