Why AACSN Accreditation Matters To Our Community
By DAVID L. SOLLARS, Ph.D. | Dean and Professor | Brenneman School of Business | Washburn University
In a time of rapid technological change, evolving career paths and intense competition for talent, the strength of local educational institutions matters more than ever. Communities thrive when they have access to well-prepared professionals, innovative thinkers and ethical leaders. One of the clearest indicators of quality in business education is AACSB accreditation, awarded by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Widely regarded as the gold standard, fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide earn this distinction.
Recently, the Washburn University Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business received outstanding news: its AACSB accreditation has been extended through 2031, the best possible outcome in the accreditation process. While this decision represents international recognition of academic quality, its most meaningful impact is local. For our community, it signals a continued commitment to developing a skilled, ethical and adaptable workforce that strengthens the regional economy.
NOT A RANKING
AACSB accreditation is not a ranking, and it is not a one-time achievement. It is a rigorous, ongoing review process built around a simple but demanding question: Is this school delivering real value to students, employers and the community? Accredited schools must demonstrate excellence across curriculum, faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, strategic planning and engagement with external stakeholders, particularly employers. Each year, the School reports on student outcomes, enrollment trends and faculty and staff resources, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Washburn’s journey with AACSB began decades ago, with early efforts dating back to the 1970s and culminating in its initial accreditation in 2006. Since then, the Brenneman School of Business has successfully reaffirmed its status every five years, most recently earning extension through 2031. That consistency reflects more than compliance — it reflects a long-term institutional commitment to quality, relevance and responsiveness to change.
For employers, AACSB accreditation provides confidence. It signals that graduates are educated under demanding standards that emphasize critical thinking, ethical decision-making, communication and analytical skills — competencies that consistently rank at the top of employer surveys.
Accreditation also opens doors for students. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma (business) and Beta Alpha Psi (accounting), the two premier business honor societies, is available only to students enrolled in AACSB-accredited schools, helping top performers stand out in competitive job markets.
The placement results reinforce that confidence. Over the past five years, more than 96% of undergraduate business students, 91% of MBA graduates and 100% of Master of Accountancy graduates from the Brenneman School of Business were employed or continuing their education at the time of graduation. These outcomes reflect intentional curriculum design, close faculty engagement and strong relationships with employers across the region.
Just as important as technical skill is ethical judgment. All undergraduate business students at the Brenneman School of Business complete the NASBA Ethical Leadership Certificate, a nationally recognized program that emphasizes professional responsibility, integrity and ethical decision-making. In an era when trust in institutions and organizations is under constant scrutiny, this training helps ensure graduates enter the workforce prepared not only to lead but to lead responsibly. For employers and the community alike, emphasis on ethics matters.
OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS
AACSB accreditation is not just about standards on paper — it translates directly into both opportunities for students and tangible benefits for the community. One of the most visible examples is the generous scholarship support available to Brenneman School of Business students. These scholarships reduce financial barriers and make a high-quality business education accessible to a broader range of students, including many who are the first in their families to attend college. That accessibility strengthens the local talent pool and supports upward mobility throughout the region.
Accreditation also enables globally connected learning experiences that would otherwise be difficult for a regional public university to offer. Brenneman School of Business students can enroll in specialized courses in which they collaborate with peers from Europe, Brazil and China on real-world business projects, then travel to these countries to complete them. In other courses that use a platform called X-Culture, students compete against teams from universities around the world, testing their ideas, strategies and analytical skills on a global stage. These experiences help students graduate with cultural awareness, adaptability and confidence — qualities increasingly valued by employers operating in international markets.
Closer to home, the Brenneman School of Business actively fosters entrepreneurship and innovation. Each fall, students participate in the Annual Pitch Competition, held in partnership with GO Topeka. Students present business ideas to panels of judges drawn from the local business community, gaining professional feedback, mentorship and — in some cases — early-stage funding. At the same time, community leaders gain exposure to emerging talent and fresh ideas rooted in local opportunity. Some students go on to compete for startup funding through the School’s Student Business Accelerator Fund program.
In the spring, the Community Innovation Challenge, sponsored by the Topeka Community Foundation, brings students together to tackle real challenges facing the local community, region and world. This competition tasks our students with using their classroom knowledge of business principles to address real-world societal challenges, both locally and globally.
It pushes them to think beyond how their knowledge can be applied for economic gain, to how they can benefit our community. Through this partnership, our students are learning to do good while doing well.
Perhaps most importantly, AACSB accreditation strengthens the Brenneman School of Business’s relationships with employers throughout the region. Businesses and organizations offer internships and part-time and even full-time positions that give students hands-on experience while still in school. Many of these opportunities turn into full-time jobs after graduation, helping students launch successful careers and providing employers with well-prepared professionals who already understand their organizations, industries and expectations. In addition, the School’s Kansas Small Business Development Center (KSBDC) offers a wealth of education, consulting and other services to startups and growing companies in the region. It allows our students to hone their business chops alongside entrepreneurs.
RELEVANT CURRICULUM
As business itself evolves, so does the School’s curriculum. AACSB standards require schools to continuously review and update what and how they teach. As a result, courses are regularly refreshed to reflect changes in technology, regulation and professional practice. Increasingly, that means integrating data analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence into business education. Students learn not only how to use emerging tools but also how to think critically about their applications, limitations and ethical implications.
This forward-looking approach ensures graduates are prepared for a workplace shaped by automation, data-driven decision-making and rapid innovation. Whether students pursue careers in accounting, finance, marketing, management or entrepreneurship, they leave with a foundation that allows them to adapt as roles and industries continue to change.
As a regional public university, Washburn serves a diverse student population, including high school and traditional college-age students, working professionals and first-generation college students. AACSB accreditation ensures these students receive an education held to the same rigorous standards as programs at much larger institutions. For local employers, that consistency means they can recruit talent with confidence, knowing graduates have been trained to meet national and international benchmarks. It provides a reliable pipeline of talent for businesses, nonprofits and public organizations while reinforcing the community’s reputation as a place that values education, innovation and ethical leadership.
AACSB accreditation is a promise to students, employers and the broader community that the Brenneman School of Business will deliver rigorous, relevant and respected business education. For our region, that promise translates into opportunity, growth and long-term economic impact today and well into the future.
