May 11, 2020
Written by Public Relations & Communications Strategist Jill Wilson
Augustana has named Dr. Anissa Goehring as its inaugural Director of the Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree program. The university announced in November of 2019 it would be adding an MBA degree to its graduate education portfolio, building upon the quality education provided by the business department while also supporting the university’s comprehensive strategic plan – Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.
Goehring has graduate degrees in project management, leadership, business administration and education. In addition, she is nearly complete in earning her Doctorate in Education, specializing in leadership in higher education.
“The opportunity to join Augie as an assistant professor and MBA Director is one I never thought possible, but truly believed that my practitioner background in operations and project management coupled with my many academic pursuits provided a unique opening to the role and benefit to the students,” said Goehring.
Goehring created an undergraduate degree in project management at Bellevue University that included developing program curriculum, courses, assessments and outcomes, as well as promoting the program throughout the community. Goehring built the program with the goal of seeking accreditation with the Project Management Institute (PMI) per the Global Accreditation Center's standards. She took this same approach at her most recent institution in Washington state.
With Goehring’s background in developing classes and programs, she looks forward to launching Augustana’s MBA Program this fall, with its integration of a Leadership Academy, while seeking accreditation with the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). The program has already received solid interest from existing undergraduates and professionals looking to further their education.
Goehring said, “I am very passionate about learning and love to share that passion with students. I believe students enjoy the many engaging ways to discuss and debate theory as it relates to practical applications in their personal and professional lives. I am very excited to be sharing the classroom with all of our great Augie students.”
Established to foster collaborative, inventive and ethical leaders, the Augustana MBA program is intentionally designed around rigorous courses in such academic areas as communication, economics, and management information systems. Underlying each course is a focus on leadership and integrity. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate these skills through mentorship and service opportunities in the community.
The combination of ethics-oriented, challenging coursework with integrated opportunities for leadership development provides a path for current students to continue their education and personal development at Augustana.
Provost and Executive Vice President Dr. Colin Irvine said, “Augustana is truly fortunate that Dr. Goehring will be serving as the leader of this exciting and timely program. A dynamic and caring teacher and scholar, she brings to the university and the Sioux Falls community an impressive record of unique and relevant professional experiences.”
Augustana’s MBA degree program follows an intensive study regarding regional and national employment data, as well as feedback received from the Sioux Falls business community and alumni.