D’Youville’s New School of Business Puts Innovation and Industry Connections at the Forefront

Executive Director Dr. Kathleen Burke discusses the school's vision, new academic opportunities and commitment to Buffalo on WNY Living.

D’Youville University's new School of Business is taking shape with a clear vision, to prepare students for an evolving business landscape while strengthening connections between higher education and the Western New York economy.

M. Kathleen Burke, PhD, executive director of the newly established school, recently appeared on WNY Living to discuss how D’Youville is building on its existing business programs while creating new opportunities for students, employers and the broader community.

“This is a moment of growth for D’Youville University,” Burke said. “With business, it's also a moment for Western New York's workforce and the local economy and regional stakeholders in all different industries.”

Building a Different Kind of Business School

Rather than following a traditional business school model, D’Youville is developing an approach that emphasizes innovation, hands-on experiences and direct connections to the industries shaping the region's future.

“This business school is aiming to position itself as the Western New York school of innovation,” Burke explained, emphasizing that the curriculum and student experience will be closely integrated with industry and regional workforce needs.

The new school builds on D’Youville's existing undergraduate business programs and online MBA while exploring additional graduate-level offerings designed to meet the needs of recent graduates and working professionals.

Burke highlighted plans for programs in areas including digital marketing, entrepreneurship, regulatory science, management and strategy, along with an on-campus MBA option. These proposed offerings would provide additional pathways for students interested in emerging business fields and leadership opportunities.

Connecting Education with Industry

A central priority for the School of Business is ensuring that students develop skills that employers need while gaining practical experience before graduation.

To help accomplish that, D’Youville is bringing together leaders from across Western New York to provide input on academic programs, workforce needs and opportunities for collaboration.

“We are building the programs with input from business leaders, nonprofit leaders, government voices, to get those perspectives on the skills gaps and also the emerging trends,” Burke said.

The school's developing Business Advisory Board brings together perspectives from healthcare, entrepreneurship, family businesses, hospitality, sports, advanced manufacturing, marketing, supply chain analytics and nonprofit organizations

These connections are intended to create meaningful opportunities for internships, experiential learning and collaboration with employers.

“We want to give our students the opportunity to learn by doing while they're at D’Youville so that they can contribute directly while they graduate and also while they're studying,” Burke said.

Bringing Global Experience Back to Buffalo

A Western New York native, Burke brings an international perspective to her new role.

She completed her doctoral studies in Stockholm, Sweden, where she experienced an entrepreneurial environment in which startups and innovation were part of everyday life. Before returning to Buffalo, she also worked at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where she was influenced by its emphasis on learning through practical experience.

“At MIT, they have a philosophy of learning by doing, mind and hands,” Burke said. “That philosophy has stuck with me, and it's certainly something that I think we can implement and operationalize at D’Youville.”

Burke hopes to bring those experiences together to establish a business school that serves as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration throughout the region.

As D’Youville continues to expand its academic offerings, the new School of Business represents another step in the University's momentum, connecting education, industry and opportunity to help prepare students for the careers and challenges of tomorrow.