School of Business

June Lineup Features Free Legal Support, Networking Events, and Community Collaboration Sessions Focused on Digital Equity 

The Wedge Powered by SIUE, announces its June programming lineup designed to empower small businesses, foster community connections, and drive regional economic development. The events offer practical tools, expert insights, and collaborative opportunities for entrepreneurs, community leaders, and residents across the Metro East region.

As part of AltonWorks' commu...

Here are some of the stories recently published featuring Southern Illinois University Edwardsville faculty and students:

1. WalletHub: Best Credit Cards to Build Credit
   
   WalletHub featured Riza Demirer, PhD, Graduate Program Director and professor at SIUE, in a guide to credit-building. Demirer emphasized the value of responsible credit card use, smart budgeting, and utilizing secured cards to build strong financial foundations. 
   
   Read the feature on WalletHub.
   
   Photo: Riza Demirer
   
   
   
2. Nepal Raib...

“I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it wasn’t for SIU,” said Major Elester Latham (’75). “SIU was everything to me.” Latham, who graduated 50 years ago with a degree in theatre  was one of more than 40 Golden Graduates at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2025 spring commencement exercises on Saturday, May 10. Latham, began his career as a United States Air Force and commercial airline pilot eventually returning to his first love ...

 
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and Universidad Central del Ecuador (UCE) have formalized a strategic academic partnership aimed at expanding international collaboration and advancing global graduate education. The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishes the foundation for a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) program, enabling students to complete coursework at both institutions and earn degrees from each.

The signing ceremony was marked by the participa...

Faculty and Staff on all SIUE Campuses Enjoy Good Fellowship, Good Food, Good Times  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville honored faculty and staff members on all its campuses during its annual observance. Employees on the Edwardsville, East St. Louis and Alton campuses embraced the occasion and enjoyed one another.

Each celebration offered food, games and gifts.  

Photos: SIUE paused to recognize and honor faculty and staff on its campuses during April and May.

SIUE Students Reflect on Good Times at SIUE and Look Toward the Future  

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville was a place of refuge that made for a tremendous experience, with warm faculty, interdisciplinary coursework and a beautiful campus, according to several graduating seniors. 

Students reminisced about their experiences and academic careers at the University and talked about their career goals after participating in Affinity Celebrations last week. The SIUE commencement...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Kashish Tandon will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Specializations in Cybersecurity and Management during spring commencement exercises. The international student is originally from Punjab, India and plans to apply her SIUE experience toward “Building Tomorrow’s Digital Defenders.”

At SIUE, I found not just my career path, but my confidence. I’m ready to build a safer, more connected w...

The greater Alton/St. Louis Metro Region took a bold step into the future today as community and regional leaders gathered to celebrate the grand opening of The Wedge Powered by Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The ribbon-cutting ceremony officially launched the 55,000-square-foot social impact hub, research lab, think tank, and workspace designed to drive innovation and economic growth across the bi-state ...

Mike Hayes, Vice President of Planning, Design and Constructions, is the recipient of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 2025 Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) Alumni Leadership Award.

The CLI Alumni Leadership Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and service to the St. Louis area building community.

Mike Hayes, Vice President of Planning, Design and Construction (PD&C) for BJC HealthCare, is responsible for the overall opera...

The Construction Leadership Institute (CLI) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville celebrated 48 graduates of its program Friday, March 7 as a part of the CLI Graduation celebration. Developed by the SIUE Schools of Business and Engineering, the CLI provides the knowledge, skills and strategies that individuals and companies need in today’s challenging construction industry.

Program Co-Directors Chris Gordon, associate dean of the SIUE School of Engineering, and Kristine Jarden, d...

Riza Demirer, PhD, professor and graduate program director in the Department of Economics and Finance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, contributed expert insights to WalletHub’s recent article, “What Is a Budget” authored by WalletHub Financial Writer Adam McCann. The feature explores the importance of budgeting and practical strategies for creating a financial plan, and advice from other revered financial experts.

“Budgeting is essentially the process of cr...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville announces the successful completion of a highly productive trade and educational mission to Lima, Perú. Co-led by Laura Wolff, instructor in the SIUE School of Business, and ITC Director Silvia Torres Bowman, who hails from Perú, the mission aimed to strengthen ties between SIUE and esteemed institutions in the South American country.

Members of the SIU...

Entrepreneurs and new business startups are invited to compete in the 2023 Metro East Start-Up Challenge (MESC), Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s 10th annual regional business plan competition.

The MESC is organized by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at SIUE. The purpose of the challenge is to identify, encourage and support entrepreneurs and business startups across the SBDC’s service area, including Jersey, Calhoun, Madison, Bond...

In 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order reviving the World War II “E” symbol of excellence to honor and recognize America’s exporters. On Tuesday, June 6, the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville received the “E” award for export service at the 62nd anniversary of the award ceremony at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The award is the highest recognition a ...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s School of Business, and The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and International Trade Centers (ITC) for the Metro East at SIUE are proud to announce the inaugural Fuel the Future event. The event will offer local small business representatives the opportunity to learn about the no-cost services available to them through these SIUE centers for business development and in particular exporting. Additionally, the event will pro...

The Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for the Metro East at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has announced the winners of its 9^th Annual Metro East Startup Challenge (MESC). The 2022 business plan competition attracted more than 39 entrepreneurs to compete for a $25,000 prize package.   

Highland Emporium in Highland was awarded the first-place prize of $10,000. Highland Emporium, owned by Carol Eckhoff, is a retail store that provides a locale for m...

An award-winning BBQ sauce, innovative motorcycle parts and components, industrial paint and specialty markers, and touch screen purses that were designed as a way for women and girls alike to safely, securely and fashionably carry their phones are a few of the products from southern Illinois that could soon be in hot demand outside U.S. borders.

That’s because the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) has continued its customized...

Meeting the need for creative pivots and global business smarts amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville has continued to support its clients by coordinating virtual meetings, roundtables and trade missions.

Among its offerings, over the last year, ITC has hosted trade missions to South America to provide free business development opportunities for Southern Illinois clients interested in global export.

“Now ...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is introducing three new concurrent degree programs to provide students with greater opportunities for learning and career advancement in the health sciences while saving time and money.

The new concurrent degree programs, which will begin in fall 2022, include:

• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) and Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS)
• PharmD and Master of Public Health (MPH)
• MPH and Master of Business Administration (MBA)

“Today'...

The southern Illinois region has long needed a customized, action-oriented export training initiative to put local businesses on the international map. Now, five regional businesses have benefited from such an opportunity, EXPORT NOW.

Presented by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council, LR International and the Illinois District Export Council, with financial support...

The Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is offering free business development opportunities for regional companies looking to expand their sales in South America.

Upcoming opportunities include:

• Export Opportunities in South America webinar: 10-11 a.m. Tuesday, June 22
  • Reserve a free, virtual seat by contacting international-trade-center@siue.edu
• 2021 Virtual Trade Mission to South America: Sept. 20-27 (Peru, Colombia and Chile)...

Current and potential exporters in southern Illinois are encouraged to attend a virtual roundtable discussion on “How to Expand your Global Footprint with Trade Shows and Carnets,” hosted by the Illinois SBDC International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, in partnership with the Southwest Illinois Trade and Investment Council.

Attendees will discuss export challenges and opportunities, share ideas with regional exporting peers, and develop solutions t...

Choosing the right distribution channels can be difficult for businesses, whether a small-scale custom t-shirt design company or a giant producer of goods. A virtual conversation with Southern Illinois Businesses will offer expert advice on Gaining Sales Channel Partners for Exporting.

The free webinar is part of an ongoing virtual roundtable series hosted by the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) International Trade Center (ITC) at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and t...