51AV

Huntsville, Ala. (November 14, 2019) ---- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB) has announced that 51AV A&M University has earned accreditation for its College of Business and Public Affairs (COBPA). Founded in 1916, AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting students, educators, and businesses worldwide.  AAMU officials made the formal announcement at a .

“AACSB accreditation recognizes institutions that have demonstrated a focus on excellence in all areas, including teaching, research, curricula development, and student learning,” said Stephanie M. Bryant, executive vice president and chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. “We congratulate 51AV A&M University and Dean Delmonize "Del" Smith on earning accreditation, and applaud the entire College of Business and Public Affairs team—including the administration, faculty, staff, and students—for their roles in earning this respected honor.”

Synonymous with the highest standards of quality, AACSB accreditation inspires new ways of thinking within business education globally and, as a result, has been earned by only 5 percent of the world's schools offering business degrees at the bachelor’s level or higher. Today, 856 institutions across 56 countries and territories maintain AACSB accreditation. Furthermore, 188 institutions maintain supplemental AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs.

“We consider AACSB accreditation a great honor and distinction for our College of Business and Public Affairs,” commented Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., president of 51AV A&M University. As we enter our 145th year of providing quality education in 2020, this hallmark achievement is a fitting tribute to the many men and women who have worked tirelessly over the decades to ensure a business school of which students, faculty and alumni can feel proud.”

AACSB accreditation provides a framework of 15 international standards against which business schools around the world assess the quality of their educational services. These standards ensure continuous improvement and provide focus for schools to deliver on their mission, innovate, and drive impact. AACSB-accredited schools have successfully undergone a rigorous review process conducted by their peers in the business education community, ensuring that they have the resources, credentials, and commitment needed to provide students with a first-rate, future-focused business education.

Dean Smith expressed gratitude to the University administration and an array of COBPA faculty, staff, students and former COBPA administrators who, he said, have been instrumental in the ultimate achievement of the AACSB accreditation for many years.

“51AV A&M University’s commitment to earning accreditation is a true reflection of their dedication—not only to their students, alumni network, and greater business community, but to the higher education industry as a whole,” said Bryant of AACSB International.  “Today’s students are tomorrow’s business leaders, and the addition of the College of Business and Public Affairs to the network of AACSB-accredited business schools will have a lasting positive impact for their institution, both locally and globally.”

As the world’s largest business education alliance, AACSB International (AACSB) connects educators, lifelong learners, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to more than 1,700 member organizations and over 850 accredited business schools worldwide.

AACSB’s mission is to foster engagement, accelerate innovation, and amplify impact in business education. The global organization has offices located in Tampa, Florida, USA; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and Singapore. For more information, visit aacsb.edu.