With an Innovative Vision Set to be Implemented, Grenon School of Business Adds Experienced and Passionate Faculty 

This academic year, Assumption’s Grenon School of Business welcomed new faculty to the institution, expanding the depth and breadth of an already rich faculty roster. 

“Since the formal naming, the Grenon School of Business has welcomed additional exemplary faculty to the School who share with students their career and academic knowledge as they prepare future business leaders whose education is grounded within an ethical framework,” said Joseph T. Foley, founding dean of the Grenon School of Business. “As the Grenon School develops innovative partnerships with local business leaders and creates experiential learning opportunities, Assumption students are provided unique opportunities to apply strategies learned in the classroom in a professional setting. In welcoming these new faculty, and promoting existing faculty, Assumption’s Grenon School of Business continues to engage quality individuals who are committed to the personal and professional success of each student.”

Since the official naming of Grenon School, the namesake of Worcester entrepreneur David Grenon, the School has been the beneficiary of generous donations to explore new academic opportunities and begin construction of a trading room on campus.

Three new faculty members include: 

• Kristen Quinn ’03, joins Assumption as a professor of practice in accounting. Prof. Quinn’s professional experience spans a number of educational institutions and corporate positions, including as a senior associate at Grant Thornton, LLP. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Assumption and a master’s degree from Suffolk University. 
• Weixiao (Olivia) Wu, CFA, Ph.D., joins Assumption as a tenure-track faculty member in finance. Prof. Wu’s corporate experience and expertise in international economics allows her to effectively teach topics such as financial management, financial modeling and investments and securities valuation; micro- and macroeconomics; and investment theory. She holds a B.A. from the Beijing Institute of Technology, an M.S. from the University of Edinburgh, and her Ph.D. from Clark University. 
• Xianfang Zeng, MBA, joins the University as a tenure-track faculty member in marketing. Prof. Zeng has served in a number of business and marketing positions and specializes in consumer behavior, social media, and digital, social and international marketing. Prof. Zeng is a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Calgary (expected 2020). She received a bachelor’s degree from Yantai University, a Master of Laws from Peking University, and an MBA from Korea University. 

The Grenon School of Business also promoted two professors who currently teach at the University:

• Bryan Coleman ‘08, CPA, CVA, MBA, was promoted from the rank of professor of practice to tenure-track assistant professor of accounting. Prof. Coleman, who joined the Assumption faculty in January 2015, has more than a decade of experience as an accountant and in tax planning, which he shares with the next generation in the Assumption classroom. He earned his B.A. from Assumption and an MBA from Nichols College. 
• Paul Piwko, C.M.A, has been promoted from the rank of visiting assistant professor to professor of practice in accounting. Prof. Piwko returned to Assumption in 2017 after a brief absence, having previously taught at the University from 2012-2015. He is a Certified Management Accountant who has served as an adjunct faculty member at several institutions and served in a number of business and management positions for Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. He has a B.A. in finance from UMass Amherst, an MBA from Nichols College, and received executive education from the University of Michigan.