Message from the Dean

At Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business, teaching responsible and ethical business leadership is embedded in everything we do. The Principles for Responsible Management Education are evident in the learning that happens in our college each day.

Long known as a place where one’s personal opportunity can and should be tied to the betterment of the community, both local and global, WMU’s Haworth College of Business has worked strategically to embed our University pillars of being Learner Centered, Discovery Driven and Globally Engaged into all programs. These pillars reflect a commitment to meeting each person as an individual learner who, through discovery, will find a multitude of ways to influence the world and to learn from others; the pillars align very well with PRME. Yet PRME gives us an opportunity to deepen our capacity for even greater impact with our students.

This report allows us to chart where we have been in relation to these principles and to embrace the future of our programs. We consistently work to enhance our understanding of sustainability and responsible business management.

This report serves as a manifestation of our strategic approach to the integration of the principles into curriculum, research, service and outreach efforts. As you read, you will see that collaboration—within our college, across campus, with industry and with our community—is at the center of our curriculum. We hope that this report may ignite ideas for others, as we have so often been inspired by the work of other institutions. And, we welcome the opportunity to collaborate with other institutions in research and dialogue.

Perhaps the best evidence of the success of our efforts in educating responsible business leaders are our alumni, who lead organizations throughout the world, always keeping at the forefront of their decision-making and management: ethics, diversity, equity, planet and partnership. To see the perspective we teach in the college as a lived experience in the business world is powerful and the reason we do what we do.

We encourage other academic institutions and organizations to adopt and support the Principles for Responsible Management Education.

We know that business can be a positive force in a world that faces complex challenges.

Satish P. Deshpande, Ph.D.
Dean, Haworth College of Business
Western Michigan University