Press Releases

4-24-2026

Massachusetts Maritime Academy Professors Present at IACBE Conference; Szwed and Co-Authors Win Innovation Award
 

BUZZARDS BAY, MA, ISSUED APRIL 24, 2026…Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA; www.maritime.edu), a top-ranked public university with undergraduate degree programs focusing on science, engineering, technology, math, and business that blend academics and experiential learning is proud to announce that International Maritime Business Professors Bhani Ghosh and Paul Szwed recently presented at the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) conference in Salt Lake City, Utah.
 
The IACBE is a leading global accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). It provides mission-driven, outcomes-based accreditation for business programs worldwide, helping institutions strengthen academic quality, foster innovation, and enhance student learning.
 
During the conference, Szwed, along with co-authors Matthew Rooks and Gregory Sholdt, were honored with the Oedekoven Innovation for Business Education Award for their paper Beyond Borders: Cultivating Affective Competence for Global Business Leadership. The Award is presented annually by the IACBE to recognize outstanding contributions to business education through innovative research and practical application. It is named in honor of Dr. Olin Oedekoven, a scientist, decorated military officer, global educator, and leadership-development pioneer whose work influenced wildlife research, military strategy, and business education.
“This year’s winning paper asks the question that as artificial intelligence continues to take on more cognitive tasks, what remains uniquely human and how do we teach it?” said Ashley Dillard of award sponsor Peregrin Global Services. “The authors make a compelling case that the answer lies in the affective domain, specifically our ability to connect, adapt, and lead across cultures. This work shows us how immersive experiences, emotional engagement, and reflection move students from awareness of perspectives and values to internalization and is so important to shaping future business leaders.”
 
“This award is a testament to the collaborative effort behind the study and to the growing recognition that while global leadership demands technical expertise, it also requires curiosity, adaptability, and the readiness to embrace and learn from others’ perspectives,” said Szwed.  
 
Drawing on a mixed-methods study of a short-term program in Japan, the authors of Beyond Borders: Cultivating Affective Competence for Global Business Leadership, demonstrate measurable gains in cultural intelligence across all dimensions, with the most significant growth occurring in students’ motivation and confidence to engage across differences.
“This is an exceptional accomplishment and a testament to the dedication of our faculty,” said Rear Admiral Francis X. McDonald, USMS, president of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “Professor Szwed’s award winning work and Professor Ghosh’s contribution at the conference highlight the expertise and leadership that continue to strengthen our institution and its impact on the global maritime community.”
 
About Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA)
MMA is a fully accredited, four-year, co-educational state university offering Bachelor and Master of Science degrees that are highly regarded in the worldwide maritime industry and beyond. For more than 100 years, MMA has prepared women and men for exciting and rewarding careers on land and sea. As the nation's finest co-ed maritime college, MMA challenges students to succeed by balancing a unique regimented lifestyle with a typical four-year college environment. Located on Cape Cod, at the mouth of the scenic Cape Cod Canal, Massachusetts Maritime Academy is the ideal college to pursue the love for the ocean, concern for the environment, interest in math and science, and a thirst for adventure. Follow MMA on FB:  @massmaritime, @MassMaritime.Advancement; IG: @massmaritime, @mmacademyalumni; Twitter: @MMAadmissions, @MMAcademyAlumni; YouTube: Massachusetts Maritime Academy. 

Photo (left to right):  Ashley Dillard, Peregrin Global Services; Paul Szwed, MMA International Maritime Business Professor; and Dr. Emmett Tracey, President of IACBE.