In this week’s Conversations with Goodman podcast, host Susan LeBlanc talks to incoming Goodman School of Business Dean Andrew Gaudes about the first days of his term and his goals for the future.

Gaudes comes to Goodman from the University of Regina’s Hill and Levene Schools of Business and officially began his term on July 1.

“Everywhere I turn, every corner I walk down, the people I meet are smiling,” he said of his introduction to the Brock community. “They’re excited, and there’s a great sense of optimism about what’s happening here.”

Gaudes is looking forward to implementing his student-focused approach at the business school, which he said is about “making sure that students see a trajectory that includes them, their discretion and their ability to put forward their best in the workplace, whether that’s in an academic environment or a business environment.”

He is also eager to build relationships in the business community.

“If we can support the business community through our graduates, as well as create growth for the business community by increasing strength in the labour pool and the managerial success that can come out of that labour pool, the better off we are,” he said.

When asked about Goodman’s strengths going forward, Gaudes’ mind immediately turns to the Service-Learning program, which has business students teaming up with community partners to apply their skills at no cost.

“It’s an incredible program you have here that’s been running over the past few years, and I don’t think there’s a model like it anywhere else.”

This podcast is the latest in the Conversations with Goodman series, which is produced by the Goodman Marketing, Communications and Alumni Relations team and features guests from the Goodman community.