Next spring, professional program students in the College of Business at ASU will have the opportunity to learn about car dealership management.
The program, from a partnership forged between ASU and Ford Motor Co., is the first of its kind in the nation at the university level, specifically geared toward minorities and specializing in the fields of marketing and management.
Philip Regier, associate dean of undergraduate programs in the College of Business, said the Ford Motor Co. approached ASU and five other schools approximately two years ago because it felt that many of its dealership owners did not reflect the population as a whole.
"Most of their dealer owners are white males, so they [Ford] approached ASU and some other schools seeking to put together a program that would provide some dealership management training," Regier said.
While the other four universities have not yet set up a similar program as ASU, students who complete the courses and receive a certificate can continue with National Automobile Dealers Association Training sponsored by Ford.
Joyce Donahue, director of career planning and corporate relations in the College of Business, said students who choose to receive a certificate from Ford could have profitable experiences.
"It's an exciting opportunity for a graduate to ultimately own their own dealership," Donahue said. "This is a viable, practical and could be a very lucrative, career choice for students."
Only a few years ago, the ASU College of Business received a $3 million gift from Ford and became one of 30 Ford College Relations Sponsored Program Schools.
Regier said the gift opened the partnership with ASU and Ford, which continues today.
"This is another opportunity to interact with Ford at a deep level and develop a solid partnership with one of the great American corporations," he said.
Ford will be sponsoring a series of scholarships for students involved in the program. Recipients of the scholarship will be given a full tuition wavier during their junior and senior years and will also be given a paid internship during the summer.
Students who plan to own their own car dealership can have a significant portion of their dealership financed by Ford.
Regier added that while the program has a target base of minorities majoring in marketing and management, it is open to all areas of business.
"Owning a car dealership is really five businesses mixed together," Regier said. "People who work for dealerships as general managers make an incredible amount of money, almost $200,000 a year. It's a great opportunity in which students can make sinful amounts of money."
Reach Tony Ku at thatsku@hotmail.com.
