With the new year underway, the University of Dayton’s Graduate Business Programs office is seeing some new beginnings.
It all started in August 2025, when Donald H. Hopkins joined the School of Business Administration team as its newest executive in residence and assistant dean of graduate programs.
“I decided I really wanted to work at UD because I am an alum,” said Hopkins. “I could have a positive impact on students for years to come.”
Hopkins is a four-time UD graduate. After graduating from Miami University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and physics, he went on to earn master’s degrees from Dayton in 1) mathematics, 2) computer science, 3) education with a concentration in school administration and last, but not least, 4) Master of Business Administration. He also spent five years teaching high school before embarking on a corporate career that spanned more than three decades, and took him to the C-suite at companies like NCR.
After retiring from the corporate world, Hopkins returned to his education roots, teaching some master’s courses at Wright State University, before leading its Master of Information Systems and Master of Logistics and Supply Chain programs for seven years. He retired from WSU after serving as interim dean of the College of Business for two years. Now, he’s overseeing all three of UD’s master’s programs: Business Administration, Business Analytics and Finance.
"The Marianist tradition is front and center,” said Hopkins.
“I didn’t feel it as a student, but coming back now, the Marianist tradition is front and center,” said Hopkins. “It’s impressive.”
Hopkins wasted no time getting to work. In his first six months, he spearheaded a push to streamline the schedule needed for MBA candidates to earn their degree.
“The faculty culture is much better here than I’ve seen at other institutions,” said Hopkins. “With their help, we changed the prerequisites for one key course to allow students to finish their MBA in one year,” said Hopkins.
This change will be extremely beneficial to current and future Flyers who qualify for the Bachelor’s Plus Master’s program.
“If they finish three classes that double count during their undergraduate journey, they should be able to complete their master’s in three semesters,” said Hopkins.
Hopkins and the School of Business Administration also teamed up with the University of Dayton School of Law to add two new MBA concentrations: government contracting and government acquisition program management.
“At the University of Dayton School of Law, we are dedicated to providing pathways that empower our students to excel,” said University of Dayton School of Law Interim Dean Chris Roederer. “This partnership offers a unique opportunity for MBA students to specialize through the new concentrations, providing a comprehensive education that meets the evolving demands of both government and business sectors."
The intent of these new concentrations is to help Wright-Patterson Air Force Base employees further their careers.
"By offering specialized MBA concentrations in government contracting and acquisition program management, we are providing a powerful competitive edge and the skills to excel in today’s complex and rapidly changing professional landscape,” said University of Dayton School of Law Director of Training Programs & Strategic Business Development Sabra Tomb.
Additionally, a concentration has been added in engineering management, in conjunction with the School of Engineering. It’s aimed at professionals with a degree in engineering who want to advance in their careers from the perspective of the enterprise, not just the engineering function.
“We identified engineering management courses as options for students who want an MBA with an engineering focus,” said School of Engineering Assistant Dean Michelle Strunks. “This blend will open doors for students seeking work in the field of business or manufacturing with a niche skillset in the STEM arena.”
Even with all that’s been accomplished during his first months on the job, Hopkins still has big plans for the future, and he is confident he will be able to see those ideas come to fruition. He’s also learning into the inspiration he’s found through those unique learning pillars business leaders will only find at UD.
“The ethical leadership approach of our programs is important,” said Hopkins. “That emphasis on people, I think, is different from what students will see at other institutions.”