Universidad del Sagrado Corazón launches School of Business

School of Business Dean Dr. Dennis Román stressed that the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón experience extends well beyond the classroom. “Our students are actively involved in internships, co-op programs, company visits, and international educational trips,” he said.

By THE STAR STAFF

The Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (USC) has officially launched its new School of Business, a forward-thinking initiative designed to equip future business leaders with an entrepreneurial mindset, analytical thinking, technological savvy, ethical grounding, and a robust sense of social responsibility.

The school builds on the legacy of the former Department of Business Administration, presenting a modern structure and a global vision aligned with the university’s strategic plan, Sagrado 2030.

Situated on USC’s Santurce campus, the Business School boasts a newly designed, state-of-the-art facility that replicates a real business environment. It features conference rooms, collaborative workspaces, digital information displays, and areas that encourage innovation and strategic thinking.

The underlying idea of the new school is what USC refers to as a “House of Projects” -- a collaborative space where students, faculty and staff can come together to engage in creative activities within a community-driven and action-oriented framework. The initiative represents an investment of some $1 million, funded through institutional resources, federal grants and contributions from benefactors.

“We aim to be the go-to School of Business for Puerto Rico’s enterprises,” USC President Gilberto J. Marxuach Torrós said. “Our mission is to educate alongside the business sector, allowing students to learn in real-world environments. The university provides foundational skills, while businesses offer practical settings for action. This reflects our commitment to a learn-by-doing philosophy.”

He stressed the need for a dynamic, innovative, and socially responsible business sector in Puerto Rico that can create better opportunities for more people.

“We aspire to cultivate business leaders who understand the importance of acting ethically and responsibly,” Marxuach Torrós added. “Every course, project, and experience within this School is designed to reinforce the ethical and social commitment that defines Sagrado.”

USC has a rich history in business education, tracing its roots back to the 1970s with the introduction of associate and bachelor’s degrees in accounting. The new school builds on this legacy with an academic model aimed at transforming educational delivery.

Dr. Anuchka Ramos Ruiz, provost and vice president of academic and student affairs, noted that for the past eight years, USC has been undergoing a curricular overhaul that emphasizes service-learning -- a strategy connecting academic knowledge with real-world challenges, enabling students to tackle genuine issues within communities, organizations and business settings.

“Teaching and learning are profoundly human endeavors that gain their true significance when focused on serving others,” Ramos Ruiz said. “Through the School of Business, we aspire to open new paths for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations that contribute to Puerto Rico’s economic, social, and cultural development.”

The official emphasized that all students are required to complete courses that enhance essential 21st-century professional competencies, including communication, critical thinking, innovation, entrepreneurship, research skills, and awareness of ethical and social justice issues.

Among its academic offerings, the School of Business presents a bilingual bachelor’s degree in business analysis and an advanced honors program for distinguished students. Additionally, it provides market-aligned minors in finance, global supply chain management, CPA track-public accounting, sustainable development, and talent and organizational development. Students can also pursue a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree in digital marketing, which can be completed in just five years.

School of Business Dean Dr. Dennis Román highlighted that the USC experience extends well beyond the classroom.

“Our students are actively involved in internships, co-op programs, company visits, and international educational trips,” he noted. “This year, a group went to Japan, and in 2026, they will head to Germany. Sagrado is also the only university in Puerto Rico with a chapter of the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society and is an accredited member of the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).”

The new school enjoys the support of key strategic partners. The Francisco Carvajal Foundation played a crucial role in developing the facility, dedicating a conference room to the Spanish entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded Olympic Mills in Puerto Rico. The foundation has also awarded 25 scholarships of $2,000 each to students in the School of Business.

Banco Popular de Puerto Rico is supporting the second phase of construction, which will include the Popular Financial Markets Lab — a state-of-the-art facility where students will interact with financial markets and engage in real-time projects.

The inauguration of the School of Business also marks the celebration of 145 years of USC’s educational mission, reinforcing its dedication to nurturing ethical, entrepreneurial and socially responsible leaders.