Loyola Interview Series: Dean Michael Behnam
Refocusing on Jesuit Values: An Interview with Quinlan School of Business Dean
In an interview with Loyola University Chicago, Dean Benham, who has led the Quinlan School of Business for a year and a half, reflects on the school’s commitment to providing a world-class, mission-driven education. Dean Benham emphasizes that Quinlan's approach sets it apart from other business schools by grounding its curriculum in Jesuit values of social justice, ethics, and sustainability.
A Mission-Driven Culture
Dean Benham describes Loyola as "mission-suffused," with students, faculty, and staff deeply aligned with the school’s Jesuit principles. He explains that Quinlan’s focus on educating “men and women for and with others” shifts the traditional business school emphasis from self-centered profit maximization to integrating purpose with profit. He highlights the legacy of former Quinlan professor and dean, Father Raymond C. Baumhart, S.J., who wrote The Honest Businessman in the 1960s, a book that has been central to Quinlan’s educational philosophy.
Post-Pandemic Education Adaptations
Reflecting on the school year, Dean Benham notes that Quinlan has adapted to students' changing needs post-COVID. Undergraduate students, eager for an in-person college experience, are returning to campus with renewed energy. Graduate students, often working professionals, benefit from a flexible approach that allows them to take courses either online or in person. This hybrid model provides an education tailored to both traditional and non-traditional students.
National Recognition and Experiential Learning
Dean Benham takes pride in Quinlan’s national ranking as the top undergraduate business program in Chicago, according to U.S. News & World Report. He emphasizes the importance of an outcomes-based education, focusing on career readiness and personal development.
He also highlights Quinlan’s emphasis on experiential learning, aiming to provide more than just simulations or case studies. By collaborating with companies, students gain hands-on experience and engage in a reflective learning cycle. This approach helps students to hone their craft by connecting theory with practical application, preparing them for meaningful careers.
Strengthening Ties with the Chicago Business Community
Quinlan’s influence extends beyond the classroom, with 21,000 alumni in the Chicago area alone. Dean Benham emphasizes the strong presence Loyola maintains within the Chicago business community and the broader Midwest. This community engagement is bolstered by the newly established Leadership Hub, which serves as a bridge between academia and industry. The Hub integrates centers such as the Family Business Center, the Supply Chain Sustainability Center, and the AI Hub, allowing students and researchers to collaborate with business leaders on contemporary issues.
Addressing Challenges and Looking Forward
Dean Benham acknowledges the upcoming "demographic cliff," with fewer high school graduates expected in the coming years. However, he remains optimistic that Quinlan’s reputation and the growing demand for business education will help the school navigate this challenge. He also stresses the importance of scholarships to ensure that a Loyola education remains accessible, with much of this financial support coming from alumni.
As Quinlan continues to evolve, Dean Benham reaffirms the school’s commitment to its mission, focusing on providing an education that not only prepares students for their careers but also shapes them as leaders driven by purpose and a sense of responsibility to the broader community.
Loyola Interview Series: Dean Michael Behnam
Refocusing on Jesuit Values: An Interview with Quinlan School of Business Dean
In an interview with Loyola University Chicago, Dean Benham, who has led the Quinlan School of Business for a year and a half, reflects on the school’s commitment to providing a world-class, mission-driven education. Dean Benham emphasizes that Quinlan's approach sets it apart from other business schools by grounding its curriculum in Jesuit values of social justice, ethics, and sustainability.
A Mission-Driven Culture
Dean Benham describes Loyola as "mission-suffused," with students, faculty, and staff deeply aligned with the school’s Jesuit principles. He explains that Quinlan’s focus on educating “men and women for and with others” shifts the traditional business school emphasis from self-centered profit maximization to integrating purpose with profit. He highlights the legacy of former Quinlan professor and dean, Father Raymond C. Baumhart, S.J., who wrote The Honest Businessman in the 1960s, a book that has been central to Quinlan’s educational philosophy.
Post-Pandemic Education Adaptations
Reflecting on the school year, Dean Benham notes that Quinlan has adapted to students' changing needs post-COVID. Undergraduate students, eager for an in-person college experience, are returning to campus with renewed energy. Graduate students, often working professionals, benefit from a flexible approach that allows them to take courses either online or in person. This hybrid model provides an education tailored to both traditional and non-traditional students.
National Recognition and Experiential Learning
Dean Benham takes pride in Quinlan’s national ranking as the top undergraduate business program in Chicago, according to U.S. News & World Report. He emphasizes the importance of an outcomes-based education, focusing on career readiness and personal development.
He also highlights Quinlan’s emphasis on experiential learning, aiming to provide more than just simulations or case studies. By collaborating with companies, students gain hands-on experience and engage in a reflective learning cycle. This approach helps students to hone their craft by connecting theory with practical application, preparing them for meaningful careers.
Strengthening Ties with the Chicago Business Community
Quinlan’s influence extends beyond the classroom, with 21,000 alumni in the Chicago area alone. Dean Benham emphasizes the strong presence Loyola maintains within the Chicago business community and the broader Midwest. This community engagement is bolstered by the newly established Leadership Hub, which serves as a bridge between academia and industry. The Hub integrates centers such as the Family Business Center, the Supply Chain Sustainability Center, and the AI Hub, allowing students and researchers to collaborate with business leaders on contemporary issues.
Addressing Challenges and Looking Forward
Dean Benham acknowledges the upcoming "demographic cliff," with fewer high school graduates expected in the coming years. However, he remains optimistic that Quinlan’s reputation and the growing demand for business education will help the school navigate this challenge. He also stresses the importance of scholarships to ensure that a Loyola education remains accessible, with much of this financial support coming from alumni.
As Quinlan continues to evolve, Dean Benham reaffirms the school’s commitment to its mission, focusing on providing an education that not only prepares students for their careers but also shapes them as leaders driven by purpose and a sense of responsibility to the broader community.