At a time when college enrollment is dropping dramatically across the nation, the Louisiana Tech College of Business continues to grow in both size and rankings, offering undergraduate students a 98 percent career placement rate six months after graduating and MBA students a 100 percent career placement rate at commencement.
“As we continue to grow our enrollment, we also celebrate the increased academic achievements of our students,” said Dr. Chris Martin, Dean of the Louisiana Tech College of Business. “Our graduates leave Louisiana Tech prepared to be innovative and ethical leaders in today’s rapidly changing business environment. Their accomplishments are a significant measure of our success.”
AT A GLANCE
Phone: 318.257.4526
Address: 502 W. Texas Ave., Ruston, LA 71272
Website: business.latech.edu
Ranked as a Best Online Program (the highest in the state), Best Graduate Program, and Best Undergraduate Program by U.S. News & World Report, the College also accepted honors for Best Online MBA, Best MBA, and Top 25 Most Affordable Online MBA from Fortune magazine.
Dr. Martin attributes these significant accomplishments to several areas the College prides itself on, including a faculty of top-notch researchers and experienced classroom professors who are invested in students experiencing both impactful research and a quality classroom experience. While ensuring that both in-person and online students experience high levels of engagement, the majority of the College’s faculty teach at the undergraduate, Master’s, and doctorate levels.
The College has approximately 1,500 students, providing hands-on learning experiences that include high levels of interaction and engagement with both faculty and industry leaders. Louisiana Tech alumni who live everywhere from Baton Rouge to New York City tend to stay invested in the school, often serving as speakers for the College and mentors to students.
With a mission to intertwine technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship across their curriculum, the College expects students to leverage technology to its fullest so they are well prepared to continue that after graduation.
“Our market-responsive programs are uniquely crafted to teach students to take ideas and move them through an organization, whether they work for a start-up or a Fortune 500 company,” said Martin. “Our eight undergraduate majors, ranging from accounting to sustainable supply chain management, teach students to understand and leverage everything from data analytics to the role technology plays in an organization.”
For example, over a yearlong period, finance students begin managing $1 million in investment funds at the undergraduate level, while those studying marketing consult with actual businesses and students in economics courses publish thorough quarterly economic updates.
“These signature programs in each major provide students with real-world experience and aim to enhance learning outcomes,” said Martin. “Since participation is for a full academic year, students are able to see a bigger picture rather than only seeing something over a quarter.”
Students at the College are also offered concierge-level career-placement services as early as their freshman year that begin building confidence in a business setting. From speed interviewing workshops to etiquette dinners, students at all levels and in all programs can start preparing for professional roles they may hold down the road.
In addition to the expansive undergraduate and graduate programs the College offers, it also held the first Louisiana Tech University School of Banking in June of 2022. Forty-seven bankers from across Louisiana and Mississippi with three to five years of experience attended the weeklong professional development program designed to expand the skills and knowledge base of rising bank leaders. Working with the Louisiana Bankers Association, courses are taught by more than 20 faculty members, top banking executives, bank consultants and regulators, covering topics like operations, risk management, liquidity, marketing, cybersecurity and regulations.
Nearing eight years at the helm, Martin has overseen many achievements for the College including record enrollment, top placement ranks, and the Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance’s re-accreditation by the NSA’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
“Employers like IBM, Amazon, the FDIC, KPMG, RoyOMartin, and Salesforce know how impactful Louisiana Tech’s programs are because they’re hiring our graduates,” says Martin. “We have no intention of stopping—the best is yet to come, and we invite anyone who’s interested to see the great things happening here.”
FROM THE DEAN
The past year was quite the year for Louisiana Tech University’s College of Business—from historic enrollment and new program development to record Giving Day fundraising, placement rates, and rankings.
By integrating technology, entrepreneurship, and innovation throughout our curriculum, then connecting what is learned in the classroom with real-world experiences, our students are prepared to lead in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
Those students—taught and mentored by top researchers in their fields—become alumni who go on to make an impact in our state and beyond. Our alumni are a large part of why we are gaining national attention, record enrollment, and top rankings. We are so grateful to each stakeholder for their support.
If you are interested in touring Louisiana Tech and the College of Business, give us a call! Whether you are a prospective student, parent, alumni, or future employer partner, we would love to tell you more about the great things happening on our campus.
CHRISTOPHER L. MARTIN, Ph.D., Dean of the Louisiana Tech College of Business
