By Marie Gullard — Career Architecture is not an educational path students are likely to encounter unless enrolled at Maryland’s Stevenson University and, more specifically, in the recently established Howard S. Brown School of Business and Leadership.

According to founding dean, Dr. Shelton Rhodes, dedicated attention to Career Architecture, along with community service and internships, are key in the success (100 percent job placement of May 2009 accounting graduates) and uniqueness of the University’s and HBSOL’s four-year curriculum.

“One of the problems we see is that [incoming] students don’t know what they want to do,” said Rhodes. “We work with them in designing their careers [and] put a lot of our resources into career placement.”

Resources abound in HBSOBL’s 60,000-square foot facility that opened on Stevenson’s campus in August 2008. The building boasts 14 classrooms, 23 faculty offices, seven seminar rooms and four meeting rooms.  Other standout academic areas include a forensics computer lab, a state-of-the-art mock trial courtroom, a jury room, judge’s chambers and an evidence room.

“Our national niche is career education,” Rhodes continued, pointing out that Stevenson University offers a tremendous education for the money, with students assigned to classes of 20 or less. “As a career college, we are committed to placing all of our students upon graduation.”

The commitment is broadened with a mission to send forth students who are knowledgeable and equipped with practical experience, a theoretical business foundation and the technological expertise to excel in the global marketplace.

HBSOBL is organized into four 
departments: accounting, economics and finance; business administration; legal studies; and information systems. Each department is headed by its own chair.

Brandi Powers is a sophomore in the School of Business, where she majors in information systems. Her career plan is to work for the National Security Agency at Fort George G. Meade in the cryptology department.  Along with her studies, she currently works as an administrative assistant in Dean Rhodes’ office.

“I absolutely love it at Stevenson,” she said. “The [business] school is high-tech, and the teachers are really helpful.”

When asked about her immediate goals, the reply is spontaneous and, more importantly, a testament to the school’s objectives.

“There’s no doubt in my mind I’ll stay with the program,” she answered.    

For more information on Stevenson’s Howard S. Brown School of Business and Leadership, visit www.stevenson.edu .

— November 2009 print edition