June 30, 2009

With his many responsibilities to the Marketing Honors Networking Program and outstanding work as a professor of marketing at Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, it is no surprise that Neil Granitz is a recipient of the 2008 - 09 Service to Students Award.

For ten years, Granitz has been director of the college’s Marketing Honors Networking Program (MHNP). This program provides student scholarships and creates networking opportunities between high-achieving Mihaylo marketing students and top OC businesses, which lead to careers, part-time jobs, internships, and mentorships.

“I would like to diversify the types of companies participating in the program.” Granitz explains. “Currently, many of the corporate partners are looking for students who want to work in the sales area of marketing. I would like to attract more companies that represent other areas of marketing such as internet marketing, marketing research and marketing communications.”

This award recognizes professors who have performed outstanding service to students. Examples include career development assistance, mentor and advisement services, scholarship development, student club and organization involvement, and/or creation of networking opportunities between students and the business community.

“I am honored to receive the award,” Granitz said. “The first 50% of the true reward comes when students arrive at the breakfast; their professionalism, attitude and attire makes them indistinguishable from the corporate partners. The second half of the reward comes after the breakfast - when excited students e-mail or personally tell me that they have secured jobs or internships. Finally, [this] award gives the program greater exposure which aids us in recruiting corporate partners.”

Granitz teaches in the areas of Marketing Research, Internet Marketing/E-Commerce and Customer Relationship Management. He has won many faculty awards and has published articles in quality journals, such as Journal of Marketing Education, Time and Society and Journal of Advertising.