Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

August 16, 2002

Hira: ISU is Iowa's "destination college" for business

Business Dean Labh Hira has high expectations for the college's under-construction home. The Gerdin Building is scheduled for completion in late fall 2003. Photo by Bob Elbert.

by Kevin Brown
The new Business dean expects the college's new building to provide more than just some needed space. He hopes it will bring a sense of community to the relatively new college, improve the college's visibility and provide a place for alumni to return "home" during their visits to campus.

Labh Hira, who began a three-year term as dean of the College of Business on July 1, looks forward to the Gerdin Business Building's completion next year.

"We are growing very fast as a college, with faculty in many locations around campus. Our classrooms and labs are at capacity, and we share Carver Hall with other units," Hira said.

With approximately 4,100 students, the College of Business has become the university's third largest in its 18-year history.

"Last year, there were almost 3,000 Iowa residents pursuing undergraduate business degrees at Iowa State University," Hira noted. "It's by far the highest number at any institution in the state. This leads me to believe that we are the destination of choice for residents of Iowa seeking undergraduate degrees in business.

"The Gerdin Business Building demonstrates our recognition of others' confidence in our curriculum, faculty and staff, and our commitment to deliver quality education," he added.

One way to reinforce that commitment is to bolster the college's presence in Des Moines, Hira said.

"As a public institution, we owe it to the citizens of Iowa to serve Des Moines, our largest population center in the state," Hira said. "Our evening MBA (Master of Business Administration) program in Des Moines graduated its first class in May, and our Saturday MBA program is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

"We want to expand our unique, team-based MBA program there. We also want to focus on increasing our other graduate programs," he said.

For example, Iowa State recently introduced master of accounting and master of management information systems programs.

His thoughts returning to the Gerdin Business Building, Hira pointed out that the building's graduate space has been designed to appeal to older, professional students who take graduate and MBA courses.

"Professionals feel more comfortable in attractive facilities," he said. "They expect more technology amenities (than undergraduate students) to meet their needs. These students, typically middle-managers, will feel right at home with both the technology and design of the space."

In fact, Hira added, both undergraduate and graduate students will find the college focused on information and technology.

"I want to work with faculty to integrate our focus area of information and technology into our curriculum," he said. "We are a university of strength in science and technology. Our college's success in information and technology is directly linked to this strength.

"By working closer with other colleges on campus, our interdisciplinary curriculum will grow, with our focus area key to that effort," he said. "It is important for graduates of other disciplines to have a basic understanding of key business principles to be successful in a modern corporate organization. Fundamentals such as accounting, communications, marketing and management skills are imperative for successful engineers, veterinarians and agribusiness leaders."

The college will continue to emphasize the link between theory and practice, for both faculty and students, Hira said. This will include providing real-world experiences for students and faculty with a strong focus on domestic and international internships, applied research and analysis opportunities, and building an interdisciplinary curriculum.

Information and technology also play a role in the college's outreach. Hira expects the college's efforts will be enhanced when the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) moves from its Ames location to the new Gerdin Business Building.

"The closer ties between our faculty and staff and the SBDC staff should provide for new synergies and opportunities for working with the state's small-business community," he said.

Noting "small businesses are the economic engine for Iowa," Hira looks to the SBDC to provide the types of practical services that will benefit the college's research projects and offer new ways to get that research out to the people who essentially pay for it.

As in all of Iowa State's colleges, Hira said one of his main challenges as dean is to work within budget restraints and at the same time recruit and retain quality faculty.

"The college is poised to take off," he said. "We are fortunate to have a good mix of senior faculty and new professional, talented members. Our faculty is extensively published, with national reputations. Our research is innovative and peer respected. And, the quality of our students is excellent.

"Overall, the value of an Iowa State University College of Business diploma to our students and the business world is first-rate," Hira said. "Employers see and recognize the quality of our graduates. And Iowans recognize good value when they see it."

Prior to his appointment as interim dean last year, Hira was senior associate dean from 2000-2001 and served four years as an associate dean. He also served as chair for the department of accounting and finance.

Before joining the business faculty in 1982, he received a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from the University of Missouri, Columbia. His B.S. in agriculture and M.S. in economics are from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Hira's research interests include taxation of retirement and insurance products. Financial accounting is his teaching focus.