Green Incubators

The Sustainable Business Incubator (SBI) at Fairleigh Dickinson University fosters startup and early-stage ventures in the areas related to sustainable development: alternative energy, waste reduction, urban agriculture, transportation and business information. SBI's focus is to help new companies - and freestanding initiatives within existing companies - succeed in providing products and solutions to the challenges of sustainable economic growth. According to the National Business Incubation Association, incubator-assisted enterprises have an 87 percent better chance of success than unsupported startups.

Celebrating Female Entrepreneurs

Fairleigh Dickinson University's Female Entrepreneur Lecture Series honors distinguished women leaders from commerce and industry. Launched in 2004 by FDU's Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies, this series has featured Ranjini Poddar, co-founder and president of Artech Information Systems, the state's second largest woman-owned company; Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, President of the Hispanic Federation; 2007; Ann Limberg, President, Bank of America New Jersey; and Doris Drucker, inventor and author. These lectures are free and open to the public.

Science and Math Teaching

The Institute for the Enhancement of Teaching Science and Math (IETSM) at Fairleigh Dickinson University provides a dynamic learning environment for sixth- through 12th-grade science and math teachers who want to bring innovative techniques to the classroom. The Institute fosters a community of passionate educators who actively discuss and learn more about key areas of content, pedagogy and research. Since its inception, it has enrolled more than 50 teachers and touched the lives of the more than 7,500 students. The Institute was created through grants from the Martinson Family Foundation and BASF, the global chemical company.

Certified Public Managers

Fairleigh Dickinson University is New Jersey's sole provider of the Certified Public Manager (CPM) program offered in partnership with the State of New Jersey's Human Resource Development Institute (HRDI). Since 1998, when FDU began its partnership with HRDI, more than 1,200 managers have received the CPM credential. This program has one of the largest CPM enrollments in the country. Classes are held throughout the Garden State and students who complete the six-level, 300-hour program receive a nationally recognized credential. .

U.N. Video Conferences

As the first comprehensive institution of higher education in the world to hold ECOSOC status at the United Nations and one of the first universities in the country to obtain U.N. Department of Public Information NGO (Non-Government Organization) status there, FDU is an active partner with the U.N. in providing materials to the higher education community. Each semester, experts debate global issues live from the United Nations. FDU is the hub for these live feeds, which are simultaneously transmitted to other universities and high schools in the U.S. Following each debate, there is a live question-and-answer period between students and the U.N. experts.

Family Business Forum

Family businesses are a major contributor to the economic engine of New Jersey. Since 1992, the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies in the Silberman College of Business has offered the Family Business Forum program to New Jersey family firms. The Forum is a membership-based outreach program that helps family firms grow their businesses and ensure smooth transitions to the next generation. Participants learn from experts at interactive seminars and learn from each other at bi-monthly peer group meetings.

Innovative Global Learning

The Association of International Educators (NAFSA) recently recognized Fairleigh Dickinson University's innovative use of technology to promote global learning. NAFSA spotlights institutions that are leaders in preparing students for an interconnected world. This honor is based on FDU's award-winning online course, The Global Challenge; the university's Global Virtual Faculty; its Global Issues Gateway Web site (www.GIG.org) and its videoconference series that is broadcast live from the United Nations.

Two Worlds

Fairleigh Dickinson University and Pontificia Universidad in the Dominican Republic created Dos Mundos (Two Worlds) in 2007. This program offers international students of Hispanic origin and American students fluent in Spanish two years of baccalaureate instruction at FDU and two years in the Dominican Republic or Spain. At graduation, students receive a Certificate in Latin American Studies and a baccalaureate degree from FDU. As additional universities from other Latin American countries join this initiative, the program will expand and allow more students from diverse ethnic backgrounds to deepen their historical roots.

Supporting Our Veterans

Fairleigh Dickinson University has joined the Yellow Ribbon Program for veterans. Beginning on August 1, the federal government will provide veterans with the cost of the highest annual public tuition in their state and then share excess costs with participating private universities if veterans enroll there. FDU's contribution will be about $8,000 in tuition costs for each veteran who enrolls as a full-time student. In support of the program, FDU formed a Veterans Education Taskforce (VET) to develop a comprehensive model for veterans' services, including full support from the time the veteran enters FDU through graduation and beyond..

Nursing Grant

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has awarded Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) and two other New Jersey private colleges a four-year, $2.5 million grant to train future nursing faculty members. The grant is part of RWJF's $22 million, five-year "New Jersey Nursing Initiative," which will increase the number of nurse faculty available to educate the next generation of nurses in the state. FDU will be the lead institution in a three-way collaborative effort as part of the Faculty Preparation Program. The collaborative includes Monmouth University and Bloomfield College.

Experimental Social Science

In September 2008, Fairleigh Dickinson University opened its Florham Laboratory for Experimental Social Science (FLESS) at the College at Florham. Faculty and students at FLESS conduct controlled laboratory experiments on computers with paid human subjects, testing social and behavioral science hypotheses in political science, economics, psychology, and sociology. Undergraduates have the opportunity to conduct experiments in cutting edge social science research. FLESS — one of the few laboratories of its type housed in a traditional liberal arts college setting — focuses on undergraduate research.

First Responders

For more than 40 years, Fairleigh Dickinson University has prepared first responders. Following the destruction of the World Trade Center, the Port Authority Police needed a temporary location to train officers, and FDU provided the necessary space and support facilities over a two and a half year period.  Currently, more than 25 percent of all New Jersey State Police troopers have taken or are taking courses or workshops at FDU. Last year, more than 600 law enforcement personnel at the state, county and municipal levels were enrolled in at least one FDU course or workshop.

Success for Vets

On April 23, 2009, Fairleigh Dickinson University was announced as a recipient of the Success for Vets Grants awarded by The Wal-Mart Foundation and the American Council on Education. These $100,000 grants were awarded nationwide to 20 institutions that currently operate model programs for veterans and their families.  FDU will use its grant to expand on-campus veterans service centers, enhance prospective student outreach, and increase FDU’s capacity for counseling and psychological services. The 20 grantees together serve about 25,000 veterans this year and likely will see at least 30,000 next year, once new GI benefits go into effect.

Mental Health Services for Vets

FDU’s Center for Psychological Services on the Metropolitan Campus provides mental health services to veterans and their families through a contract with the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.  Since 1983, the Center has treated nearly 250 combat veterans of WWII, and the wars in Vietnam, Korea, the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq.  Veterans and their family members are referred primarily through the NJ Veterans Helpline Program. They are typically seen within five days of the referral.  Treatment is provided for many post-combat re-adjustment difficulties and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Urban Pre-College Program

FDU will again offer its summer Urban Pre-College Program (UPP) to high school students.  This three-week residential experience combines a leadership retreat with academic courses in the humanities. An important self-development component builds self-esteem, examines risk-taking and explores strategies to overcome fear of failure.  Co-curricular activities, such as a Broadway play, are included.  Last summer, 40 high school students from Jersey City, Plainfield and East Orange participated in UPP, funded by grants from the Dodge Foundation and the College Preparative Incentive Program.

Sports Administration

This year, FDU introduced a master's degree program in sports administration – the first of its kind in New Jersey.  The program develops qualified professionals who can manage and lead in the sports industry, one of America’s largest and fastest-growing job markets.  Students can tailor their programs to specialize in coaching, sports and wellness, or professional administration and leadership. The curriculum was developed by a distinguished advisory board of former professional players, coaches and sports administration professionals.

NJ’s Best Family Firms

Family businesses are a major contributor to the economic engine of New Jersey.  Since 1992, the Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies, part of the Silberman College of Business, has coordinated the New Jersey Family Business of the Year Awards program. This program honors the state’s finest family firms which have made significant contributions to the economy and community. Over the past 16 years, the Institute and its co-sponsors have recognized over 200 family businesses. This past October, the opening remarks at the annual awards luncheon were given by New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Wells.

International Students

According to the Institute for International Education (IIE), Fairleigh Dickinson University is ranked ninth in the nation and first in New Jersey for total enrollment of international students among master’s-level institutions, 2007-08. According to Allan Goodman, president and CEO of IIE, “Furthering academic exchange in both directions is one of the best investments we make to strengthen U.S. higher education and foster cross-border collaboration on shared global problems.” The U.S. Department of State has actively expanded its outreach efforts in international markets to prepare future generations of international students to pursue educational opportunities in the United States.

Global Scholars

The Global Scholars Program at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Metropolitan Campus is a four-year experience for resident students.  It combines cultural experiences with multi-disciplinary learning environments.   Global Scholars participate in a minimum of seven experiential learning programs per semester, including visits to the United Nations, and a variety of cultural and artistic events throughout the metropolitan area.  The program requires a study abroad semester as well as international field experiences during the freshman and senior years.  

ECOSOC Status

Last week, Fairleigh Dickinson University was granted “Special Consultative Status” with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). It became the first comprehensive higher-learning institution in the world to gain such distinction. This new status will allow FDU to send delegates to major international conferences, to offer students more opportunities for internships in the NGO sector, and to nominate faculty experts as consultants on issues under study by ECOSOC.   FDU’s founder, Peter Sammartino, believed that developing a strong partnership with the United Nations was an important part of FDU’s global mission, and this partnership remains a cornerstone of FDU’s  global education and global vision.

Wroxton College, England

Fairleigh Dickinson University became the first American university to own an overseas campus when it purchased Wroxton Abbey from Trinity College of Oxford University in 1963.  This historical abbey dates back to 13^th century and is set on 56 acres of ponds, woodlands and waterfalls.  Students study under the British tutorial system with a British FDU faculty.  Courses include British and European politics, literature and theater, communication, psychology, history and economics.  Weekly trips to landmarks in Britain and the European continent are part of this outstanding study abroad program.  

Global Enterprise Network

In 2007, Fairleigh Dickinson University launched its Global Enterprise Network (GEN) to assist local businesses in becoming successful global trading partners.  This network offers research on foreign markets and organizes workshops to support local businesses that want to expand abroad but have little international experience and limited overseas connections.  A service of the FDU Library, GEN is supported by the Silberman School of Business, the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce, the NJ District Export Council and the NJ World Trade Council.

Best Business Schools

FDU’s Silberman College of Business is included in the Best 296 Business Schools: 2009 Edition just published by the Princeton Review The book does not rank the schools or name one school best overall.  Princeton Review’s vice president for publishing, Robert Franek, noted that “We select graduate schools for this book based on our high regard for their academic programs and offerings, institutional data, and the candid opinions of students who rate and report on their campus experience at the schools.  We are pleased to recommend FDU’s Silberman College of Business to readers of our book as one of the best institutions they could attend to earn an MBA.”