News

Fifty Oregon high school students from multicultural backgrounds will visit the Portland State campus and local corporations as part of PSU’s sixth annual Summer Business Institute, June 18-21, 2007.

Hosted by PSU’s School of Business Administration, the Summer Business Institute is a unique opportunity for high school students to explore and learn about the world of business with Portland State faculty members and local industry leaders. Attendees will also receive one college business credit. This year the institute will focus on diversity within the business community and sustainable business practices.

“The Summer Business Institute helps the School of Business fulfill its mission of supporting the regional economy by encouraging young people to seek a college education and pursue a career in business,” said Scott Dawson, dean of the School of Business Administration.

Over the four days, 50 students from 22 high schools in Oregon including Aloha, Ashland, Benson, Sheldon and Sunset will participate in classroom case studies and lectures, discuss ethical issues affecting today’s corporations, and explore businesses that support sustainable practices. They will also learn about career opportunities, participate in a business simulation project, and visit the offices of Weiden + Kennedy, Target and Costco.

“The participating high school students get to see the business world from a different perspective,” said Rahel Yared, manager of Student Programs and Diversity. “It makes them consider job opportunities that they had not thought about before.”

Events on the PSU campus take place in the Smith Memorial Student Union’s Multicultural Center (1825 SW Broadway). For more information, contact Tina Ford at 503-725-8352 or tinaf@sba.pdx.edu. Media interested in joining the group or visiting the off-site offices should contact Laura Jundt at 503-725-8555 or lcjundt@pdx.edu. The institute is sponsored by Precision Castparts Corp and PepsiCo.

School of Business Administration
The School of Business Administration at Portland State University is the largest business school in the Pacific Northwest, offering top-caliber programs and nationally recognized faculty to its 400 graduate and 3,000 undergraduate students. The downtown Portland location is key to the many relationships the school maintains with the local and regional business community. In 2004, the school launched its new MBA+ Leadership and Innovation curriculum, with a focus on the regional economy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (#07-078)

Source: Tina Ford (503-725-8352)
School of Business Administration