Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Department of Business and Accounting is experiencing growth as it institutes new classes and programs.

Over the past two years, the number of incoming freshmen enrolled in the department has increased by over 100 in business and increased by 30 in accounting. Students in business land careers in retail management, sales, human resources, banking and many more areas. According to Steve Kleisath, chair of the department of business and accounting, most accounting majors land careers in cost accounting or as certified public accountants. Kleisath said that job opportunities are expanding in both areas. A 97 percent job placement rate in business and a 100 percent job placement rate in accounting reflects that.

The insurance industry is one of these expanding industries that students are finding opportunities. Over the next five years, 10,000 to 20,000 new jobs will open up in the insurance industry, according to Kleisath. In response, the department is developing relationships with insurance representatives and finding the level of student interest in insurance careers. A new insurance class to be offered next year will complement the relationships. The class will be open to all majors.

"Insurance companies pay well. There is a 10 percent growth in the industry. We want to get more insurance companies to come and look at our students. They look for people of all majors. I think the insurance class will benefit people across campus," said Kleisath.

In addition to expanding job opportunities in insurance, the department is also developing internship and study abroad opportunities. Susan Hanson and Donna Perkins, both business and accounting faculty, are currently on sabbatical in Europe developing relationships with companies for expanded internship opportunities and new study abroad programs. Currently, the department has over 100 students who intern each summer.

"People are looking for interns and our students are paid well," said Kleisath.

The department plans to further develop the internship program, increase the number of international and out-of-state interns and develop e-commerce coursework. The business and accounting alumni advisory board also helps develop internships. Additionally, accounting alumni serve students by holding a certified public accountant panel night, where students can ask them questions about being an accountant. In conjunction to developing more internships, two new international courses have been established.

During May 18 through 30, students will travel to Guatemala as part of the new Guatemala Business Practices course. Students will visit multinational corporations such as PepsiCo, Rayovac and Cadbury Adams to see how these U.S. based companies operate in a different country. They will also visit companies that import products into the U.S. including a rose and coffee plantation and local businesses. Other visits on the trip include universities and Ixemche, a Mayan sacred site.

In another abroad course to North Africa, students will visit Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco. This three credit course will take place June 9 through 25. While in Africa, students will hear from local businesses, government officials and university professors on topics such as products, human resources, education, training, compensation, market strategy and international marketing. This course is also open to all students and cost $3,300. Anyone wanting additional information about the North Africa Short Study Tour may contact Louis Nzegwu, executive director of the International Business Resource Center, at (608) 342-1597 or at nzegwu@uwplatt.edu. Both courses satisfy the international general education requirement.

The department of business and accounting also houses some award winning faculty. Nzegwu holds the 2007 Alliant Energy Underkofler Excellence in Teaching Award. It is presented annually by Alliant Energy to four UW System teachers who show impressive dedication to their subject matter and students. Nzegwu is also the 2007-08 Wisconsin Teaching Scholar.

Marge Karsten, professor of human resource and management, was the recipient of the 2007 Abughalous Award for Excellence in Scholarly Research. The award is presented annually to a faculty or academic staff member who has demonstrated outstanding career achievement in scholarly research. Karsten edited the three-volume set, "Gender, Race and Ethnicity in the Workplace," and published three books, five articles, two case studies, and nine scholarly works.

Anyone wanting more information about the department may contact Kleisath at (608) 342-1460 or kliesath@uwplatt.edu.

Contact: Steve Kleiseth, chair, department of business and accounting, (608) 342-1460, kleisath@uwplatt.edu Written by: Krystle Kurdi, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, kurdik@uwplatt.edu