YSU Dean named Beta Gamma Sigma 2018 Dean of the Year

Betty Jo Licata, dean of the Williamson College of Business Administration at Youngstown State University, was named Beta Gamma Sigma 2018 Dean of the Year.

The Beta Gamma Sigma Dean of the Year Award is a merit recognition awarded to one outstanding Dean who both made significant contributions to the success of their Chapter and supported the Beta Gamma Sigma mission throughout the course of the academic year.

Beta Gamma Sigma is the world’s premier business honorary reserved exclusively for schools accredited by AACSB International ‑ The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Nominated by Youngstown State University’s Beta Gamma Sigma chapter, she received the award during the AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Licata was recognized for her contributions to the chapter including:

• Participating in all aspects of the induction process. This includes funding the costs of BGS stoles for each inductee, a dinner for the inductees and their guests, and a photographer for the event. Her involvement takes a personal approach when she participates in a tapping ceremony each January.
• Supporting students’ attendance at the annual Global Leadership Summit. In the fall, 10 students were able to attend this event in Orlando, Fla. There they were able to advance their leadership skills with real-world insight, hands-on experiences, and networking with students and thought leaders from around the world.
• Supporting the program “BGS Gives Back” by facilitating the involvement of members in Junior Achievement’s “JA in a Day.”
• Supporting BGS members in the completion of the Ethical Leadership Certification Program. She has reimbursed any member who completes this certification process.
• Helping move the chapter from being strictly an honorary to becoming an active on-campus student organization.

As a result of these efforts, the YSU chapter has consistently earned “Highest Honors” recognition from the international honorary.

Licata has lead the Williamson College of Business Administration since 1995 and was instrumental in guiding the college to its initial accreditation by AACSB. To date, only 30 percent of business schools in the U.S and 5 percent worldwide, have this recognition. Licata is engaged in many organizations on both the local and national level. She is on the board of numerous community agencies including Junior Achievement and the Youngstown Business Incubator. In addition, she is active with the AACSB and serves on many of their review teams.