Xavier University
Open search dialog
The Williams College of Business

Centers of Excellence

Centers extend the opportunities for students and faculty beyond our majors and departments.

These opportunities are often community and/or research-based, so as to not only strengthen the skills of our students, but at the same time, offer value to our community.

Center for International Business

The Center for International Business builds international relationships with multi-national corporations and educational institutions that will allow for unique opportunities for WCB students and faculty. Specifically, the center provides expertise and resources to facilitate the offering of innovative and specialized international study programs and internship opportunities that would enhance our students' academic and professional development. The programs are designed to equip the students with a global mindset, sensitivity, and real-world problem-solving capabilities that would help them become valuable assets to the organizations that they would serve upon graduation.

Center for Customer Analytics

We develop thought leaders in the world of customer analytics leveraging data science driven by our curiosity.  We aim to partner with others in the creation of fact-based and ethical solutions based on prescriptive analytics.  We collaborate with organizations to courageously communicate and execute solution recommendations.

Sedler Family Center for Experiential Learning

Welcome to the place where classrooms come alive!

Where you will experience your major in new, exciting ways.  Where you will get involved and learn to help your community.  T he Sedler Family Center for Experiential Learning in Business is a hands-on learning hub that operates under the Xavier University Williams College of Business. Committed to furthering Jesuit Values, the Xavier mission and transformative student learning, the Sedler Center creates experiential learning opportunities that help students develop business skills and build relationships that lead to high-quality jobs.

  • Experience the Community
    • START:ME Program- an intensive 14-week accelerator program that provides the most promising micro-entrepreneurs in underserved communities with knowledge, networks, and capital.  We invites students to volunteer with our program!
  • Experience the Culture
    • The Kroger Corporations Ice Cream Challenge- Teams of students worked with Brand Managers to create new and innovative ice cream flavors
    • The Portland Experience- Immerse yourself in the Pacific Northwest business world!  Meet the entrepreneurs who started companies like the Original Goat Yoga and Moberi.
  • Experience the Journey
    • Urban Farm sells organically grown heirloom produce harvested from the Xavier Urban Farm at local farmer's markets and our dining hall.
    • CLC Fresh Xpress on the fourth floor of the Conaton Learning Commons, serves paninis, quesadillas, and smoothies.
    • Student Consulting Services provides student opportunities to consult with area business, including Virtual Co-Op opportunities in data analytics.

Fifth Third Trading Center

The Fifth Third Trading Center is a student-managed facility committed to the study and application of finance. The Center:

  • Offers hands-on, practical training and classroom integration of state-of-the-art technology including the nation's largest educational access point to Bloomberg LP financial software - the standard on Wall Street and throughout the global financial industry.
  • Conducts and facilitates research in finance and financial economics for in-house purposes as well as for the students and faculty of the Williams College of Business.
  • Promotes financial education through student and faculty workshops, community outreach programs, executive education, economic and investment forums, and a professional speaker series.
  • Provides facilities and oversight for the student-managed equity and fixed-income funds, as well as the student managed financial economics magazine - the Bellwether.

Stephen S. Smith Center

The mission of the Stephen S. Smith Center in the Williams College of Business at Xavier University is to promote learning, scholarship, and debate about fundamental questions and ideas that impact society.  The Center uses an interdisciplinary approach to examine such questions, emphasizing the study of economics and its relationship to law, political philosophy, and history.

Xavier Leadership Center (XLC)

The Xavier Leadership Center provides today's working professionals with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful.

  • We offer a wide range of programs, in areas such as leading and managing others, enhancing personal effectiveness and developing broader/deeper business knowledge.
  • Our hands-on approach to learning and leading helps develop managers who can inspire, engage and empower others to make a difference in their organizations.
  • XLC offers open enrollment programs through its  Corporate University , as well as custom-tailored learning and leading solutions for many of the area's leading companies.
  • Contact Susan Whitaker ( whitakers5@xavier.edu / 513.745.3230) to learn more.

Center for Women in Business and Leadership

The Williams College of Business is prepared to lead this effort by creating the Center for Women in Business and Leadership with focused and intentional efforts in these areas:

  • Attracting young women to study business by exposing them to a variety career paths from an early age. This includes targeted outreach to middle and high school girls to broaden awareness about what it means to “go into business” with the goal of providing experiential learning experiences that will excite and motivate them to learn more while demystifying the unknown. Through this process girls can gain confidence, learn useful skills such as creativity, dealing with failure, and problem-solving.
  • Educating women at the Williams College of Business and across the broader University community not only the theory, but also the application of their chosen discipline. This includes how to navigate obstacles that may impede their success and progress. Ultimately, this strong academic footing will lead to greater choice for students in their chosen field.
  • Supporting women in their personal and professional development through continued education, networking, and coaching so they are empowered to make informed decisions. Often times women are forced into an either/or mentality when it comes to personal and career choices. Our intent is to broaden the conversation and teach women it is possible to have both a rich personal life and promising career at the same time.
  • Elevating women into leadership positions in both profit and non-profit organizations. Women succeed in the classroom AND in the boardroom.