Ottawa University Solidifies Collaborative Venture with AASBO

Ottawa University finalized a collaborative agreement with the Arizona Association of School Business Officials (AASBO) during a signing ceremony on December 6 at Ottawa University’s Phoenix campus, 10020 N. 25th Avenue. The agreement allows AASBO members who have taken AASBO coursework through Central Arizona College to transfer those credits into Ottawa University’s Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration degree program, with a concentration in Educational Business Services. Students can takes courses face-to-face, online, or both. “This agreement leverages the strengths of all the organizations involved and is a creative and flexible response to the needs in our education community,” said Dr. Mary Vanis, campus executive of Ottawa University’s Arizona campuses.

Click here to view a flier about the new agreement!

“Ottawa University has a demonstrated commitment to recognizing prior college coursework as a way of assisting students in earning their undergraduate degrees sooner, without compromising educational quality,” said Roberta Santos, Ottawa University faculty member, director of professional education, and lead contact with AASBO. “This agreement serves as another example of that commitment.”

The Educational Business Services concentration provides a unique educational track that merges Ottawa University’s business administration coursework with targeted education curricula. The concentration provides students with an understanding of the education environment, as well as laws and regulations governing school administration and operations. The outcome for students is specialized preparation for management positions in such areas as school business, purchasing, transportation, maintenance, food services, information technology, internal auditing, and human resources.

“Ottawa University is thrilled to collaborate with the Arizona Association of School Business Officials to provide their students with a foundation in education concepts, leadership, and human resources administration that they can use in the business services leadership environment within a school setting,” said Dr. David Barnes, dean of Ottawa University’s School of Education. “It has also been an opportunity for Ottawa University’s Schools to collaborate, as the concentration courses are offered through the School of Education along with a baccalaureate business degree earned through the Angell Snyder School of Business.”

The agreement between Ottawa University and AASBO is in keeping with the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools “Good Practices in Contractual Arrangements Involving Courses and Programs.”

“A bachelor’s degree program with a concentration in Educational Business Services has been a goal for AASBO for the last ten years,” said Jeff Gadd, director of educational programs for AASBO. “It’s finally come to reality and will be a wonderful enhancement to AASBO’s educational programs. Ottawa University will be a great partner in providing a program that will dramatically improve our members’ professional qualifications and job performance.”

“As a leadership organization for the state’s school business professionals, AASBO is committed to offering professional growth opportunities that will contribute to the enhancement of our educational system,” stated Executive Director for AASBO David Lewis. “This new program is an exciting advancement in our mission to provide quality training, leadership, and in cultivating the professional stature of our members. We are thrilled to be working with such an outstanding institution as Ottawa University in offering this first-ever four-year degree program for our members.”

AASBO has a reputation for excellence in providing support and professional development opportunities for individuals in the field of school business and administration, with current membership of more than 1,000.