The Collins College of Business wrapped up another exciting year! I would like to especially thank you for making this success happen. Whether you mentored our students, partnered with our faculty, or joined us on campus for an event, your engagement helped drive an extraordinary season of growth and momentum.
To our graduating seniors: congratulations! You challenged yourselves, stepped into leadership, and made your mark on our community. You leave not only with a degree but with the experience and skills to thrive in whatever comes next. We are proud of all you accomplished and excited to see where you go from here.
Over the past year, our students embodied what it means to lead with purpose. They managed an $8 million Student Investment Fund in a dynamic market, launched startups that placed in national pitch competitions, and gained hands-on experience in cities like New York, Houston, and Oklahoma City.
Our faculty also had a standout year, earning national recognition through competitive research awards and publishing in top-tier academic journals across business disciplines. Their expertise shapes thought leadership in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to real estate, accounting, and energy policy.
Our centers served as hubs of experiential learning and professional connection. The Center for Real Estate Studies engaged more students than ever before, from classroom site visits and community events to mentorship and faculty milestones. The Center for Energy Studies expanded student access to the energy industry through immersive experiences like a crisis simulation at Cooper Nuclear Station, case competitions at conferences like NAPE, and classroom visits from impressive sector leaders. And the Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (CIE) earned national recognition as the Outstanding Emerging Entrepreneurship Center by the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers. From national pitch competitions to on-campus venture building, the CIE continues to fuel bold ideas and help students turn innovation into action.
We launched the Collins Career Accelerator Program (CCAP), a multi-year professional development initiative that is already helping students build the tools, networks, and confidence to stand out in a competitive job market. And we are excited about the upcoming launch of our new online MBA program, which will expand access to our world-class business education for working professionals across the region.
We welcomed nearly 200 accounting professionals to campus for our annual Conference of Accountants, one of the nation’s longest running accounting conferences, that continues to advance lifelong learning and support student success. We’re already looking forward to next year’s conference, which will be held May 19–20, 2026.
To our advisory board members, industry partners, donors, and alumni, thank you. Your investment of time, insight, and resources has powered everything the Collins College of Business achieved this year. Together, we are building a business school where learning is personal, impact is real, and the future is bright.
This summer our work continues. We have a record four summer camps focused on discovery and exploration with high school students, introducing them to amazing futures in business. Our Finance, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Energy Management and Accounting faculty are taking the lead, along with many of you who are dedicating time this summer.
Enjoy your summer. The Collins College of Business is excited to continue this work with you in August.