Welcome to the College of Business and Leadership (COBAL) at Lourdes University (LU), where business is taught as a noble profession. I am delighted that you are interested in joining our diverse and dynamic community. At COBAL, we are committed to providing business and leadership education tailored to the unique needs of each student and characterized by innovation, interpersonal skills, and Franciscan values.

Pursuing a college degree is a significant investment in yourself. It entails a present sacrifice (money, time, and effort) with the realization that the results will positively transform your future career path and earning power. Furthermore, college life is a rich experience that will likely change your life forever. I have been working with students for over twenty years now. One thing I can say for sure is this: Not all business programs are equal. As such, while considering college, you must select the one that closely matches your personal and professional goals.

The academic programs at COBAL have high returns on investment (ROI). We offer relevant curricula that boost your employability and generous scholarship programs that drastically ease your financial burden. This is a unique mix that only a few business programs can attain.

Our curriculum is relevant, timely, and continuously adapts to new social and economic challenges. Our faculty brings both industry experience and high academic quality to the classroom. They focus on practical considerations that help you mimic the decision-making process of astute leaders.

We have a liberal admission policy recognizing that academic and professional success is a product of a multitude of factors, including, but not limited to, academic performance. We work closely with the local business community to ensure our graduates have distinguished interpersonal skills and have access to a vivid network of potential business partners.

We offer a Bachelor of Science in Business, Accounting, Marketing, and Sports Management. We strive to prepare students for the needs of the local job market. We also offer an online MBA (with several concentration options) and a Master of Organizational Leadership. Our graduate programs are geared toward working professionals who wish to propel their careers forward or explore new professional paths.

Our beautiful, cozy campus is in Sylvania, northwest Toledo, Ohio, and is only 15 minutes away from downtown Toledo. It is one of the safest campuses in the nation and is surrounded by a safe, affordable, and close-knit neighborhood. This makes COBAL a desirable destination for international students looking for an immersive experience that introduces them to American culture and business practices.

If you have any questions, please be assured that my team and I are here to support you in making the right decision, maximizing your return on investment, and helping you achieve your professional goals.
I look forward to seeing you soon on our campus.

Dr. Yasser Alhenawi

MISSION

We customize our programs to meet the specific needs of employers and working professionals. Our field-experienced faculty constantly update the curriculum in collaboration with industry experts to ensure that our graduates flourish professionally and spiritually. We strive to nurture a vibrant community where we work collaboratively with organizations to inspire traditional and non-traditional students to become well-connected, competent, and compassionate leaders.

VISION

To be recognized by business and community leaders as a credible supplier of job-ready professionals who practice business as a noble profession.

COBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL

The College of Business and Leadership Advisory Council is comprised of several local and regional corporate executives and non-profit leaders. These highly skilled leaders support the Lourdes University business programs where “Business is Taught As A Noble Profession.^TM”

DEAN’S STUDENT ADVISORY COUNCIL

As a student-centered institution, we value students’ feedback and contribution to the development of our College and University. The Dean’s Student Advisory Council represents COBAL students and provides feedback directly to the Dean.

The Council meets twice every semester to discuss the college’s new initiatives, students’ experiences, and various emergent issues. The Council members work amongst students and often develop surveys to bring about innovative changes and to lobby on behalf of COBAL students on university-wide matters. Occasionally, the Council may invite University officials, Professors, coaches, and community guests to the meetings.

Are you a passionate COBAL student actively involved in students’ lives and COBAL’s academic programs? Do you maintain a good academic record? Are you looking for an opportunity to sharpen your leadership skills? If yes, consider applying to join the COBAL Dean’s Students Advisory Council! Please send a request to the Dean (yalhenawi@lourdes.edu) stating why you are interested and how you would serve your fellow students.

Thank you for your interest in inviting Dr. Alhenawi, Dean of the College of Business and Leadership, to your event.

Our Dean would love to be part of your event as a keynote speaker, plenary speaker, panelist, guest speaker, etc. Dr. Alhenawi reviews all event requests and is committed to fulfilling as many requests as his calendar will allow. Otherwise, he will refer you to another faculty or senior staff.

Please submit your request to Dr. Alhenawi at yalhenawi@lourdes.edu at least four weeks before the event date. Please ensure your request includes an event brief, schedule, topic, audience, and other information such as date, time, location, parking instructions, etc.

About Dr. Alhenawi

Yasser Alhenawi, Ph.D., was hired as a Professor of Finance and Dean of COBAL and assumed the role during the summer of 2023. Dr. Yasser Alhenawi is characterized as an enthusiastic educator and a strategic, entrepreneurial, and forward-thinking leader with nearly two decades of professional experience. Earning his Ph.D. in finance from the University of New Orleans, Dr. Alhenawi is an active researcher who has published numerous papers in elite academic journals and conferences. He earned a Ph.D. and Master of Science in Finance from the University of New Orleans and a Master of Business Administration from Emporia State University. Dr. Alhenawi came to Lourdes University from Ajman University, where he served as Professor of Finance, MBA Program Director, and Teaching and Learning Center manager. Before that, he had served at the University of Evansville as an Associate Professor and founding director of the Institute for Banking and Finance. Dr. Alhenawi’s areas of expertise include strategic management, corporate finance, mergers & acquisitions, personal finance, and investments.

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR

In the College of Business and Leadership (COBAL) at Lourdes University, advising involves more than scheduling classes. The Advisor/Student relationship is an essential component of your academic experience. COBAL faculty and professional advisors work together to provide guidance in reaching your educational and career goals.

Not only will you meet with your advisor each semester to map out your course and future plan of study, your advisor will also mentor you, help you connect with industry leaders, explore majors, and provide professional career advice throughout your time at Lourdes University. Your academic advisor is your liaison to the rest of the University and can help you steer through the ins and outs of college and all the resources that Lourdes University has to offer, including tutoring, academic coaching, financial aid, Student Life activities, educational opportunities, and career and personal counseling services. Academic advisors are knowledgeable about university and college policies such as add/ drop dates, withdraw dates, core and major requirements, grades, GPA, and graduation requirements.

As a Lourdes Alumna, and a first-generation college student, I am grateful for the guidance, and support I received from my Lourdes academic advisor. They provided me with the knowledge and confidence to succeed and I would like all of the College of Business and Leadership students to have that same consistent experience with me as their academic advisor as they navigate through a holistic educational journey.

I look forward to meeting you!

Laura Ott, M.O.L.
Director of COBAL Advising, Assessment & Recruitment

ASK A QUESTION

Have a question? Contact Laura Ott, Director of COBAL Advising, Assessment & Recruitment at lott@lourdes.edu.

Apply for the Lourdes University College of Business & Leadership’s COBAL Visionary Leadership Scholarship. Two $1,000 scholarships are awarded to one winning undergraduate and one winning graduate COBAL student in the spring and fall.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be currently enrolled in a College of Business & Leadership undergraduate or graduate program
• Have a GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Submit the winning essay

ESSAY PROMPT

Lourdes University College of Business & Leadership is “Where Business is Taught as a Noble Profession.” Define this from your perspective and provide a description of how you will serve as a noble business professional.

The essay should be 1,000 words, in Times New Roman, 12-point font, APA style.

QUESTIONS?

Contact Professor Casey Dunkle-Czubek, Chair of Business Administration at CDunkle-Czubek@lourdes.edu.

As an undergraduate pursuing a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Degree from the College of Business and Leadership, you can enrich your academic journey by selecting from a variety of minors. Whether you are majoring in business or another field, consider complementing your studies with one of the following minors offered by the College of Business and Leadership:

Minors for Business Majors:

• Marketing
• Sports Management
• Finance (coming soon)

Minors for Non-Business Majors:

• Business

Adding a minor can be a strategic move to align your academic pursuits with your career goals. It’s essential to plan ahead and work closely with your academic advisors for guidance. We recommend declaring your major and minor early on, ideally during the first semester of sophomore year, to tailor your academic portfolio effectively.

Our advisors are here to support you throughout this process. Discover how a minor can enhance your educational experience and prepare you for your future career in business and leadership.