Solutions for Business & Economy
University of North Texas students have one-of-a-kind opportunities to learn about their chosen industry from the inside out — from the nation’s first petroleum accounting program to the nation’s leading undergraduate study abroad program focusing on the apparel supply chain in Hong Kong and China. Faculty take their expertise beyond the classroom, engaging in work that improves business and powers local economies.
Alumni like Tommy Huffhines ('67), president of SYSCO Food Service of Dallas, attribute their success to UNT. The University's first-class programs offer students a solid academic foundation coupled with business know-how so they will be strong contributors and leaders in their chosen fields.
Keeping Pace with Industries
UNT produces an elite work force of highly skilled professionals who graduate from its many nationally ranked programs and tap into dominant and fast-growing industries. In just a decade, the University’s logistics and supply chain management program rose to become one of the 10 largest logistics programs in the nation and was ranked 18th in the most recent national survey by Supply Chain Management Review. This year, a team of students won first place in the National Logistics Challenge, beating out other top programs. This was the seventh time in 10 years that UNT finished in one of the top two spots. UNT faculty also have their fingers on the pulse of commerce and industry. Zheng “Phil” Xiang, assistant professor of merchandising and hospitality management, teamed with researchers around the globe to explore how the Internet has reshaped the tourism industry.
Researching Global Work Teams
With today’s global workplace, people can find themselves on teams that span different countries and time zones. Kathleen Swigger, professor of computer science and engineering, studies how effective the process is by examining the workflow between programmers on large software projects at UNT and in Turkey, Panama and the United Kingdom. Armed with a National Science Foundation grant, Swigger also is developing materials for software teams to help bridge the cultural and geographic differences. The research has drawn interest from several major corporations.
Fostering Entrepreneurship
Hosted by the College of Business, UNT’s Murphy Center for Entrepreneurship is an idea incubator, a think tank, a business network and a support system rolled into one. The center serves as a conduit of ideas and partnerships for students and the business community. It hosts networking opportunities, offers internships and promotes scholarships to ensure that students are well prepared for the demands of the work force. The center also spurs entrepreneurship through its annual New Venture Creation Contest. Student David Rosenbaum, founder of North Texas Pyrotechnic Productions, won the contest last year and went on this year to win the Texas regional virtual competition of the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. He placed seventh in the global competition.
Participating in Economic Summits
New labels designed by Keith Owens, assistant professor of communication design, empowered Haitian farmers.
UNT gives students a global perspective by bringing a worldview into the classroom and taking students out into the world. UNT was the only American public university to take part in one of the world’s leading economic and trade forums, the 2008 Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation’s Leaders Week in Peru. Led by Lou Pelton, associate professor of marketing and logistics, alumnus D. Alexander Roark (’07) and four UNT students participated in trade and investment discussions and interacted with global government and business leaders.
Advancing Global Societies
Improving an industry isn’t always about increasing efficiency or productivity. Sometimes a simple image makeover can empower individuals and redefine local communities. Keith Owens, assistant professor of communication design, helped design package labels for Haitian farmers to make their produce stand out against imported products and generate consumer confidence. The newly labeled Haitian jellies, peanut butter, liqueurs and bitter chocolate have been well received in local consumer testing. They will be offered in other Caribbean markets and Canada within the year.