Message from the Dean

Mohamed Djerdjouri, PhD  Dean and Professor,  Thomas School of Business

Greetings and welcome to the Thomas College of Business and Economics.

I am honored to serve as the dean of this prominent business college, which has earned accreditation from AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business). AACSB accreditation represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. This designation guarantees that the college upholds the highest standards in business education.

The college is located in the state-of-the-art James A. Thomas Hall, a $38 million building with 60,000 square feet of modern amenities, including a stock trading lab, smart classrooms, study rooms, event rooms, an auditorium, a cafeteria, and a terrace.

Our mission is to provide undergraduate and graduate students with a first-rate business education, enabling them to find rewarding employment in today's competitive local and global markets and take part in improving their local, regional, and global communities.

Our rigorous business programs have a strong emphasis on experiential and service learning, and they are delivered by highly qualified faculty and professional staff.

Our students have access to excellent student services, such as academic counseling, career guidance, internships, a variety of active student clubs and honor societies, as well as the Passport to Professional Success program, which offers a range of learning experiences to support the development of soft skills, and leadership and enhanced communication competencies.

The Thomas College of Business and Economics enrolls around 1100 undergraduate and 1100 graduate students, many of whom are out-of-state or international students. Our academic programs include an online MBA with seven concentrations, a B.S. in Accounting, a B.S. in Business Administration with six concentrations, six minor degrees, and an Entrepreneurship Certificate Program. The college takes pride in having a faculty that is very diverse with more than 86% of them holding terminal degrees in their fields of specialization. In addition, their scholarly accomplishments are acknowledged both nationally and internationally. Many also have extensive business experience, which they use in the classroom to bring the course material to life.

The Thomas College of Business and Economics and UNCP are dedicated to addressing the job needs of our area, promoting entrepreneurship and creative programs that will promote economic growth, and enhancing the standard of living in our community.

Through education, networking, and consulting, the Thomas Entrepreneurship Hub supports small and start-up firms as they establish themselves and expand into successful enterprises. The facility includes private office space, an ideation lab, a co-working space, and a maker's space for product prototyping. The Entrepreneurship Hub incubator provides students with internship and networking opportunities, and entrepreneurial activities including the One Million Cups event.

When you enroll at the Thomas College of Business and Economics, you will receive the comprehensive, practical education that the current, global business environment demands. Additionally, you will join an academic family that will encourage you to advance society both locally and globally.

I invite you to explore the website to learn more about our undergraduate and graduate programs. Whether you want to earn a degree to further your career or one to widen your horizons, our faculty and staff are ready to help. You will start to see the fantastic opportunities that are in store for you and how studying here will prepare you for professional success.

I also hope you will take the opportunity to join us on campus for an information session, class visit, or one of our upcoming university open house events. I welcome you to contact me or any of our dedicated staff members to schedule a meeting or to request additional information.

I look forward to meeting you in person at the James A. Thomas Hall soon.

 

GO BRAVES!!

Mohamed Djerdjouri, PhD

Dean and Professor,

Thomas College of Business and Economics