SAN RAFAEL -- Dr. Dan Moshavi became dean of the School of Business and Leadership at Dominican University of California at the beginning of the 2011-'12 school year, most recently serving as dean of the College of Business at Montana State University. He was won more than a dozen teaching awards through his career, and has consulted for organizations that include Nike and Blue Cross/Blue Shield.
Q. In what ways does Dominican University interface with the broader Marin economy?
A. Dominican is actively involved in providing outreach, education and training to a variety of Marin County organizations. Our business school’s Institute for Leadership Studies is providing a custom leadership development program to emerging leaders at the County of Marin. Our Venture Greenhouse serves as a business accelerator and incubator for social and environmental entrepreneurs and a community resource for innovators and new ventures. The university’s service learning program, which blends classroom learning with service to the community, currently works with more than 25 community partners, including the Canal Alliance, the Marin County Community School and Tax-Aid. A number of our students serve internships with a variety of Marin-based for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and many remain to work in the area after graduation.
Q. What is the significance of the Venture Greenhouse for Dominican University and Marin?
A. The Venture Greenhouse is a nexus that links the University, the Marin business community, the local environmental movement and North Bay economic development interests, including the City of San Rafael and County of Marin. By advancing scalable green businesses, we are generating the type of employment that fits the culture and needs of the community. The Venture Greenhouse also serves as a source of class projects and internships for Dominican students and as a vehicle for students and faculty, as well as other entrepreneurs in the region, to bring innovative ideas to market.
Q. How are Dominican University and the School of Business and Leadership educating students for success in the current economy?
A. The mission of the School of Business and Leadership is to graduate students with a global orientation, an entrepreneurial attitude, a commitment to environmental stewardship, and a strong sense of ethics and social responsibility. All of these components are critical to students understanding and navigating not only today’s challenging economic environment, but also the future. Under our new president, Mary Marcy, engaged (experiential) learning is becoming a defining characteristic of the university and the School of Business and Leadership. Engaged learning experiences (service learning, study abroad, internships, leadership development and faculty mentored research) develop individuals who are more likely to be civically engaged and contribute to the economic development of their community in the long-term.
