NEWS FOR ALUMNI AND THE GREATER COLLEGE COMMUNITY • WINTER 2016 EDITION
ENTREPRENEURIAL STUDIES COME TO GOLDEY-BEACOM COLLEGE
This Spring, Goldey-Beacom College announced two new academic programs in Entre¬
preneurial Studies: a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Con¬
centration in Entrepreneurial Studies and a Master's degree in Business Administration
with a Concentration in Entrepreneurial Studies. Both are for-credit programs and have
received the approval of the State of Delaware Department of Education.
On the drawing board for over a year, these two new programs were added in response
to student and alumni feedback expressing intense interest in pursuing entrepreneur¬
ial ventures. GBC staff report that alumni records are full of talented alumni who have
started their own enterprises and shown incredible success. Many have sought specific
coursework to help navigate the process.
President Gary L. Wirt is very enthusiastic about the programs, stating "The addition
of these programs is in the true spirit of Goldey-Beacom College; in a day and age where
business is often seen as regimented, entrepreneurial studies embrace the outside-of-
the-box thinking that we always strive to bring out in our students." Academic Dean
White agrees adding, "Equipping students with the skills to create and lead initiatives
that provide social benefits for profit and not-for-profit ventures and contribute to eco¬
nomic growth is an exciting undertaking. The College is excited to be a part of this op¬
portunity."
The new entrepreneurial coursework will be offered for Fall 2016, though students
may enroll and begin related courses now. Contact the GBC Admissions Office at 302-225-
6248 for more information.
ALUMNI RECOGNIZE DAG AND RISING STAR INDUCTEES
GBC alumni gathered to honor two of their own at the Distinguished Alumni Gallery
Induction Banquet held on September 18, 2015. New DAG inductee Dr. Erika Marsillac '00
MBA, '02 MBA and new Rising Star Luis Santiago '10, '12 MBA were recognized for their
commitment to their communities and their achievements in their professional lives.
Dr, Erika Marsillac began her professional career in the health care industry at the ad¬
vent of managed care with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Delaware and Blue Cross Blue Shield
of Hawaii. Her work there, making sure that those in need had the necessary resources
to recover and progress, led her to advance her business education at Goldey-Beacom
and then pursue further scholarship in Europe and at the University of Toledo. After
graduating from the University of Toledo with her Ph.D., Erika joined the faculty at Old
Dominion University in 2010 as an Assistant Professor in the Strome College of Business.
Erika has been teaching graduate and undergraduate students since 2004. She consid¬
ers herself a "realistic idealist", i.e. teaching students how things should be done, but rec¬
ognizing that practical application requires adaptation. At Old Dominion University, Erika
teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in the Maritime and Supply Chain Manage¬
ment area, and her professional experience
has included work in the nonprofit, health¬
care and renewable energy sectors. Her
research interests now focus on green sup¬
ply chain management, sustainable manu¬
facturing and international partnerships.
Erika is an active educator and scholar
whose research has been published in nu-
merous international peer-reviewed journals
and presented atconferences. Erika considers
every experience as a contributor to success, pointing out, "Everybody knows something
you don't. Share your something, find out theirs and weave them together into something
better." Goldey-Beacom is pleased to welcome Erika into the Distinguished AlumniGallery.
In addition, Luis Santiago was named the Rising Star. The Rising Star Award was es¬
tablished in 1997 and is presented each year at the Distinguished Alumni Gallery Dinner.
This award is given to an outstanding graduate of GBC (age 40 or under) who has excelled
in both professional and community activities. Mr. Santiago graduated from Goldey-
Beacom College where he earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Ad¬
ministration with a Concentration in International Business '10 and his Master's degree in
Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance '12. Luis is Vice President, Senior
Auditor at Bank of America in Wilmington, Delaware where his duties include providing
anticipatory risk coverage throughout Consumer Banking, Global Wealth Management
and Global Banking and Markets lines of business. In addition to these responsibilities,
he is very active in the community and has served as the Director of Corporate Affairs for
the Delaware Chapter of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Account¬
ing (ALPFA) from 2011-2013. He serves on
the Finance Committee as a Trustee at the
Discipleship of Christ Community Fellowship
Church in Claymont, Delaware. Mr. Santiago
also serves on the Board of Directors of the
Family Counseling Center at St. Paul's and
is President of the GBC Alumni Association.
Best wishes to both Erika and Luis for their
continued success, prosperity and happiness.
Luis Santiago
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Goldey-Beacom College • Reflections «Winter 201 6
