By Seema Tailor Contributing writer
Matthew Rousu, an economics professor and Warehime chair of the economics department at Susquehanna is set to assume the role of interim dean of Sigmund Weis School of Business on May 1.
“I’m excited for the opportunity,” Rousu said. “We have fantastic students and faculty in the Sigmund Weis School of Business and I look forward to helping everybody achieve their goals.”
A few of his accomplishments include being appointed as the Warehime chair in 2014 and being appointed as the chairperson of the economics department.
These kinds of roles have given Rousu the opportunity to mentor not only students in the field of economics but also junior faculty members on their research.
By doing this, Rousu is helping both students and faculty be successful in the field.
Rousu’s other accomplishments include writing the guidelines for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the AACSB, to ensure the re-accreditation of the Sigmund Weis School of Business.
The Sigmund Weis School of Business is one of the few to receive the accreditation.
This accreditation has been given to a select group of schools, among which are Harvard Business School and the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.
To receive this type of recognition is no small feat and it truly recognizes the outstanding work that the business school here at Susquehanna has done.
Rousu hopes to continue with the momentum that has been set by Marsha Kelliher who is the current dean and will step down at the conclusion of the academic year in May.
As interim dean, Rousu hopes to provide the business school and its students with the opportunity to participate in even more research and continuously engage the faculty.
Rousu loves Susquehanna because of the liberal arts education that is offered here.
The environment at Susquehanna is diverse and the curriculum that is offered encompasses a large range of topics that enable students for a more diverse study experience.
Another notable aspect that is appealing to Rousu is that Susquehanna is very student-oriented, particularly when working with students on their research. When Rousu works with students on their research, this allows him to become a better teacher.
When asked what he expects from his students, Rousu replied simply that he expects them to give a good faith effort into doing the work.
Courtney Conrad, a senior economics and business administration major, has worked with Rousu closely throughout her undergraduate career.
The two first met when she had him for global business perspectives during her first year at Susquehanna.
Early on, Rousu took an interest in Conrad’s abilities because of her exceptional performance in his classes.
Rousu eventually asked Conrad to be his research assistant and the two have been working together in that capacity since October of her freshman year.
The two co-created and co-managed content for a website that is aimed to make economics lessons more interactive for both students and teachers.
Rousu uses the music videos on the website in many of his classes to introduce the material in an engaging way.
Additionally, the two co-authored a project titled, “Economic Lessons from Hamilton the Musical.”
This project was designed to teach both educators and students different concepts of economics in an interactive manner and was the first of its kind to incorporate the lyrics of songs in a musical to do so.
Another highlight of Conrad’s work with Rousu was attending the NETA Conference in Florida to present their work.
Conrad views Rousu as a mentor, an inspiration and a positive influence who has had a significant impact on her time here at Susquehanna.
She said that he saw potential in her that she didn’t see in herself when she started here almost four years ago and wanted to help her realize that potential.
