Grossman School of Business

Grossman School of Business
Name	Grossman School of Business
Established	1960
Type	Public business school
Parent	University of Vermont
Dean	Sanjay Sharma
City	Burlington, Vermont
Country	United States
Website	https://www.uvm.edu/business

Grossman School of Business is the business school of the University of Vermont, located in Burlington, Vermont. It offers undergraduate, graduate, and executive education programs focused on sustainable business practices. The school is named for benefactors Steven and Linda Grossman and is accredited by the AACSB.

History

The school traces its origins to the establishment of the Department of Commerce and Economics within the University of Vermont in 1960. It evolved into the School of Business Administration in 1970, gaining increasing autonomy and stature within the University of Vermont system. A significant transformation occurred in 2010 following a major gift from alumni Steven Grossman and Linda Grossman, leading to its renaming and a renewed focus on integrating business education with environmental stewardship. This shift aligned with the broader mission of the University of Vermont and the ethos of Burlington, Vermont, a city known for its progressive values. The school has since expanded its facilities and curriculum, notably opening the Kalkin Hall building to house its growing programs.

Academics

The school offers a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations including Finance, Marketing, and Sustainable Business. At the graduate level, it provides a full-time Master of Business Administration program, a Professional Master of Business Administration, and a Master of Accountancy. A distinctive feature of the curriculum is its emphasis on sustainable business and social responsibility, which is woven into core courses. Students engage in experiential learning through the Sustainable Innovation MBA program, consulting projects with organizations like Ben & Jerry's and Seventh Generation, and the UVM Internship network. The school also maintains exchange partnerships with international institutions such as University of St. Gallen and Copenhagen Business School.

Research

Faculty research is organized around centers like the John M. Reiss Center for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and the Rubenstein School-affiliated Gund Institute for Environment. Key research themes include climate finance, corporate social responsibility, green supply chain management, and impact investing. Scholars regularly publish in top-tier journals such as the Academy of Management Journal, Journal of Finance, and Organization & Environment. The school hosts annual conferences like the Net Impact Conference and the Socially Responsible Investing Forum, attracting thought leaders from BlackRock and the United Nations Global Compact. Research collaborations often involve the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Vermont.

Campus

The school is primarily housed in Kalkin Hall, a modern facility on the central campus of the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. The building features the George D. Aiken Center for collaborative work, the Lola Aiken Library business collection, and specialized trading rooms with Bloomberg Terminal access. Adjacent facilities include the Dudley H. Davis Center and the Royall Tyler Theatre. The location provides students with proximity to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Burlington, Vermont, including the Lake Champlain waterfront and the headquarters of Burton Snowboards and Dealer.com.

Alumni

Notable alumni hold leadership positions across various sectors, particularly in fields blending commerce and sustainability. They include Jostein Solheim, former CEO of Ben & Jerry's; John Abele, co-founder of Boston Scientific; and Michele Meyer, President of Seventh Generation. Graduates also serve in executive roles at IBM, General Electric, and the World Bank. The alumni network is active through the UVM Alumni Association and supports initiatives like the Grossman School of Business Advisory Board and the Green Mountain Fund student investment group.

Accreditation

The school holds accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, a distinction earned in 1975 and maintained through continuous review. This accreditation places it among a global network of institutions including Harvard Business School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Its programs also adhere to standards set by the Vermont State Legislature and the New England Commission of Higher Education. Specific accounting curricula meet the educational requirements for the Uniform CPA Examination as stipulated by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Category:University of Vermont Category:Business schools in Vermont Category:Educational institutions established in 1960