Jeff Joireman, a marketing and international business professor in the Carson College of Business, has been appointed director of the college’s International Business Institute (IBI). He will officially assume director duties on May 16.
An accomplished teacher, scholar, and editor, Joireman has traveled, taught, and conducted research around the globe.
“I’m excited to work with Jeff to build on the excellent international business activities of the Carson College of Business,” said Debbie Compeau, college interim dean. “Jeff’s dedication to the college and strong vision for our international activities made him an ideal choice to lead the International Business Institute.”
The IBI was established in the Carson College in 1996 to coordinate international activities of the college for the benefit of faculty and students. Joireman will develop and promote college-wide international programs, including undergraduate study abroad programs and the international experience requirement. He will also support opportunities for faculty research on international topics and with international collaborators, serve as the college liaison to the university Office of International Programs, and coordinate the college’s international visiting scholars’ program.
“I feel honored and privileged to serve as director for the International Business Institute. As a long-time member, I have a great deal of respect for the leaders who preceded me and their commitment to promoting international programs within the Carson College,” said Joireman. “I aim to unify our various efforts, develop a stronger identity, and increase participation in our international programs.”
Joireman would also like to see study abroad programs become “purpose driven,” where the curriculum and activities are integrated around a common theme related to one of the UN’s 17 Goals for Sustainable Development such as “good health and well-being” or “responsible consumption and production.” An example of this theme, he said, is the time he and his students organized a beach cleanup competition during a study abroad experience in Greece.
Discovering the rewards of international perspective and collaboration
Joireman grew up with an appreciation for other cultures as his family exposed him to dinners with foreign university students, Japanese tea ceremonies, and stories about travels in Europe. After college, he and a friend went to Europe and biked through England, France, and Germany for three months. During graduate school, he was a Fulbright Scholar in Amsterdam for a year.
“My Fulbright experience opened my eyes to the incredible opportunities and rewards made possible through international collaboration in academia,” he said.
As a Carson College professor, Joireman became interested in becoming a member of the IBI program in 2015 after participating in a faculty-led study abroad program to Greece. Over the last nine years, he participated in four more faculty-led study abroad programs, taught international marketing in the online MBA program, and served as chair of the Marketing and International Business Department. He also recently completed a second Fulbright fellowship in Lyon.
“I’m a firm believer that cultural exchange offers one of the best and most exciting opportunities to promote greater understanding and appreciation for all people through the world, and this role will afford me a chance to further that cause,” said Joireman.
