U of R business schools release economic impact study

What do the National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations and the founder and CEO of Hillberg and Berk have in common? They’re both graduates of the Hill and Levene schools of business at the University of Regina.

The success of the schools is being recognized in a new economic and social impact study conducted by Economic Development Regina. It’s the first time the schools have done a study like this.

The study found the two schools generated $211 million in economic activity, or $140 million in GDP to the provincial economy in 2018.

Another key finding was that one in 280 jobs in Regina depend directly or indirectly on the schools of business. That adds up to 475 jobs in the Queen City and 868 province-wide.

The study also highlighted social contributions within the community by its students, graduates and faculty members.

“The university’s motto is, ‘As one who serves,’ and our students and graduates embody that. If we look to see what so many of our student bodies are doing, they contribute in meaningful ways in our community,” said Gina Grandy, the dean of the Hill and Levene schools of business.

The Business Students’ Society has raised more than $300,000 for Carmichael Outreach through the Five Days for the Homeless initiative since 2010.

Between 2017 and 2019, students in the JDC West case competition teams logged more than 10,000 volunteer hours, raising nearly $75,000 for Hope’s Home as well.

Of all the graduates from the Hill and Levene schools of business, 84 per cent graduate with a job.

Graduates — including Rachel Mielke (founder and CEO of Hillberg and Berk), Kyle Jeworski (CEO of Viterra) and Perry Bellegarde (National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations) — have also gone on to become leaders of global firms and the Indigenous community.