Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s John Massey School of Business has earned reaffirmation of accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), as announced recently.
Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal focus, engagement with an AACSB-assigned mentor, and peer-reviewed evaluation. AACSB accredited institutions undergo a continuous review process every five years.
“The John Massey School of Business sets the standard for excellence and accessibility through its innovative academic programs and this recognition of our Business Division is evidence of the exceptional education our students receive,” said Dr. David Whitlock, Interim Dean of the John Massey School of Business. “Our faculty and Associate Dean, Dr. Courtney Kernek, are committed to our purpose to develop, inspire, and embolden leaders, and fulfill our mission of preparing students for meaningful careers and lives through innovative and affordable AACSB-accredited business education, real world research, and positive societal impact. Once again, the faculty’s hard work and commitment to continuous improvement is recognized by the premiere business school accreditor in the world.”
“Achieving this incredible milestone for our university, with the reaffi rmation of our AACSB accreditation is truly a demonstration of the incredible quality of teaching and learning at Southeastern Oklahoma State University,” said Dr. Thomas W. Newsom, Southeastern President. “This is a reaffirmation of the great value of education from the John Massey School of Business that leads to lifechanging careers for our graduates.”
During this multi-year path, schools focus on developing and implementing a plan to align with AACSB’s accreditation standards. These standards require excellence in areas relating to strategic management and innovation; student, faculty, and staff as active participants; learning and teaching; and academic and professional engagement.
“Rigorous accreditation standards afford us the opportunity to focus on continuous improvement that ensures a standard of excellence and innovation within our curricular development,” noted Southeastern’s Dean of Graduate Studies, Dr. Jeremy Blackwood. “In the ever-changing landscape of higher education, the reaffirmation from AACSB for the John Massey School of Business assures our scholars, business leaders, and education community that we are committed and devoted to maintaining the highest of standards.”
The John Massey School of Business encompasses numerous successful business programs at the undergraduate and graduate level in areas including accounting, finance, management, marketing, as well as general business. The John Massey School of Business originally received AACSB accreditation in 2000. AACSB is considered to be the most rigorous and respected programmatic accreditation for university business schools. Southeastern is one of only seven universities in Oklahoma to achieve AACSB accreditation.
“TheJohnMasseySchool of Business at Southeastern Oklahoma State University stands as a beacon of excellence, further illuminated by its AACSB accreditation. This prestigious recognition is not just a badge of honor but a testament to our unwavering commitment to high standards in business education,” said Dr. Courtney Kernek, Associate Dean of the John Massey School of Business. “AACSB accreditation serves as a catalyst, enhancing the quality and value of our programs, and ensuring our graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the ever-evolving business landscape. Our dedication to maintaining these standards reflects our promise to provide an educational experience that is not only rigorous but also rich with opportunities for growth, innovation, and real- world application. In the end, the success of our programs, underscored by this accreditation, is a powerful indicator of our students’ potential to become leaders who will shape the future of business.”
The John Massey School of Business is also known as one of the most affordable and competitive options for an online Masters in Business Administration. Students from across the world and across America graduate in one of 16 MBA concentrations and go on to successful careers as JMSB graduates.
“One of the key aspects of the John Massey School of Business graduate program is our distinguished faculty. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but are actively researching current topics” said Dr. Ashley Hampton, Director of the John Massey School of Business MBA program. “Their expertise and guidance provide students with invaluable opportunities to explore cutting-edge research topics and develop advanced skills that are highly sought after in today’s competitive job market. Many of our graduates have gone on to make significant contributions to their respective fields. Their success is a testament to the knowledge they gained while obtaining their master’s degree at SE. Thus, we remain committed to continuous improvement by regularly assessing and refining our graduate programs to ensure they remain at the forefront of education.”
About AACSB International
The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), founded in 1916, is the world’s largest and longest-serving accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degrees in business and accounting. AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to over 1,850 member organizations and more than 950 accredited business schools worldwide. For more information on AACSB, visit www.aacsb.edu.
About John Massey
John Massey earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 1960. He previously served as student body president at the university. He is the only student in SE’s history to receive the Outstanding Student Award for three consecutive years. Since then, Massey has established nine endowed chairs and four professorships at his alma mater. In 1984, Massey received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Southeastern. Then, in 2005, SE renamed its School of Business after him, entitling it the John Massey School of Business. As one of its most celebrated graduates, Massey became the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Southeastern Oklahoma State University Alumni Association in 2015. The governor appointed Massey to serve on the board of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, serving three 9-year terms, unprecedented in Oklahoma for length of tenure. Massey passed away in 2022 as Chairman Emeritus of First United Bank. Later that year, the Massey Family Foundation established the John Massey Leadership Scholars Program, with the largest single donation to the university in the history of Southeastern. The program provides scholarships for leadership students regardless of major of study at Southeastern. In addition to its reputation as a leader and innovator in business education, the John Massey School of Business is home to the Aviation Sciences Institute at Southeastern. The far-reaching mission of the school is to prepare students to meet global challenges by emphasizing both academic and applied knowledge.