Palm Beach Atlantic University Announces Name Change to AACSB-Accredited Business School

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 10, 2025) - Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA) is pleased to announce a major milestone in the growth of its business programs. Effective today, the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. School of Business will become the Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business, and its new home will open as the Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker Business Hall this spring.

The elevation to "college" status enables PBA to position its business programs for long-term scale and strategic growth. All AACSB-accredited programs will now be housed within the newly formed Marshall E. Rinker, Sr. College of Business, which will encompass two distinct academic schools:

• The School of Free Enterprise, which reflects the University's historic embrace of American free enterprise, will include programs in Accounting, Business Data Analytics, Economics, and Finance, along with the Raney Center for Free Enterprise and the Center for Financial Literacy.

• The Catherine T. MacArthur School of Management, which will include Business Administration, Business and Law, Entrepreneurship and Franchising, International Business, Management, and Marketing programs, as well as the Titus Center for Franchising.

"These changes reflect the University's continued trajectory of academic excellence and its increasing stature within the growing business landscape of West Palm Beach," said Provost Dr. Stephen P. Johnson. "As Fortune 500 companies and major industry players continue to relocate to the region, the transition to college status positions PBA as a premier destination for Christ-centered business education and leadership development."

Undergraduate enrollment in the Rinker College of Business has increased 58 percent over the last three years. During the 2024-2025 academic year, the College served 844 students, with 26 full-time faculty. The College offers 14 unique undergraduate degrees, seven graduate programs, and two minors.

"This milestone stands as a symbol of what's possible when we align strategic vision with a rigorous, Christ-centered business curriculum," said Dr. Brian Strow, dean of the Rinker College of Business. "As we grow alongside the South Florida region, we remain dedicated to preparing the next generation as they learn to lead with integrity in today's global market."

The renaming of the College and new business hall honors the legacy of Marshall and Vera Lea Rinker, whose generosity and vision have helped shape PBA for decades.

In 2023, the College received AACSB accreditation, placing PBA among the top six percent of business schools globally-and one of only 10 Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) to earn the accreditation. The AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools, and the largest business education network connecting learners, educators, and businesses worldwide.

"We are grateful to the Rinker family for their continued support of PBA and its students," said President Dr. Debra A. Schwinn. "Thanks to their partnership, we are equipping the next generation of leaders to grow in wisdom, lead with conviction, and serve God boldly. The renaming honors the legacy of the Rinkers but also elevates our business school, which is AACSB-accredited, with its recognition."

To learn more about the Rinker College of Business, visit pba.edu.