An important aspect of the College of Business Administration's mission is engagement with the community. To that end, the CBA Executive-in-Residence (EIR) program helps to provide students and faculty the opportunity to benefit from the experience of business executives, to strengthen the relationship between the College and the business community, and to help transition students into the business world.

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Responsibilities and Activities:

The Executive in Residence undertakes a variety of activities, including but not limited to:

• One-on-one career advising sessions with students

• Classroom guest speaker

• Guiding entrepreneurial students in new business start-up opportunities

• Meeting with CBA Student Groups

• Community engagement

• Faculty consultation

• Helping students connect to business opportunities

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Ralph Heath is the Inaugural Executive in Residence for the CBA. Heath was founder and president of Ovation Marketing, a La Crosse-based advertising agency from 1978 to 2009 and he has continued in leadership positions with La Crosse non-profits ORA Trails, Bluffland Coalition, La Crosse Promise, and Mississippi Valley Conservancy.