A leading academic at Waikato Management School has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the New Year Honours 2015, for meritorious and outstanding services to business and education.
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Strategy Jens Mueller, who lectures on Waikato's Master of Business Administration (MBA) and other postgraduate programmes, is an expert in corporate governance, entrepreneurship and long-term business performance strategies.
A wealth of business experience
Dr Mueller has more than 25 years' experience as a chair, CEO and consultant for numerous multinational firms in Europe and North America.
Dr Mueller has advised many large firms and government agencies, including Fonterra, Telecom, the Ministry of Health, and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. He was appointed as a director of Pharmac by the Minister of Health in 2010, and is currently advising the World Health Organisation in the Western Pacific region.
"I spend a large portion of my time teaching, so this is a wonderful recognition that cutting-edge business education is seen as valuable in New Zealand," says Dr Mueller, a professional member of the Royal Society of New Zealand, and one of the few academics with two doctorates.
"My job is to ensure that our MBA participants at Waikato Management School graduate with the business skills required to lead organisations and develop value-creation strategies with a transformational impact. I accept this honour on behalf of all my superbly talented colleagues at Waikato Management School."
Dr Mueller has been named 'Professor of the Year' four times by MBA participants at Northern Illinois University's College of Business, where he lectures in global business management.
Valuable business leadership
Professor Alister Jones, Acting Vice-Chancellor at the University of Waikato, says Dr Mueller's tremendous business experience helps define the practical relevance of the MBA's classroom teachings. "With such a long career as a business leader globally,
Jens contributes not just superb academic teachings, but also a sense of what our graduates need to succeed in their jobs."
The incoming Dean of Waikato Management School, Professor Don Ross, says: "As an independent director in organisations such as Pharmac, Jens wrestles with real-life governance and strategy issues at a billion dollar level every day, and lets our MBA and postgraduate students share his experiences. Smart, ambitious students come to Waikato because we have accomplished business leaders like Jens who put students first."
"It is because of the contributions of professors like Jens Mueller that Waikato Management School is among the fewer than 60 management schools worldwide to hold "Triple Crown" accreditation status."
University of Waikato consultant Robyn Baker was also honoured for her services to education, becoming an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM), as does Distinguished Alumni Award winner Chris Pugsley, for services as a military historian.
Fellow Distinguished Alumni Award winner Theresa Gattung becomes a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to business and philanthropy.
Other alumni recognised in the 2015 list were Dr Susan Hickey, for services to people with disabilities; Roma Hippolite, for services to Māori and health; Ben Taufua, for services to the Pacific community; Irene Cooper, for services to education and Geraldine Travers, for services to education. All were made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM).