Dear SWBDA members (and prospective members),
If you joined us for our last Annual Meeting in June 2025, then you know what a worthwhile use of your time it was. SWBDA is a focused, friendly gathering of deans from business schools and colleges across the Southwest and beyond. Last year's meeting included an inspiring keynote from a noted author on communicating with today's students, a presentation of award-winning curriculum innovations, an overview of international enrollment trends and issues, AACSB updates, interactive discussions, and more. If you weren't there, you missed a great opportunity to engage, and I hope you will join us this year, June 14-16, at the Hotel Valencia on the San Antonio Riverwalk.
As deans, we face many challenges and competing demands for our time. With reduced travel budgets, it becomes more difficult to choose what to attend. This one should be on your list. One of the advantages of a regional group is the ability to address common political and governance issues that affect our funding. This year's meeting will include breakout workshops by state to focus on these important questions.
SWBDA is a compact meeting that is packed with information and interaction. Our sponsors help us keep costs low, and our hotel is intimate and full of charm. More importantly, we are a community of leaders heading schools large and small that share common challenges and opportunities. Together we are stronger.
I would love to hear from you if you have questions or would like to know more. Please consider joining SWBDA or renewing your membership, and mark your calendar for June.
The Southwestern Business Deans' Association (SWBDA) began as a group of deans from business schools in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, and was established for the purpose of promoting and improving collegiate business education generally located in the southwestern region of the United States and Mexico. We now have members from several other states as well.