Brandeis International Business School

Spring 2021 Dean's Letter

Dear Students, Alumni and Friends,

The Spring 2021 semester is underway at Brandeis International Business School, and with its arrival comes a renewed sense of optimism.

Virtual classes began Feb. 1. Students and faculty are already busy with their coursework and applying the many valuable lessons learned during our first full semester of online learning in the fall. The COVID-19 health and safety protocols enacted by Brandeis University last year remain a point of pride. We are also all following intently as the worldwide development and deployment of life-saving vaccines moves forward. As President Ron Liebowitz recently noted, while the Brandeis community is undoubtedly hopeful for the future, we must be realistic about the present. Thank you for your continued vigilance and commitment to safety as we navigate the pandemic together. 

We are happy to welcome a spring class of nearly 60 new graduate students in addition to our returning students. Our students this semester are located in the Waltham area, across the United States and around the world. The study areas inside the Sachar International Center and Lemberg Academic Center are open to all Brandeis students. I am also pleased to report that demand for the Business major remains strong among undergraduate students.

The success of our recent graduates on the job market is a highlight of the past year. All told, 86 percent of Class of 2020 graduates seeking a job have secured employment — a remarkable accomplishment during a truly tumultuous year. The average U.S. salary for our new graduates is also on the rise, according to the latest data from our Career Strategies and Engagement Center. There are several factors behind this good news: As a relatively small business school, our students have benefited from the widespread pivot to online job interviews. The emphasis we place on experiential learning like internships and field projects has fostered strong corporate connections. And most importantly, the technical skills, work ethic and perseverance of our graduates make them ideal hires for top employers across high-demand industries. These job placement numbers would not be possible without the support of many alumni and friends around the world who provided advice, resources, connections and job openings throughout the past year.

Finally, we have a number of exciting virtual events planned this spring, beginning with the first installment of our Trends in Asset Management series Feb. 24. On April 7, the Perlmutter Award for Excellence in Global Business Leadership will be presented to Aron J. Ain, Chairman and CEO of UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group). The second-annual Business of Climate Change program is scheduled for April 12-23. And on April 22, the Asper Award for Global Entrepreneurship will be presented to former Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick.

I wish you a successful spring. Thank you for all that you do in support of Brandeis International Business School.

Sincerely,Katy SignatureKathryn Graddy
Dean, Brandeis International Business School
Fred and Rita Richman Distinguished Professor in Economics