Ms. Amanda Albrecht

聽鈥淚t is with great enthusiasm that we welcome Ms. Albrecht as the new Dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies,鈥� said Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Missouri Western President. 鈥淚 have full confidence that, through her leadership, the College will further enhance its contributions to both our University and to our local and regional communities.鈥�

鈥淢s. Albrecht鈥檚 unwavering dedication to education and her diverse background in academic and corporate environments will bring a unique perspective to the College,鈥� Dr. Laura Reynolds, Missouri Western鈥檚 Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, said. 鈥淗er invaluable insights into education, law, and industry integration will empower our students to navigate the complexities of today鈥檚 professional landscape with confidence and expertise.鈥�

Ms. Albrecht has been at the University of Cincinnati since 2012. She also worked in industry prior to starting her academic career, first in construction project management and later as a construction litigator. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Master of Science in Construction Management degrees from Washington University in St. Louis, and her Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati.

鈥淚 am honored to serve as MWSU鈥檚 Dean of the College of Business and Professional Studies, and excited to advocate for MWSU鈥檚 applied learning mission.鈥� Ms. Albrecht said. 鈥淢WSU is a place for students who seek outstanding educational and career-building experiences, as well as for industry and community organizations who seek a strong partner in their workforce and organizational development goals. I look forward to working with the College鈥檚 talented faculty, staff, and students, and collaborating with valued stakeholders in the St. Joseph community and beyond.鈥澛�

Ms. Albrecht will succeed Dr. Marc Manganaro, who has served as the Interim Dean of the College of Business & Professional Studies since July 5, 2022.聽

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit.

Left to right: Steven L. Craig; Pam Klaus, Dr. Elizabeth Kennedy, Jakob Grimm, Robert Sarlls, and Jeff Geygan

鈥淭his has been my goal 鈥� what I have been working toward throughout my entire college career,鈥� said Grimm. 鈥淭his is an opportunity that is not presented anywhere else.鈥�

Grimm, from St. Joseph, was one of eight students in a senior-level Applied Business Ownership class this spring. Students in the class prepared business plans, and two finalists presented their plans to a panel of judges that included Steven L. Craig, creator of the franchise competition, Robert Sarlls, CEO of Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, other business leaders and Missouri Western graduates who won franchises in previous years.

鈥淚t was a very spirited competition,鈥� Craig said. 鈥淚 would like to thank everyone who has supported this program for the past 14 years.鈥�

This year marks a significant milestone in the program鈥檚 history as a past franchise awardee is the one providing a franchise to the new awardee. In 2016, Stephanie Tripp was awarded an Auntie Anne鈥檚 franchise through the program, and now owns several franchise locations. She and her husband offered up their Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory location to the program, which is now being awarded to Grimm.聽

鈥淲e truly have come full circle,鈥� said Ross Theesen 鈥�15, a previous winner and one of the judges. 鈥淎 store owner took the store that they owned and is now giving an opportunity to another student. That鈥檚 how big this program is getting 鈥� we鈥檙e able to give back.鈥�

During the announcement of Grimm鈥檚 award, Theesen shared exciting news of additional support for Missouri Western鈥檚 franchise program. Sarlls, along with Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Chairman Jeff Geygan, solidified their partnership with the program by generously donating $10,000. Furthermore, in a gesture of goodwill with the latest awardee, they waived the $5,000 transfer fee that the awardee would be required to pay to receive the franchise.

The franchise awarded to Grimm is the 34th store to be awarded through the program founded in 2009. Many of the alumni have expanded on their initial business: they currently own a total of 58 stores across the United States, employing 678 people with annual sales of more than $32 million.

Grimm graduated last month with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in business management and marketing. At Missouri Western, he served as vice president of finance, vice president of communications and vice president of member enrichment for Alpha Sigma Phi. For the last year, he worked as a marketing intern at East Hills Shopping Center. Since 2019 he has worked as a pharmacy technician at Walgreens, and has also worked at Green Hills Grocery, both in St. Joseph.

The program provides initial capital for the stores, which the alumni pay back over five years. The entrepreneurs also receive ongoing support from faculty members, the Craig School of Business Advisory Council, Craig and each other. Additionally, the owners are expected to donate a portion of their store鈥檚 proceeds back to the University. So far, the donations have totaled approximately $325,000.

含羞草社区 is a student-centered learning community preparing individuals for lives of excellence through applied learning. Missouri Western is located in St. Joseph, Mo., and is committed to the educational, economic, cultural and social development of the region it serves. Visit .