Jordan Howell Joint Appointment in Management & Entrepreneurship

In September 2020 Prof. Jordan P. Howell was jointly appointed to the Dept. of Management & Entrepreneurship in the William Rohrer College of Business at Rowan. While there are institutions with “sustainable business” areas of emphasis they are staffed mainly by business and economics faculty. This particular joint appointment is an opportunity to dismantle some of the institutional silos relating to both environment and business, because Prof. Howell has expertise in both areas. In particular, Prof. Howell’s research has long cut across disciplinary boundaries, looking for ways in which environmental problems can be solved that emphasize economic and social innovation as opposed to policies and regulations alone. One project — sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection— is already underway with colleagues in the College of Business. The team is exploring how exchange-traded financial derivatives could be used to support markets for recyclable materials. 

Prof. Howell will be teaching classes in both departments, including new courses focused on the concept of “sustainable business”. These courses will approach environmental problem-solving with the tools available to for-profit businesses, which have historically been some of the most powerful forces for change (good and bad). Prof. Howell previously served as the Program Coordinator for Environmental & Sustainability Studies, and also played a central role in developing both departments’ first ever “4+1” degree program. In the 4+1 program, students will earn a BA in Environmental & Sustainability Studies while also completing a Minor in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration. Prof. Howell is looking forward to finding new opportunities for students in both departments to engage with each other around the common theme of environmental action.

In his new role, Prof. Howell will also serve as Co-Director of the Rowan Center for Responsible Leadership, a university-wide initiative examining the role of business in society. The Center has as its mission to "support the values of social responsibility, sustainability, and organizational ethics among students, faculty and community partners through the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Principles of Responsible Management Education. The Center is committed to highlighting common values from which businesses, community groups, non-profits, and individuals alike can build a framework for understanding responsible leadership and becoming responsible leaders.” Prof. Howell will help lead the center in its efforts to enhance faculty teaching and research, as well as connect with the university and broader communities with presentations and events. The Center will also be focused on creating opportunities for students to get “hands-on” experience with sustainability and social entrepreneurship projects.