Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

Business students in downtown Pittsburgh.

Contact

grad-bus@duq.edu
(412) 396-6276 Administration

Administration

Dean B. McFarlin, Ph.D.  (mcfarlind@duq.edu)
Dean, Palumbo-Donahue School of Business

Karen Russo Donovan, Ph.D.
Sr. Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Executive Education

Risa Kumazawa, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, Academic Systems and Accreditation

Gokhan Sonaer, Ph.D. (sonaerg@duq.edu) 
Department Chairperson, Economics and Finance

Akwasi Opoku-Dakwa , Ph.D. (opokudakwaa@duq.edu)
Department Chairperson, Management and Marketing

William Spangler, Ph.D.  (spangler@duq.edu)
Department Chairperson, Accounting, Information Systems and Technology and Supply Chain Management

History

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business was established in 1913 as the School of Accounts and Finance. In 1931, the name was changed to the School of Business Administration to reflect the expansion of course offerings and growing professional stature in the education community. With programs dating from the founding of the School in 1913, the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business has continued to develop, broaden and adapt its curriculum since 1957. The School earned accreditation in 1962 by the premier business school accrediting agency, AACSB International- The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. About five percent of business schools worldwide have achieved the AACSB distinction, and Duquesne has maintained it proudly for more than 60 years.

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business has a long history of strong ties to local business leaders. Following a generous endowment in 1991 by Antonio J. Palumbo, an accomplished business professional, the School adopted his name for its undergraduate programs. In 1999, the graduate School was named in honor of a highly successful entrepreneur, John F. Donahue, who established an impeccable reputation for integrity, wisdom and hard work. Donahue, a former World War II bomber pilot, founded Federated Investors in 1955. By the early 1980s, Federated became the country's second largest fund operator. Donahue previously served as the firm's chairman and chief executive officer.

Vision Statement

We aspire to be the best student-focused business school known for...

  • Difference-making education that instills the inclusive Spiritan mindset and transforms lives
  • In-demand graduates who change companies and the world for the better
  • Innovative thought leadership that improves business and society

Mission Statement

We develop sought-after business leaders who possess the ethical character, Spiritan mindset and solutions-oriented skills needed to be global difference makers. 

We accomplish this through faculty and staff who deeply engage our students, alumni, and community partners to create...

  • Educational experiences that improve lives
  • Solutions to important business and social challenges
  • Thought leadership with lasting societal impact

Our Values

The Business of Difference Making - 5 Principles that Drive Us Forward...

  1. Our Students: We are passionate about instilling practical wisdom in our students that positions them for success.
  2. Ethics and integrity: We are driven by the principles of honesty, fairness, accountability, transparency and moral courage.
  3. Inclusiveness and belonging: We encourage diversity in all forms and strive to create a culture of inclusiveness, equity and collaboration.
  4. Improving the world: We develop leaders who serve others, create positive environmental change, and develop innovative solutions to business and societal challenges.
  5. Scholarship that matters: We pursue difference-making research that shapes disciplines, revolutionizes teaching and transforms business and society.

We add value for the greater good of our stakeholders by creating an environment of support for the intellectual pursuits of our faculty, a commitment to excellence in teaching, community outreach, and service.

Graduate School of Business Philosophy

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business at Duquesne University prepares students to make a difference. Our approach to business education is based on a philosophy that responsible, ethical leadership in business creates a better society for all. The School balances its distinguished history with a focus on the future.

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business challenges our students to reach their potential in a dynamic, intellectually exciting environment that is driven by Duquesne's century-long commitment to an ethical perspective in one's professional and personal life, and an emphasis on teaching excellence. The search for continuous improvement is a process that emphasizes an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of business, a desire to exceed the expectations of our constituents, scholarship focusing on real business problems and creative academic-business partnerships.

Graduate Business Programs

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business offers a portfolio of graduate business programs to meet the needs of a diverse student population and equip emerging leaders with the knowledge and skills for career success and resilience:

  • One-Year M.B.A.
  • Flex M.B.A.
  • Professional M.B.A.
  • M.S. in Accountancy
  • M.S. in Analytics and Information Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Analytics and Information Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership
  • M.S. in Entrepreneurial Leadership
  • Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship
  • M.S. in Finance
  • Graduate Certificate in Finance
  • M.S. in Supply Chain Management
  • Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management
  • Business Analytics Fundamentals Micro-credential
  • Business Essentials Micro-credential
  • Business Essentials for Lawyers Micro-credential

One-Year Master of Business Administration (One-Year M.B.A.)

The One-Year M.B.A. is a 39-credit program delivered in an accelerated, 12-month program with daytime classes focusing on strategic sustainability issues facing business and society. The One-Year M.B.A. is aligned with the six United Nations' Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) to advance sustainable social, environmental and economic value.

The One-Year M.B.A. incorporates problem-solving consulting projects, cross-functional case studies, professional skill coaching, and an international study trip. The focus is on gaining tangible experience and competence for managing financial, social, environmental and informational resources, the top priorities for sustaining modern organizations in a dynamic global marketplace.

The One-Year M.B.A. program launches in early June, and students earn an M.B.A. the following May. Graduates are prepared for management roles in consulting, supply chain, policy planning, marketing, finance, human resources, information technology, new product development, and general management.

Flex M.B.A.

The Flex M.B.A. is a 33-credit program that offers students a seamless path to dual credentials – an MBA degree and a specialized Certificate. The program combines 18 credits of required Core courses, 6 credits of required Electives, and 9 credits of specialized Certificate coursework. Certificate coursework allows students to specialize in Analytics and Information Management, Entrepreneurship, Executive Leadership, Finance, or Supply Chain Management. All courses are available online and in hybrid formats.

Professional Master of Business Administration (Professional M.B.A.)

The Professional M.B.A. is a 42-credit* program designed to accommodate working professionals. Students have the flexibility to take a full-time or part-time course load with courses offered online, onsite, or a combination of both. 

Students develop expertise in all aspects of management and an understanding of how the disciplines are interrelated. Through the program, students develop leadership skills while learning how to responsibly manage in an efficient, effective manner.

Core courses build upon a broad foundation of business and industry knowledge while the Capstone Project and Strategy sequence is designed to sharpen strategic skills and critical-thinking abilities through engagement with a real-world project partner.

* Up to 6 credits may be waived based on previous coursework in accounting, economics, finance and statistics. To be eligible for a course waiver, a grade of 'B-' or better is required in an approved course taken within the past 5 years.

Master of Science in Accountancy (MAcc)

The MAcc program is a 30-credit program of study that can be completed on a 1-year or 2-year path. The curriculum meaningfully integrates forensic accounting, information technology and ethics which are significant and challenging areas facing the accounting profession today. The program prepares students for careers in public and corporate accounting, non-profit and governmental accounting and forensic accounting.

At the completion of the program, students will have fulfilled the 150 academic credit hours required to become licensed as Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) in Pennsylvania and most other states.

In addition to satisfying the credit-hour requirement for CPA licensure, Duquesne's MAcc program emphasizes accounting as a profession and ensures that graduates are thoroughly prepared to be communicators, analysts and responsible leaders. Equipped with essential accounting and financial analysis skills, MAcc program graduates also have expertise that extends beyond the scope of traditional accounting, taxation, and auditing.

Master of Science in Analytics and Information Management (M.S.-A.I.M.)

The M.S.-A.I.M. program is a 30-credit program of study that can be completed on a 1-year or 2-year path. The program appeals to a range of potential students, including technical professionals who are looking to restart or retool their careers, professionals who are seeking a relevant management credential, non-technical or non-business professionals who are seeking to enter the data analytics or information systems field. The M.S.-A.I.M. program is STEM designated.

Duquesne's M.S.-A.I.M. curriculum focuses on (1) how to apply models, analytical methods, and visualization tools to data, producing insights that lead to better business decisions (2) the identification, capture, integration, management, and protection of data and (3) eliciting and communicating business requirements and analytical insights. At the completion of the program students should understand and gain experience in data governance, project management, data mining, data querying, artificial intelligence, modeling insights, behavioral analytics and visualizations.

Graduate Certificate in Analytics and Information Management (G.C.-A.I.M.)

The G.C.-A.I.M. program is a 15-credit, full-time or part-time program of study. The program appeals to a range of potential students, including technical professionals who are looking to restart or retool their careers, professionals who are seeking a relevant management credential, non-technical or non-business professionals who are seeking to enter the data analytics or information systems field.

Duquesne's G.C.-A.I.M. curriculum focuses on how to apply models, analytical methods, and visualization tools to data, producing insights that lead to better business decisions. At the completion of the program students should understand and gain experience in data mining, data querying, artificial intelligence, modeling insights, behavioral analytics and visualizations.

Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership

Learn to lead with vision and a strategic mindset with a Graduate Certificate in Executive Leadership. This certificate program is designed for professionals in diverse fields who wish to develop strategic and entrepreneurial acumen, an understanding of behavior in organizations and the ability to motivate and lead organizational change. 

Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership (M.S.-E.L.)

The M.S.-E.L. is a 30-credit program that prepares students to successfully launch new ventures or lead existing enterprises with innovation and vision. Leveraging Duquesne’s entrepreneurship resources, including the Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship and the Small Business Development Center, students will sharpen their skills in ideation, change management, pitching business projects, and securing venture capital

Depending on the student’s start term and chosen path, the M.S.-E.L. may be completed in 1-2 years. The M.S.-E.L. is comprised of a mix of hybrid and online classes, and while much of the program can be completed online, several classes have high-impact in-person evening and weekend sessions.

Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship (G.C.-E.N.T.R.)

The G.C.-E.N.T.R. program is a 15-credit program of study. The program is a hybrid program where most of the curriculum is taught online, but the cohort will gather occasionally for high-impact sessions throughout the curriculum. The program appeals to both students who want to tackle challenges inside an innovative business and those wishing to launch their own business. Students can complete the G.C.-E.N.T.R. part-time in just 1 year.

Duquesne's G.C.-E.N.T.R. curriculum focuses on how to recognize and seize opportunities, how to start, structure and finance a new business entity, and how to go to market with an innovative product or service offering.

Master of Science in Finance (M.S.F.)

The M.S.F. prepares early- and mid-career professionals seeking careers in financial management, capital markets, banking, corporate treasury, investment management and related fields.  Students gain deep skill in financial analysis and valuation for decision making in all aspects of business investment, financing and operating activities, so that graduates are prepared to fully engage in organizations ranging from small and medium enterprises to major corporations. 

The M.S.F. is 33-credit program with up to 3 credits of accounting and finance prerequisites potentially waivable.  After completing or waiving prerequisites, the M.S.F. comprises a 15-credit core curriculum plus 15 elective credits, all of which can be completed in six semesters or less.  Delivery is nearly 100% online asynchronous.

Graduate Certificate in Finance (G.C.-F.)

The G.C.-F. is a 18-credit online program that helps prepare early- and mid-career professionals seeking careers in financial management, capital markets, banking, corporate treasury, investment management and related fields.

Financial management, correctly practiced, is vital to the long-run growth and success of every business organization. The G.C.-F.  focuses on principles of sound financial management while developing deep skill in the technology and techniques of financial analysis and valuation. Students apply these principles and techniques in all aspects of business investment, financing and operating activities.

Up to 3 credits can be waived for applicants that have completed relevant prerequisites, so that the GC-F can be completed part-time in as few as three semesters. Delivery is 100% online asynchronous. 

Master of Science in Supply Chain Management (M.S.-S.C.M.)

The M.S.-S.C.M. is a 30-credit degree program designed for working professionals who want to advance their careers, seize opportunities and impact any organization's bottom line through the supply chain. The blended program format of online learning and face-to-face sessions provides flexibility and convenience along with opportunities to collaborate on real projects and network with industry leaders. The M.S.-S.C.M. program is STEM designated.

Graduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management (G.C.-S.C.M.)

The G.C.-S.C.M. is a 15-credit graduate certificate program with face-to-face evening and online classes. The certificate is ideal for students who have a bachelor's degree and are interested in improving their skills across all functional areas in supply chain management. The program format allows students to tailor the certificate to their individual career goals and then immediately apply that knowledge in the workplace. Students can complete the G.C.-S.C.M. part-time in just 1 year, and courses taken for the certificate can be applied toward the M.S.-S.C.M.

Administration and Faculty

Dean B. McFarlin, Ph.D.
Dean and Professor of Management

Karen Russo Donovan, Ph.D.
Sr. Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Executive Education

Risa Kumazawa, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Academic Systems and Accreditation

Gokhan Sonaer, Ph.D.
Department Chairperson, Economics and Finance

Akwasi Opoku-Dakwa, Ph.D.
Department Chairperson, Management and Marketing

William Spangler, Ph.D.
Department Chairperson, Accounting, Information Systems and Technology, and Supply Chain Management

Rebecca Ellsworth, Ed.D.
Assistant Dean for Academic Programs & Student Affairs

Chris Rouhier, M.S.
Sr. Director, Recruitment & Admissions

Richard Longo, R.N., FACMPE, FACHE
Director, Small Business Development Center

Katy Owens. B.S.
Director, Business and Administration

Tricia Brancolini-Foley, M.S. 
Program Director, Marketing and Communications

Ryan Atkins
Associate  Professor of Supply Chain Management
B.S., M.S., Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D., Queen's University Belfast, Ireland

Philip L. Baird, III
Associate Professor of Finance
B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Tennessee

Debarati Bhattacharya
Associate Professor of Finance
B.S., M.B.A., University of Calcutta, India
Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Karoly Bozan
Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Technology
B.A., M.B.A., Ph.D., Kent State University

Georgiana Craciun
Associate Professor of Marketing
B.S., Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania
M.S., University of Antwerp, Belgium
Ph.D., University of South Carolina

Patrick Deegan
Assistant Professor of Practice in Business Law
B.A., Washington and Jefferson College
M.B.A., M.S., Duquesne University
J.D., Widener University School of Law

Andrea DiBernardo
Associate Director, Center for Leadership in Professional Selling
Instructor, Sales and Marketing
MBA, Duquesne University 2023
B.S., Northern Illinois University

Ronald J. Dick
Associate Professor of Sports Marketing
B.S., M.B.A., Saint Joseph's University
Ed.D., Temple University

Pamala J. Dillon
Assistant Professor of Management
B.A., Eckerd College
M.A., American University
M.B.A., University of South Florida
Ph.D., University of Massachusetts Amherst

Karen Russo Donovan
Sr. Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Executive Education
Associate Professor of Marketing
B.S.N., Carlow University
M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Matthew J. Drake
Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management
B.S.B.A., Duquesne University
M.S., Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology

Susan P. Eppley
Director, Center for Leadership in Professional Selling
Instructor of Marketing and Management
B.A., Edinboro State University
M.B.A., Robert Morris University

Charles Favreau
Associate Professor of Finance
B.A., University of Central Florida
M.S., University of South Florida
Ph.D., University of Arizona

Ryan Garvey
Professor of Finance
Donahue Chair in Investment Management
B.A., Mercyhurst College
M.B.A., Providence College
Ph.D., University College Dublin

Mark Geiger
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship
B.S., M.B.A., Illinois State University
Ph.D., University of Kansas

Min Geiger
Assistant Professor of Management
Ph.D., West Virginia University
M.P.A., University of Kansas
B.S. M.S., Ewha Womans University

Pinar Geylani
Professor of Economics
B.S., Bilkent University
M.S., Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

Peter T. Gianiodis
Professor of Entrepreneurship
Merle E. Gilliand Professor in Entrepreneurial Finance
B.A., Dickinson College
M.B.A., Queens University of Charlotte
Ph.D., University of Georgia

Audrey Guskey
Associate Professor of Marketing
B.S.B.A., Robert Morris University
M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Kathleen S. Hartzel
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
B.S., Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
M.S., Pennsylvania State University
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Aimee A. Kane
Associate Professor of Management
B.A., Duke University
M.S., Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

Maryellen Kelly
Assistant Professor of Practice in Marketing
B.A., Chatham College
M.B.A., Ohio State University
Ph.D., The Union Institute

Yeonjeong Kim
Assistant Professor of Management
M.A., Ph.D., Carnegie Mellon University

Robert J. Kollar
Associate Professor of Practice in Accounting
B.S.B.A., M.B.A., Duquesne University
C.P.A., Pennsylvania

Christina Kuchmaner
Assistant Professor of Marketing
Ph.D., Kent State University
B.S.B.A., M.B.A., Youngstown State University

Risa Kumazawa
Associate Dean for Academic Systems and Accreditation
Associate Professor of Economics
B.A., Illinois Wesleyan University
M.S., Illinois State University
Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin

Congcong Li
Assistant Professor of Accounting
B.S., Central University of Finance and Economics (China)
M.A., Duke University
Ph.D., University of Maryland

Rui Liu
Associate Professor of Finance
B.A., Dongbei University of Finance and Economics (China)
M.B.A., Auburn University
M.Sc., Auburn University
Ph.D., University of Houston

Ryan Luchs
Associate Professor of Marketing
B.S., Pennsylvania State University
M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Leslie Mansfield
Director of the First Year Innovation Experience
B.S., Carlow College
M.S., Carnegie Mellon University

Kathryn Marley
Associate Professor of Supply Chain Management
B.A., Grove City College
M.B.A., University of Akron
M.A., Ph.D., Ohio State University

Matthew R. Marlin
Professor of Economics
B.A., Ph.D., Florida State University

K. Bryan Menk
Associate Professor of Accounting
B.B.A., James Madison University
Ph.D., Virginia Commonwealth University
C.P.A., Virginia

Kelly Moore
Assistant Professor of Marketing
B.A, B.B.A., University of Iowa
M.B.A., Drake University
Ph.D., Iowa State University

Wilfred Mutale
Instructor, Information Systems and Technology
Ph.D., Dakota State University
M.S., Youngstown State University
B.S., Geneva College

Brian M. Nagle
Associate Professor of Accounting
B.B.A., Siena College
M.S., State University of New York (Albany)
Ph.D., Saint Louis University
C.P.A., New York

John Niedenberger
Executive Director, Investment Strategy Institute
Instructor, Finance
B.A., Denison University
M.A. University of North Carlina at Chapel Hill
M.B.A, Virginia Tech

Staci Offutt
Director, Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship
Instructor, Entrepreneurship
M.F.A., Parsons, The New School
B.F.A., West Virginia University

Akwasi Opoku-Dakwa
Chair, Management and Marketing
Associate Professor of Management
B.Sc., Brown University
M.B.A., International Institute for Management Development
Ph.D., Rutgers University

Pinar Ozturk
Assistant Professor of Information Systems & Technology
B.S., University of Istanbul
M.B.A., M.S., University of Hartford
Ph.D., Stevens Institute of Technology

Jacqueline C. Pike Gerber
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
B.S.B.A., Ohio University
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Stephen E. Rau
Associate Professor of Accounting
B.S.B.A., Robert Morris University
M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

John Russo
Associate Director for the Center of Excellence in Supply Chain Management
B.A., Duquesne University
M.B.A., Duquesne University

Matt Edmund Ryan
Associate Professor of Economics
B.A., Claremont McKenna College
M.A., Ph.D., West Virginia University

Wendy Serapiglia
Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management
M.S., Point Park College
B.S., Allegheny College

Michael Sherwin
Assistant Professor of Supply Chain Management
Ph.D., Mississippi State University
M.B.A., Carnegie Mellon University
M.S., Penn State University
B.S., Penn State University

Seleshi Sisaye
Professor of Accounting
B.A., Addis Ababa University
M.A., University of Illinois at Chicago
M.L.S., State University of New York (Albany)
Ph.D., Cornell University
M.B.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Nagaraj Sivasubramaniam
Associate Professor of Management
B.E., Birla Institute of Technology and Science
P.G. Diploma, International Management Institute
Ph.D., Florida International University

Gokhan Sonaer
Chair, Economics and Finance
Associate Professor of Finance
H.J. Halliwell Faculty Fellow in Finance
B.S., M.S., Middle East Technical University (Turkey)
M.B.A., University of North Carolina
Ph.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

William E. Spangler
Chair, Accounting, Information Systems and Technology and Supply Chain Management Department
Professor of Information Systems and Technology
B.A., University of South Florida
M.B.A., University of Hawaii
Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

David M. Wasieleski
Albert Paul Viragh Professor in Business Ethics
Executive Director of the Albert P. Viragh Institute for Ethics in Business
Editor-in-Chief, Business and Society Review
M.B.A., Duquesne University
B.A., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Pavel A. Yakovlev
Associate Professor of Economics
B.S.B.A., Shepherd College
M.A., Ph.D., West Virginia University

Amy Jo Naponic Yurko
Associate Professor of Accounting
B.A., J.D., Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh

Wenqi Zhou
Associate Professor of Information Systems & Technology
B.S., M.S., Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China
Ph.D., George Washington University

Centers and Institutes

These Centers and Institutes support innovative research and applied educational experiences for students as well as promote interaction with local business leaders and entrepreneurs. We give our students the skills they need to act entrepreneurially, sell effectively and manage sustainable supply chains while also enhancing job creation and workforce development in the region.

The Center for Excellence in Entrepreneurship infuses an entrepreneurial mindset into the business student experience. This empowers graduates with the skills to recognize and seize opportunities to solve problems and create value on their own or within existing businesses. The Center includes an ideation suite and makerspace filled with resources for designing, developing, and creating new products. The center also facilitates the Duquesne New Venture Challenge, a premier business plan competition with over 100k in prizes open to students across the university and beyond.

The Center includes an ideation suite and a maker space for creating, inventing, and learning.
The Center for Excellence in Supply Chain Management focuses on how information systems and technology can enhance the management of complex, integrated supply chains. Our supply chain students will learn how to improve the overall effectiveness and efficiency of supply chains by using advanced planning, scheduling, procurement management, transportation, and warehouse management systems and technologies.
The nature of selling has changed in our technology-driven world, and the Center for Leadership in Professional Selling is preparing students to meet that challenge. The Center features simulation labs where students can role-play their sales approaches in various settings with executives from partner firms.

All simulated spaces allow students to project presentations onto a flat screen and are part of a sophisticated digital video capture system. Sales sessions can be live streamed or recorded so students can review and hone their work.
The Eugene P. Beard Center for Student Success (CSS) launched in fall 2022, marking the beginning of a new era for the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. The Center is the realization of the School's integrated, holistic approach for serving students. To realize this vision, staff roles across the school were reimagined to better support students, and the 7th floor of Rockwell Hall was completely renovated, making the Center a physical reality. 

With the launch of the CSS, business students receive a comprehensive experience, from their first contact with the School as high school students through graduation and their transition to alumni. 

Student Success Coaches are the heart of the CSS. Each coach is responsible for specific academic programs, and they advise and counsel all students in their respective programs. Coaches have a deep understanding of their programs and their respective fields, allowing them to better meet the needs of their students.
The Institute for Ethics in Business at Duquesne University has launched an annual book series, entitled Business and Society 360, sponsored by the International Association for Business and Society (IABS).
The Institute for Sustainable Business Innovation (ISBI) embraces the School's fundamental pillars of excellence: Pillar #1 Distinctive Education, Pillar #2 Thought Leadership, Pillar #3 Business Practice.

Applying theory from across the curriculum, students help clients reduce costs, improve processes and enhance competitiveness.

 The Investment Strategy Institute (ISI) delivers a portfolio of experiences designed to enhance students’ career prospects in corporate finance, asset management and financial planning, and wealth management. Prominent among these experiences is the Student-Managed Investment Funds (SMIF) program, in which students manage approximately $1,600,000.  Utilizing the ISI’s 24 Bloomberg terminals, students manage the Duquesne Values Fund (DVF), the Duquesne Microcap Fund (DMF), and the Duquesne Balanced Fund (DBF) while learning about investments and financial markets.

The mission is to provide assistance to small businesses in southwestern Pennsylvania. If you are looking to start a business receive professional guidance through one-on-one consulting, training workshops, research, and professional referrals.

Graduate Business Student Organizations

The Association for Information Systems at Duquesne University is a student association dedicated to promoting knowledge in the information technology field. The organization holds monthly meetings with corporate guests, networking and professional development events, and alumni engagements. The organization is open to all Duquesne University students, faculty, and staff.
The Donahue Business Society is a graduate business student organization that works to actively enrich and broaden the student community's experience, both in and out of the classroom. The DBS provides opportunities for students to share united views and concerns and develop a strong community with fellow students, alums, faculty, and administration of the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.

All graduate students are encouraged to become more involved and take advantage of the opportunities available through the Donahue Business Society.
Net Impact, another graduate student organization, is a global network of leaders, students, and individuals influencing the world through business. Duquesne's Gold-Status Chapter is part of this international nonprofit organization whose mission is to positively impact society by growing and strengthening a community of new leaders who use business to improve the world. Net Impact offers programs to educate, equip, and inspire more than 10,000 members worldwide to make a tangible difference in their universities, organizations, and communities.

Currently, Net Impact focuses its efforts toward campus sustainability, education, and awareness while collaborating with many other student and professional organizations.
The Student Ambassador Program is a volunteer opportunity for graduate students to polish their communication, professional, and leadership skills while networking with the administration, faculty, and alumni. Our program seeks to provide connections with prospective students, building a stronger Duquesne network.
Beta Gamma Sigma, a national honorary fraternity for accredited schools of AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), is chartered at Duquesne University. Membership in this honorary fraternity is limited to graduate students in the top 20% of their class.