March 2026: Message from the dean

Dear alumni, partners and friends,

As we move through March and toward the end of another academic term, I am proud of the momentum we continue to build at the Alberta School of Business.

The winter months have been filled with meaningful connection and celebration. Earlier this month, we were pleased to host our Spring Business Advisory Council meeting preceding one of our most anticipated evenings of the year — the Canadian Business Leader Award — where we celebrated Gord Johnston, president and CEO of Stantec, and the outstanding leadership and the impact business can have across our province and beyond.

We also welcomed distinguished guests at February’s Princeton Lecture Series and the CPA Alberta Mind Your Business events, both of which reflect our commitment to convening leaders, fostering discussion and strengthening the bridge between academia and practice.

At the same time, our faculty continue to advance research that addresses complex, real-world challenges. Across disciplines, our scholars are generating insight that informs policy, strengthens organizations and contributes to economic and social progress. I invite you to explore several recent research stories highlighted in this newsletter, which reflect both the depth of expertise within our school and our ongoing commitment to impact through scholarship.

Our students continue to inspire us. From strong performances at national case competitions — including an impressive showing at JDC West — to the continued legacy of the Rocky Mountain Business Seminar, the energy, professionalism and ambition of our students are unmistakable. Vice dean Trish Reay and I were honoured to attend the seminar this year and witness firsthand the leadership and dedication that make it such a hallmark experience.

March also marked a special milestone for the university: its first winter convocation. We were proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our newest graduates as they crossed the stage and joined our alumni community. Their achievements remind us why our work matters.

Behind the scenes, we have also been focused on the continued growth of our graduate programs. Recruitment is well underway for the inaugural cohort of our Master of Real Estate Development +, which is a first-of-its-kind program designed to prepare leaders who will shape resilient, vibrant communities. Applications close in May, and we are excited about the calibre of interest we are seeing.

As the winter term draws to a close and we look ahead to spring classes, there is a sense of both accomplishment and anticipation. The pace of activity does not slow, but neither does our commitment to excellence, community and impact.

Thank you for your continued engagement with the Alberta School of Business. Your partnership — as alumni, donors, industry leaders and friends — is essential to everything we achieve.

Warm regards,
Vikas Mehrotra