Whether finding a new job, moving to a new city or excelling in the classroom, members of Fisher's Accounting and Management Information Systems community found ways to thrive during an unprecedented 2020-21 academic year. See how the global pandemic challenged and invigorated each of them.

Thaddeus H. Spratlen passed away on May 18, 2021. Spratlen (BSBA ’56, MA ’57, PhD ’62) was a prolific thought leader in marketing and society research as well as a groundbreaking scholar who paved the way for future faculty of color. 

An interdisciplinary research team that includes Andrea Contigiani, assistant professor of management and human resources, has been awarded a grant to study the potential benefits of entrepreneurship training for refugee and other vulnerable populations.

"I knew I wanted to attend a program where I would have the opportunity to build meaningful relationships but also have access to phenomenal instructors and resources." Meet Kate Morales, one of Poets&Quants’ Best & Brightest MBAs of 2021, and learn about her decision to pursue an MBA at Fisher.

Faced with the challenge of helping a local restaurant group make inroads into new communities and recruiting diverse talent, MBA students got creative. See what solutions impressed Cameron Mitchell Restaurants executives.

Meet Jasmine Hu, associate professor of management and human resources at Fisher, and learn why she was selected as one of Poets&Quants' 2021 Best 40 Under 40 Business School Professors.

Grace Figliomeni is passionate about supporting local businesses and empowering women. After graduation, she’s doing both with her newly discovered career path in social entrepreneurship.

Academic excellence, commitment to service and a passion for students — see why undergrads Jalyn Hall and Jasmine Mathis and staff member Lorraine Pennyman were spotlighted by Ohio State’s historic Alpha Kappa Alpha chapter.

Among the trends in entrepreneurship discussed in a new report from the Kenan Institute was the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small businesses: minority- and women-owned firms did not have access to funds available through the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). Research by Isil Erel, the David A. Rismiller Chair in Finance and the academic director of the Risk Institute, also showed how the use of fintech and online banking can improve access, "especially to underserved areas with lower incomes and a larger share of the minority population."

What is experiential learning at Fisher? It’s creativity, risk-taking and solving real problems — like designing better COVID-19 masks.

Meet the entrepreneurs behind the idea for an app to help international students navigate life in the U.S. — and learn about the Keenan Center for Entrepreneurship startup event that connected them.

Fisher’s 2021 Pace Setters Awards marked the 60th anniversary of the honors; it also represented the first time the annual tradition recognized academic excellence, teaching, research and service virtually.

The COVID-19 pandemic has blurred many people's sense of time thanks to more than a year of acute and long-term stress and the home becoming a place of both work and leisure.

Read about the student leaders who leveraged Fisher’s supportive community and engaged network of alumnae to inspire others at the Big Ten Women’s Business Connection Leadership Conference.

How do you continue offering global experiences during a pandemic? By innovating and collaborating with partners to create programs like a virtual case competition that connects Fisher students to business in South America.

As Melinda Whittington (BSBA ’89) transitions from CFO at La-Z-Boy Inc. to become the company’s next CEO, learn how her experience as a top finance officer shaped her outlook on issues including social responsibility, the COVID-19 pandemic and ethics.

Part of Ohio State for 60 years, Barbie Tootle has watched as our society and Ohio State underwent a cultural revolution. As a freshman in what was then the College of Commerce, she had no female professors and few women in her class. Today, with the second woman leading Ohio State as its president, Barbie recognizes how far the institution has progressed.

There’s a disparity of women leaders in supply chain, but students like Haley McCrory are closing that gap. Check out her story and the Fisher program that’s helping other female students make inroads into the industry.

Thaddeus Spratlen (BSBA ’56, MA ’57, PhD ’62) built his career teaching business students and engaging the business community to help create, enhance and sustain the marketplace for underrepresented communities. Read more about the lasting impact this trailblazing alumnus continues to make.

Amber Hammond (BSBA ’15) knows an entrepreneur’s motivation can strike from the most unexpected places — an idea developed over a cup of coffee with a friend and scribbled on a paper napkin; a well-planned digital presentation for a class; or as Hammond knows, it can come from a seed planted following a global experience that uncovers a whole new world through the eyes of a different culture.

After the death of George Floyd, companies promise more diversity and inclusive, but will it happen this time? Philip Renaud, executive director of the Risk Institute, said unlike similar corporate pledges in the past, this time does seem different.

Pain, perseverance and pride — it all shaped Lashawn Samuel’s long and tenacious journey to Fisher. See what keeps the inspiring first-year student motivated to better himself while also helping others.

Nick Lenyo was 13 years old when he rolled his ankle while playing basketball. The minor injury, however, would reveal a life-changing diagnosis.

Disclosing one’s disability is a completely personal decision and is typically needed when a barrier prevents someone from competing for a job, performing a job or gaining equal access to a benefit. Employers should understand candidates’ rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide reasonable accommodations to those who need it.

Want to address systemic racism at business schools? Seven business school scholars, including Tanya Menon, professor of management and human resources at Fisher, suggest starting with MBA program rankings.