About the CBE Executives in Residence

Elmhurst College is a school that strongly and enthusiastically emphasizes liberal learning with practical and professional curriculums. One of the strengths of the Center for Business and Economics (CBE) is that this department values this approach and philosophy and continually seeks ways to enhance this teaching philosophy and approach. Approximately three years ago an innovative idea turned into reality and the CBE created the position of Executive in Residence (EIR) to bring in the most current, “real world” and practical expertise to compliment the academic and theoretical curriculum that already exists within the College. The EIR position was designed to support the College’s & the CBE’s philosophy of integrating real world experience with academic teachings, specifically, C-level experience. The Executive in Residence not only teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses, the EIR is also the Chairperson of the CBE’s Mentoring Program, an advisor to the MBA Program, co – faculty advisor to the student chapter of Society of Human Resource Management. In addition, as this position was being thought through, the EIR, along with the Director of the CBE, organized an Advisory Board of Executives who were selected based on their experience, strengths and abilities to contribute to the College’s innovation initiatives, academic curriculum, research, service, implementation and technology activities.

The Executives in Residence Program provides advice and counsel to the CBE faculty regarding programs, seminars and relevant classroom topics. This Program is also a great benefit to Elmhurst College students on a wide range of career topics. In putting this Advisory Board together, diversity of experience and knowledge is critical. All of the various members of the Advisory Board are executives that come from for-profit (private and public corporations), not-for-profit and government organizations from many different industries and experiences. Through the Executive in Residence Program, distinguished business leaders work with and visit Elmhurst College to share practical knowledge and insights on current international, technological, diversity, ethical, management and human resources issues and potential trends. In light of the expanding global economy, this program provides a unique and invaluable opportunity for these professionals to exchange views on developing national and international concerns with the CBE faculty and students. Many of the ways that the Advisory Board has benefited and served the CBE and our students are as mentors, networking contacts, guest classroom lecturers, panel discussion participants for the CBE Graduate Alumni Association events, as well as providing internship and employment opportunities.

The Executive in Residence along with the Advisory Board has enhanced the educational programs in the CBE by enriching the learning environment of both undergraduate and graduate students as well as the business community at large. The Program fosters a spirit of cooperation and communication between business, not for profit and government leaders and the academic community of Elmhurst College. The concept and implementation of the position of EIR and the Advisory Board thus far as been extremely successful; the College is able to gain the insight of the executives and expose our quality students, and the College, to best managed and “employer of choice” companies. The board has made numerous suggestions in regards to curriculum, suggestions and practical advice for the students and has been extremely active in identifying trends in the working world (e.g. marketing, finance and accounting practices) as well as advising the faculty on what C-level executives are looking for in graduating students. At a recent meeting of the Advisory Board, the members stressed the importance of communications skills, team work, people skills, knowing how to manage diversity, being of good character and ethical along with a global and technological knowledge were identified as musts for the student that wants to be successful. It is input from these executives that help the CBE faculty to more emphatically emphasize what is already being taught to the young minds at college about working in a “flat world”. A key role of the CBE faculty is to prepare the students for future success. We use this information that we gain from our Advisory Board to enhance and emphasize what we already know and teach.

The Executive in Residence Program is designed to supplement the formal and academic educational process by inviting qualified business and community leaders at the senior level to volunteer to be a part of our academic community. Because of the senior level expertise of the EIR and the Advisory Board, the Program adds value to the classroom experience and to curriculum development in the college. This program takes full advantage of the strengths and experience of the business leaders. The Advisory Board makes themselves very accessible to the students and faculty and has been very unselfish with their time and commitments. If you’d like to learn more about the Executives in Residence, feel free to stop by Harold Dahlstrand’s (Executive in Residence) office on the third floor of Lehmann Hall, or call him at 630 776 4226 or email him at harolddahlstrand@comcast.net.