MBA degree ‘major component’ of plan

Dr. Max Burns, dean of the Mike Cottrell School of Business at North Georgia College & State University, began his new role on Feb. 1. Burns stepped into the position with more than 20 years of experience in higher education and having served a congressional term of office in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The former Senior Fulbright Scholar is taking charge of the newly reorganized business school at a pivotal time for the school and university. Burns has been charged with developing the first comprehensive, accreditable graduate business degree program in the region. North Georgia’s new Master of Business Administration degree program will enroll its first class in August at City Hall in Cumming in Forsyth County.

“My primary responsibility is to advance the Mike Cottrell School of Business and make it the best business school in the nation for a school of our size and mission,” Burns says. “I’m going to do that internally within the university and the University System of Georgia and also externally with local businesses and industry.

“Right now, we are strategically positioning the business school to serve the region at a much greater level and the MBA program is a major component of our plan,” says Burns. “We want this degree to offer business professionals a quality graduate education close to home.”

Burns has considerable experience in the public and private sectors. He was a senior policy advisor in Washington after his elected term as a U.S. representative for Georgia’s 12th Congressional District. His engineering background formally began with an undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech and eventually led him to a career in academia as a professor of information systems at Georgia Southern University. He received his master’s in business information systems and a doctorate in business administration from Georgia State University. 

His information technology background is benefiting North Georgia’s MBA program through the development of new classrooms designed specifically to support an enhanced technology environment for learning.

Burns is also focusing on other ways to develop regional engagement with communities and businesses.

“We’re continuing to support and enhance our strong undergraduate programs. Beyond that we’re looking at expanding our role in serving the region from the standpoint of economic growth and development and quality of life development.

“We’re working with multiple communities and counties on technology initiatives, which I think is critical to the growth of the university and the region,” Burns says.

North Georgia is developing a major new center for the study and advancement of the region’s economy. The Center for the Future of North Georgia will be part of the Mike Cottrell School of Business and a key part of the university’s strategy for regional engagement with a focus on economic development and growth within the region.