BY allison plezia
Graphics Editor’
This past June, Sacred Heart appointed Martha J. Crawford as the new Dean of The Jack Welch College of Business and Technology. Crawford has background in both business and technology, earning her doctorate in engineering and graduating with an MBA.
“I had a very varied career,” said Crawford. “I was on the faculty of the Harvard Business School teaching, and before that, I was in France for 20 years working as Senior Executive on research and development on technology and product development, including innovation with small companies and start-ups.”
Since the start of the new semester, students like sophomore Connor Rossi have seen many changes to the Jack Welch College as a whole.
“I think Dean Crawford’s experience has already been a great asset to both sides of business and technology,” said Rossi. “Especially with the move to West Campus and the several new majors that have opened up on the technology side, her new part-taking as the Dean is a great addition to the student body. We are already seeing major development in both programs, so I’m excited to see what’s in store for the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology.”
Crawford has high expectations for both the business and technology programs.
“My number one goal is to help execute on the vision that has already been defined,” said Crawford. “This is the vision to combine technology and business into an integrated curriculum, that offers a really good learning experience for students; that at the same time, is career focused so that for those who graduate from here, they won’t have a hard time finding a job and will prepare them to thrive in the 21st century.”
Students like freshman Chris Jacobs, who are still transitioning into college, are eager to be part of the development pertaining to the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology.
“As a freshman, I didn’t really know what to expect when I declared my major in the business school,” said Jacobs. “From the great reputation that the business and technology school already had, I knew that I would be in great hands when I started at SHU. I’m excited to see how the programs will develop while having Dean Crawford here now.”
Graduate student Alex Ceberio thinks well of the growth, having witnessed the growth over the past four years.
“Having the new big space that the West Campus offers, I already feel that the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology is developing in a great direction,” said Ceberio. “As a graduate for business management, I’ve seen the progression of our program only get better, so I feel that with Dean Crawford’s experience, both sides of business and technology will be super strong for the future.”
Furthermore, Crawford has expressed the positive experience that she has had thus far. With the help of Assistant Deans and faculty, Crawford believes that students will achieve academic success and preparation for the real world.
“I have the impression that if I blink, a new building comes out of the ground,” said Crawford. “It’s very dynamic and fast moving, and I enjoy that a lot.”
“I’m really impressed by the quality of the staff and the faculty who I have here. I feel that people are very motivated, very keen to contribute, very open-minded to doing things slightly differently. I have found it really welcoming, very warm culture, and people getting along. I appreciate very much that people can disagree and you can actually have different views, and can talk it through, and come up with a better decision because we have that capacity that cross-fertilizes our thinking. So all of that is extremely positive.”
