Winter 2025Global Business Bulletin
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MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
Yongsun Paik, Ph.D.
Happy belated New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful winter break. I have great news to share: LMU’s undergraduate International Business program has been ranked #15 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. This remarkable achievement was possible thanks to continuous improvement in our international business curriculum, a strong record of faculty research on critical international business topics, and the expansion of business and academic partnerships.
In this issue, you will read about the enlightening programs and activities that LMU CIBE organized and sponsored during the second half of 2024. To celebrate Cybersecurity Awareness Month in October and International Education Week in November, we organized webinars on cybersecurity and studying abroad. Other webinars featured an analysis of the current state of the U.S. and Chinese economies and the impact of the 2024 presidential election on the relationship between the two countries and Taiwan.
This spring, we are planning a symposium and webinars covering the major themes of LMU CIBE, such as global entrepreneurship, marketing, and sustainability. We will also launch a new FDIB Costa Rica program in collaboration with Florida International University (FIU) CIBER. We hope you’ll be able to join us in these programs and look forward to your continued support of LMU CIBE. Thank you!
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To promote the nation’s capacity for international understanding and competitiveness, CIBE hosts a year-round International Business Lecture Series for the LMU community. These events help our students gain a deeper understanding of the global marketplace.
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Sung Won Sohn, Ph.D.
Professor of Finance and Economics
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Ryan Hass
Brookings Institute
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Bonny Lin
Center for Strategic Economic Studies
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Webinars Explore U.S. Asia Policies in Election Year
LMU CIBE invited experts to discuss the potential implications of the 2024 presidential election on the economies of the U.S. and Asia. In the Sept. 18 webinar, "How the Economies of the U.S. and China Will Interact in an Election Year," internationally renowned economist Sung Won Sohn explored the interaction between the world's two largest economies and discussed key issues such as inflation, job creation, and interest rates. He highlighted China's low consumption, debt challenges, and efforts to achieve technological independence. "The Chinese government is not going to stimulate the economy," he said. "Their major emphasis is [on becoming] a technological colossus."
In the Oct. 22 webinar, "Exploring the Future of U.S.-Taiwan-China Relations Under a Harris or Trump Administration," Ryan Hass, senior fellow and director of the China Center and Koo Chair in Taiwan Studies, and Bonny Lin, director of China Power Project, discussed U.S. interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, one of the most politically sensitive waterways in the world. They explored how the U.S. election will impact the trajectory of cross-Strait relations and beyond. "A number of countries, some much more distant, including in Africa, are significantly impacted by the destruction of trade through the Taiwan Strait," said Lin.
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CIBE Recognizes Cybersecurity Awareness MonthOn Oct. 10, in recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month and to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity, LMU CIBE presented a special webinar, "Is AI Enough to Protect Our Businesses in a 'Never Trust' Cybersecurity Landscape?" Greg Lontock, LMU clinical assistant professor of information systems and business analytics, moderated a panel featuring Stephan Cook '18, manager of cloud security, SADA; Anne-Marie Lerch, CFO & VP of marketing, Cyberuptive; Charles Lerch, CEO, Cyberuptive; and Mark Macia, cybersecurity consultant and adjunct lecturer. The panel explored how Zero Trust models and AI advancements are redefining cybersecurity strategies and how overconfidence can be a silent threat, and discussed ways to cultivate a proactive security culture.
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International Education WeekIn celebration of International Education Week, LMU CIBE presented the webinar, "Pursuing Your Graduate Degree Abroad: LMU Alumni Insights from the UK," featuring panelists Matt Bekesh '22, Brianna Butkiewicz '24, and Susan Murphy, chair in leadership development at the University of Edinburgh. Bekesh is completing his master's degree in international management at Imperial College London, while Burkiewicz is working on a master's degree in human resources and organizational behavior at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Murphy has over 20 years of experience in the field of global leadership development. The panelists shared their study abroad experiences and information about top-rated business programs abroad. "My program is very similar to the curriculum of the management major at LMU with an international focus, so I felt really prepared coming over here," said Bekesh. The webinar was moderated by Ellen Ensher, LMU professor of management.
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CUIBE Supports IBESCC
The Consortium for Undergraduate International Business Education (CUIBE) will co-sponsor the 2025 International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition (IBESCC). CUIBE is a collaborative network of leading undergraduate business schools dedicated to advancing the field of international business education. According to U.S. News & World Report, CUIBE member schools account for 20 of the top 30 Best Undergraduate International Business Programs.
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International Business SocietyThe International Business Society had an exciting fall semester filled with opportunities for students to connect with industry leaders and gain insights into global business practices. Highlights included guest speaker Jim Negus '94, MBA '95, U.S. Capital Markets and Asset Management Practice Lead at KPMG and Global Lead Partner for JPMorgan Chase & Co. Negus shared strategies for navigating the intersections of finance and international business, offering valuable advice to students preparing for careers in a competitive global economy.
Additionally, George Elias, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Falcon Farms Group, shared his extensive experience in international sales and marketing, inspiring students with actionable tips for leading cross-border business initiatives. IB Society President Aydin Ahmed said, “It’s been a pleasure to be able to organize bigger and more impactful events for the internationally-minded businesspeople at LMU. The future landscape of business is increasingly interconnected and spans the entire globe, and I look forward to continuing the development of our organization—ultimately [having a greater] impact.”
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Upcoming Events|
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Webinar: "Biden, Trump and a Contested Asia"
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Global Sustainability Symposium
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International Business Ethics and Sustainability Case Competition (IBESCC)
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Follow #LMUCIBE
Stay updated on the latest news and events by following LMU CIBE on social media!
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LMU Center for International Business Education extends its appreciation to the U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant for their support.
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