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The University of North Georgia's (ºìÁ«ÉçÇø) Mike Cottrell College of Business has maintained its accreditation with The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB), keeping its place among the less than five percent of the world's business schools to have earned this hallmark of excellence.

AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools in the world. The reaccreditation of the college was unconditionally extended for an additional five years following the review — the college's first AACSB accreditation review since the consolidation of Gainesville State College and North Georgia College and State University in 2013.

Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president of ºìÁ«ÉçÇø, praised the college for its achievement.

"This affirmation of the college's elite status is a testament to the work of its faculty, staff and students and our high standards of excellence," Jacobs said.

To maintain accreditation, a business program must undergo a rigorous internal review every five years, during which the program must demonstrate a commitment to 15 standards. Each of the 15 standards provides guidelines for the business school in the areas of engagement, impact and innovation. In addition to the 15 standards, business schools must show a commitment to continuous improvement and achievement in the school's learning goals in degree programs.

 "AACSB accreditation requires hard work from everyone within an institution," said Dr. Donna Mayo, dean of the Mike Cottrell College of Business. "However, that work is why accreditation is meaningful. I am very proud of the efforts of our students, faculty and professional staff who seek every day to build strong graduates and strong communities."

The visiting committee of deans from peer business schools commended the college for the following:

• new professional development programs for both undergraduate and graduate students
• short-term study abroad programming including the college's "The London Experience" study abroad program
• effective and coordinated approach of the college's engagement and external communication teams
• the work and effective leadership of Dean Mayo, the leadership team within the college and the support provided by the university in their efforts.

In addition, the visiting committee also made three recommendations for the college. The recommendations were: to continue to increase the quantity and quality of research completed by faculty; establish a plan for periodic review of the college's strategic plan; and develop new physical space to support the needs of students regarding learning facilities, experiential learning and provide faculty office arrangements that support collaboration.

The Mike Cottrell College of Business, in support of its vision to build strong graduates and strong communities, serves more than 4,100 of ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's more than 18,000 students in an array of undergraduate and graduate programs across four of ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's five campuses.