Building on its commitment to establishing meaningful partnerships with the Columbus business community, The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business has joined the Columbus Chamber of Commerce as a member of its Leadership Circle.

Fisher is the only higher education business school to join the chamber’s Leadership Circle.

“As a leader in business education at the state’s flagship land-grant university, Fisher is delighted to join the chamber and to contribute to a shared mission of helping the Columbus region thrive and grow,” said Anil K. Makhija, dean and John W. Berry, Sr. Chair in Business at Fisher.

“We look forward to connecting the talent of our students, the expertise of our faculty thought leaders, and the research insights of centers of excellence with a local business community that is thriving and primed for even greater growth.”

By joining the chamber’s nearly 1,900-member network, Fisher is uniquely positioned to showcase how its unique programs and signature offerings — such as a newly redesigned Full-Time MBA degree — can positively impact local businesses looking for fresh and innovative ideas from Fisher’s extraordinarily talented students and graduates.

Fisher’s membership to the chamber also opens up direct lines of communication between its research community and local companies interested in addressing challenges and formulating strategies through partnership opportunities and customized programming.

“This formal tie between the Max M. Fisher College of Business and our Columbus Chamber only solidifies the longstanding partnership between our two organizations,” said Don DePerro, president and chief executive officer of the Columbus Chamber. “Interestingly, The Ohio State University is one of the only Columbus Region institutions older than our Chamber, which celebrates our 135th anniversary in April. Together with Fisher, we are driving partnerships together in logistics, workforce development, small business services and many other areas.”

“We are thrilled that Dean Makhija and his outstanding team will be more deeply involved in our Chamber moving forward.”