Leo J. Meehan School of Business

In the fall of 1948, Stonehill College’s inaugural semester had 134 students and eight faculty teaching classes mostly in Donahue Hall. This began a thriving Stonehill that offers educational opportunities to many who represent the first generation to attend college in their families. 

Currently, Stonehill educates 2,500 students with 175 faculty members and has helped over 30,000 graduates grow into global citizens who lead with heart. As we grow and age, we remain rooted in the values of our founders – developing students who think, act, and lead in the creation of a more just and compassionate world. 

Since 1948, our alumni, professors, staff, parents, friends, benefactors, and the Congregation of Holy Cross have invested their time, talents, and resources to ensure the College’s sustainability and growth. Five years ago, these investments included the opening of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business, which has become an essential part of the Stonehill campus. With special events hosted in the Jennifer F. Zhi and Guenther Roth Great Room, study spaces available throughout the building, classrooms dedicated to data analysis, Bloomberg Terminals, and collaboration rooms designed for students to work together, it has proved to be the epicenter for the future of Stonehill’s business program. 

With Stonehill’s deep gratitude for your support in making the Meehan School of Business a reality on our campus, we are pleased to provide you with a report highlighting the impressive impact this building has had on the College over the past five years. 

Dedication of The Leo J. Meehan School of Business

In 2017, President and CEO of W.B. Mason Leo Meehan ’75 along with his W.B. Mason partners Steven Greene and John Greene pledged $10 million in support of the building that bears Meehan’s name. Opening in August 2019 for the 2019-2020 Academic Year, the Leo J. Meehan School of Business deepens Stonehill’s ability to provide our students with rigorous, in-depth, and high-impact learning experiences.

In September 2019, the Leo J. Meehan School of Business was formally dedicated at a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by nearly 400 friends, family, staff, faculty, and students where the College’s longstanding ties to W.B. Mason and the Meehan family were celebrated. 

Over the years, Leo Meehan, W.B. Mason, and Stonehill have developed a deep and lasting relationship. Meehan was the first Stonehill alumnus to work at W.B. Mason—a company that is now the third-largest office products company in the United States. 

Today, W.B. Mason is one of the top employers of our graduates with more than 100 Stonehill alumni working at W.B. Mason locations across the United States. This lasting relationship includes a business partnership, classroom engagements by W.B. Mason employees who lend their business expertise to our faculty during coursework, and experiential learning opportunities for our students that include business consulting projects and internships, as well as post graduate employment.

A Message from the Dean of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business

John B. Duggan, J.D., MBA, became dean of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business in April 2024. Dean Duggan came to Stonehill in 2014 and has served the institution in various roles, including teaching fellow of business, assistant professor and associate professor of business law, chair of the Department of Business Administration, vice president of the Faculty Senate, and interim dean of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business. 

He worked collaboratively on the College’s path to reaccreditation with the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International in 2017 and 2022. This distinction ranks the College among an elite crop of institutions making up less than six percent of the world’s business schools. He holds a B.A. in political science and philosophy from Assumption College, J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law, and MBA from the University of Southern Indiana.

Innovative Features within the Leo J. Meehan School of Business

To date, the Leo J. Meehan School of Business is the most ambitious capital project in Stonehill’s history. The three-story building was an investment in Stonehill’s future—costing $35 million and stretching 63,450 square feet, it has enhanced our strong business programs with cutting-edge technologies, and adaptive, modern classrooms and collaboration spaces. Located on the main quad, Meehan is home to 44 faculty members in accounting, finance, international business, management, marketing, economics, and healthcare administration. 

The innovative spaces within Meehan School of Business allow students and faculty to work and learn together, which include:

• Two large active classrooms, seven large traditional classrooms, and two smaller seminar classrooms that offer different and unique layouts to address the varied needs of the faculty – from traditional course lectures to small group work to interactive faculty-student discussion based course.
• A Simulated Boardroom for presentations and small group meetings that allow students to practice leading a meeting or presenting to a leadership team.
• A Collaboration Room with flexible seating and projection technology.
• A One-Button Studio that can be booked by Stonehill community members for practicing, recording, and/or reviewing presentations.
• A team-based learning hall with 124 tiered seats that provides high-end presentation technology as well as collaborative swivel seats for discussions and group work. 
• Several conference, reading, and group study rooms.
• Two computer labs used primary for data analysis as well as resume review sessions.
• Gigi’s Café – an eatery for our students to grab lunch on their way to and from class.
• 42 Faculty offices located in dedicated hallways where there is group study space, waiting areas for students coming to see faculty during office hours.
• The Great Room – a large space to accommodate guest speakers and events.
• A Bloomberg Classroom and a Capital Markets Room that provide industry-leading technology and access to real-time financial data.

All these features come together to create an inspiring and beautiful building and a robust learning experience for Stonehill students.

A Look at Some of Our Emerging Business Fields

The Leo J. Meehan School of Business houses 11 undergraduate majors: accounting, business analytics, economics, finance, healthcare management, international business, management, management information systems, marketing, sport management, and talent & human resources management. In addition, it offers master's degrees in data analytics, marketing, and business administration (MBA). Since the opening of the building, we’ve seen an 18% increase in total undergraduates enrolled in our business programs. In 2019, we had 20 students enrolled in master’s programs and in the past five years our enrollment has more than doubled to 43 students in our graduate business programs.

The Meehan School of Business curriculum marries an undergraduate business education with experiential learning, leadership opportunities, and a rigorous program in the liberal arts designed to sharpen student's business instincts while also developing ethical leaders who will make an impact on their society at large. Among the majors listed above are several new programs that were launched since the opening of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business. Our talented business faculty have truly taken advantage of this innovative building to transform the business education that our students receive at Stonehill. Here is a closer look at some of our emerging business fields: 

Sport Management

Stonehill College's Sport Management major, housed within the Meehan School of Business, offers a comprehensive curriculum designed to provide a well-rounded education that combines theoretical knowledge with practical experience, preparing students for successful careers in the dynamic field of sports management. The program blends core business courses (finance, marketing, and accounting) with specialized sport management topics like sport analytics, event management, and law in sports. 

With an emphasis on practical experience, students pursuing a Sport Management degree also complete internships and community-based projects, as well as take advantage of Stonehill’s recent transition to NCAA Division I Athletics for hands-on learning. For example, the Skyhawk Squad enables students to work across all Stonehill’s NCAA Division I sports in areas like game presentation, marketing, event management, and facilities operations.

Most recently, a select group of Stonehill students had an incredible opportunity during Super Bowl LIX to work alongside GMR Marketing to staff the NFL House, the premier invite-only club where elite guests conduct business and mingle with NFL legends, celebrities, and executives. Students were on-site daily, overseeing corporate parties, managing venue access, facilitating celebrity appearances, and handling guest relations. 

Talent & Human Resources Management

One of our newest fields of study in the Meehan School of Business is the Talent & Human Resources Management major, which allows students to gain the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the human resources sector specifically, or to excel as a manager of people in any sector. The program requires a total of 20 courses, encompassing both core business courses and specialized HR management classes, and provides a solid foundation for taking the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification exam.

The Talent & Human Resources Management program emphasizes strategic HR practices that align with business goals, manage diverse workforces, and enhance employee engagement and performance. Students gain expertise in key areas such as talent acquisition, diversity management, negotiation, and decision-making, with the flexibility to tailor their education through electives in areas like total rewards or international human resources management.

Graduate Programs and Professional Studies

In recent years, Stonehill College has embarked on the design and implementation of graduate programs that provide advanced education and specialized skills in various fields. The state-of-the-art classrooms and cutting-edge technology available in the Leo J. Meehan School of Business, combined with the faculty and staff who foster collaborative learning, critical thinking, and leadership skills, have resulted in a dynamic environment in which to offer new graduate programs in business fields. 

Among the graduate programs now offered in the Leo J. Meehan School of Business are:

• Master’s in Data Analytics – providing students with the in-demand skills and knowledge necessary to analyze data and extract actionable information from complex data sets.
• Master’s in Marketing – providing the expertise and knowledge needed to advance and lead in an ever-evolving 21st-century marketing environment.
• Master’s in Integrated Marketing Communications – preparing students for marketing in the digital information age.
• Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) - allowing aspiring business leaders to broaden their business knowledge and hone their skill set and apply them both in ways beneficial to their organizations and society.
• Additionally, graduate certificates in Digital Marketing, Experiential Marketing, Marketing Analytics, Strategic Marketing, and Data Analytics ensure that marketers and data analysts strengthen in-demand practical and strategic skills throughout their careers to advance their professional opportunities and knowledge. 

Successes and Accolades in the Meehan School of Business

Meehan Accolades

• Stonehill College’s accreditation from The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, first received in 2012, was renewed in 2022 through 2027. This distinction ranks the College among an elite crop of institutions making up less than five percent of the world’s business schools.

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  In July 2023, Professor Michael Salé, director of Stonehill College’s Data Analytics Master’s Degree Program, was named SAS distinguished educator for his significant contributions to the advancement of analytics education. This recognition was awarded by the SAS Institute’s Global Academic Programs, which works with higher education institutions to help support academic initiatives to teach data analytics skills to both students and educator: stonehill.edu/news/details/faculty-member-honored-by-sas-institute-s-global-academic-programs/

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  In May 2024, Professor of International Business Jennifer Swanson received the annual Award for Excellence in Advising & Mentoring. This award recognizes a faculty member who goes above and beyond in fostering the academic, professional, and personal growth of each student. To learn more read Professor Swanson’s full award citation here: stonehill.edu/news/details/award-for-excellence-in-advising-mentoring-for-jennifer-swanson/
• In October 2024, The University of Notre Dame graduate business programs partnered with Stonehill College to enhance a longstanding partnership between the two colleges to enhance student learning outcomes. Notre Dame now guarantees admission into three business master’s degree programs for qualified graduates interested in nonprofit administration and accountancy. 

Recognitions and Successes

The Meehan School of Business features student-center programs, clubs, and organizations where students are mentored by faculty and alumni, enter research competitions, attend conferences, organize networking events, and regularly achieve regional and national success. Among the top-tier clubs and organizations that students in the Meehan School have access to are Beta Alpha Psi (Accounting Honor Society), Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA – a business club preparing emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management), Financial Management Association (FMA), and Stonehill College Inspire Finance Initiatives (SCIFI) which includes the Skyhawk Investment Group (SIG) where students develop the knowledge and skills that leads to a career in the world of investment finance.

• Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) – Mu Omega is the College’s Accounting Honor Society and continues to be a standout student organization relative to other chapters across the country. Mu Omega’s focus on academic success, development of professional skills, and community service is generally unmatched by other student honors organizations and continues to hold Gold Chapter status. Our students travel to regional and national BAP conference to participate in “Best Practices” competitions. In 2022, Mu Omega finished in third place during the Inclusive Leadership Competition in Orlando, Florida at the BAP 2022 Annual Meeting. For more on this honor, please visit: stonehill.edu/news/details/accounting-honor-society-hailed-for-women-s-empowerment-efforts/
• Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) – an international student organization that prepares emerging student leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management. Routinely, DECA students find success at state, regional, and national conferences – participating in data analysis competitions such as DataFest and taking home top awards at the DECA International Career Development Conference (ICDC) including the coveted DECA Glass, which is awarded to the top three competitors in each event. To learn more about 2024 DECA competition success, please visit: stonehill.edu/news/details/deca-dynamos/

Stonehill DECA

• Financial Management Association (FMA) – The Stonehill FMA chapter has been recognized by the FMA International as a 'Superior Chapter’ for 11 years running.  Each year, the honor puts us in the top 10% of all chapters worldwide. FMA provides resources for students in financial literacy, community service, and professional development and hosts guest/alumni speakers and stock market challenges.
• Stonehill College Investment Finance Initiative/Skyhawk Investment Group (SCIFI/SIG) – In 2023, the SCIFI Skyhawk Investment Group travelled to the 2023 Van Berkom John Molson Small-Cap Case Competition in Montreal where four finance majors took first place and received a perfect score on their presentation as they evaluated XPEL, a producer of protection film, and Sleep Country Canada, a mattress retailer, during the rigorous stock analysis event. They competed against experienced MBAs and senior undergraduates from leading business schools in Canada and represented the only college based in the United States. To learn more about the team from our Skyhawk Investment Group who participated in this competition in Montreal, please visit: stonehill.edu/news/details/small-cap-big-ambitions/
• The New England Society for Healthcare Materials Management (NESHMM) hosts its Spring Educational Event annually at Stonehill.  Hosted by Stonehill’s Meehan School of Business and its Healthcare Supply Chain Management Initiative, this professional event serves both to satisfy NESHMM’s educational mission and to supplement the many unique opportunities Stonehill provides to healthcare students as they explore career opportunities. More than 100 supply chain professionals, faculty, and students gather each year to discuss the outlook for the healthcare supply chain and potential career opportunities. 

Spotlight on New Faculty

Since opening in August 2019, the program offerings in the Meehan School of Business has continued to grow and evolve. This has resulted in the need to recruit talented faculty with new areas of expertise. With approximately 10 new faculty across a variety of disciplines it is a pleasure to share a few profiles of our talented new faculty from the last five years:  

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  Annemarie Farrell, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Sport Management, previously spent 18 years at Ithaca College, expanding experiential learning offerings through strategic partnerships with numerous sport leagues and organizations. She is a manager of the U.S. women’s national rugby team and has coached rugby teams at Mount Holyoke College, Denison University, and Cornell University. She spent 15 years as head coach for Ithaca College men’s rugby, one of only a few men’s teams led by a female.  
• Youjeong Huh, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of International Business, is an expert in organizational behavior and human resource management. Her research examines employee well-being and social class inequalities in the workplace. She has worked for the United Nations, the United States Embassy in Seoul, South Korea, and management firms like Oliver Wyman and Outmatch.
• Peter Langton, D.M., Assistant Professor of Management & Data Analytics, Talent & Human Resources Management, is a nationally recognized motivational speaker and organizational development consultant. He previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for Pierce Aluminum for 20 years. Before entering corporate duty, Langton worked in various student-facing roles at Mary Washington College and The George Washington University.  
• Oltiana Muharremi Pelari, Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Business Administration/Accounting, is an accounting and finance expert who has taught at Bay State College, Newbury College, and the University of Vlora (Albania). She has taught a wide range of courses, including Financial Accounting, Corporate Finance, Management of Small and Medium Enterprises, International Accounting, and Financial Reporting and Analysis, among others. Her industry experience includes working as a loan officer specializing in microcredit products and services
• Khai Sim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Economics, focuses his research on bank moral hazard that arises from government bailouts and the prediction of bank failures with machine learning. Previously, Sim was an assistant professor in the Department of Economics and Finance at Eastern Connecticut State University. He is currently attaining credentials to become a fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society.
• Danielle A. Waldron, Ph.D. - Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration, is a Gerontologist whose research interests include the health, healthcare, and social experiences of adults and older adults on the Autism Spectrum (AS). She is committed to bridging the gap between research and policy to improve care for older adults and individuals with disabilities. Waldron regularly presents at regional and national conferences and has published work related to healthcare reform, AS, and student empowerment.

Jennifer F. Zhi and Guenther Roth Great Room 

The Jennifer F. Zhi and Guenther Roth Great Room continues to be an excellent space for academic gatherings and for holding special events for the Stonehill community. At the forefront is the significant impact that the Zhi/Roth Great Room has made on so many students, faculty, and staff in the Stonehill community. The Zhi/Roth Great Room is a popular gathering and study space for students. Additionally, throughout the year, special events are hosted in the Zhi/Roth Great Room. Events range from curricular to co-curricular, span departments and divisions across campus, and extend beyond the business program. Examples of programs hosted over the past few years include:

• Deloitte Alumni Networking Events, as well as other career networking nights featuring employers throughout business and health care fields
• Study Break Events during finals hosted by the Career Development Center and sponsored by WB Mason
• Induction Society Events to the various business-related Honors Societies
• Student of Color Empowerment Dinners
• Graduate Programs Open Houses
• Lectures and Keynote Presentations featuring successful alumni and career professionals

Farewell to a Longtime Leader

After 37 years, Deb Salvucci, professor and dean of business, celebrated her retirement in 2021. Utilizing the beautiful outdoor patio outside of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business, alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends gathered to celebrate the retirement of Deb Salvucci, longtime professor of business administration and founding dean of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business. During her storied career at Stonehill, Salvucci chaired the Business Administration department and led the College through the rigorous AACSB accreditation process, which elevated the College’s standing at a regional and national level. And when the College transitioned to two schools, Salvucci was named the founding dean of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business. Additionally, Salvucci has also received the Hegarty Award for Excellence in Teaching at Stonehill as well as the Massachusetts Society of CPA’s Outstanding Educator of the Year in 2011. Deb played a critical role in the planning, design, and fundraising for the Meehan School of Business – turning the dream of this new building into a reality! 

Thank You

Your support of the Leo J. Meehan School of Business provides an immeasurable amount of support for our students to receive a top-notch education, enhance their professional development opportunities, address leadership challenges in today’s workforce, and continue their personal, professional, and academic growth in a business environment that is changing at an unprecedented pace. 

Thanks to the strong financial support of donors like you, the Meehan School of Business has improved our rankings as a business program, attracted top faculty, and funded scholarly research. Thank you for increasing the value of a degree from the Meehan School of Business at Stonehill College and for opening doors to post-graduate success for our students. Your support provides mission-critical resources and makes possible extraordinary leaps to propel the College into the next 75 years and beyond.