SUNY Oswego’s School of Business announced the appointment of Maureen Melville as the inaugural director of the Center for Business Excellence and Transformation (CBET). 

An accomplished educator, business leader and innovator, Melville brings a dynamic blend of academic excellence, corporate experience and visionary leadership to this pivotal role. 

“Throughout my career in sales, marketing and education, I’ve been passionate about bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world success,” Melville said. “As the director of the Center for Business Excellence and Transformation, I see an incredible opportunity to not only elevate student career readiness but also strengthen our connections with the local and regional business community. By fostering collaboration between students, faculty and industry leaders, we can drive meaningful economic and professional growth for everyone involved."

The hiring committee appreciated a proven record of building strategic partnerships, securing grant funding and mentoring students toward career readiness, finding Melville exceptionally well-positioned to lead CBET into its next chapter of impact and growth. 

CBET is a new hub for student, faculty, and community collaboration. CBET’s mission is to foster business excellence through innovative learning, industry partnership, and co-curricular programming that drive real-world impact. 

Supported by funding from the National Science Foundation, Empire State Development and alumni donors, CBET will serve as a catalyst for economic development and transformative business practices. 

In her new role, Melville will: 

  • Develop and execute a strategic vision for CBET aligned with SUNY Oswego’s institutional priorities and the school’s strategic plan that will include the formal launch of CBET, creating its first advisory board and rolling out the CBET Faculty Practice Fellow program 
  • Drive corporate and community partnerships, building bridges between students, faculty, alumni, and industry. 
  • Lead innovative co-curricular programming, including events like the Sales Triathlon, Mock Interview Palooza, and the Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Promotion Conference. 
  • Promote curriculum innovation by helping faculty infuse real-world business tools such as Salesforce, Google Analytics and AdWords into student learning. 
  • Advance CBET’s role as an engine for regional economic development, supporting local businesses through research, data, and consulting initiatives.

"Transformation isn’t just about improving business education — it’s about creating lasting impact,” Melville noted. “CBET will serve as a bridge between SUNY Oswego and the broader community, ensuring that students have the skills, experience and professional networks to thrive. By developing partnerships with businesses and organizations, we can build a talent pipeline that benefits both our students and the regional economy."

Melville has served as a visiting assistant professor and faculty career mentor at SUNY Oswego since 2018, and serves as the Dean’s Leadership Fellow, where she is part of the team that led efforts in fundraising, student mentorship and program development. 

She was instrumental in launching and growing the Sales Triathlon competition, seeding and growing the Sales Minor — now the largest minor in the School of Business — and coordinating high-impact events that connect students directly with industry professionals. 

With more than a decade of industry experience in advertising, digital marketing, and sales leadership, including roles at The Post Standard/Advance Media NY and Veritiv, Melville is proud of consistently delivering results in revenue generation, digital transformation and client success. 

She also brings deep nonprofit leadership experience as a board member and digital strategy consultant for Families FIRST, where she helped secure over $250,000 in grants and donations to support families of children with autism. 

Melville holds a master of business administration from SUNY Oswego and a bachelor of science in Business Administration from Rochester Institute of Technology, with a double major in marketing and international business. 

Recognized with the Outstanding Professorship Award by SUNY Oswego’s Residence Hall Association, Melville is a passionate advocate for student success and real-world readiness. 

“Students at SUNY Oswego’s School of Business should feel confident that they are gaining more than just a degree — they are becoming valuable contributors to their industries and communities,” Melville said. “CBET will provide mentorship, career development and hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to lead, innovate and give back. When our students succeed, the entire community benefits."