Fox School’s DeSilvis receives PBJ’s 40 Under 40 award

DeSilvis

Photo by Jim Roese

Recognizing her devotion to both her students and the community, the Philadelphia Business Journal named Nicole DeSilvis, an international trade consultant at the Temple Small Business Development Center and adjunct professor of international business at The Fox School of Business, one of the recipients of its 40 Under 40 awards.

The winners comprise up-and-coming young leaders who have shaped their community in ways that have made Greater Philadelphia a better place to do business and live.

“She has enriched the quality of the undergraduate international business program through her passion for teaching, helping students find meaningful jobs, and by developing the new practice-oriented international business course,” said Arvind Phatak, executive director of Temple’s CIBER and the Carnell Professor of International Business.

Not only did DeSilvis develop the curriculum for the International Business Capstone Practicum, but she also teaches the course — which grew from about 20 to 65 students per semester in just five-and-a-half years. Her students benefit from real-world experience while participating companies gain from the professional-level consulting services and market-entry strategies developed by her students. Through the course, since 2002, IB seniors have worked with more than 50 local companies logging more than 1,000 consulting hours per semester for companies in the Greater Philadelphia region.

DeSilvis’ dual role, consultant and teacher, also enables her to pair students and graduates with her clients and other contacts who are looking for interns or full-time employees. Over the past few years she has consistently placed approximately six students per semester.

“I’m grateful that Temple University and The Fox School promote the type of out-of-the-box thinking that has given me the perfect platform to both serve the students and the surrounding community,” DeSilvis said.

DeSilvis also launched and developed the SBDC’s International Business Trade Program, and throughout the past seven years has grown the International Trade Department to serve more than 100 clients per year. Through her consulting work, she helps Greater Philadelphia-area clients achieve their export potential. In 2005 alone, DeSilvis’ international consulting created a cumulative increase of approximately $5.8 million in export sales.

As part of the SBDC International Department’s offerings, in cooperation with the Small Business Administration, she also develops, teaches and implements a series of seminars and workshops for clients focusing on international business issues such as “Breaking into the Trade Game.”

“Of all that I’ve been able to accomplish in my life, this recognition, becoming a member of this high-caliber group of professionals, is one of the most truly humbling experiences and is both personally and professionally satisfying,” she said.

By Rebecca C. Carroll
For the Fox School of Business and Management