Dear Friends,

Happy Lunar New Year!

I hope you are enjoying the spring semester.

Although the U.S. Department of Education announced the conclusion of CIBE program funding in September 2025, LMU CIBE has continued its commitment to advancing the global competitiveness of U.S. industries and firms. LMU’s undergraduate International Business program remains strong, ranked No.10 nationally by 2026 U.S. News & World Report.

This issue highlights key programs and activities organized and supported by LMU CIBE during the second half of 2025. In collaboration with the Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship, LMU CIBE hosted global entrepreneur Sid Kim, who shared insights from his experience leading businesses in international markets. In October, in recognition of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, LMU CIBE organized a webinar examining how cybersecurity workforce development strengthens U.S. competitiveness in the AI era. In November, International Education Week was commemorated with a webinar titled “The Impact of AI on Multilingual Virtual Teams’ Communication,” highlighting emerging challenges and opportunities in global collaboration.

Looking ahead, and in celebration of the LMU College of Business Administration Centennial, LMU CIBE has planned two special in-person events this spring: the Global Sustainability Symposium and the Global Marketing Forum. We hope you will join us for these upcoming events and continue to support LMU CIBE’s mission. Thank you!

LMU's undergraduate International Business program has been recognized among the top 10 in the nation according to the 2026 U.S. News & World Report "Best Colleges" rankings. This achievement highlights LMU’s commitment to preparing students with global perspectives, real-world experience, and the leadership skills needed to succeed in today’s interconnected economy.  

On October 28, LMU CIBE participated in EXP’s GPS Your Future event at CSU Dominguez Hills, where more than 500 high school students explored opportunities in higher education. CIBE showcased LMU's top-ranked International Business program, highlighting its unique courses, global travel experiences, and pathways for developing international leadership skills. In March, CIBE will continue its partnership with EXP, with students from Gardena High School's Global Business Magnet visiting LMU for an introduction to the many career opportunities in international business.

LMU Professors Yongsun Paik, Director of LMU CIBE, and Dong Chen led the publication of the second edition of Global Business: Connecting Theory to Reality (Routledge, 2025), a textbook that strengthens global business education by directly integrating theory with real-world practice. Since the first edition’s release in 2017, the global business environment has experienced profound disruption, fundamentally altering how firms compete, manage risk, and engage across borders. This new edition responds to these changes by incorporating post-COVID-19 developments, geopolitical uncertainty, and evolving institutional contexts, equipping students and future leaders with the analytical tools needed to understand and navigate today’s complex global economy.

On October 1, students and community members gathered in Hilton 100 for a conversation with Sid Kim, a global entrepreneur and expansion strategist with nearly 30 years of international business leadership across Asia and the U.S. Founder of Vatos Urban Tacos, Urban Mix, Sid Burger & Craft Beer, and KoMari, Kim has launched and managed more than 20 restaurants and ventures across Singapore, Korea, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the U.S. 

Now serving as chairman of Vatos Capital Partners and CEO of SAGE Partners, Inc., Kim helps international brands navigate U.S. market entry and growth. During the event, he emphasized, “Nothing beats real world experience. The entrepreneurship program is going to arm you with [what] you need to get out there. But until you actually do the real thing… it’s a big difference.” He also spoke about the value of strong teams. “You need a good team," he said. "As an entrepreneur, you have a tendency to try and do everything yourself, but you'll never grow." The program was co-sponsored by the Center for Asian Business D.K. Kim Foundation Lecture Series and the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship.

On October 15, CIBE hosted a webinar bringing together industry and academic leaders to discuss how cybersecurity workforce development strengthens U.S. competitiveness in the AI era. Featuring Carlos Miranda, LMU Director of Information Security and Compliance; Michael Melore, IBM Senior Associate Partner; and Mario Perez, CSIS professor and network engineer for the Los Angeles Community College District, the panel explored strategies for preparing the next generation of cyber professionals and addressing evolving global threats.

Moderated by Keith Clement, Fresno State professor of criminology, the conversation emphasized cybersecurity’s growing strategic importance. As Clement noted, “Cybersecurity is no longer just a ‘back-office’ IT function; it is the backbone of our national and economic security. Our global competitiveness depends entirely on our ability to produce a workforce that is not just technically proficient, but strategically minded.” Perez added, “We have to bridge the gap between academic theory and the ‘hands-on-keyboard’ reality. Preparing the next generation of cyber professionals is about creating a pipeline that is as diverse as the threats we are facing.” 

Carlos Miranda
Director of Information Security and Compliance
Loyola Marymount University

Michael Melore
Senior Associate Partner
IBM

Mario Perez
CSIS Professor/Network Engineer
Los Angeles Community College District

 As part of International Education Week, Dr. Helene Tenzer explored how AI is transforming communication within multilingual virtual teams. The webinar examined how varying reactions to AI integration, ranging from enthusiasm to overreliance or resistance, can shape collaboration, trust, and overall team dynamics. 

Dr. Tenzer encouraged participants to view AI as a support tool rather than a substitute for authentic connection, noting, “Use [AI] as emotional support to some extent if you are disadvantaged language-wise, but don’t ever use it as a replacement for real human exchange.” Her insights highlighted the importance of balancing technology with human empathy in today’s global workplace.

CIBE was proud to support LMU student internships through Global LA, a public-private partnership supported by Los Angeles businesses, civic leaders, and economic development organizations. Students gained hands-on international business experience through extended internships with Global LA. Projects focused on cross-border initiatives and global trade and economic development, including the International Hong Kong Wine & Spirits Show and the Ecomondo Green Technology Expo in Italy. 

LMU Center for International Business Education extends its appreciation to the U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant for their support.

Produced by LMU College of Business Administration

1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, California 90045-2659
Copyright and Privacy | Terms and Conditions