As you may already know, I teach the Marketing class at the Bainbridge Graduate Institute here on Bainbridge Island in Washington state. BGI is an unique school, dedicated to preparing students to build businesses that are socially responsible and environmentally sustainable. Their goals go hand-in-hand with Fair Trade Sports.
Recently, BGI received accreditation from the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). Accreditation is a huge step for any new educational program; it establishes BGI as a leader of sustainable business education. Now that BGI is accredited:
• Our students can receive Title IV Federal financial aid
• More employers will reimburse some or all of tuition
• Employers will place more value on the BGI degree
• Funders will see BGI as an even more attractive investment
• Other schools will be more interested in copying the BGI model
All of these perks are great, but the last one in particular really stands out to me. If more colleges and universities across the country and the world follow the BGI model, that means that there will be more graduates entering the workplace with an eye towards creating enterprises that are environmentally sustainable and socially responsible, which is much needed. Congrats BGI!
