From the Dean

Do you want to change the world? We do. Worcester Polytechnic Institute was founded in 1865 to create and convey the latest science and engineering knowledge in ways that are most beneficial to society. In 1949, in recognition of the important role that businesses play in that process, WPI created the School of Industrial Management, today known as the Foisie Business School. Businesses are the predominant way in which STEM advances benefit society. That is, beneficial deployment of STEM advances requires individuals working together in an organization. Modern STEM-driven businesses are complex and differ from other businesses. The FBS helps STEM professionals learn to navigate and lead these complex STEM-driven organizations in ways that accelerate their impact. Are you intrigued? Our graduate and undergraduate admissions teams would be happy to talk with you.  Steven S. Taylor

 

 

Steven S. Taylor

Steven S. Taylor

Professor & Interim Dean

Foisie Business School

Office: Washburn Shops 215

Phone: 508-831-5557

My research is focused in two areas: Organizational aesthetics takes seriously the idea that management is as much an art as it is a science, and applies art-based scholarship and practice to management and organizations. Reflective practice is the ability to analyze our own actions and learn from that how to be more effective, ethical, and artful as managers and leaders. At the heart of my work as a researcher and teacher, is my own practice as a playwright. My plays have been performed in England, France, Poland, Canada, New Zealand, Italy, and the USA. ... View Profile
Diane M. Strong

Diane M. Strong

Professor & Interim Dept Head

Foisie Business School

Office: Washburn Shops 219

Phone: 508-831-5573

WPI provides an environment that values both teaching and research, which is ideal for me. I enjoy teaching at WPI because students are interested in learning and willing to work hard. My teaching focuses on how business, healthcare, and nonprofit organizations can best use computing technologies, such as database systems, electronic health records systems, and mobile apps. Students in my classes learn to design computing applications that meet the needs of organizations. ... View Profile
Brent E. French

Brent E. French

Director of Finance & Operations

Adjunct Teaching Professor

Foisie Business School

Office: Gateway 2 at 50 Prescott Street, 1311

Phone: 508-831-5792

Brent manages the $8M FBS budget and operations for 40+ people assigned to the School.  He’s a WPI grad (MBA, 2006) and teaches organizational behavior and leadership.  Brent is a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve and is assigned to USAF Headquarters at the Pentagon.  Formerly an Associate Professor at the Naval War College, Brent also spent 16 years working in a Fortune 500 information technology firm. View Profile
Melissa Terrio

Melissa Terrio

Dir of Grad Recruitment & Adm

Phone: 508-831-6345

Melissa is responsible for all recruiting and admissions activities for the graduate programs at the Foisie Business School. With over twenty years of experience in recruiting and admissions Melissa has worked at universities across the United States and in France.

Melissa holds an MEd from Northeastern University and a BA in History and French from Boston University.

Norman Wilkinson

Norman Wilkinson

Executive Director

Phone: 508-831-5218, 508-831-5957

Norm oversees all things related to FBS programs, including course scheduling, faculty deployment, and program design. Norm also serves as a counselor to all FBS students.

Norm has a J.D. from the University of Connecticut; an M.A. in Political Science from Syracuse University; and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Maine.

Office: Washburn 215

Erin Wickman

Erin Wickman

Asst to Dean School ofBusiness

Phone: 508-831-5918

Serves as assistant to the Dean of the Foisie Business School and also provides administrative support to the Director of Collaborative of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and the Technical Advisor Network.

Erin's previous work experience includes event planning, technical publishing and graphic design, human resources, marketing, hospitality and disaster services for the American Red Cross National Headquarters.