Kevin Manninen
Dean, International School of Business Associate Professor of Management & Marketing
Office
Mannerheim Hall, Room 302
Contact
kevin.manninen@finlandia.edu
906-487-7371
Joined Finlandia
January 2012
Education
MBA, Eastern Michigan University, 12/94
B.S. Business Administration, Michigan Technological University, 5/87
Professional Teacher certification, JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland), 2001
Certified Global Business Professional, 2019
Current Courses
BUS395 Project Management, BUS435 Entrepreneurship, BUS388 Global Entrepreneurship, BUS310 Cross-Cultural Business Communication, BUS498 Business Internships
Biography
A native of the Copper Country, Kevin has been the dean of the International School of Business since 2013. While at Finlandia, he has overseen several curriculum improvements and has been especially active in promoting the experiential learning and international aspects of the International School of Business.
Previous to this, he lived for 15 years in Finland lecturing and assisting in developing the International Business Program at the JAMK University of Applied Sciences in Jyväskylä.
While at JAMK, he trained and coached numerous Finnish and Russian start-ups and established companies. He has lectured throughout Europe including at FRIDAS Business College in Obninsk, Russia, the University of Rome and the University of Genoa in Italy, The Technical University of Ostrava (Czech Republic), Bielefeld University of Applied Sciences (Germany), University of Pecs (Hungary), Ljubljana University (Slovenia). He later worked as the Manager of Business Development at Jyväskylä Innovation, Oy where he marketed the region and assisted in developing its high tech business sectors.
Upon returning to the USA in 2010, he worked for one year as an Economic Coordinator for Western U.P. Planning and Development Region. In his spare time he enjoys hockey, other sports, history and walking with his dog in the great outdoors.
Personal Statement
Here in the International School of Business we focus on providing the students with a well-rounded business education. In addition, we also strive to provide the student with skills and experience that will enable them to stand out from the crowd as they enter the employment market. Our focus on experiential learning through quality internships, projects, interaction with business professionals, study abroad opportunities and even a project management competition, gives the students the opportunity to make the most of their educational opportunity here at Finlandia.
Areas of Interest / Speciality
International business, marketing, entrepreneurship, project management, cross-cultural communication, experiential learning
Favorite Quotes
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
– Maimonides
The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. – Theodore Roosevelt
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
– Henry Ford
A business that makes nothing but money is a poor business.
– Henry Ford
Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?
– Abraham Lincoln
Advisor Status
I currently serve as academic advisor for international students, students concentrating in international business, and others in the International School of Business.
Professional Memberships
President, Finnish American Chamber of Commerce Upper Michigan. Current since 2014
Certifications
NASBITE International - Certified Global Business Professional, 2019
Publications
Co-editor, Business Guide to the Kaluga Region of Russia, 2008
Awards & Recognitions
Teacher of the Year award, School of Business, JAMK University of Applied Sciences (Finland), 2006
Other
FinnFest USA 2013, Member of Board of Directors
Head of the Business Forum and Marketing committees. Developed marketing strategy for the Festival and took the leading role in planning and implementing an international business forum as part of the overall festival
Co-Chairperson of the organizing committee for the "Business and Politics in a Changing World" international student conference. FRIDAS business institute, Obninsk, Russia. Biannual conference 1998-2010
5th Slovenian Business Conference, Portoroz, Slovenia, November 21-22, 2003.
Member of discussion panel on hi-tech marketing with Slovenian and German business leaders.