Turner Business

Congratulations to Sean Glieberman , Director of the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity, for being voted one of OnCon Icon's Top 50 Information Security Professional Award winners for 2026. Glieberman joined the TSYS School in June of 2025  from Ohio, where he held the position of Executive Director of the Center for Cyber Defense at Tiffin University. While there he secured $1 million in research grants and alternative revenue generation throughout the Ohio region, built a state-of-the-art cyber center with a 24/7 interactive cyberwall threat map, mobile cyber range, Boston Dynamics SPOT, and Tesla Cybertruck, and developed public and private partnerships, including with the White House ONCD, Department of Defense, CISCO, and US Bank. Last month he hosted an open forum of CISO executives, while earlier this year he expanded the Board of Directors of the TSYS Center for Cybersecurity to 12 members.

Former CSU Provost Deborah Bordelon, Chief Academic Officer and Provost at University of Houston – Downtown, has been appointed to serve as Interim President of UHD effective May 1, following the departure of Loren Blanchard, who was recently appointed president of California State University –Long Beach. Bordelon, who joined UHD in 2022, began her administrative career as chair and associate professor at Xavier University of Louisiana and went on to serve as Dean of the College of Education at Nicholls State University. She later served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Governors State University before being named Provost and Executive Vice President at Columbus State University. A national search for UHD’s next president will begin immediately.

The Turner College is currently in the process of establishing the Synovus Center Design Enhancement Task Force to be made up of Turner College students, faculty and staff and will focus on efforts to modernize spaces within the Synovus Center. According to Acting Turner College Dean Tesa Leonce , the task force will conduct a comprehensive aesthetic assessment and develop a cohesive aesthetic vision for common spaces within the building. The goal is to enhance student-centered spaces, such as the lobby areas, by modernizing them and improving their functionality. Leonce noted that Howard Hall and Arnold Hall are two examples of recent interior redesigns on the main campus that are more modern looking than the current version of the Synovus Center. The $4 million renovation of Howard Hall was completed in 2015 and included higher ceilings, improved lighting, flexible furniture and new technology. Arnold Hall's $4.95 million redesign was completed in 2016, and included a "Googl...

CSU's enrollment decline continues to be a source of concern to the University System of Georgia. CSU's enrollment for spring 2026 is down 2.4% compared to spring 2025, while only one other USG institution, Albany State University, experienced an enrollment drop over the same time period. ASU's FTE enrollment fell by only 0.3%, however, meaning that CSU's decline is in a category of its own. Enrollment at the USG's other "State Universities" is up by at least 0.9% (Georgia College & State University) and as much as 8.4% (Fort Valley State University and Georgia Southwestern State University). The four other institutions in this category saw their enrollments rise by a larger percentage than CSU's enrollment fell. Enrollment across the USG's four "Research Universities" rose by 0.3% (Georgia State University) to 6.8% (Augusta University). Similarly, among the USG's four "Comprehensive Universities" enrollment rose by 0.8%...

Acting Turner College Dean Tesa Leonce announced at the College's April 2026 faculty and staff meeting that the Turner College is reviving its Executive Speakers Series, beginning fall semester 2026. The renewed series will be led by MIS professor Jennifer Pitts , who informed those in attendance that she will be partnering with industry and community leaders in order to build the series as an opportunity for students to network with area professionals and for area professionals to offer guidance on the business and computer science curricula offered by the Turner College and TSYS School. Pitts informed Turner Business that she already has leads on speakers for the next academic year and that a high percentage of them will be CSU alumni.

Columbus State University was honored to welcome the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia to Columbus for their April board meeting. In CSU  President Stuart Rayfield is joined in the accompanying image by USG Board Chair David Dove and USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue as CSU showcases the strong partnerships and collaborative spirit that make our community and university such a special place to learn, live and lead.

To celebrate National  Student Employment Week, the Turner College created posters that  proudly recognize the 13 outstanding student assistants who play a vital role in supporting the Turner College, the TSYS School and our campus community. From balancing academic responsibilities to contributing their time, energy, and talent behind the scenes, these students exemplify dedication, professionalism, and leadership.  Their work does not go unnoticed. Whether assisting departments, supporting faculty and staff, or enhancing the student experience, each of them makes a meaningful impact every single day.  We are grateful for their commitment and proud to have them as part of our community. Join us in celebrating their hard work and achievements.

New research by Turner College economist Frank Mixon and his colleague Ricardo Faria of Florida Atlantic University addresses fragmentation  of academic research on entrepreneurship that is borne out of an underrepresentation of some key figures in the history of economic thought. As these authors point out, much of the academic research on entrepreneurship relies heavily, as it should, on the work by  late economist Joseph Schumpeter (1883-1950), particularly his 1934 and 1942 books respectively titled T he Theory of Economic Development: An Inquiry into Profits, Capital, Credit, Interest , and the Business Cycle and Capitalism, Socialism, and Democracy . However, Schumpeter's important work on entrepreneurship was preceded by that of  the late Austrian School economist Ludwig von Mises (1881-1973), which is best represented by his 1920 and 1922 books respectively titled Socialism: An Economic and Sociological Analysis and Economic Calculation in the Socialist Common...

According to Ty Tagami's recent report for Capitol Beat , the USG will be increasing tuition by 1% for Georgia students attending one of the state’s public colleges or universities.  The Regents are also increasing tuition 3% for out-of-state students attending one of the University System of Georgia campuses.  “With enrollment at record levels, we’re focused on limiting new financial hurdles and delivering real value on every campus,” Chancellor Sonny Perdue said in a statement. “T[hi]s decision reinforces that commitment.” As Tagami reports, t uition covers only a portion of instructional costs, with the state paying for 57%, according to the USG. It said students pay, on average, less in tuition now than in 2017 when adjusted for inflation.  The system also said the Georgia General Assembly’s new budget for fiscal year 2027 includes a $34.2 million “reduction” in enrollment-driven state funding. The budget, which awaits the signature of Gov. Brian Kemp, increased the s...

A student from the Georgia Institute of Technology on Tuesday took home a $15,000 prize and first-place honors as the inaugural winner of the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Innovation & Entrepreneurship Competition. The student, Akos Vida, pitched AdaptaPlay, a modular gaming controller add-on for people with disabilities.  Second place and $7,500 were awarded to SueAnn Hollowell, a student from Kennesaw State University, for their idea for a patented commercial body art printer that allows fans to print custom sports designs on their skin in seconds. Danielle Gibson of Gordon State College earned third place and $2,500 for an idea to develop accessible kits that allow farriers to electroplate horseshoes with copper to protect against bacterial invasion and prevent degradation of the hoof capsule.  A panel of judges honored three runners-up for their innovative ideas: Georgia Southwestern State University, Georgia Southern University and Georgia College & State U...

Columbus State University was barely into its annual CSU Gives 24-hour online giving campaign on Monday, April 6, when donors surpassed its 250-donor goal. Twelve hours later, the campaign surpassed 500 donors. By its official close on Tuesday, April 7, 894 donors had given—more than 250% of the campaign’s original goal. Although campaign planners did not set a dollar goal, donors contributed $84,407 to support the university. Campaign donors represented seven countries and 34 U.S. states: Georgia accounted for more than 70% of all donors who made a gift, followed by Alabama, with 87 donors. “Our alumni and friends stepped up in an incredible way,” said Karen McCauley, CFRE, CSU’s chief advancement officer. “From scholarships and support for our academic programs to athletics and the campus experiences that make CSU a special place to study and succeed, our donors are the true champions of our CSU Gives annual giving campaign.” The annual campaign allows alumni and philanthropic friend...

"Tapping" inductees into the Turner College's 2026 spring class of Beta Gamma Sigma, the top honor society specifically for business majors, begins this morning and continues through the rest of the week. Tapping is the process whereby Turner College faculty, dressed in full academic regalia, visit various classrooms to "tap" inductees into the prestigious honor society. The inductees will be former recognized at the Turner College's 2026 Student Awards Convocation in a few weeks.  Turner Business congratulates all students who receive this surprise during the week.

It's that time of the semester when the Turner College's Instagram and Facebook pages shine a spotlight on the Turner College and TSYS School students who are graduating soon. Students are invited to submit their  graduation photos in order to be featured and celebrated for their hard work and achievements.  Don’t forget to include a shoutout, quote, or accomplishment to make your spotlight even more special. The deadline for submission is May 13, 2026. Don't wait, get your information early so you can be among the first to be celebrated.

The Turner College's Butler Center for Research and Economic Development has released a new 2026 study titled  Workforce Profile: Business and Computer Science Occupations in Georgia .  The study highlights the role of business, management, and computer science occupations in Georgia’s economic growth and provides an analysis of trends across these fields. More specifically, the new study employs  BLS and real-time job posting data to examine demand, skills, and geographic trends for these occupations, thus highlighting the importance of education and workforce partnerships in meeting future needs.  These occupations employ nearly 970,000 workers, representing 18% of the total workforce, and they continue to drive job growth while offering high-quality, high-paying opportunities.  This study should serve as a valuable resource for Georgia's business and computer science schools, as well as for workforce development organizations by way of supporting grant applic...

The Turner College-affiliated Academic Success Coaches  had a fantastic time celebrating at Cody’s Birthday Bash & Baseball Game at Burger King Stadium on CSU's main campus. Shown in the image at left are, from left to right, Yvette Maxwell , Shaneka Thrash and Elizabeth Chess , along with Cody. The trio enjoye d being part of such a fun and memorable day cheering on the team, connecting with students, and celebrating Cody’s special day together. Events like these remind us how important community and campus engagement are to student success.

The University Information Technology Services (UITS) Help Desk and Repair Shop has temporarily relocated to Room 121 in the Synovus Center, home of the Turner College on CSU's main campus.  Students and employees may visit the UITS Help Desk in person at this temporary location, contact the team by phone (706-507-8199) or send an email (helpdesk@columbusstate.edu) for assistance during operating hours, which are  8:00 a.m. through 9:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday, and  Friday from 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.  Thank you for your patience and understanding as they serve you through this temporary relocation. Turner College faculty and staff are invited to CSU's Inaugural Korea-Georgia Dialogue on May 20, 2026.  The Korea–Georgia Dialogue is the premier signature forum hosted by CSU to strengthen strategic, economic and cultural connections between the Republic of Korea and the State of Georgia. As Georgia becomes a key hub for Korean investment from companies...

Turner College and TSYS School students are invited to the  ultimate Field Day experience  on April 21, 2026, from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm. Field Day offers games, laughs, great BBQ, tug of war, a sack race, the chance to pie your business or computer science professor, a three-legged race, and more. This year's Field Day will be held in the  Mock Pavilion next to the CSU intramural fields. Those wishing to attend the even should bring their CSU student IDs as the event is  exclusively for Turner College business students and TSYS School computer science and technology students. Please join us for g ood vibes, great friends, and even better memories you don’t want to miss.

In prepping for his Managerial Finance course in the Turner College's MBA program, finance professor Brett Cotten spent a lot of time revising and restructuring it to fit the new hybrid format. To effectively teach in the new format, he recorded, edited, and eventually published 24 different videos to deliver course content.  Cotten also wanted to ensure the class was practical, so he gives students the opportunity to apply what they were learning to realistic business situations. To accomplish this, he utilizes many class examples, sets aside time for in-class assignments, and makes projects a substantial part of the course.  "While people generally think of finance as quantitative, and it is, my projects always include a written component because I believe it is critical that students be able to clearly communicate their assumptions, methods, and the results of their analyses.  I also want students to be able to apply the concepts and tools they learn, and these projec...

Turner College faculty, staff and students are invited to help celebrate our students’ academic and service accomplishments at the annual Scholastic Honors Convocation on April 24, beginning at 4 p.m., in the Cunningham Conference Center’s Blanchard Hall. More than 100 students are honored at the annual event, which includes presentation of the Faculty Cup Award and Educator of the Year Award.  The CSU Faculty Cup Award, awarded annually at the Scholastic Honors Convocation, is the highest award granted to a CSU student who has earned 96 or more semester credit hours toward a baccalaureate degree at the time of nomination. The student should have graduated at the end of the previous fall semester or should be a candidate to graduate in the upcoming spring or summer term. The student should be at least in the second year of residence at CSU. The award signifies superior academic achievement, participation in university organizations, leadership, service to others, and potential...

The latest volume of the Turner College's servant leadership journal, Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice , recently released and it includes three traditional academic papers and one case study. This journal is edited by Turner College management professor Kevin Hurt , an expert in servant leadership. The editorial board includes Turner College management professor Phil Bryant , Steve Brown of Georgia Gwinnett College, Victor Claar of Henderson State University, Kathleen Patterson of Regent University, and Turner College management professor Neal Thomson . The journal seeks contributions from various disciplinary perspectives, including psychology, management (i.e., organizational behavior, strategy, organizational theory), political science, sociology, economics (i.e., personnel, behavioral, labor), history, and methodology. The aim of the journal is to publish scholarly research, theory, and developmental application from diverse fields of inquiry about servant leader...

Many young Americas hold down part- and full-time jobs while also attempting to pursue a college degree. Some are able to work on campus while completing their studies, while others work in hospitality or retail in the town where their college or university is located. Certainly not many, and probably not any, pursue a double major while also working halfway around the globe as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army during a significant military conflict. That description probably fits only Indigo Pullen , a  46S—Public Affairs Mass Communication Specialist  in the U.S. Army who is a  double major at CSU working towards a BBA in business management with a concentration in entrepreneurship and a BFA in fine arts.  In its role, Indigo's unit serves as the U.S. Army's journalists, photographers, and videographers, creating content for internal and external media. She produces news, manages social media, and supports media operations to tell the U.S. Army's story, which requires a ...

Prior research has found servant leadership to be positively associated with beneficial outcomes, including employee satisfaction, employee engagement, and employee commitment. Servant leadership theory suggests that these outcomes should translate into better financial performance. However, little research has examined the relationship between servant leadership and firm financial performance. To address this issue, Turner College finance professor Brett Cotten , Douglas Schneider, the Edwin Jones Endowed Professor of Accounting at East Carolina University, and Danielle Navarrete , an adjunct professor of business in the Turner College, examine, in a study appearing in the current issue of Servant Leadership: Theory & Practice , a number of profitability and efficiency ratios of servant leadership firms, comparing them to those of their non-servant leadership peers.  To identify Servant Leadership firms, the researchers began with the ‘Servant Leadership  Companies List’ ...